Marriott Resort & Spa-Is this right?
 

First time posting although have enjoyed reading insights from experts on this forum for awhile. Going to Thailand first time the end of Dec. & need help as to whether this practice sounds right.
Booked Marriott Resort & Spa mnths ago (via their website) with a rate of $235 for a JR Suite. Looked at the rez last week & they'd converted the rate to THB at 8220. According to exch. rate, that's $275/night before taxes & services. Got in touch with the Mgr @ Marriott & he stated that my rate didn't go up but simply due to the THAI to US exch. rate of 35 THB, my room rate is now that. Called Marriott in the U.S. but no one seemed to have a clue. Is this a normal practice in Thailand? Shouldn't Marriott guarantee the rate in USD? Just wanted a general consencus b-4 taking it further, if necessary. Thanks in advance to all who could shed a light.

Prices are typically converted to Thai baht. That is, when you check out, you are paying in Thai baht not in US dollars.

Perhaps I've missed something, but when I divide 8220 Thai baht by 33.5 (the exchange rate we got last month in Bangkok, it yields $245.37 Since the US dollar has been falling against the Thai baht, the conversion was probably made when the dollar was higher. So it doesn't appear to me that anything is amiss. You'd have the same expereince if you had reserved a room at a European hotel via a website priced in dollars.

What I do is to make reservations at my Bangkok hotel directly with them, in Thai Baht. I'm still at the mercy of the falling dollar, but I don't have to be concerned about artificial exchange rates which you do encounter at many places (more in Indonesia than in Thailand).

Thanks Kathie. I guess you live and learn. Next time I will book directly with the local hotel.

The Marriott Resort Bangkok for Junior Suite double/twin is available at THB 8,200 per night 'including tax, service and breakfast' up until Dec 27th when it goes up to THB 8,800 per night including tax, service and breakfast until 3rd January, then it goes back to the THB 8,200 a night.

http://www.r24.org/beachsiam.com/bangkok/bkkmarriott/

Your 8,220 rate plus 10 % service and 7% tax works out at THB 9,617.4 per night.

It's that old difference of rates that do not include that extra 17% or those that do, the exchange rate has changed, that 8,220 on that site shows as $272 but that 'does' include the 17% tax and service, that tax and service difference is just on $50 a night so does make a large difference!

Of course you could have gone to an agents booking site and got a Jr Suite for 8200 baht (8800 dec27-jan3) including taxes/service charge/breakfast

JamesA-thanks for the weblink. I will try saving myself $50 & book with them. I'll hear back tomorrow.

We are staying at the Marriott Resort and Spa in mid January and our agent got us the Jr. Suite, with breakfast and all taxes for $203 US/night!

BillT-Who is your agent? Please provide info. Thanks!

Her name is Bunnie Usman here is her email:
[email protected]

She is west coast based. She is a relative. Tell her that Uncle Bill referred you. Note that she is sometimnes slow in responding but whenever we asked for her help she has always come thru with the best deals to Asia. No guarantee that she can get you this rate at the marriott but no harm in asking to see what she can do for you.

Try this email as the one I mentioned may not work:

[email protected]

Did hear back from the site that JamesA gave me & the 8200 THB is valid & avai. (Jan 8-11). However, the JR Suite isn't on club floor (drinks/snacks in the evenings and a few other extras) plus we'd have to pay 1900 THB additional for a rollaway bed for our 4 yr old. I guess the original Marriott rate works out to be OK since we save on the extra bed & will get a few free drinks out of it. Just an fyi...

Good job, jerrett, on checking out all of the conditions on the rates. The rate that looks best isn't always!

jjerrett- Do you have more than 1 child staying with you? According to the site James posted they give 1 complementary bed for child under 12, so there shouldn't be an additional charge for the rollaway bed.

FYI- the Jr. Suite does give you full breakfast each day for 2 as well as access to the Club Lounge, afternoon tea, hors d'oeuvres, cocktails and internet service as well as pressing service!

BillT- Did you have to prepay your agent for that rate, or do you pay at the Marriott?

We prepaid with Bunnie.