Hello Dogster,

great to have found someone who's staying at the hotel i am to stay it purely since its such a new hotel so not much reviews on it out there.
by yr experience so far how would you rate it cosidering its a 5 star hotel?
please list the pros n cons if poss.
i am staying there for 3 nights starting 29th sept with my wife n my infant son who's 9 months old. we're in our early 30's.
thanks

Hi priyesh,

It's kinda late here [2.30 a.m.]so I'll try not to ramble.

Relax, considering your family and bub - I reckon you've made a good decision - and hopefully got a nifty rate. As bub is only 9 months old, I'm guessing you won't be out there seeing the sights all that much - but staying here you just have to catch a lift down to the 23rd. floor [where the main lobby is] go down a few escalators and there are three huge shopping centres, a massive cinema complex and zillions of restaurants.

Remember, the hotel isn't officially open yet so there are odd noises and some strange smells [now at least]- all that seems to be happening up above the 45th floor.

It's located right on top of the Bangkok Convention centre and, in the four days I've been here, seems to be operating at 100% capacity with a weird mix of happy conventioneers, their wives and families. So the lifts can be slow and crowded. This rather put me off at first, but I soon entered into the swing of it.

The staff are great and extremely anxious to please. With your new baby you'll be a big hit. The rooms are, of course, brand new, as is everything in them.

But it's a Centara chain hotel, not the Oriental. It's a bit bland, very large and could be impersonal - if you let it. But just ask for assistance and all will be fine. Again, I think your infant son will solve all that, just by being himself. All the Thai people I've met seem to adore children.

You could happily spend three days in the hotel and shopping complex and never get bored, should bub be acting up or your wife want to head off on her own [or you] things are easy and about as close as can be.

The skytrain is a bit of a hike - about ten minutes walk along an elevated sky-walk so there'll be no need to brave Bangkok traffic unless you want to.

The rooms seem, at first to be kinda small - but that's more a function of the design. With the two of you and a crib you might feel a little crowded. If you can afford it, upgrade to a junior suite. They're twice the size.

The views of Bangkok are stunning. The food is perfectly fine. The more I think about it, the more I think you've made a smart choice. I'm not used to travelling with an infant but the rooms don't seem to have any obvious danger points for bub - no sharp edges and stuff.

I've travelled a lot and I guess I expect a level of personalised service that this place doesn't provide. That, to me, is the mark of a REAL 5 star establishment - but you're not going to get that here. But it's 1/4 the price of the Oberoi or Peninsula so it'd be wrong to expect it. What you'll get is a great space, one that provides you with everything you need - and probably a great deal more. Just ask. Don't be shy. You won't feel out of place here. Nor will you feel intimidated.

But now my friend, I really have to sleep. Ask more questions if you want and I'll reply from Siem Reap tomorrow.

Let me say again, relax, you've made a smart choice.

hey thx so much to take the time to reply to me so late, appreciate it.
u've made me feel good at my choice of hotel, & yes, i got the rate of 3900 baht (excl taxes) per night not incl bkf, whc is grt for a 5 star category hotel.
do u recommend i send the hotel an email requesting a room on a particulat floor to avoid odd noises or smells etc as u've mentioned the same?
anyth else comes to yr mind that i can request the hotel in advance as considering i am going after a month from now they will be able to fulfill them.
thanks a lot agian

heya priyesh - I'm in transit right now and can't focus. I'll think about it and write later today from Siem Reap. Cheers. Glad to have of use.

okey dokey, thx!

another qs i remembered i shd ask you abt - wifi internet service.
i'll b carrying my laptop, is the internet service free? how is the connectivity speed?