I just got an e-mail from a friend, in Bangkok, who's an associate director of one of the corporate sales divisions at Le Meridien Bangkok and she's informed me that the hotel is scheduled to open in June of this year. So, if any of you are traveling, that's another hotel to consider. Who knows, if I get to BK, at the end of Aug, maybe I'll stay there for one night to try it out and then report back to you guys. Happy Travels!

where's it located?

From the Starwood website, it looks like it's on Surawong road in the Silom area - not exactly where I usually want to be.

I believe it's next to the old Ramada. I walked past it a week or so ago.

just up the road, towards the river, from the main jim thompson store.....

the last i looked they still were not taking reservations, so i doubt the june date will work...its thailand remember...

Another new hotel/serviced apartment that recently opened in a great location is the Grande Centre Point located just off Ratchadamri - actually just a few metres from the Four Seasons. I'm currently in a one bedroom suite right now. It is very, very nice with great quality facilities (both in the room and complex).

I'm not sure what their rates will end up, but their current long-stay, corporate promotion is great (about 2650 baht a night for a 69sqm, 1-bedroom apartment). Located on the ground floor is also one of the best restaurants I've eaten at - Coffee Beans by Dao. Excellent thai food and also great cakes and pastries. Last night a very, very high-level former politician came in to eat dinner while I was there! ;-)

mlb, is the Grande Centre Point the one between the Four Seasons and the Hyatt?

(And did the individual that you saw seem like he had recently come from a visit to court, and was he wearing a Manchester City football shirt?)

rizzuto,

Yes, the Grande Centre Point is between the Four Seasons and Hyatt - more specifically it is down the soi off of Ratchadamri that is between the Four Seasons and Penninsula Plaza Mall. It is a very tall (50+ floors) building that goes to a point at the top - nice looking building.

On your other point, you are a very astute reader!

mlb---what is the pool area like at the new CPG???

are the initials TS?

It's good that the new Centre Point Rajadamri is nice. The day that I went over to meet Robbie and her husband,Jan 03,2008, at the Four Seasons, I was sitting in the lobby reading the Bangkok Post and there was a big article on it. I walked past it, but as it was the same day that I was flying home, I didn't have time to go in and check the place out.
Right in front of the Rajadamri skytrain station is the construction on the St.Regis. So much for views from the new condo building I checked out...two buildings from the St. Regis site. It will block the views. Happy Travels!

Yes, please..is there any information on the swimming pools at both of these new places?

The pool area at the GCP is very nice - it is on the 9th floor and is a very large pool with lots of greenery surrounding it. There are also two whirlpools in the pool. Also on the facilities floor are a mens and womens hot tub/jacuzzi, steam rooms, and sauna. Plus there is a squash court and the Rarinjinda (sp?) Spa is located in the building on the 8th floor - this is the spa that started in Chiang Mai and is quite famous from what I've heard.

The rooms are very large and have nice fixtures/features (full kitchens and washer/dryer), free internet & breakfast at Coffee Beans. Also the view from the rooms overlooking the polo club are spectacular and shouldn't be too obstructed by the St. Regis (although it will be a year or two before this becomes a problem). On the other sides of the building, the views might be more obstructed because there are other high-rises being built right now. Luckily, if you can get a high floor, the building is tall enough to where you rise above many of the others (rooms are located all the way up to floor 50).

Please let me know if you have any more questions....and the initials of TS are an excellent guess!

Many thanks! When you say two whirlpools in the pool..would that impede someone swimming laps? Is it a rectangular pool that one could swim laps in?

thanks....need to try it out

Actually, the pool is plenty large enough to swim laps. The whirlpools are along the edge and the pool itself has plenty of room.

Check out this link:

http://www.thefrontallobe.com/grande...nt/index2.html

I guess this site is in development because not everything is functioning, but it should give you an idea of the rooms and facilities. The photo gallery does have a nice pic of the pool. Disregard the prices though - I believe you can get it cheaper - especially long-stay.

i had seen that site

Thanks again. The pool looks beautiful and very swimmable! Does it get full sun during the day?
This looks excellent for my future trip to Bkk.

The pool is on the east side of the building. It gets sun most of the day, but by mid to late afternoon it gets partially shaded by the condo. However, it is already hot enough by then that you do not mind!

new reservations for the le meridien can be now made for stays after august 1, 2008