Sheraton - Bangkok
Jun 11th, 2012, 06:30 AM
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Sheraton - Bangkok
Am in the early planning stages of our next trip to Bangkok. Will be using United FF miles so I am looking to book for departure early next year. We will be using SPG points and right now the best value appears to be the Sheraton on the river. Standard room, I will pay points and cash as that seems to be the best use of our points. 1600 per night with $30.
A few questions for our experts (especially Kathie who is regular there). What is the hotel boat schedule. I understand they run every 30 minutes. Do they have only one boat? Does the boat leave on the hour and half hour? Is there a particular schedule for leaving the skytrain area or is it when the boat arrives it picks up and returns? When is the last departure in the evening from the hotel?
Restaurants within walking distance of the hotel- what is nearby and by nearby I mean a short walk given the heat and humidity of BKK?
Breakfast at the hotel- their buffet is a bit pricey do they have other options?
How is the pool- plenty of shaded umbrellas, readily available?
Any other tips for staying at this hotel? I know we will not get the tower rooms but what can we ask for given we will be using SPG points?
A few questions for our experts (especially Kathie who is regular there). What is the hotel boat schedule. I understand they run every 30 minutes. Do they have only one boat? Does the boat leave on the hour and half hour? Is there a particular schedule for leaving the skytrain area or is it when the boat arrives it picks up and returns? When is the last departure in the evening from the hotel?
Restaurants within walking distance of the hotel- what is nearby and by nearby I mean a short walk given the heat and humidity of BKK?
Breakfast at the hotel- their buffet is a bit pricey do they have other options?
How is the pool- plenty of shaded umbrellas, readily available?
Any other tips for staying at this hotel? I know we will not get the tower rooms but what can we ask for given we will be using SPG points?
Jun 11th, 2012, 06:48 AM
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Good morning, BillT. You'll want to take a look at the BKK Post article I just referenced. The Saphan Taksin BTS station is currently being dismantled. If that would be the case during your visit, you will probably want to taxi to/from a different BTS station... maybe?
Jun 11th, 2012, 06:51 AM
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Hi Bill. There is one Sheraton boat, it leave the hotel on the hour and half hour. It drops people off and picks them up at the pier below the skytrain. It's about on the quarter hour. Occasionally, if we just miss the shuttle, we can either look for the River city shuttle and take it or take a water taxi for a few baht. Sorry, I can't remember the last time the boat runs.
I think for those not staying in the Towers, you can get the buffet (which is pricey, but huge) or you can order room service. There might be another option as well, but I don't know it.
The pool area is lovely (I think it's the best in Bangkok). There are two pools, one for laps, sort of next to the river and very sunny. The other pool is to one side of the hotel, technically on property leased from the Portuguese Embassy, and is lovely and has lots of shade. It has lots of lounge chairs and umbrellas, and a bar.
You should get on a higher floor, as you are spg members. You might ask if you can pay a little extra to have breakfast included or ask what it would take to upgrade to the Towers. You might also check on whether they have a great deal on suites. I remember they had a fabulous senior discount rate for suites once when Bob stayed there.
Restaurants: The Gallery is a short stroll. There are several restaurants in River City. Also, Harmonique is a little longer walk, but not too bad.
I think for those not staying in the Towers, you can get the buffet (which is pricey, but huge) or you can order room service. There might be another option as well, but I don't know it.
The pool area is lovely (I think it's the best in Bangkok). There are two pools, one for laps, sort of next to the river and very sunny. The other pool is to one side of the hotel, technically on property leased from the Portuguese Embassy, and is lovely and has lots of shade. It has lots of lounge chairs and umbrellas, and a bar.
You should get on a higher floor, as you are spg members. You might ask if you can pay a little extra to have breakfast included or ask what it would take to upgrade to the Towers. You might also check on whether they have a great deal on suites. I remember they had a fabulous senior discount rate for suites once when Bob stayed there.
Restaurants: The Gallery is a short stroll. There are several restaurants in River City. Also, Harmonique is a little longer walk, but not too bad.
Jun 11th, 2012, 07:35 AM
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they will put you on an SPG floor. the rooms are fine. their food is very expensive and middle of the road
Gpanda always bought pastry, rolls, etc at a small cafe built into the basement wall of the hotel... it is located on the right side of the hotel when you face the water. it is good, we have used it too. just take it back to your room. there is a 7/11 across the street too.
gallery cafe is decent and less than a 5 minute walk. turn right out of the hotel and you will find it on the right side of the road after the left hand turn by the embassy. i take a taxi to harmonique, although we have walked. tongue thai is not far. cross the river to the hilton where they have good food and the fantastic 360 lounge up top--a must visit. the penn runs their boat to river city once per hour.
the garden pool is lovely, every bit as nice as the former marriott, but not as large... plenty of seating. lots of shade--you can see and hear the river thru the bushes..
it is nice being next door to the river city mall... visit with karen's friends at js thai silk and ask for penny... olive might like them to make her something.. now located on the 2nd floor.
last time i checked ROS did not run boats till 10AM, but that may have changed. there is a public boat pier to the left of the hotel..
Gpanda always bought pastry, rolls, etc at a small cafe built into the basement wall of the hotel... it is located on the right side of the hotel when you face the water. it is good, we have used it too. just take it back to your room. there is a 7/11 across the street too.
gallery cafe is decent and less than a 5 minute walk. turn right out of the hotel and you will find it on the right side of the road after the left hand turn by the embassy. i take a taxi to harmonique, although we have walked. tongue thai is not far. cross the river to the hilton where they have good food and the fantastic 360 lounge up top--a must visit. the penn runs their boat to river city once per hour.
the garden pool is lovely, every bit as nice as the former marriott, but not as large... plenty of seating. lots of shade--you can see and hear the river thru the bushes..
it is nice being next door to the river city mall... visit with karen's friends at js thai silk and ask for penny... olive might like them to make her something.. now located on the 2nd floor.
last time i checked ROS did not run boats till 10AM, but that may have changed. there is a public boat pier to the left of the hotel..
Jun 11th, 2012, 09:40 AM
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Bill, I'm trying out the 'new' Four Points on Suk soi 15 next month, in a junior suite. I think the location is really not bad. Pretty close to Robinsons, Asok BTS, Terminal 21, and that neighborhood. Not the short walk to the BTS that I have at Adelphi, but I'm trying out something different this time. It's a short 5-day stay, and I'm not planning on doing laundry.
Jun 12th, 2012, 06:20 AM
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Actualy Bob, now that I am semi retired we are spending our ff miles and hotel points when we travel and as such as much as I like Lux I'm looking for bargains when using points. I'm now looking at the Four Points for our trip so Carol I will be keenly interested in your report on this property. I'm not feeling good about the ROS anymore now that the boat to the skytrain option is no longer a good option, Carol please checkout their breakfast buffet- cost and selection. Also how is their Tuk Tuk service to the skytrain? How do you use that service coming back or is that not available. For Points seems very close to both the skytrain and the subway so getting around seems easy.
Jun 12th, 2012, 06:39 AM
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Bill, I do love using the skytrain. But I stayed at the ROS many times before the skytrain existed and got around fine in taxis. I will be interested in hearing from others how the ROS responds to the shutdown of our favorite skytrain station.
Jun 12th, 2012, 07:35 AM
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I recently stayed in the ROS in Bangkok and don't recommend it. There's nothing near by, a few really touristy (and empty) restaurants in the vacant mall next door. Rooms were tired and not impressive. For a similar amount of SPG points I'd try the Le Meridien - the rooms are much nicer.
I also stayed in the Four Points. Rooms are nice, new, small but functional. I checked in late and they gave me a room on the 6th floor that was LOUD. I called and complained and they said "oh of course, there's a wedding going on upstairs". Thanks for putting me there. They promptly moved me to a new room.
I also stayed in the Four Points. Rooms are nice, new, small but functional. I checked in late and they gave me a room on the 6th floor that was LOUD. I called and complained and they said "oh of course, there's a wedding going on upstairs". Thanks for putting me there. They promptly moved me to a new room.
Jun 12th, 2012, 08:32 AM
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Bill, I don't think they have a tuk tuk option, but I'll find out. It is just off of Sukhumvit, and the tuk tuk would be to take you UP TO Sukhumvit from the hotel. Not a necessary option at all, as Suk is just steps away. The breakfast is not included in my rate, but I will check it out for you.
I'll be curious to know if my room will be loud, tansmets. I'll also be checking in late, as my flight does not arrive in BKK until nearly 11pm.
I'll be curious to know if my room will be loud, tansmets. I'll also be checking in late, as my flight does not arrive in BKK until nearly 11pm.
Jun 12th, 2012, 10:38 AM
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there are tuk tuks out in the street, but they are the flat fare, ripoff type...lots of taxis come to the door...
the traffic patterns leaving from the hotel present a small problem if you are going down river... new rd is one way so cars have to go intown a block or two to head down river. at times there can be lots of traffic... i find it quicker to just go up songawse rd, past jim thompson and then hop across rama IV to in town locations--forget taskim... coming back to the hotel from taskin is easy as the road direction favors you and you can always get taxis near robinsons on new rd.
the traffic patterns leaving from the hotel present a small problem if you are going down river... new rd is one way so cars have to go intown a block or two to head down river. at times there can be lots of traffic... i find it quicker to just go up songawse rd, past jim thompson and then hop across rama IV to in town locations--forget taskim... coming back to the hotel from taskin is easy as the road direction favors you and you can always get taxis near robinsons on new rd.
