Hilton HHonors - Very low rates in Bangkok?

While transiting Narita on the way to BKK met a very nice Thai couple who told me that they had been told by a friend that there are VERY LOW rates because of SARS at 5 star hotels. According to them they are not available just to Thai's because it is a travel promotion and the rate they stated was WAY below even the $78 Conrad rate.
Unfortunately I can't seem to be able to find out how to book this - anyone have any info and can help?

That's interesting. Any resident BKK Ft'er know about this deal?

Planning a trip to BKK in a couple of weeks time

Check some of the cheap rate Asian hotel booking websites. They will all pop up through google. Planet Holiday is the one I use and vouch for. Usually they are a 3 day package at phenominal rates. They are reliable and most include breakfast. Note, you won't get any points or miles unless you book directly with The Hilton systems.

Some rates of interest that are booked directly with the actual Hotel systems (i.e.: spg.com, hi.com, etc.): Westin through SPG.COM is $55.00 (Internet Only Rate). Crowne Plaza is $52.50 (Internet Only Rate). However, the $78 Conrad Rate (which ends up being $91.25 with 17.7% tax) is the lowest on Hilton.com as an AAA member, so far.

FT has many posts of excellent service for HHonors Gold and Diamonds, so that's good for the Conrad BKK. And I can vouch for the Crowne Plaza on a $99 rate last year as a PC Gold (unknown what a $52.50 rate would give me). But it is unknown if the low rates at US Hotel chains booked directly through their own websites will give a newspaper, breakfast all included.

All these huge point acrual bonuses is the only issue that is making me not book my regular hotel in BKK this moment. I'm paying a little more, but am I going to get a little less than my usual favourite hotel? So far, I'm only reading SPG PLT's writing reports....I'm waiting for the lonely Prefered level to write one, to see what really happens.

SHADO

[This message has been edited by SHADO (edited 06-03-2003).]

There may be cheaper CONTRACTED rates but these are prepaid rates (through the respective travel agencies in Thailand and/or Asia) , and your HHonors status will not be acknowledged and benefits (ie upgrades, breakfasts) will not be extended either.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by estnet:
While transiting Narita on the way to BKK met a very nice Thai couple who told me that they had been told by a friend that there are VERY LOW rates because of SARS at 5 star hotels. According to them they are not available just to Thai's because it is a travel promotion and the rate they stated was WAY below even the $78 Conrad rate.
Unfortunately I can't seem to be able to find out how to book this - anyone have any info and can help?</font>

There was a report on this in one of the newspapers here at the weekend. Apparently the Conrad manager said " we've got low rates but basically people can name their price ". Occupancy was about 15% as I recall, might be worth a direct fax or call to the Hotel you're interested in.

Nigel

Very interesting replies - esp. re: the Conrad - when the Conrad was called by the Hilton Hua Hin for me they wouldn't budge on their lowest rate - nor when I emailed them re: the rate I had heard they emailed me back that their lowest rate was as posted eg 87US.

The rate I had heard about was 500 baht -for a variety of 5 star hotels - AND allegedly it was not just for Thai residents (there are a lot of good rates being offered in the English language paper - but you MUST have proof of Thai residencey)

The manager at theHH Hilton had heard of the special offer - but said it was good for "like 5 minutes a day" and had to be booked throught the Thai tourist office - for only some hotels in Bangkok. They (the HH Hilton) weren't part of it .

Since this was to encourage "tourism" in part because of SARS, and it was never publicized to those of us who might come, oh well.... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/frown.gif

Anyway the only hotels I could find out that still in the program to the end of June were three hotels (not 5 star) in Pattaya - but I didn't pursue it since I don't want to go there.

[This message has been edited by estnet (edited 06-05-2003).]

I've done lots of research on the alleged 500-baht rate and low rates in general in BKK recently.

Some background: TAT came up with this idea and the Bangkok Post jumped on this before details were finalised. In the end, very few hotels participated in this, no of which were ANY 4 or 5-star hotels. This rumor started because the Post reported (The Post is known for this style of reporting: journalism-by-the-seat-of-your-pants) that the Peninisula was participating. It was not.

Quick summary: urban myth.

What are on offer are pre-paid rate hotels at thailandsmilesplus.com (Buy 1 night get 1 night free). Some good deals there e.g. Amari Watergate for $50/night.

On the Conrad, I've never had luck dealing with them. I'd send all manner of communications (phone call, fax, email) trying to deal on rates but they never budge. If anyone knows what the secret codeword is to get them to bargain, I'd like to know. Same goes for the other hotels in the class: I've mass-spammed them all with no success.