Starwood Preferred Guest - Royal Orchid Bangkok questions

How are platinum members treated at this property ??? What is the best way to get there from the airport ??? Any advices on restaurant or places to see or go ?? First time in Bangkok... (week-end stay...).. Thanks in advance

You can ask the hotel to arrange a car for you. The driver would be waiting just outside the customs when you get there. I haven't done this with Royal Orchid but hotels of their rank normally charge just above 1,000THB.

Or you can take a car service operated by Thai Airways. Some touts just outside the customs. You can book one on the spot. Their cost is below 1,000THB, I think.

If you do not mind a regular taxi, you can go outside the terminal building and there is a taxi queue. You can just go up to a booth and tell the lady that you are going to ROS. Then she will jot down the name on a card and give it to you. The taxi driver may try to take it away from you but after the taxi driver got the name of the hotel, just keep the card. It's supposed to be a claim form when something happnes and can be mailed to proper authorities. The cost is about 200THB and 50THB for the booth arrangement. I would also suggest you ask the driver to take high/toll way. It's 30THB for the first toll gate and 40THB for the second. I usually give the money at each of the gates to the driver. Just eliminate potential 'problems.' I had a few drivers trying to charge 200THB for the gates.

Banks are also located just outside the customs. You can convert dollars into THB there.

I was there for a weekend a few weeks ago, and we were treated very well. This was depite the fact that we had booked an Industry Discount rate (my girlfriend is in that business). We got upgraded to a very big suite overlooking the river, and got complimentary breakfast in the Towers Lounge each day. This was a big cold spread - cereals, lots of fruits, pastries, chesses, cold cuts, preserves etc. Someone also caried our bags up with us to the room and someone else followed about two minutes behind with nice cold drinks.

Note that they don't do the evening cocktails that some properties do - in fact I don't really understand why the Towers Lounge was open in the evening.

We were happy to get a taxi from the airport as Chiangi describes - go to the booth outside. The total price will be what is on the meter, plus whatever tolls you have to pay (should be 70 in total as Chiangi says), plus 50 baht airport service charge. Total around 290-300 Baht.

There are also ATMs at the airport which work with all the international cards I've tried there, IME experience ATMs ALWAYS give a better rate than manual money-changing - I don't understand why anyone uses the manual method anymore when they are available.

I've stayed at ROS twice and they've had the evening cocktails (with nice munchies) in the Towers Lounge in the evenings. Second stay was in December.

In fact, on reflection I remember that what we were trying to do was find somewhere quiet and air-conditioned to have a drink later in the evening. Since the Towers Lounge had a bar and was open and manned we thought that would be OK, but they refused to serve anything except tea or coffee. (We were expecting to pay.) I don't remember seeing anything about snacks in the evening, but maybe we just missed it.

Thank you all for your help ... as a FYI I heard back from the hotel and they offer a car service (mercedes) at 1200 bath each way.. I guess I'll take the cab for a quarter of that !!!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by christep:
In fact, on reflection I remember that what we were trying to do was find somewhere quiet and air-conditioned to have a drink later in the evening. Since the Towers Lounge had a bar and was open and manned we thought that would be OK, but they refused to serve anything except tea or coffee. (We were expecting to pay.) I don't remember seeing anything about snacks in the evening, but maybe we just missed it.</font>


Hmmm... peculiar. Or perhaps you were blinded by love and didn't see the food?

During our stay last November there was a fully stocked bar and plenty of evening snacks for noshing on. The sunset views from the lounge was one of many memorable aspects of our stay.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Globehopper:

Hmmm... peculiar. Or perhaps you were blinded by love and didn't see the food?

During our stay last November there was a fully stocked bar and plenty of evening snacks for noshing on.
</font>

When we were there it was later in the evening so I had been assuming that if the lounge was open it would have reverted to a pay bar - it seemed mad to have the place open, have a fully-stocked bar, two (very bored looking) staff, and refusing to serve anything except tea or coffee.

As a general point, the Towers Lounge thing is great for the breakfasts and early evening canapes, but why don't Starwood earn some revenue from them by having them as quiet pay bars at other times?

I had a great stay there in January. Although I had a very good rate, I was upgraded to a gorgeous suite overlooking the Chao Praya River. The fruit basket on arrival was superb.

We have been there a few times, both before "belonging" to spg. Hotel is nice, great buffet breakfast, close to the water taxi. Don't miss the weekend market. There is an overhead tram now that eliminates much of the traffic problem. Take that to the end and you'll see the market. Remember to bargain (polilte but firm), establish taxi prices before getting in, and be aware of the many scams. There is a great jewelry store in the mall next to the Royal Orchid, owned by Mr. Luc (Luck). I bought a ring that was appraised for 5 x's what I paid (and I even asked for a low appraisal). Skip the ride on a tuk tuk (spelling) if you faint of heart. If not, it is worth all the e-tickets you have!

I have found the staff at this property to be very good - even to a lowly gold.

For what it's worth they were trying to talk me into becoming a platinum, describing how they provide platinums with massive suites etc. As a Gold, I was upgraded to a Deluxe room.

Heading back there next month and have booked a deluxe room. Hoping for an u/g to a Towers room.

MD

Treatment was phenomenal for this Plat in April. I booked a pretty cheap rate (that qualified for the triple points promo, including massage, laundry, etc... do a search for the thread) one night and a free night or two as well. I received an upgrade to a corner suite of about 750sf. Better than Towers Room. 1.5 baths. Overlooked the river. Check-in was in room. Breakfast in Towers Lounge or buffet downstairs was included. Evenings cocktails and apps in the lounge. Many staff remembered my name through my stay, and again upon my return two weeks later.

Overall, treatment was superb. I was absolutely blown away. My gold friend is going shortly, and I will be curious to compare notes.