Starwood Preferred Guest - BKK- Royal Orchid or Westin Grand

I'm doing a quick trip to BKK in late May--and trying to maximize my Starwood stays. I've already booked the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit and now am trying to decide on one of the above. I thought the Westin would be perfect, right across from the Sheraton etc. But reading some of the latest reviews, I'm a bit concerned about the 'remodeling'. I would also like to be near the river for one of my nights, so any thoughts would be great.
PS--I'm at the Hyatt for my 1st night.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by mauld:
I would also like to be near the river for one of my nights, so any thoughts would be great.
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Then there's no question. The Royal Orchid! If you are Platinum, I am sure they'll give you at least a junior suite and access to the lounge, which faces the river. All the rooms perhaps face the river, too?

I find the Hyatt staff amazing.

All the rooms do face the river - but the junior suite we got was a little tawdry - if only for a night - then you'll cope no doubt.

Royal Orchid. Got upgraded to a nice view junior suite. Location is good. Thai restaurant is delicious... Have fun !!

Thanks for the help, I went with the Royal Orchid at 105 vs the Westin at 95-- Now I keep my fingers crossed that NW doesn't cancel their flights too!

Side question..

As an Gold, should I go for Royal Orchid or Sheraton Grand? Will be using points for a 4 night stay.

Royal Orchid is very old and has a view of the river. The river is muddy and dirty and not very impressive. I think location of Westin is better if you plan to just go out at night and do shopping. Lot less tourist traps by the Westin. I would say stay at both. They are no more than a 15 minute taxi ride apart.

I love both the Royal Orchid and the Grande Sukhumvit. Both hotels should be the standard which all Starwood hotel's should seek to match in terms of service and, in particular, in terms of Platinum recognition. Still, I prefer the Grande Sukhumvit, which is perhaps my favorite Starwood in the world.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Nevsky:
I love both the Royal Orchid and the Grande Sukhumvit. Both hotels should be the standard which all Starwood hotel's should seek to match in terms of service and, in particular, in terms of Platinum recognition. Still, I prefer the Grande Sukhumvit, which is perhaps my favorite Starwood in the world.</font>

Given some of the criticisms lobbed at the Westin Grande Sukhumvit recently regarding elite SPG not getting accommodated in renovated rooms, you must mean the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit.

Plato90, are elite benefits the only criteria to choose between the two?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Chiangi:
Plato90, are elite benefits the only criteria to choose between the two?</font>

More of the overall experience. If one hotel is nicer but unlikely to upgrade, that'd be a factor.

The Royal Orchid is fewer points, but I've read good reviews of SGS so I'm kind of divided about where to stay. I have to do 1 night at Westin Grand, but where I stay for the next 4 is up in the air.

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More of the overall experience. If one
hotel is nicer but unlikely to upgrade,
that'd be a factor.

The Royal Orchid is fewer points, but
I've read good reviews of SGS so I'm
kind of divided about where to stay. I
have to do 1 night at Westin Grand, but
where I stay for the next 4 is up in the
air
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I've stayed at both properties multiple times and I'm always divided about where I will stay since both are so outstanding in their own way.

Sheraton Grande - classy hotel with metro stop at the front door. I've been upgraded every stay. Really nice big rooms / bathrooms, well maintained property. Fantastic spa, medium-sized but excellent pool area (alot of local character & greenery, soft local music playing in the background, Thai-restaurant poolside -&gt; I love this pool!), first rate restaurants, incredible service, etc. The club lounge (The Library) provides cocktails in an upscale setting; the morning buffet breakfast is one of the best buffets you'll ever have anywhere (not sure if the buffet is provided with all upgrades though; if not, try it anyways). Overall - one of the best Starwoods you'll ever stay at.

Royal Orchid Sheraton - location, location. The riverside location is great for boat trips, tourist attractions, Chinatown, the business district, etc. I've been upgraded on all recent visits. Two big pools on the property; one in a park-like setting. The Thai restaurant is memorable. The Towers lounge is nice, service on the entire property is excellent. The requested fee for in-room internet service is out of line with the local rates (by 10 times) so I'd avoid using that service. The Royal Orchid is a very different experience from the Grande, but equally enjoyable.

For 4 nights? Why not have the best of both worlds and stay two nights at each?

If no one replies, why don't you email both properties and ask what a Gold member can expect?

It used to be that the SGS upgrades Gold to a delux category, which comes with free breakfast, free local calls, butler services. I am not sure if this is still the case.

As other posters noted, the ROS is old. But the rooms I've been given were just fine. The bathroom is a bit disappointing, though. The gym has been renovated.

Thanks for the responses.

I've had SPG combine my Gold upgrade with a points upgrade to get me a confirmed suite before arrival. That's what I'd most likely do. Given that SGS would also do Gold upgrades (especially with travel to Asia on the decline) I think the convenience of shifting from Westin Grand to SGS will be a deciding factor for me.

BTW, does the SGS have suites? The award reservation is already a "Deluxe" room and the "Grand Deluxe" category doesn't look all the different except for being on a higher floor.

[This message has been edited by Plato90s (edited 04-09-2003).]

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BTW, does the SGS have suites? The award reservation is already a "Deluxe" room and the "Grand Deluxe" category doesn't look all the different except for being on a higher floor.
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Yes, the SGS has very nice suites located at the ends of the hallways. Reception area, long hallway with a 1/2 bath leads into the living room (with CD player), double doors lead into a huge bedroom with a walk-in closet (bigger than most hotel bathrooms) and a big, nicely done bathroom. Rooms on the back side (overlooking the pool area) have a better view, IMHO.

Shifting from WGS to SGS ... hmmm ... it's really right across the street. If you don't have much baggage, you can go over the pedestrian bridge .... If you take a taxi, it would be a bit of journey, going to Asoke street and then come back to Sukhumvit, I think.

SGS has two types of suites. If you are confirmed with one, I would suggest you contact the hotel and ask for an executive suite, which is the one TakingChances is talking about, the farthest from elevators.(The last two digits of these rooms are 02. If you get one on the 10th floor, then you are real lucky ... you will have a nice garden outside. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif The higher up on the 30-32(?) th floors have nice views.)

I have been given on a few occasions the 'other' tyep of suite (I forgot the name), which is right across the elevator hall, and they are two connecting rooms with one room having all but sofas in place of a bed. So you get two real nice bathrooms all right. But the bathroom in an executive suite is larger and nicer with a bigger shower booth.

If you get a suite, it is always on the lakeside. So I guess, you don't have to ask for a lakeside view room.

[This message has been edited by Chiangi (edited 04-10-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Chiangi:
Shifting from WGS to SGS ... hmmm ... it's really right across the street. If you don't have much baggage, you can go over the pedestrian bridge .... If you take a taxi, it would be a bit of journey, going to Asoke street and then come back to Sukhumvit, I think.

SGS has two types of suites. If you are confirmed with one, I would suggest you contact the hotel and ask for an executive suite, which is the one TakingChances is talking about, the farthest from elevators.(The last two digits of these rooms are 02. If you get one on the 10th floor, then you are real lucky ... you will have a nice garden outside. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif The higher up on the 30-32(?) th floors have nice views.)</font>

The pedestrian bridge between Westin and SGS is what I had in mind about the "ease of transfer". Talk about an easy switch of hotels.

If SGS was CAT3 (with the 5th night free), I would have booked a full 5, check in at Westin, and then walked right across to SGS to check-in and stay for the full week.

So I think I will just burn the points to confirm the suite upgrade (hate the upgrade roulette when on vacation), and ask specifically for the Executive Suite.

Thanks to both Chiangi and TakingChances for taking the time to reply.

I'd vote Royal Orchid but I'm partial to the Chao Phraya location.

Still, my heart belongs to the Hyatt in BKK. The staff is like family there... and I only stay a couple of times a year!

New question...

Does anyone know how much $$ the hotel car service is for the Westin Grand or the SGS to meet you at the airport?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Plato90s:
New question...

Does anyone know how much $$ the hotel car service is for the Westin Grand or the SGS to meet you at the airport?</font>

Last time I was there I paid THB 1300 from the SGS to the airport. I think it's pretty much the same the other way round. When I arrive in Bangkok I generally use the Thai Air Limousine, the car isn't quite as fancy (often a Volvo - which is fine by me), but it's safe and it's cheaper at THB 550.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Plato90s:
New question...

Does anyone know how much $$ the hotel car service is for the Westin Grand or the SGS to meet you at the airport?</font>


I usually take a taxi from the taxi stand outside the airport (unless the line is too long, in which case I once used one of the limo services there) and on the way back to the airport. I like to do it on the meter. As I remember the set taxi rate does not apply within Bangkok, but I am not sure. The taxi dispatcher gives you a copy of the rules in English. All I know is I usually pay for the toll way (about THB 70, as I remember) and a small airport surcharge and leave a big tip and never pay more than about THB 300. The taxis are fine. The drivers generally do not speak much English. Make sure they go to the right Sheraton and to the right side of the street. The Westin and the Sheraton might be across the street, but with the way traffic flows it can take five minutes to get from one side to the other.

I ask the question because when I was at Bali (first visit for me), the cost differential between a hotel car and a cab is &lt;$4USD. A hotel car would be more comfy, less bother, and wouldn't require any more than the minimum time in the tropical weather while I'm still dressed in my flying outfit (long sleeves and pants).

No problem at SIN because the cab stand was underground, but DPS was waay to hot for me to ever bother with a cab again (vs. a hotel car).