Starwood Preferred Guest - Bangkok

I have stayed before at the Westin Banyan Tree highrise in BKK, but any experiences on other *W properties there? I am headed there at Easter time and looking to use points or will buy rooms if price is right.

The former Westin is no longer a Starwood property. It is now just the Banyon Tree.

The Sheraton Grand Sukhumvit is quite nice, and they just opened a Westin across the street in the former Delta hotel. It is still under renovation, so I would go with the Grand. I never much cared for the Sheraton Royal Orchid, but it is a nice location on the river.

The Sheraton Grande is a LC property, so it commands more elegance than the Westin Grande. This is not to say the Westin is not luxurious - it is what Westin advertises itself to be, modern "luxury".

The Sheraton Grande is a more traditional "luxury" hotel, with more classic furnishings. Personally I enjoy both properties, but it really depends what your taste is.

As for point redemption, both properties are at a lowly Cat. 1 or Cat. 2. I think the Westin might represent the best value at Cat. 1! I believe these properties usually have deeply discounted rates at $150 or lower.

[This message has been edited by jkc22 (edited 03-05-2003).]

The Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit is one of the finest Sheratons in the world and definitely one of the best, if not the best, values. I especially like the breakfast buffet. The restaurants are excellent and Platinums are treated well.

The Royal Orchid is also excellent and also an excellent value. They also treat Platinums very well. The river views are great.

Still, the Grande Sukhumvit is a bit more luxurious and right near the Skytrain.

If you have time stay at both.

I have not stayed at the new Westin yet, but it is hard to top the Grande Sukhumvit.

My corp rate for Sheraton Grande is 90USD. That should give you some idea regarding the price you should be able to get. Maybe plus or minus 10USD

the cheapest for the sheraton grande is $140.
westin grande is $80
maybe you could email us your corporate booking code?

I was able to get two nights at the Royal Orchid for $90 USD, which was much better than anything offered through the *W website, by using the Thai Tourism Hotel booth on arrival at the airport. I had a more expensive reservation elsewhere which I then cancelled. The hotel was quite nice, large King room with view of the river, but there isn't much in the immediate vicinity of the hotel

Just stayed at the Sheraton Grande and it confirmed what I felt after my 10 previous stays: it is my all-time favourite hotel.

A suite was unavailable upon arrival (the hotel had 100% occupancy the previous night hence best rate available was 170 USD) and the girl at the front desk culd not have been more apologetic. However, having stayed there before I was quite happy to accept a regular room on the SPG floor. They offered to move my stuff later on when a suite became available, but I wasn't that fussed and told them not to bother.

One great improvement, which just about makes this hotel absolute perfection now, is the addition of broadband internet. Not all rooms are equipped, but mine was and it was a great enhancement.

One thing that I just cannot get over in this hotel is just how friendly the staff are. There identification with the hotel is 100% and they are just ALWAYS friendly and as helpful as can be.

This hotel sets the standard regarding the level other business hotels should achieve.

Having stayed at both the Royal Orchid and the Grande Sukhumvit a number of times, I must say that my favourite is the Royal Orchid. This may be surprising to some, but I prefer being by the Chao Phraya. It allows me fast and easy access to river transport to most of the major tourist sites in BKK, not to mention less smog and more cool air. Since they've remodelled the Royal Orchid, the suites there are quite similar to those at the Sukhumvit with the added bonus of great views up and down the river. The Club Lounge is also very nice, has great views and offers much more than the sedate Library at the Sukhumvit. I found both properties to be exceedingly friendly and can't really rate one higher than the other in this regard. The only thing missing from these lovely properties are balconies like those at the Shangri-La. There's just something about the sight and sounds of the Chao Phraya that add another dimension to the whole Bangkok experience.
I'm looking forward to staying at all three SW properties next month in an effort to help earn an easy 50,000 SPG points.

[This message has been edited by flyme2 (edited 03-11-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Snoopy:
Just stayed at the Sheraton Grande and it confirmed what I felt after my 10 previous stays: it is my all-time favourite hotel.

A suite was unavailable upon arrival (the hotel had 100% occupancy the previous night hence best rate available was 170 USD) and the girl at the front desk culd not have been more apologetic. However, having stayed there before I was quite happy to accept a regular room on the SPG floor. They offered to move my stuff later on when a suite became available, but I wasn't that fussed and told them not to bother.

One great improvement, which just about makes this hotel absolute perfection now, is the addition of broadband internet. Not all rooms are equipped, but mine was and it was a great enhancement.

One thing that I just cannot get over in this hotel is just how friendly the staff are. There identification with the hotel is 100% and they are just ALWAYS friendly and as helpful as can be.

This hotel sets the standard regarding the level other business hotels should achieve.</font>

I cannot agree more about the hotel. They treated me extremely well when I was there 3 years ago. I cannot wait for going back there in a few months.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Snoopy:
One great improvement, which just about makes this hotel absolute perfection now, is the addition of broadband internet. Not all rooms are equipped, but mine was and it was a great enhancement.</font>

This is great news. Finally, I must say, though.

The Westin Grande, across the street, also has broadbad on their executive floor.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Nevsky:
The Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit is one of the finest Sheratons in the world and definitely one of the best, if not the best, values. I especially like the breakfast buffet. The restaurants are excellent and Platinums are treated well.

The Royal Orchid is also excellent and also an excellent value. They also treat Platinums very well. The river views are great.

Still, the Grande Sukhumvit is a bit more luxurious and right near the Skytrain.

If you have time stay at both.

I have not stayed at the new Westin yet, but it is hard to top the Grande Sukhumvit.</font>

I agree completely. I'll be going back this year. I'm trying to figure out the best way of booking three rooms for six nights, I was thinking I might email the Reservations Manager (If such a person exists) at the SGS to try to horse-trade. Any other suggestions?

Regards,
Alex

Has anyone actually stayed in the Westin's non-renovated rooms? I got it via Priceline for $43 a night for a 4-night stay in May.

I wonder if they'd upgrade such priceline reservation to a renovated room with my SPG Gold status...

[This message has been edited by LH747FTL (edited 03-13-2003).]

RE: The Westin Grande. They were fully compliant with SPG rules per upgrade, club access and amenity for my last stay as a Platinum member. I used Priceline. I was given a suite on the executive floor, fully renovated.

I was also given a suite on a non-renovated floor once. It is OK. No heavenly bed.

The hotel is still undergoing renovation. Work is done from 10 a.m. to 20 p.m.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by LH747FTL:
Has anyone actually stayed in the Westin's non-renovated rooms? I got it via Priceline for $43 a night for a 4-night stay in May.

I wonder if they'd upgrade such priceline reservation to a renovated room with my SPG Gold status...
</font>

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Chiangi:
RE: The Westin Grande. They were fully compliant with SPG rules per upgrade, club access and amenity for my last stay as a Platinum member. I used Priceline. I was given a suite on the executive floor, fully renovated.

I was also given a suite on a non-renovated floor once. It is OK. No heavenly bed.

The hotel is still undergoing renovation. Work is done from 10 a.m. to 20 p.m.</font>

Regarding the renovations from 10:00-20:00 hrs; how noisy are the renovations during this time. For example, if I wanted to sleep till noon, would I be disturbed by the noise?

Bump.

We stayed at the Sheraton Grande last week, and had a wonderful stay. Full details to follow, but there are a few points to note:

1. Sheraton Grande has been raised to Category 3 - so it isn't quite the bargain it once was. Still, it's a great property at 7,000 points per night.

2. Half of the hotel is currently closed, including most of the suites. While Platinum recognition was good, and we were given a nice Grand Deluxe room with a pool view, free breakfast, and free evening cocktails in the bar (on our award stay), they were unable to offer us a suite.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by MatthewClement:
[B]We stayed at the Sheraton Grande last week, and had a wonderful stay. Full details to follow, but there are a few points to note:

1. Sheraton Grande has been raised to Category 3 - so it isn't quite the bargain it once was. Still, it's a great property at 7,000 points per night.

MatthewClement: Wow. When did this raise to Category 3 happen? (I realize the SGS was once before a Category 3, then dropped to Category 2, now back to Category 3.)

Lurker: Are there any restrictions on mid-year Category changes?

[This message has been edited by Matthew53 (edited 05-06-2003).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Latitudes:
Regarding the renovations from 10:00-20:00 hrs; how noisy are the renovations during this time. For example, if I wanted to sleep till noon, would I be disturbed by the noise?</font>

Just returned. Never heard any noise.

I was on the 22nd floor (already renovated).

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Matthew53:
...Lurker: Are there any restrictions on mid-year Category changes?

[This message has been edited by Matthew53 (edited 05-06-2003).]</font>

Not sure how to answer this exactly. All hotels are reviewed at year end for the following year. Some go up, but just about as many go down in category. This year I think more went down than up.

Sometimes we are asked by corporate regional authorities to re-consider our decision once this is done. So, to answer your question, there are probably not any restrictions on this process. The Terms and Conditions don't list any either.

Sincerely,

William R. Sanders
Customer Service Coordinator
Starwood Preferred Services

guest.forum@starwoodhotels.com

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MatthewClement:
2. Half of the hotel is currently closed, including most of the suites. While Platinum recognition was good, and we were given a nice Grand Deluxe room with a pool view, free breakfast, and free evening cocktails in the bar (on our award stay), they were unable to offer us a suite.</font>

Did they close half of the hotel due to the downturn in tourism, or was there another reason?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Always Flyin:
Just returned. Never heard any noise.

I was on the 22nd floor (already renovated).</font>

Thanks, Always Flyin.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Plato90s:
Did they close half of the hotel due to the downturn in tourism, or was there another reason?</font>

Downturn in tourism, I think. They said that the half of the hotel that remained open had only been at around 40-50% occupancy. They were taking advantage of the lull in business to perform some maintenance on the rooms.

What I found amazing at both this property and the Sheraton Grande Laguna Phuket is that, despite cutbacks, there were no visible signs of cutting back from a customer perspective. This is very different from the experience I had in several Starwood hotels in the USA immediately post 9/11, when the cuts were deep AND visible to the customer.