Asia - Hotel recommendations for BKK and KUL

I will be travelling for a few days of both meetings and rest in BKK and KUL. I have read the threads on the different boards, but they are naturally focused on their specific brand (s).

I have a choice between Hilton/Conrad, Starwood and IC (not IC Group) Hotels. So if anyone has stayed at two or more properties and can compare them, I would be very thankful for your help :

- Bangkok : Inter Continental, Conrad, Royal Orchid Sheraton, Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, Westin Grande Sukhumvit

- Kuala Lumpur : Hilton, Westin, Sheraton Imperial

Thanks for your input.

The IC is in a convenient location (close to the transfer point between the 2 sky train lines) and is itself right on a skytrain stop. very convenient. the Chinese restauraunt in the Grand Hyatt Erawan across the street is terrific -- try their dim sum lunch.

The Conrad is one of my favorite hotels in the world. You want to reserve an executive floor room if you're not diamond with Hilton. It's not nearly as convenient to the skytrain -- but a short 35 baht taxi ride will get you to the nearest Skytrain station.

I'm not familiar with the starwood properties in BKK.

In BKK, esp for travel that includes business, location can be extremely important because a taxi ride from one part of the city to another can take an hour or more. So, it's generally best to give preference to hotels that are close to your business destination or a SkyTrain stop. Of the hotels list, the IC, Sheraton, and Westin are in the same general (central) area and close to SkyTrain.

I've stayed at the 2 Sheratons. While the Royal Orchid is a lovely property, I find it to be much better for leisurely tourism trips when the weather is least hot/sticky in Dec/Jan. (The RO is on the river next to a riverboat stop, but you'll otherwise either spend lots of time walking to the SkyTrain or sitting in a taxi.) The Sheraton Sukhumvit is a very good hotel, and the location is excellent.

I'm staying at the IC in a few months, and am looking forward to its reputation and ideal location.

My last 2 stays in BKK have been at the IC and Sheraton Grande.
They were both awesome! As they are both located adjacent to skytrain stations, I'd make the decision based on
1) Which program you want nights/points right now followed by...
2) Which rate is better.

Also consider the benefits you're status will get you.

You won't be dissapointed in either.

Scho

WESTIN : Very well located in Bukit Bintang which is the shopping/ entertainment district in the city centre. The Deluxe rooms are OK but the Executive Suites are modern and very nice. Lounge is decent but nothing to shout about.

SHERATON IMPERIAL : Located at the edge of the CBD with a monorail station right at your doorstep, Bukit Bintang is just 3 stations away. Deluxe (Executive) rooms are very nice and opulent, with very high quality finishes and furnishings. The Executive Suites are also very nice but I prefer the Exec Suite at the Westin. Lounge is quite nice with an "English Club" feel but there is no door seperating the smoking and non-smoking sections. The is also a spa which does a pretty good back massage.

HILTON SENTRAL : Located right next to the Central Railway Station with direct train access to KUL. Nothing much in the immediate vicinity, but you can take a taxi or train to the city centre. Rooms are very modern with a semi "zen" interior and 42inch plasma TV. Very nice Lounge with light food throughout the day, and feels quite "romantic" in the evenings.The lobby is very busy though and feels like a busy shopping mall.

If you want to be in the middle of the city and willing to pay for a suite, the Westin is a good choice. If you dont enjoy the crowd at your doorstep but would still want to be close to the "actions" and appreciates "true" luxury, then stay at the Sheraton Imperial. If you dont mind the inconvenience of being outside the city centre but enjoy a good Lounge, the Hilton Sentral may suit you.

My personal preference is for the Sheraton Imperial. Though management is poor (they dont even have a GM !!) and the property is slowly showing its age; the level of finishings is top-notch from the Italian marble bathroom and granite-top sidetables to the beautifully designed carpets and timber/rattan furnitures. Its almost comparable to the St Regis Beijing, and The Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Bangkok doesnt come anywhere close as far as "luxury" is concerned. The location is relatively quiet but with the monorail station next door the city centre is only a few minutes away. Best of all, its only Category 1 if you are using points and room rates are relatively low.

Thank you all for your help . ^ I still have sometime to make my decisions and your input is very valuable.

I can give you some information about my stays in Kuala Lumpuir in the Sheraton Imperial (www.hotels-and-travel.de/html/sheraton_imperial__kuala_lumpu.html) and the Westin Hotel (www.hotels-and-travel.de/html/westin_kuala_lumpur.html).

I can give you some information about my stays in Kuala Lumpuir in the Sheraton Imperial (www.hotels-and-travel.de/html/sheraton_imperial__kuala_lumpu.html) and the Westin Hotel (www.hotels-and-travel.de/html/westin_kuala_lumpur.html).


Very nice pictures of the Sheraton Imperial ^

The Standard rooms are categorised as "Executive" rooms, while the Executive Floor rooms are categorised as "Executive Club" rooms.

The "Executive" rooms are actually nicer than the "Executive Club" rooms :confused: The minor "redecoration" of the "Executive Club" rooms is a disaster; the sofa is so gaudy and the mirror above the headboard doesnt quite match the original decor. Sad to see a perfectly designed room "ruined" by someone who obviously has very poor taste ! I rather stay in an "Executive" rooms with the original decor intact.