Matthew_22

Thanks for fairly thorough review, and as much as I despise DCC personally also and agree with you in principle, I think your actions come off a little patronizing here.. I highly doubt she was actively offering DCC because she thought it was a great deal and didn't understand the math involved.. she was offering it because thats what she was trained to do, so as to make the hotel more money. And I can guarantee as soon as you walked away, she would have continued to make the exact same offer to the very next guest.

You mentioned you've stayed in Bangkok quite a few times, so I'm sure you'll recognize feigning confusion/ not understanding something is a classically Thai customer service approach for dealing with situations where they just simply cant be bothered.

scubaccr

Seems rife in Bangkok, this week Conrad took my card to settle room and said nothing and gave me slip to sign (no chip and pin here) but I refused to sign as it wasin a GBP amount so obviously the DCC scam

I simply said please redo in THB, I suspect any flex rate guest paying on checkin or checkout here is given the DCC treatment as staff told&trained to do it, so no point talking to frontline staff doing this to you. If you need complain you need take it up with hotel managers who will simply listen, smile and carry on this dubious practise .

I am annoyed with Conrad though as I thought it is a requirement to ask one before changing bill from local currency? Actually if not asked if you want DCC your card issuer has to reverse the transaction and reprocess but easier if one checks and refuses

I wonder what these two do to guests who rush to airport leaving hotel to do CC billing in guests absence ? ?

Conversely the IC charged in THB and don't even ask if you'll agree to the DCC type of billing which is refreshing

TravelinSperry

It completely amazes you that others have a different opinion than you?

I am a top tier customer at many chains. Hilton (earned the hard way, butt in a bed for 80+ nights in 2015 - no status match here!) and Starwood among others. I wrote the review of the hotel and offered positive, average, and things I disliked. Since people have differing perspectives by writing a review we enhance the FT community. It allows people to come and make their own decisions about which hotel to stay at in a certain city. Some may only have status at one chain. Others may have status at another. And some, like me, may have status at both. My review was intended to help both those that have solely Hilton status and those that have both (like me).

I am not always particular to Starwood. It depends on the city and property options. In Los Angeles for example I much prefer the Hilton/DT properties to the Starwood ones. In this particular city (and solely for those with top tier status at both chains) I prefer some of the Starwood properties to this Hilton. Because of my preference you think I shouldn't write a review? That my perspective doesn't add to the FT community in a positive way?

Others agree with me... just read the commenter who posted right after my review. He doesn't hold status with Starwood and still agreed. Of course it is obvious you love this hotel. Happy to hear it. But neither of us are "right". Thus the point of us all leaving reviews here so newcomers to a property or city can make an informed decision about what they value and which hotel to choose for their stay.

Thank you seeing my post for what it is, a review containing my views on the positive and negative points at this hotel.

I agree with you and didn't intend to patronize. I was not upset with her specifically, but rather the DCC practice. I do make it a practice to chat with whoever offers me DCC and explain the rip-off that it is. Likely as you say it gets me nowhere since she (and others I explain it to) are not the person in charge who can make a decision to change it. I feel that front line personnel will bring customer concerns back to the higher-ups and perhaps if enough of us leave feedback this practice will end. Perhaps that is naive on my part. Please know that I am not unkind when I do this in person... I try simply to explain why it's a bad deal for the customer.

Jerrremy

Booked a stay at Hilton Sukhumvit this weekend and just received the executive floor benefit letter. Seems like i still get to have my breakfast at the restaurant? So whats all the commotion about?

"Dear Mr,

Sawasdee Kha/Khab and a very warm welcome to Bangkok at the Hilton Sukhumvit!

It is our pleasure to have you as our guest on the Executive Floor. We trust that you will enjoy your stay as well as the following benefits exclusively for guest at Executive Lounge on level 4 between 06.00 AM and 11.00 PM daily:

Daily Breakfast: 06.00 AM to 10.30 AM (weekdays)
06.00 AM to 11.00 AM (weekends/public holidays)
*As our valued HHonors Diamond Member, you have the benefit to choose from breakfast served in the Executive Lounge or at Scalini Restaurant which is located on level 2 for complimentary.

Afternoon Tea 02.00 PM to 04.00 PM
Evening cocktails 06.00 PM to 08.00 PM
All day refreshments and selection of fruits



Your other Executive Floor benefits;

Relaxation area with daily newspapers, selection of magazines and books for your reading pleasure.
Complimentary meeting room at the Executive Lounge for 2 hours (This privilege is per stay & subject to availability).
Complimentary 2 pieces of pressing per person / per day (This offer is non-cumulative).
Complimentary high-speed internet access at the Executive Lounge.
Concierge Services - we are happy to arrange your excursions, Spa treatments, dinner reservations, business services, airport transfer and assist you with any other enquiry.

Dress code is smart casual; please note that we do not encourage hot shorts, beachwear, slippers and flip-flops. For the comfort of all guests, we request that children must be accompanied by and seated with adults.

The facilities offered are complimentary and exclusive for our Executive and Suite room guests. Should you wish to invite other guests to the Executive Lounge, it would be our pleasure to accommodate a maximum of two non-executive floor guests accompanying you in the Lounge, subject to availability, and a charge applies per consumption.

Should you require any assistance, please be encouraged to contact me or our Executive Floor Team by dialing extension 4400.

Wishing you a most pleasant and memorable stay with us,

Sincerely yours,
Image
Ms. Annievy (Annie) Estrera
Executive Floor Manager"

arlflyer

LOL, this is just pure comedy now.

TravelinSperry

During my stay from last week I received a different letter stating a 400 THB++ charge was required to eat at the restaurant.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...vit-letter.png

Seems like they go back/forth on this from time to time.

ashkale

There is a new GM at this property- the gentleman who managed the KL Doubletree so well is now in-charge of the two sukhumvit properties in Bangkok.

maxandclaude2000

Two stays booked this weekend receive both emails - let's see what happens at breakfast !

Already upgraded to Executive Suite from Deluxe room booking - pleasant surprise

wantan

that's interesting, the DT KL has always left an excellent impression. Who has taken charge over there now ?

maxandclaude2000

The lounge isn't too full tonight but amazed that all the meeting rooms are being used

Very few Westerners - but lots of children running amok .

Food selection has vastly improved since my last stay .

And have been brought a Cosmopolitan ( !)

Seem also to have more staff on duty .

Lounge manager is new - I have her business card and looks like I'm getting a very special suite on Sunday (!)

Welcoming letter states breakfast for Diamonds can be taken downstairs !

dsquared37

Have they upgraded the booze selection from the swill rum, gin and vodka?

maxandclaude2000

Alas no

Breakfast excellent downstairs and popped into the lounge and it's also improved in there too .

Great service - addressed by servers (!) Though they kept calling me Mr Guy ...

Chef making eggs to order in lounge and plenty of offerings !

kapkap46

Those rates have been there and the DT since the day they opened. I have been there when it is jammed and still got the same Cash and Points rate.

I can't comment on availability if you book at the last minute but every time I have made a reservation it has been available and occupancy has varied from slow on weekends to packed during the week.

I have no idea what various owners and managers decide to offer. I continue to take advantage of DT in KL for the ridiculous sum of 10,000 points per night when Hampton Inns in Nowhereville in the USA get 30,000 points per night.

I just take advantage of those kind of offers and I find the Hilton Sukhumvit great value in that regard.

Karjaluokka

I have an upcoming trip to BKK. As being a HH gold, should
I go for the Millenium or Sukhumvit to ensure lounge access?

So any resent experiences? Conrad apparently stated that no EL for Gold's, if one books the chepeast room.

P.S is the Cash&points availability zero for the whole year (except in Conrad)?

olisch

I had a couple of stays at Hilton Sukhumvit in 2014 and 2015 and always got upgraded to Executive Room and got lounge access.

If you don't value the river view skyhigh the Hilton Sukhumvit is the superior hotel imho