Which Hotel in Bangkok? (Consolidated thread, started 2016)
Jul 2, 2017, 6:37 pm
#241
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Headed to Bangkok next month for the first time in years. Last time I was at the MO (and loved it) but this time it's booked out.
Looking at the Pen, but also the St Regis. Roughly the same price and I'm SPG platinum. I assume the winner between the two is still the Pen? Siam is more expensive than I want to spend.
Looking at the Pen, but also the St Regis. Roughly the same price and I'm SPG platinum. I assume the winner between the two is still the Pen? Siam is more expensive than I want to spend.
Jul 2, 2017, 7:46 pm
#242
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,092
If you do happen to go to the StR, I'd love to hear details. My colleagues who have been in the last year loved it about as much as the Pen, surprisingly, despite what is more frequently shared here on FT. I doubt you can go wrong with either choice between the Pen and StR, to be honest, so go with your gut if the prics are the same. But as SPG Plat, you'd qualify for easy upgrades at the StR, maybe even a suite upgrade, making it perhaps the much better value.
Do keep us posted, regardless! There hasn't been a proper review of either hotel recently, so perhaps you can share one.
Do keep us posted, regardless! There hasn't been a proper review of either hotel recently, so perhaps you can share one.
Jul 2, 2017, 10:26 pm
#243
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Good point re: upgrade. I'm actually status matched to SPG platinum (via Ritz platinum) so not sure if I'd get a suite upgrade or just a "best in category" room, but will keep in mind. I do like being on the river in Bangkok though so that may ultimately sway me. Will definitely report back on whichever I choose!
Jul 2, 2017, 11:51 pm
#244
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Good point re: upgrade. I'm actually status matched to SPG platinum (via Ritz platinum) so not sure if I'd get a suite upgrade or just a "best in category" room, but will keep in mind. I do like being on the river in Bangkok though so that may ultimately sway me. Will definitely report back on whichever I choose!
If you prefer being on the river, then the Pen should be your choice, of course.
I always laugh about river views in Bangkok. No one worries about Thames views in London or Siene views in Paris. It's a hotel artifact to make you pay more IMO.
Jul 3, 2017, 3:17 am
#245
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,600
StR downgraded me (sic), I waited 30 minutes to be able to check-in and was served a food in IRD that I am allergic to (although I asked beforehand). Only saving grace was JoJo's as usual.
I know they are much better with Platinum guests.
Jul 3, 2017, 3:29 am
#246
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
I would just book a suite at the Pen, but either way one should go with whatever works.
I can't understand comparison to the Thames river... MO, Pen, and The Siam are urban resorts and being on the river adds an aesthetic value and sense of relaxation that you just do not have at a more centrally located hotel. You may not value it, but it is an important difference for many. Central location vs. seclusion and relaxation by the river. And, you cannot compare the swimming pool and spa experiences. The riverside hotels are much nicer in that regard.
And the river is not something to make one "pay more". Rates are quite comparable at The Peninsula. Mandain Otiental also has unrivaled F&B and is an historically significant landmark hotel, so its rates are not attributed only to its location.
Venice would be a more relevant comprison, and I know you enjoyed the Gritti and Aman there.
I can't understand comparison to the Thames river... MO, Pen, and The Siam are urban resorts and being on the river adds an aesthetic value and sense of relaxation that you just do not have at a more centrally located hotel. You may not value it, but it is an important difference for many. Central location vs. seclusion and relaxation by the river. And, you cannot compare the swimming pool and spa experiences. The riverside hotels are much nicer in that regard.
And the river is not something to make one "pay more". Rates are quite comparable at The Peninsula. Mandain Otiental also has unrivaled F&B and is an historically significant landmark hotel, so its rates are not attributed only to its location.
Venice would be a more relevant comprison, and I know you enjoyed the Gritti and Aman there.
Jul 3, 2017, 4:25 am
#247
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scented, you're just as valuable as a guest too!
Jul 3, 2017, 7:04 am
#249
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I would just book a suite at the Pen, but either way one should go with whatever works.
I can't understand comparison to the Thames river... MO, Pen, and The Siam are urban resorts and being on the river adds an aesthetic value and sense of relaxation that you just do not have at a more centrally located hotel. You may not value it, but it is an important difference for many. Central location vs. seclusion and relaxation by the river. And, you cannot compare the swimming pool and spa experiences. The riverside hotels are much nicer in that regard.
And the river is not something to make one "pay more". Rates are quite comparable at The Peninsula. Mandain Otiental also has unrivaled F&B and is an historically significant landmark hotel, so its rates are not attributed only to its location.
I can't understand comparison to the Thames river... MO, Pen, and The Siam are urban resorts and being on the river adds an aesthetic value and sense of relaxation that you just do not have at a more centrally located hotel. You may not value it, but it is an important difference for many. Central location vs. seclusion and relaxation by the river. And, you cannot compare the swimming pool and spa experiences. The riverside hotels are much nicer in that regard.
And the river is not something to make one "pay more". Rates are quite comparable at The Peninsula. Mandain Otiental also has unrivaled F&B and is an historically significant landmark hotel, so its rates are not attributed only to its location.
Jul 3, 2017, 9:18 am
#250
formerly declinespecificinformatiom
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,140
Bummer, I'd feel the same if that happened to me. If it's any consolation, we just stayed at a place that's like 20x the price of all these BKK places and the service didn't match any place over $100 in Bangkok. Ani Anguilla is to be avoided by anyone on this board with a 10 foot pole.
Aug 17, 2017, 8:59 pm
#251
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Headed to Bangkok next month for the first time in years. Last time I was at the MO (and loved it) but this time it's booked out.
Looking at the Pen, but also the St Regis. Roughly the same price and I'm SPG platinum. I assume the winner between the two is still the Pen? Siam is more expensive than I want to spend.
Looking at the Pen, but also the St Regis. Roughly the same price and I'm SPG platinum. I assume the winner between the two is still the Pen? Siam is more expensive than I want to spend.
Oct 20, 2017, 11:02 am
#252
Join Date: May 2010
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Posts: 1,787
The 2 Luxury Collection Bangkok properties
The Athenee is now priced quite a bit higher than the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, but the last one is a truly established Luxury Collection hotel, while the 2nd one is only a work in progress for that brand.
The pricing might be due to some requirement due to the recent brand switch or a trial balloon requested by the ownership or the corporate management, but I am wondering how sustainable that pricing direction is.
The pricing might be due to some requirement due to the recent brand switch or a trial balloon requested by the ownership or the corporate management, but I am wondering how sustainable that pricing direction is.
Oct 20, 2017, 11:14 am
#253
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: BKK
Posts: 6,741
The Athenee is now priced quite a bit higher than the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, but the last one is a truly established Luxury Collection hotel, while the 2nd one is only a work in progress for that brand.
The pricing might be due to some requirement due to the recent brand switch or a trial balloon requested by the ownership or the corporate management, but I am wondering how sustainable that pricing direction is.
The pricing might be due to some requirement due to the recent brand switch or a trial balloon requested by the ownership or the corporate management, but I am wondering how sustainable that pricing direction is.
My favorite, by a mile, is Anantara Siam Bangkok. The way they treat me as a regular, nothing else even compares.
Oct 20, 2017, 11:33 am
#254
Join Date: May 2010
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Things might have improved afterwards, but the treatment of regular guests is not necessarily an indication of the general level of service of a hotel.
Being a long time frequent guest in quite a few properties, I am sometimes surprised of what I hear or read about experiences of other guests in those places.
Last edited by UASPG; Oct 20, 2017 at 11:44 am
Oct 20, 2017, 11:36 am
#255
Join Date: Apr 2011
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