New General Manager at Oriental Bangkok
Jul 18, 2012, 8:08 am
#16
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: ORD
Programs: AA PLT, UA Silver, EK Gold, Hilton Diamond, Global Entry, Clear
Posts: 1,082
For me The Peninsula is the best place in Bangkok by a wide margin. I'll be checking in again next week...!
Jul 18, 2012, 8:47 am
#17
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,092
The Mandarin Oriental in Washington, DC was a terribly run (and tired) hotel when I stayed a few years ago -- if Ms. Hyndman was GM there then, it does not bode well for the MO Bangkok. I tend to like Mandarin Oriental hotels -- and just this morning checked out of the Mandarin Oriental Las Vegas after three very nice nights there -- but the DC property is a real problem.
Jul 18, 2012, 9:40 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
MO ownership >
100% - hong kong, excelsior, london, munich / lease - paris, tokyo
96.9% - jakarta
96.2% - manila
92.6% - geneva
80% - washington
50% - singapore
44.9% - bangkok
25% - kuala lumpur, miami, new york
Amanda Hyndman
July 2012 - GM bangkok
October 2009 – July 2012 - washington GM
May 2007 – October 2009 - Excelsior guest manager
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/amanda-hyndman/8/7a3/b33
Jan Goessing
July 2012 - GM of new york and area VP ops for new york and boston
June 2009 - July 2012 - bangkok GM
March 2006 - June 2009 - washington GM
october 1998 - march 2006 - kahala GM
september 1997 - october 1998 - jakarta GM
x 1994 - september 1997 - hong kong hotel manager
100% - hong kong, excelsior, london, munich / lease - paris, tokyo
96.9% - jakarta
96.2% - manila
92.6% - geneva
80% - washington
50% - singapore
44.9% - bangkok
25% - kuala lumpur, miami, new york
Amanda Hyndman
July 2012 - GM bangkok
October 2009 – July 2012 - washington GM
May 2007 – October 2009 - Excelsior guest manager
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/amanda-hyndman/8/7a3/b33
Jan Goessing
July 2012 - GM of new york and area VP ops for new york and boston
June 2009 - July 2012 - bangkok GM
March 2006 - June 2009 - washington GM
october 1998 - march 2006 - kahala GM
september 1997 - october 1998 - jakarta GM
x 1994 - september 1997 - hong kong hotel manager
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Jul 18, 2012 at 10:09 am
Jul 18, 2012, 9:58 am
#19
formerly known as 2lovelife
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: ORF : UA_Premier_Gold4Life, Bonvoy_titanium, Accor_Plat
Posts: 6,952
...since i was unceremoniously prevented from entering the lobby for wearing golf shorts
Same exact thing happened to me eleven years ago. I haven't darkened the doors of that place since.
I agree that this hotel does and likely will face many challenges, with competition making the model here difficult to succeed. I wish the new management all the best.
Jul 18, 2012, 10:06 am
#21
formerly known as 2lovelife
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: ORF : UA_Premier_Gold4Life, Bonvoy_titanium, Accor_Plat
Posts: 6,952
I ran into the same problem years ago, and found it just as frustrating. But, they weren't wrong. I just had to learn how things are over here. Since, I have adjusted my thinking and my behaviour, and you will usually find me in long pants in Asia (outside of Phuket where it's a 50/50 chance).
Jul 18, 2012, 10:11 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
you dont seem to understand, there was a dress code, that was only selectively enforced on some non-guests, and done in a poor way by any standard
not to mention >
but all this is presumably moot after kurt left. feb 2012 >
i just thought of something. for bangkok, maybe the owners wanted to cut costs, so they made sure to bring in a (nonluxury) GM to do that, to prevent any loss of face for kurt. must also be less compensation.
certainly not a coincidence that both people we are discussing went from washington (poorly regarded) to bangkok, and someone specifically mentioned having dealt with amanda in the past. at poorly regarded excelsior.
also, kahala is currently poorly regarded re service, with halekulani being comparably better. if it was not better regarded under MO, thats another point. >
not to mention >
Must have just missed you
It is/was indeed very full with what seemed like a few functions/ meetings on concurrently.
I too feel that perhaps a number of the staff weren't coping as well but some were . Perhaps with many new staff since Jan G came onboard, the training is still in progress & not up to speed - MO standards yet. There's a note in the room too that MOBKK is sponsoring an apprenticeship program & to bear with - encourage - these individuals.
perhaps the type of crowd you encountered didn't help
It's that the numbers that come to gawk don't help either
many older staff have retired
It is/was indeed very full with what seemed like a few functions/ meetings on concurrently.
I too feel that perhaps a number of the staff weren't coping as well but some were . Perhaps with many new staff since Jan G came onboard, the training is still in progress & not up to speed - MO standards yet. There's a note in the room too that MOBKK is sponsoring an apprenticeship program & to bear with - encourage - these individuals.
perhaps the type of crowd you encountered didn't help
It's that the numbers that come to gawk don't help either
many older staff have retired
certainly not a coincidence that both people we are discussing went from washington (poorly regarded) to bangkok, and someone specifically mentioned having dealt with amanda in the past. at poorly regarded excelsior.
also, kahala is currently poorly regarded re service, with halekulani being comparably better. if it was not better regarded under MO, thats another point. >
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Aug 17, 2012 at 9:08 pm
Jul 18, 2012, 10:33 am
#23
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,092
i just thought of something. for bangkok, maybe the owners wanted to cut costs, so they made sure to bring in a (nonluxury) GM to do that, to prevent any loss of face for kurt. must also be less compensation.
certainly not a coincidence that both people we are discussing went from washington (poorly regarded) to bangkok, and someone specifically mentioned having dealt with amanda in the past. at excelsior, which is poorly regarded here.
Jul 18, 2012, 10:39 am
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
from my last post >
old staff being replaced by new staff - again must be less compensation.
so who is kurt's wife? (boonnak?)
http://www2.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=11100
interesting, case was dismissed
hotel financials >
http://quicktake.morningstar.com/sto...tl&country=tha
old staff being replaced by new staff - again must be less compensation.
He is married to a Royally-connected lady and therefore has/had a lot of influence. I suspect that the financial stake is on her family's side.
Interestingly he used to have an apartment on the top floor of the spa, but a couple of years ago, Mandarin asked him to leave and built an Ayurvedic suite up there instead.
Interestingly he used to have an apartment on the top floor of the spa, but a couple of years ago, Mandarin asked him to leave and built an Ayurvedic suite up there instead.
bottom line karnasuta/charanachitta (related) control oriental residence and mandarin oriental BKK
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandari...ngkok#Italthai
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2011/85/...itta_HDLP.html
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/85/...itta_HDLP.html
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/85/...suta_TTTS.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandari...ngkok#Italthai
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2011/85/...itta_HDLP.html
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/85/...itta_HDLP.html
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2010/85/...suta_TTTS.html
interesting, case was dismissed
hotel financials >
http://quicktake.morningstar.com/sto...tl&country=tha
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Jul 18, 2012 at 6:05 pm
Jul 18, 2012, 10:40 am
#25
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: W29
Programs: It's Complicated...
Posts: 6,808
I stayed at the Kahala several times in 98,99 and 2000. It was nothing special and service was pretty bad in my experience. I was working for a client that got a good rate there otherwise I would gladly chosen another property.
Jul 18, 2012, 11:43 am
#26
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: DL SkyMiles PM/2MM, AA Plat, IC Diam. Amb., Peninsula regular, amanjunkie
Posts: 5,848
And, no, it's not about knowing how things are done in Asia. They were rude and inappropriate and handled the situation in a very un-Thai fashion, according to my Thai partner.
Jul 18, 2012, 3:07 pm
#27
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 928
No, I don't think it's time to let it go. Some things are done so poorly, impolitely, and inhospitably that they need never be forgotten. If you don't like reading it, then don't read it. And kindly don't characterize it as a "petty grudge," when that is certainly not what's going on here.
And, no, it's not about knowing how things are done in Asia. They were rude and inappropriate and handled the situation in a very un-Thai fashion, according to my Thai partner.
And, no, it's not about knowing how things are done in Asia. They were rude and inappropriate and handled the situation in a very un-Thai fashion, according to my Thai partner.
Jul 18, 2012, 3:20 pm
#28
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: Hilton*D, Marriott*LG, Hyatt*G
Posts: 6,268
I had a horrible experience at the MO -- poor service throughout from Front Desk, butler, and Concierge. I was extremely ill but the hotel did not care to even ask if I needed a doctor.
I sent feedback to Kurt and all I got back was a form letter essentially telling me it was my honor to stay at their illustrious hotel and that next time my expectations should match the thrill of paying to stay there.
I still avoid MO BKK and do not recommend it to anyone. My home in BKK is the Four Seasons.
This really soured my impression of the hotel and the entire chain; that is, until I stayed at 3 of their European properties: London, Paris and Barcelona.
I sent feedback to Kurt and all I got back was a form letter essentially telling me it was my honor to stay at their illustrious hotel and that next time my expectations should match the thrill of paying to stay there.
I still avoid MO BKK and do not recommend it to anyone. My home in BKK is the Four Seasons.
This really soured my impression of the hotel and the entire chain; that is, until I stayed at 3 of their European properties: London, Paris and Barcelona.
Jul 18, 2012, 4:31 pm
#29
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 928
I had a horrible experience at the MO -- poor service throughout from Front Desk, butler, and Concierge. I was extremely ill but the hotel did not care to even ask if I needed a doctor.
I sent feedback to Kurt and all I got back was a form letter essentially telling me it was my honor to stay at their illustrious hotel and that next time my expectations should match the thrill of paying to stay there.
I still avoid MO BKK and do not recommend it to anyone. My home in BKK is the Four Seasons.
This really soured my impression of the hotel and the entire chain; that is, until I stayed at 3 of their European properties: London, Paris and Barcelona.
I sent feedback to Kurt and all I got back was a form letter essentially telling me it was my honor to stay at their illustrious hotel and that next time my expectations should match the thrill of paying to stay there.
I still avoid MO BKK and do not recommend it to anyone. My home in BKK is the Four Seasons.
This really soured my impression of the hotel and the entire chain; that is, until I stayed at 3 of their European properties: London, Paris and Barcelona.
Jul 18, 2012, 5:48 pm
#30
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Here, There & Everywhere
Programs: OZ Diamond, Miles & Smiles *G, PC Amb
Posts: 659
Time to lay the petty grudges down. By now you know that this is pretty standard for Asia. Don't you get tired of beating the same drum over and over...? we're tired of hearing it.
I agree that this hotel does and likely will face many challenges, with competition making the model here difficult to succeed. I wish the new management all the best.
I agree that this hotel does and likely will face many challenges, with competition making the model here difficult to succeed. I wish the new management all the best.
And it wasn't just from the security (whom I would suspect would just be following instructions) but also from a guest relations type of person who reiterated that there is a very strict dress code And they could email me the menu instead!! Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?!