The Siam quick review
Nov 4, 2013, 8:14 am
#31
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
Amanaddicted,
to clarify, i agree that even though your report is for soft opening, that management response is always relevant. in terms of service recovery, in the event of a serious service failure during stay, especially when paying a high rate of $1000 plus. would be nice to see more discussion of things like service recovery on forum, even if totally unspecific.
so there was also no/poor response from staff/management during stay - service problems in addition to GM.
not only was amantaka aman, it had this >
and, depending on when you went >
i dont think 100% of prior siam reports were 100% positive.
prior mixed comments for GM when he was elsewhere >
some of that is similar to some of the discussion of robyn @ aman india (except re the sick teenage son)
i wonder if there are any similarities to kurt @ MO BKK, in terms of how they perceive and judge different guests
speaking of kurt - possible similarities at siam >
to clarify, i agree that even though your report is for soft opening, that management response is always relevant. in terms of service recovery, in the event of a serious service failure during stay, especially when paying a high rate of $1000 plus. would be nice to see more discussion of things like service recovery on forum, even if totally unspecific.
so there was also no/poor response from staff/management during stay - service problems in addition to GM.
I’d never met Gary Tyson, Amantaka’s General Manager, before this stay, but given what he’s accomplished at Amantaka, he is someone we will now follow to whatever resort he happens to oversee. What he has done in creating service standards of the utmost polish and skill in a location where there was no former 5-star experience from which to draw, is astounding. (And if you get a chance, have him tell you about the process he went through of hiring and training new employees in a “fake Amantaka” he created to serve as a training site during the construction of the resort.)
Aman resorts have spoiled many of us by setting the highest bar in the world for service and housekeeping standards, and even within this stiff competition, Amantaka rises to the very top.
Aman resorts have spoiled many of us by setting the highest bar in the world for service and housekeeping standards, and even within this stiff competition, Amantaka rises to the very top.
prior mixed comments for GM when he was elsewhere >
friends...never saw the GM. One of the guides said to them " I'm sure you met Jason by now" and the guide did not know what to say when they told him no. Amazing to me was their teenage son became very ill and needed a doctor and the GM never checked in on them. I am sure he must have been away as I don't think he would ignore them with a sick teenager, yet their guide asked them if they met Jason after their first day so.....
GM...never could be bothered to even say hello. We saw him shmoozing another couple in the bar one night. We saw him having dinner one night...staff pointed out the villa where the GM ("who I'm sure you've met by now") and his family live. When we said no, we hadn't met him the staffer was visibly embarassed
i wonder if there are any similarities to kurt @ MO BKK, in terms of how they perceive and judge different guests
speaking of kurt - possible similarities at siam >
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Nov 5, 2013 at 1:59 pm
Nov 4, 2013, 10:12 am
#32
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
When the Siam soft opened only the pool villas were available. The suites in the main building were boarded off and there was some dust due to ongoing construction there. Equally, the Café and Curio shop were under construction, as were some of the 'museum' rooms.
It is now finished, but even at this stage they are tweaking things to make them work better - like the bath house in the spa.
They probably opened too early, although my experience of The Siam was very good indeed. It was even better this year.
It is now finished, but even at this stage they are tweaking things to make them work better - like the bath house in the spa.
They probably opened too early, although my experience of The Siam was very good indeed. It was even better this year.
Nov 4, 2013, 10:57 pm
#33
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 75
I returned to The Siam for an inspection when I was staying at MO at the beginning of 2013 and even if it was certainly better than during my stay during the soft opening, it was still far from perfect. Maintenance doesn't seem to be something they care cause I've detected several piece of furniture already scratched or messed up and cleanliness was not as great as you can expect in an hotel like this one.
Most of the staff were nice and I really like their chic uniform but no one from the management was visible and I feel the atmosphere very snobbish.
I've the impression if you're not a pop star or somebody well known by the management, they really don't treat you like a VIP and in an hotel pretending to be the best of Bangkok, each guest has to be treated as a VIP.
Maybe with a new management, this hotel would be able to be a real gem...
Most of the staff were nice and I really like their chic uniform but no one from the management was visible and I feel the atmosphere very snobbish.
I've the impression if you're not a pop star or somebody well known by the management, they really don't treat you like a VIP and in an hotel pretending to be the best of Bangkok, each guest has to be treated as a VIP.
Maybe with a new management, this hotel would be able to be a real gem...
When the Siam soft opened only the pool villas were available. The suites in the main building were boarded off and there was some dust due to ongoing construction there. Equally, the Café and Curio shop were under construction, as were some of the 'museum' rooms.
It is now finished, but even at this stage they are tweaking things to make them work better - like the bath house in the spa.
They probably opened too early, although my experience of The Siam was very good indeed. It was even better this year.
It is now finished, but even at this stage they are tweaking things to make them work better - like the bath house in the spa.
They probably opened too early, although my experience of The Siam was very good indeed. It was even better this year.
Nov 5, 2013, 9:47 am
#34
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
I returned to The Siam for an inspection when I was staying at MO at the beginning of 2013 and even if it was certainly better than during my stay during the soft opening, it was still far from perfect. Maintenance doesn't seem to be something they care cause I've detected several piece of furniture already scratched or messed up and cleanliness was not as great as you can expect in an hotel like this one.
Most of the staff were nice and I really like their chic uniform but no one from the management was visible and I feel the atmosphere very snobbish.
I've the impression if you're not a pop star or somebody well known by the management, they really don't treat you like a VIP and in an hotel pretending to be the best of Bangkok, each guest has to be treated as a VIP.
Maybe with a new management, this hotel would be able to be a real gem...
Most of the staff were nice and I really like their chic uniform but no one from the management was visible and I feel the atmosphere very snobbish.
I've the impression if you're not a pop star or somebody well known by the management, they really don't treat you like a VIP and in an hotel pretending to be the best of Bangkok, each guest has to be treated as a VIP.
Maybe with a new management, this hotel would be able to be a real gem...
Nov 5, 2013, 12:26 pm
#36
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 75
Most of them are ultra pretentious, not friendly at all and I'm afraid they lost everything they learned at Aman... Sorry not to share your opinion but this hotel could be much better if it was better managed by people working with heart and not only for money...
Nov 5, 2013, 1:02 pm
#37
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Here, There, and Everywhere
Posts: 226
I had a similar experience at The Siam couple of weeks ago. I exchanged a couple of emails with the GM 10 days before checking in and he said that he would welcome me personally.
I only saw him once during my stay and that was just a couple of hours before checking out. He never introduced himself, never talked to me or even left a card welcoming me.
Still I really had a wonderful time at The Siam but I found his behaviour a bit odd.
I only saw him once during my stay and that was just a couple of hours before checking out. He never introduced himself, never talked to me or even left a card welcoming me.
Still I really had a wonderful time at The Siam but I found his behaviour a bit odd.
Last edited by Revolution; Nov 5, 2013 at 2:11 pm
Nov 5, 2013, 1:05 pm
#38
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 751
I think vuittonsofstyle was indicating that the current people who are part of Aman management stay there. And if, as you indicate, current Aman management are 'ultra pretentious' and 'not friendly', this probably doesn't bode well for Aman going forward (since these would be the people controlling the future and the culture of Aman). If this is true, Amanaddicted, you may not be addicted to Aman for very much longer.
On another note, I stayed at FS Tented Camp while Jason was the manager and I found him to be very personable and competent.
Nov 5, 2013, 1:30 pm
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
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Amanaddicted was referring only to siam "management" (only specifically mentions GM) not aman
aa213bb noted jason was at "Amandari back in the early '00s" - Amanaddicted also referenced this
sounds to me like some problematic comments from GM, but also some style differences and miscommunication as well.
the comments i quoted re jason remind me of some quotes re robyn and kurt.
aa213bb noted jason was at "Amandari back in the early '00s" - Amanaddicted also referenced this
sounds to me like some problematic comments from GM, but also some style differences and miscommunication as well.
the comments i quoted re jason remind me of some quotes re robyn and kurt.
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; Nov 8, 2013 at 9:07 pm
Nov 6, 2013, 6:29 am
#40
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
I had a similar experience at The Siam couple of weeks ago. I exchanged a couple of emails with the GM 10 days before checking in and he said that he would welcome me personally.
I only saw him once during my stay and that was just a couple of hours before checking out. He never introduced himself, never talked to me or even left a card welcoming me.
Still I really had a wonderful time at The Siam but I found his behaviour a bit odd.
I only saw him once during my stay and that was just a couple of hours before checking out. He never introduced himself, never talked to me or even left a card welcoming me.
Still I really had a wonderful time at The Siam but I found his behaviour a bit odd.
Nov 6, 2013, 6:32 am
#41
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Join Date: Jun 2006
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Nov 6, 2013, 6:42 am
#42
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Here there and everywhere
Posts: 6,303
I have had really great stays at hotels when the GM was away, but equally I have had really bad stays, too. I don't think you can make rules about it.
Nov 8, 2013, 8:01 pm
#44
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Texas (DFW)
Programs: AA Gold 1MM
Posts: 44
I am a complete nobody. Not rich, not famous. Even so, we were treated with exceptional warmth and kindness by everyone at the Siam, including the GM (and Donald Wong, and our butler North, and every staff member whom we encountered). While I don't mean to doubt the sincerity of your grievance, it is so far removed from what I experienced that I feel compelled to offer this counterpoint.
Nov 8, 2013, 9:12 pm
#45
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
interactions with jason >
I exchanged a couple of emails with the GM 10 days before checking in and he said that he would welcome me personally.
I only saw him once during my stay and that was just a couple of hours before checking out. He never introduced himself, never talked to me or even left a card welcoming me.
I found his behaviour a bit odd.
I only saw him once during my stay and that was just a couple of hours before checking out. He never introduced himself, never talked to me or even left a card welcoming me.
I found his behaviour a bit odd.
clearly some problematic comments from GM. but it sounds like there could have been some communication issues and perhaps service preferences as well - regardless of any of that, there is never an excuse for definitively problematic comments from GM. and even if some comments could be up for interpretation, doesnt sound like all the comments could be up for interpretation.
Amanaddicted positive >
service was already quite nice
pretty happy at first due to a very unique design and space for Bangkok. I have almost nothing to complain about the beautiful decor and the atmosphere of luxury and serenity you can feel when you stay in this property and even if The Siam was still in the soft opening period, we already had a pretty good impression... this property I really consider as one of the most special in BKK
pretty happy at first due to a very unique design and space for Bangkok. I have almost nothing to complain about the beautiful decor and the atmosphere of luxury and serenity you can feel when you stay in this property and even if The Siam was still in the soft opening period, we already had a pretty good impression... this property I really consider as one of the most special in BKK
(doesnt say who else besides GM they had issues with)
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; May 2, 2015 at 3:02 pm