Programs: AA 2MM - UA 1P / Hyatt Diamond - SPG Plat / Hertz 5* - Avis 1st
Posts: 1,152
My family stayed at the ROS in December, using it as a meeting point as we flew into BKK and before proceeding on a multi-city vacation.
As a Plat I did not receive an upgrade to a suite. However, this was primarily because I checked in very early (~10AM) and had requested two adjoining rooms. The front desk was very apologetic about not having a suite, but the rooms were fine, and they did send up the typical big, exotic fruit basket every day, which my daughter loved.
1) The room was nice, normal ROS room with outstanding views of the river. The bathroom amenitied were very nice, including my wife's favorite bar soap. The rooms are not very modern, but neither do they show the signs of aging - I belive that the maintenance here is pretty good.
2) The location was fine as long as you realize that this is a river hotel. This is not down on the main drag, and it does require a little more effort if that is your destination.
3) The lobby had a "kim" player, a very pleasant lady who payed the instrument wonderfully and talked to my wife and daughter at the same time for a long period. My daughter loved it.
4) The pool situation includes the official hotel pool, a deep, rectangular one outside the gym, and the Portugese embassy pool, which is down the stairs beyond the official pool. Both pools front the river, and the embassy pool is a terrific pocket-sized resort pool set in lovely grounds (peacocks, huge trees, wet bar, swim-in jacuzzi, etc.). The official hotel pool is colder, and the embassy one gets crowded as the day goes on, but for kids, the embassy pool is the highlight.
5) The entrance and lobby has a very uniquely Thai/SPG feel. The second floor overlook has computer terminals, etc, and links to the River City Mall with an overhead walk-way. The area in front of the hotel isn't particularly beautiful, but you can eat at the stalls that set up along the front of River City very cheaply, and if you walk further along the soi toward the church, there are even more stalls serving lots of different street fare.
6) This property is not new, but it is very welcoming. The grounds behind the hotel are nice, the staff are pleasant. The river boat shuttle to the Thaksin Station runs every 30 minutes or so, and on the way back, they serve little juices and waters.
7) I have never visited the spa here, nor has my wife, so I can't comment.
8) The lounge offerings are nice, and they specialize in giant cups of coffee.
The ROS usually offers pricing that is competitive with the other SPG properties.
I stayed here about 8 days ago on our way back from Vietnam. Like Wilbur, I had 2 adjoining rooms booked on points. Was disappointed that there was no upgrade even to an SPG floor. We were put on the 19th floor - rooms were ok - nowhere near as nice as the junior suites I've received in the past. We arrived late (11pm) and since this was for just one night didn't press for an upgrade.
Did get access to the lounge for one room only. There are 2 computers in the lounge for use. One nice thing is the 6 or so computers they have on the 1st floor (2nd floor if using Western convention for counting floors) outside the business center that are free for guests.
Lastly, I wanted the local gift instead of the 500 pts for the PLT amenity. I got sent to 3 different places and finally got to the gift shop to find out that it was a polo shirt and they only had it in XL sizes. Rather strange that this would be a local gift.
Edited to add that we took a cab to the airport from the hotel. Had no issues with the guy using the meter. Fare came out to be around 300 THB plus the 65B for the tolls.
Last edited by acnev; Jan 14, 08 at 5:16 pm.
Reason: More info
Stayed at ROS for 3 nights in October for my anniversary, used points and called the hotel to ask about securing a suite upgrade. They infomed me that I was confirmed in a one bedrom suite with river view because thats what we book our Platinum members in, I offered to use points but was told that was not necessary. Arrived at the hotel with printed confirmation in hand with one bedrom suite with river view on it and was told, Sorry we are sold out tonight we do have a King deluxe room for you. I showed them the confirmation again and they said again sorry we are sold out tonight.
Real Nice Ha!
IN all my years of SPG Platinum status this is the first hotel I have been actually downgraded in. Wrote the GM and got some joke of a response like we were sold out and we do try and upgrade our SPG Platinum members and please call him directly when I return to make my reservation. Yeah Ok!
On a positive note we spend a lot of time in the SPA, which was not the good of a deal in comparison to treatments in the US, but the staff were absolultey wonderful.
Programs: SPG Platinum, HH Silver, FB Gold, SIA Gold
Posts: 26
Hmm, indeed about service.. Is far away in this hotel.... I booked an Executive Suite and mailed the hotel about possible upgrades... Got a reply that I already had a suite booked so no need for an upgrade to a different type of suite... Also airport transfer seems really hard to understand for the staff at Reservations in the hotel....
Think I am kind of beginning to doubt about my reservation... Maybe should book another SPG hotel in BKK....
Programs: Mucci, BAEC Gold, LH SEN, NWA Gold, HH Diamond, SPG Platinum, IC PC Plat, Amex Plat
Posts: 4,576
Quote:
Originally Posted by RobbertS
Hmm, indeed about service.. Is far away in this hotel.... I booked an Executive Suite and mailed the hotel about possible upgrades... Got a reply that I already had a suite booked so no need for an upgrade to a different type of suite... Also airport transfer seems really hard to understand for the staff at Reservations in the hotel....
Think I am kind of beginning to doubt about my reservation... Maybe should book another SPG hotel in BKK....
This is the only current BKK Starwood Property (or come to that Thailand Starwood Property) that I have yet to stay in, but I have visited the property since I had a dinner cruise a little while ago departing from the pier next door.
I just really really do not understand why anyone would choose this location let alone the property (whch at least in the public areas looks rather tired). It is in quite a busy part of town traffic wise but away from most of the city (except the riverside temples etc.).
If you want the lowest price then the Plaza is rarely more expensive. For service the SGS is simply superb (followed closely by the WGS).
Programs: LH HON, BA Gold, BMI, Amex Centurion, Hilton Diamond, SPG Platinum, Human race (general member)
Posts: 9,439
The ROS is great for redemptions at 3000/4000 points !
They also always upgrade me to a suite. I think I have stayed there about 15 times. My favourite place (Oriental excluded) is the Millenium Hilton just across from the ROS.
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Programs: Mucci, BAEC Gold, LH SEN, NWA Gold, HH Diamond, SPG Platinum, IC PC Plat, Amex Plat
Posts: 4,576
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rambuster
The ROS is great for redemptions at 3000/4000 points !
They also always upgrade me to a suite. I think I have stayed there about 15 times. My favourite place (Oriental excluded) is the Millenium Hilton just across from the ROS.
LOL do not get me started, stayed there once and hate the place with a passion. I really really do not like the riverside location. It may be worthwhile to stay at the Oriental but for anything else I just do not see the point. I have no urgent desire to spend 3 hours per day travelling around when I could have saved 2 hours a day by staying more centrally.
Programs: hh diamond,Qantas club life,AA EX-explat.SPG plat.
Posts: 815
Quote:
Originally Posted by Land-of-Miles
LOL do not get me started, stayed there once and hate the place with a passion. I really really do not like the riverside location. It may be worthwhile to stay at the Oriental but for anything else I just do not see the point. I have no urgent desire to spend 3 hours per day travelling around when I could have saved 2 hours a day by staying more centrally.
Horses for courses.We love the river and have stayed at ROS,Millenium and Peninsula on many occasions.Have tried the SGS,Conrad and Meridiens but keep coming back to the river.
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Posts: 4,307
ROS is OK by me!
Quote:
...hate the place with a passion. I really really do not like the riverside location. ... I just do not see the point.
For just as many visitors to Bangkok, the riverside is just as good a location as any other. It is near the Skytrain if you need to avoid traffic.
Just because you don't like it, don't assume we all do.
It's a great hotel that takes great care of it's Platinum members. I like it. My friends like it. Although the design in the rooms is old, the furniture is comfortable, the lounge (soon to be re-opened on a different floor with more space) is nice, and the staff very committed to guest service.
Quote:
Think I am kind of beginning to doubt about my reservation... Maybe should book another SPG hotel in BKK....
I wouldn't worry. The hotel is fine. Yes, there are more choices, but as far as Starwoods in Bangkok, it's like comparing flavours of ice cream. Not everyone likes the same one, but doesn't make one better than the other.
My choices: Le Meridian, Royal Orchid, SGS, Westin. But, That's just me!
Programs: aa exp/5.8 mm, spg platinum, ual 643,415 air miles and no longer trying
Posts: 922
QUOTE: It's a great hotel that takes great care of it's Platinum members. I like it. My friends like it. Although the design in the rooms is old, the furniture is comfortable, the lounge (soon to be re-opened on a different floor with more space) is nice, and the staff very committed to guest service.
is the current lounge closed now? if so, do you know what they are doing for platinums. i am in bkk end of feb and trying to decide where to stay.
QUOTE: It's a great hotel that takes great care of it's Platinum members. I like it. My friends like it. Although the design in the rooms is old, the furniture is comfortable, the lounge (soon to be re-opened on a different floor with more space) is nice, and the staff very committed to guest service.
is the current lounge closed now? if so, do you know what they are doing for platinums. i am in bkk end of feb and trying to decide where to stay.
The lounge is still open,not to worry.
I like the ROS too and have always been treated well above average.
Afterall yes the SGS is a better hotel for many things,but you get what you pay for.
In todays weak US$ and strong BHT the ROS has been looking better to this guy.
Programs: aa exp/5.8 mm, spg platinum, ual 643,415 air miles and no longer trying
Posts: 922
Quote:
Originally Posted by lovtofly3
The lounge is still open,not to worry.
I like the ROS too and have always been treated well above average.
Afterall yes the SGS is a better hotel for many things,but you get what you pay for.
In todays weak US$ and strong BHT the ROS has been looking better to this guy.
you are absolutely correct. my choice is between the ros and sgs and the rate spread is 2560 baht. big difference.
I am also a fan of this place, and prefer it to the Westin. It can be a pain to get too by car but to get around I just hop on the courtesy shuttle boat the Saphan Thaksin BTS station and use the Skytrain.
Land-of-Miles must have had a bad experience here methinks.
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