Kalboz

By chance after breakfast this morning, I met Ms. McNab today at the lobby. She welcomed me to the property, introduced herself and asked if I had any questions. I asked her about the pool and its location. She graciously escorted me to the right elevator and off we went to the roof-top pool area together. On the way up she explained that the property (including the pool) is complete, however some areas in the hotel need to be refined. For example:

- not all the suites are ready: 19 thus far completed/occupied and another one for this weekend occupancy. Hence the construction noise in the lobby area during business hours. None of the suites are available though for the newly arriving Plats (unless you have a confirmed suite upgrade in writing) as they are solidly booked and there is no availability at this time not even for paid suite rate. YMMV!
- Pool and its vicinity on the eighth floor are complete, however the bar outlet and the restrooms are not open yet. The 8 floor facilities are currently closing at 7 PM so the contractor may be able to finish the construction work. Estimated completion for “Amber” is one more week.
- Lobby, Beer Vault, the Eatery, business center are all completed. Floors 1-5 are totally complete. The rest are work in progress.

Ms. McNab graciously spent her valuable time during the busiest time to show me around and explain the various aspects of this hotel to me and for that she is a SUPERSTAR hotel manager and a sincerely nice person that must be commended.

When she found out that I am Kalboz, she stated that I am entitled to my opinion but that she disagreed with me about my previous post. But her graciousness and kindness went on unabated continuing our hospitable hotel tour and amicable conversation. Apparently, Ms. McNab or her staff are keeping up with FT posts which is also to be commended. She added that there simply not enough suites to accommodate everyone even when all construction and additions are completed and that this property might not be for everyone but how can you go wrong with a 1900 Baht per night rate. Although she was firm that the hotel is complete, she invited to stay again next March to fully experience the property.

Although I usually don't take my words back, with this short time spent with this remarkable woman, I am impressed and will have to change my rating to a solid 4 star property. Most of the confusion so far has been because of the lack of communications that need to be improved. Again, you should notice a woman's touch in this place's elegance, color scheme, and most importantly its staff's service-based attitude and dedication. Yesterday's FD incident is hopefully an isolated one that won't be repeated again.

See photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalboz/...7625518907324/

Room situation: We were given # 403 first but it was too small and they moved us to a 2-queen room where they combined the two beds to generate extra room for the baby cot and extra space for him to roam around when in the room. We are staying after all as the wife is tired of moving back and forth and as a result of my conversation with Ms. McNab above.

Breakfast was great. They have Thai food, eggs station to order, fruits, salads, cereals, breads & pastaries, juices, coffee and other beverages along with very friendly staff ready to serve. See photos.

A more complete review to follow upon completion of the stay due to time constraints now because I am busy measuring the room

Kalboz

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kalboz/5228479592/

Dr. HFH

Thanks for the pix, Kalboz. Looks pretty nice, sort of like LM Lite. Definitely much nicer than my local 4P.

Tak

Thanks for the nice pictures, Kalboz

The first room(is it King?) which you had looked very small as you mentioned.
The second room(2 queens) looks much larger than the first one.

I did not know there is separate shower.
Usually,the typical 4 point has tub/shower combo.

I am looking forward to staying there soon.

mario33

I believe the rooms are of similar size.

If your room has a balcony, then the internal space gets smaller.

Keyser

i agree with what you are saying....

i really don't think anyone does this....there is no need to be rude in trying to put your point across....

yosithezet

Awww....now I'm hurt....

BTW Tak, have you stayed at any Four Points in Asia? The Four Points in Shenzen is easily a 4.5 or 5 star in the US.

jkingsle

Looking forward to making this part of my next bkk matress run.... Can't wait to see a similar thread for the st. Regis when it opens next year.

worldtravel

How are you all reaching this hotel. Does taxi drivers know this place by name or do I have to give them another landmark. I am arriving BKK on UA and plan on taking a taxi to this hotel. Please help. Name and address in Thai would be appreciated.

FatManInNYC

Don't fret. Just say "Sukhumvit Soi 15." Every driver will understand that. Trust me.

NB: Sukhumvit is the major street name, Soi 15 is the number for the smaller side-street on which the hotel is located. As such, you have must say Sukhumvit Soi 15, not just Soi 15.

Even better, from the airport, if you get a taxi from the official taxi stand (queue) you can tell the attendent where you are going and she will tell the driver. S/he will speak passable English. You will have to pay an extra 50 baht for using the stand ($1.70), but its getting around it is not suggested if this is your first trip. (I suggest reading the Airport Taxi thread over in the Thailand forum.)

Note also, the hotel website's local taxi directions are written in English, so they are not much help. (Hint - Hint, 4pts lurkers).

Safe Travels!

yosithezet

Maybe someone will post a pic of the taxi card.

Kalboz

You are very welcome.

The first room was # 403 is a King room with a balcony ... nice but very small for a family with a toddler. The second one which we got (thanks to Khun Umm - Korakot Pratoom, the Guest Service Manager) is a double-queen -bed room where the 2 beds were combined to generate extra room ... and yes much bigger room than the 403.

The separate bathtub and shower configuration is great especially with the support beams for guests with accessibility issues.

I'd like to report that today we had a cultural-based incident with the Thai speaking staff at the Beer Vault whereby a European man intervened and saved the situation. After we thanked him, we asked this man to identify himself, and he said he was the Chef & B (as in F&B) manager Stephano. Great tact and great service by Mr. Stephano .... cheers ^^^

More recent articles with photos about the newly opened property:

http://www.thaipr.net/nc/readnews.as...5296134E6D5F2E

http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/1...0/4049337.html

Kalboz

You are very welcome Doc ... yes this is much nicer than the local 4Ps.

seanthepilot

I've been to the hotel now a few times. The staff seems friendly enough. The pool, although small, is lovely. But the highlight looks like it will be the bar on the rooftop, once it's open. What a cool looking spot.

The "Chef & B" manager, a European fellow rushed to our rescue this evening in the Beer Vault, so miraculously solve a cultural hiccup. Congratulations on quick thinking by the management team to notice, and then rush in with a solution. ^^

The rooms are sparsely appointed with a nice bathroom, comfortable beds, and 32 inch TVs. As Kalboz said, room wise the Four Points Sukhumvit 15 is a very strong 3 star property.

With the current rates, the 4Pts seems to offer good value. I would caution againts higher rates, but I guess occupancy will decide rates, not a pleading from guests. However, if the hotel does maintain high occupancy, I would encourage them to maintain points and cash and points availability. Since, after 95% occupancy, even points rooms will generate full revenue from SPG, it would be a win-win situation for both guests and owners.

I'm looking forward to my stay next week. Stay tuned.

Keyser

would appreciate if anyone can post pictures of the terrace suite....managed to use my spg 50 certificate & get a rate of thb 3,100 per night for 5 nights....a saving of over thb 10,500 according to the agent who made the booking....