I just returned from a quick (4 days--2 full days in BKK) trip to Thailand. Sort of a quasi-mileage run on AA.

I stayed three nights at the Sheraton Grande Sukumvit in BKK. I'm SPG plat., so my experience is through those eyes.

I checked in late at night (flight from NRT got in at about 11:30PM.) The taxi door was opened by one of many AMAZINGLY polite and eager to please staff members. My luggage was taken to some out of the way place, and I was escorted to the small check in desk, where I was quickly checked in to my Executive Suite on the 20th floor (wasn't really 20th floor as the elevator is missing floors 4-9...or something close to that.)

I had a bowl of fruit in the room waiting for me, and a plate of nice little chocolates. I couldn't tell that late at night, but I saw the next morning that I had a nice view of the pool area WAAAAAY down there.

The suite was a corner room, about 600 square feet if I had to guess, with an entry hall, guest bath, living room, bedroom, walk in closet, and beautiful main bath with separate shower and tub areas. Orchids decorated the suite in several locations.

At checkin I was also given a bunch of various welcome letters and papers introducing me to the amenities of which I could partake (both included in the room and otherwise.) There was a sheet letting me know all the things I could have for varying numbers of my SPG points, none of which was a terribly good deal compared to the cost for which they could be had for cash.

I had breakfast each morning included. Once by the pool (Sunday) and twice in the Orchid Cafe. I preferred the pool GREATLY in terms of atmosphere, but it had a MUCH more limited buffet...though you have other things cooked to order. The cafe was much larger in terms of the food on offer, and in that sense, I liked it better.

As many other reports have stated, the skytrain (above groud subway) stop is located about 50 feet from the front entrance of the hotel. This was very convenient in terms of taking the train to the areas that the train went. For example, I could have imagined no more convenient way to get to/from the weekend market on Sunday. However, unlike many other reporters of this property, I did NOT like the location. At all. It is VERY far removed from many of the "touristy" things such as temples, markets, and other sights, and is nowhere NEAR the river. For this reason, I will be staying at the Royal Orchid next time (January) as it is RIGHT on the main river. Taking the river boat is a fun way to get many places (most tourist sights are near the river anyway.)

Taking the skytrain to many of the tourist sights is TOTALLY impractical, as it doesn't go there, and you must get off the train and either 1)walk 2)take a taxi or 3) walk to the river and then take a river boat.

Taxis from the Grande take quite a while to get into the main part of town.

There were quite a few street vendors in the immediate neighborhood of the Grande, but there were also quite a number of go-go type bars and hang outs. I didn't like seeing all the fat, ugly, middle aged, white men using the young Thai women. Perhaps I'm naive, but I just didn't like seeing that, and I saw a lot of it (and did NOT see that the last time I went to BKK in 97 and stayed more in the backpacker area of town.)

Speaking of the backpacker area of town, I sort of enjoy going there once in a while. I enjoy eating in some of the cheap little touristy everything in english eateries, and watching all the young backpackers having fun, and doing a little "stall" shopping. It seemed much busier and more hectic this time than last, and as though the backpacker area near Thanon Khao San had grown further into the surrounding neighborhoods. Definitely a different experience of Thailand.

All in all, I was quite pleased with the Sheraton Grande Sukumvit, with the Exception (for me large) of it's location. I have read that some others love the location COMPARED to the Royal Orchid, but I don't get that. Highly recommended so long as you don't mind the travel inconveniences if you're doing the tourist thing.