It's officially opened as a Westin on Feb. 1, 2003.

I stayed there for US80 dollars, the best available rate on spg.com.

Be patient with them!

Renovation does not seem to have completed yet, except the three executive floors.

I called the hotel before I arrived, to ask them to prepare a room and a folio, just to minmise check-in hassles. They never prepared both. There's a bar near the check-in counter on the same 7th floor, and I was forced to listen to the loundly singing performers while I waited to be checked in.

I showed my Platinum card but the agent did not take note of it apparently. I was given a regular room on a low, 11th floor, which I noticed after I got into the room.

I called the duty manager to see if it was possible to give me a Platinum upgrade. I was then given a suite on the 14th floor, which is a set of connecting rooms, with one having a bed and the other sofas. The manager and the check-in agent apologized for not being familiar with SPG rules.

The next morning, I called the guest service if I would have access to the lounge on an executive floor, and was told yes. I had not been told of this when I checked in or when I was reassigned to the suite.

The room is OK. It was not yet refurbished. The phones still had the Grand Pacific Hotel logo, the name of the prevous brand. Amenities were of typical Westin. A Patinum amenity of 500 points and two other options (200THB food credit or gift) was not also advised at the time of check-in. I was notified of it before I left.

I took a look at a room on an executive floor and it was fully refurbished and looked very nice with modern furniture.

They were also doing renovation work even on Sunday and on the 14th floor, it was just annoying in the morning.

The lounge on a high floor was quiet and refurbished. I was the only guest when I went there. A nice selection of continental breakfast options (they did have omlet, though).

I could not check out at the lounge as they said their computer system in the lounge was not fully linked.

It is by no means comparable to the Sheraton Grande across the street. It is a lower-cost SPG option.

The Royal Orchid, for 75USD, is a lot better, if you don't mind the location.

And it is also by no means better than the new Conrad! The Conrad is a lot, lot, lot, lot, lot better!