I believe there there is an absolute measure of 'hotel professionalism' (perhaps there is a better expression though.) It's not a question of whether one should be fawning or sterile, minimalist or plush, but of offering a high-quality hospitality service, whatever that may mean in the context of setting, target audience, service range, etc.

The reason to question people's experiences with Thai hospitality is that there is a very different concept in Asia, and Thailand in particular, as to the nature of service and hospitality than in either the US or Europe. At a true luxury hotel in Thailand, for example, the concept of removing the front desk staffed with people there to help you, in favour of sliding your bill under the door at 3am and hoping you'll leave without further interaction, will not go very far, so discussing it as an interesting idea for the OP's son is probably pointless.