Originally Posted by
LondonElite
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.
It's only pointless if the OP asked people what they expect when they travel to Thailand......but that's not what he/she asked. If one limits themselves to what's there, one will never come up with unique ideas. Different cultures, different desires, different uses - that's why all hotels (and hotel services) can't be satisfied with one standard.
You are basing your responses on what you think is the best (this five star experience in Thailand), however some people might find that the very same experience at that same 5 star hotel in Thailand still fell short in several ways......and they're not wrong. And that's the perspective they are at when answering. And that's what the OP asked for: different ideas from different perspectives.