As far as I know the Executive Plus rooms have been priced above the Ocean suite for some time now. While slightly smaller, those are by far more desirable, as they have a large oceanfront balcony, a much larger single space (the suites are two normal side ocean view rooms stuck together, where the living room is too small to sell as a regular room as a stairwell encroaches on it), and a corner bathroom which itself has a better view than normal rooms, and direct access to the balcony (and much-maligned outdoor tub).

When the hotel first opened, the lower floor 'Plus' rooms were not classified as executive, and available at a much lower price, but their popularity understandably catapulted them up the ladder. As I mentioned upthread some years ago, I consider those Exec Plus rooms the best non-suite/villa accommodations of any Hilton brand hotel in Thailand. The other rooms, suites or not, are nothing special, lacking the airy atmosphere of the Plus rooms; somehow the sterile minimalist decor just works very well in the Plus room, perhaps because of the much larger window area.

This hotel, as evidenced by its high room rates and unavailability of points+money awards, has plenty of (often middle eastern) guests willing to pay for its better rooms. The only time I got a good upgrade (to a Plus room...) was when they somehow assumed I was on my honeymoon, complete with rose petals in the tub etc.