Originally Posted by
BonViveur
I'll go with the Bangkok camp. There are so many SWs in Bangkok with a Four Points on the way to keep prices down, but ths year you should be able to find 2 hotels in the city at around US100 per night. Being in Thailand is inexpensive, too - you need to consider that as well as hotel cost. I have a number of reservations this year between 3000-4000THB. Depending on whether you want 25 stays or 50 nights, the stay 3/pay 2 rates can help lower costs.
Bangkok Starwood properties are very overpriced compared against some other countries in SEA or against competing brands in Bangkok itself. Would never consider Bangkok as a place for status mattress runs if the lowest expense is the point.
If one wants to get a status via SPG for cheap, look at Indonesia and Malaysia. Some hotels may have special rates like 4-4-3 etc. Yet cheaper get a status via Marriott challenge, perhaps.