Thanks for the review, [MENTION=163708]EuropeanPete[/MENTION]!
It sounds like you’re a little disappointed in both the soft product (service) and the hardware/hard product. Can you give some examples where the hard product falls short for you? How was the food for breakfast and dinner?
It sounds like the service actually was pretty good, other than your disappointment about drink coupons and related Platinum recognition. Would that be fair? I tend to distinguish the two—service levels and Platinum recognition—as I believe they are two different and distinct issues.
When I evaluate the top hotels in Bangkok, I’d really only include the Oriental (horrendously expensive and way too formal for us), the Siam (out of the way), the Peninsula, the St Regis, the Anantara, the Banyan Tree, the Sukhothai, and maybe the new Park Hyatt (soulless and with terrible service issues to date). I think the SGS and Athenee Luxury Collection options may please many SPG Platinums insofar as better Platinum recognition, but I have doubts that the overall hard product or service levels (and comparable St Regis butler services) at the SGS and/or Athenee are as good as or can remotely match those at the St Regis. I also have doubts that the overall ambience of luxury at the Athenee and SGS wil compare favorably with the StR.
My choice likely would be between the Peninsula and the St Regis for our next stay...with perhaps consideration for the unique Siam.