The STR is not perfect, service at breakfast can be patchy. Asked for new cutlery 2 times but was forgotten. Was asked to place my breakfast menu order at the station (normally its taken by the waitress).

After staying in the Athenee for the last night due to STR being sold out, IMO the Athenee is half a notch down from STR. Athenee's lobby is grand and beautiful. I was upgraded to an Athenee suite upon check in at the lounge.

If you judge solely upon the lounge, Athenee would win hands down. 4-5 different hot entrees, dessert, cheese, fruit etc open bar for 4 hours BUT even after a pretty extensive reno done recently, can see where they have cut corners on. The solid wooden furniture (study desk, standalone minibar) have not been changed and heavily worn/scratched. STR standard bathroom is miles ahead of the Athenee suite.

Most ironic part is the Athenee have a huge 'lookbook' of BKK's best restaurants on the coffee table. It was left opened on a page with Four Seasons Hotel. Can only guess how old that book is.

My favourite part of STR with plat benefits is 4 pieces of laundry per guest per day which i think is generous. Always come back with a full suitecase of clean clothes.

They seem to have got rid of the downstairs check in. I remember they were trialing that in late Sept. Seems like it was more inconvenient than anything. They have moved that 'lectern' up to the 12th floor with Natalia (GEM) manning the check in troops.