Stayed at The Surawongse in January for the first time. Titanium here, and used SNAs for a 7-night stay. Had booked the standard room and got upgraded all the way to a 2-bed residential suite! It was the most generous upgrade I've ever had in any Marriott/Starwood property since getting a room with a bathtub the size of a private pool at the old W Seoul.
Like many of you, I was apprehensive about the location, which would be worse due to the fact that I tend to like walking or using public transport when on holiday. The closest BTS station (Surasak) was fifteen minutes away (probably faster if you're more than my 5'7), so not too bad. The Sala Daeng area was also an easy eighteen minute walk, and you could also do a twenty minute walk to Sam Yan metro station and the new mall there, or a similar walk to the "Cat Tower" boat pier, with free shuttles to the ion mall. I actually really enjoyed all this on-foot exploring, and this is a particularly charming, older area of the city, but I was lucky to have been here in the "cool" season. On a rainy August day, I might be relying on that hotel shuttle or suffering traffic in a Grab.
The infinity pool is a highlight here. If you can, get up early and have it pretty much to yourself. I used to make coffee in the room and then go down with my husband to drink it during sunrise. I only once attempted to visit the pool in the afternoon, which was a mistake - it was rammed.
The lounge is another highlight. Very spacious and everything brand new. Unlike other commentators, I had no issue with the brekkie. Some sticky coconut rice and fruit set me up well for the day. I thought the evening service was well done - you could choose from a list of cocktails (reminded me of the Marriott Teng Plaza Singapore lounge), and there was a daily special meal, like Pad Thai. For those who like using a lounge for their dinner rather than as pre-dinner nibbles, you could fill up easily here.
Service was insanely good. One night my husband was surprised to receive a birthday cake presented by the team - I don't even know how they knew it was his birthday, other than that he had shown his passport at check-in. I also lost something important and the whole hotel went on the hunt without me even asking.
So far I've stayed at seven BKK properties in BKK, and I'd almost make this my new go-to hotel, with the only concern being that if I was here in the hot or wet seasons, I might prefer something right on the BTS.