Getting my review site back up and running after a long time with a lot of changes in our lives:
https://trueandfairreviews.com/
Back in June, I was looking through
https://megatix.in.th/ a great website in Asia and Australasia for some worthwhile offers and discounts at hotels, spas and dining venues.
I came across an offer for the Shangri La in Bangkok, buy 1 get 1 free. 5,900thb for 2 nights in a deluxe balcony room with breakfast. Looking at hotel offers, this was a genuine deal, so I decided to go ahead. Fast forward to November, due to various restrictions, it was finally time to use the vouchers.
Megatix Offer – Buy1 get 1 free
Shangri-La Wing Deluxe Balcony Room with breakfast for 2.
5,900THB for 2 nights. $178, £132
Extra benefits:
Early check in 08:00, late check out 20:00
30% off restaurant a’l carte
Positives:
Great location, riverfront views.
Staff generally friendly and professional
Pool and health club are highlights
Negatives:
Dated rooms, missing key features
Noise from local bar and construction site
So why choose one of the oldest 5-star hotels in Bangkok? It opened in 1986, located on the Riverside, at the time it was cutting edge and the height of luxury. Just because something is old, does it mean it has lots its charm?
It is ideally located on the riverfront, beside Taksin bridge, where there is a BTS station, and also a short ferry ride across to Icon Siam. You can walk to Silom, and a short taxi ride to Lumphini Park. There are many local shops, restaurants and spas in the area as well.
Anna had check in ahead of me, and I checked in later after I finished the working day. I arrived at 17:00. You need to have your bags x-rayed and go through a security check, which to be honest seems overkill. There are no high security guests staying and indeed no other hotel I have seen in Bangkok has this. It is a little annoying each time to go through this.
Check in was quick, not exactly welcoming, more routine. No details of anything were given. No breakfast information, no details about the extra benefits. Anna was only told breakfast times.
I asked about options for dinner, only one restaurant was open Next2 Café. Nothing was mentioned on the website or pre-arrival emails.
The room:
I made my way to the room, and at least there is a large bank of lifts so no waiting, well it was very quiet anyway.
Room was located on the 17th floor. 1716. This is a front facing river view balcony room. It is functional. The bed is large and comfy. Two large chairs, and small table. Work desk with adequate charging points. Lighting is a little hit and miss, not very bright.
The work desk has a connection for the TV, VGA and sound cable, maybe tells you how old it is.
The TV is large but standard channels and no channel information.
Only 1 English Breakfast and 1 Green Tea bag and some cheap instant coffee, no real milk.
Bathroom is a good size, with bath and separate shower. Shower leaks, the shower holder does not adjust, not ideal if you are tall. Full range of toiletries which is appreciated.
Toilet is old style, no Japanese one here.
The balcony is nice, with two chairs and a small table, with views across to the Peninsula and Icon Siam. Downside is the rather bad singing from the local bar at nights, and construction site next door. For these reasons, I would really recommend not booking a balcony room, rather a city view room or suite to avoid this noise. It does then rather defeat the purpose of choosing a hotel beside the river.
FYI, upgrade price to river view suite was 1500THB/$5/£33 a night.
Let me explain how the room compares to another older hotel, the Conrad Bangkok. They recently upgraded the rooms. They have full connectivity, Chromecast on TV, multiple USB and charger points and HDMI. Selection of teas, and fresh ground coffee and milk. Bathrooms with Japanese toilets, and scales. The whole set up is more modern and the small touches are more noticeable.
Dining:
As mentioned, there was little in the way of information given in regard to the facilities. Again, as a reference point the Conrad send a detailed pre-arrival email with all the opening times of the facilities and what is required in way of booking. This would have been useful to have.
We decided to Next2 Café for dinner, well this was the only option apart from the Lobby Bar or in-room dining. This is located by the riverside.
Menu was wide ranging with a variety of choice:
Restaurant NEXT2 Cafe : International | Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok
We settled on some Indian food, which was prepared in good time, and was full of flavour. Portions were generous and combined with the 30% discount it was great value. It is a nice location to sit and enjoy the evening by the river.
I had breakfast on the Friday at 06:30, when it opened. This day breakfast was menu choice only, you could choose 6 items from an extensive list of both Western and Asian dishes. I chose fresh fruit, bircher museli, and poached egg with avocado. I never understand the need to bring all the food at once. I rather take my time and not feel rushed. Also, they give one little egg on a piece of toast, I had to order more. I would think two eggs as standard. I had to chase the breadbasket.
The Saturday we went for a late breakfast at 10:00. This time it was a buffet which was a surprise given the choice on the Friday. It turns out, Saturday and Sunday are buffet. Note it closes at 10:30, which is early for a weekend, as they start the lunch buffet.
Wide range again, and excellent service. Although it is buffet staff serve you, which is the normal now, everything feels safe and no issues at all.
I had a coffee in the lobby lounge in the afternoon, complete with a couple of delicious cookies. As someone who loves their sweets, the chocolate bar is a must. The handmade chocolates are superb. They cost 35thb each or a box of 6 for 400thb??? I was told the box is very expensive. So just buy them loose and bring your own box!
Health Club and pool:
Pool is located beside the Next2 Café, open 07:00-19:00. On the Thursday I went around 17:00 and it was quiet but got busier at 18:00. There is plenty of seating and shade with trees around the area. Many staff on duty with lifeguards. They check temperatures again here. It is a nice area to relax, the pool is a good size, but oval shape, and not easy for swimming when busy.
The health club is located on the 3rd floor, towards the Krungthep Wing, this wing is closed now, it was an ASQ Quarantine Wing, not sure if it still is.
The health club is vast with a range of machines. Some are closed off for social distancing. We were advised to wear mask when possible. We went around 13:00 on a Saturday and there were around 6-7 other people. Good range of weights, yoga studio. In the changing rooms there is a steam and sauna, and jacuzzi, no shared facilities, and be warned the steam rooms is the hottest I have come across.
Final impressions:
It was nice to have the chance to finally visit this long-standing hotel in Bangkok. Would I return? If there was a good promotion, then yes. There are just so many top hotels in Bangkok now, it is hard to stand out. I think Shangri-La will survive on its name, but it really needs a renovation in the rooms to get it up to date. Recommend a city view room to avoid noise.
