I have stayed at both the Oriental and the FS BKK. I am on record on this board for making it clear that I am not a FAN of the Oriental. I think the hotel is vastly over-rated, and that the FS BKK is a far superior hotel. There are many service related flaws with the Oriental and despite writing to hotel management the hotel did not seem to think these were a big deal. My issues:

1. Concierge service -- e-mailed in advance to get information. Response time varied from 36 hours to 72 hours and the quality of answer was sub-par. Two notable examples. First, I had asked the Oriental for recommendation for a tailor for bespoke suits and shirts. The Concierge responded 72 hours later with the name, address and e-mail address of a tailor near the hotel and invited me to contact them directly. Contrasting this with the FS, of whom I asked the exact same question, responded within 24 hours, with the names of 2 tailors and asked me when during my stay would be convenient for them to come to the hotel to show me material swatches and sample items. The second instance was when I asked the Oriental Concierge (while staying at the hotel) for the price of the cheapest 1 way Business class air ticket from BKK to LHR on various airlines. The next morning I was given one price quote for a 1 way full fare Economy ticket on Thai Airways. At the FS, within 2 hours of request, they had 3 quotes for me in Business class on EVA, CX, GF, and Thai, all of which were lower than the price quoted by the Oriental.

2. In hotel service: At the Oriental, I ordered room service (late night snack) and it included a soft boiled egg. The egg arrived practically raw so I called the butler to sort it out for me. My butler told me to call room service. I called room service and room service told me to call my butler who will bring it to them.

While the room at the Oriental was nice, I did not think it to be nicer than the FS. In fact, I felt that the FS to be more "Thai" than the Oriental. The riverside location, for me, was not much of a draw. I actually found it rather inconvenient and preferred the city-centre location, on Rajadamri Road just south of Ploenchit Road, to be more convenient.

The service is warmer and much more anticipatory and intuitive at the FS. In fact, I even prefer the Inter-Continental BKK to the Oriental, especially given the price differential!! I have yet to try the Peninsula and it sounds as if the Pen is better than the Oriental. The Sukhothai is also suggested as a good hotel, especially its restaurant, the Celadon. However, for me, the FS BKK is my current choice. The hotel is undergoing a renovation of all its rooms.