Originally Posted by billp
You'll be paying a premium for that which doesn't necessarily translate into better quality. Many of the locally owned hotels and chains surpass the Sheratons and Sofitels in appointments, luxuries, and service, but don't charge as much.
For travellers new to Asia, I find that advice above to be, "Penny wise and pound foolish".
Certainly in Bangkok, and probably in much of Asia, cheating is a common ingredient to doing business.
So, that's how locally-managed hotels tend to do things.
(Not all, of course, not all.)
The simplest way to reduce your risk of getting cheated is to reserve with an international chain that tends towards Western standards of honesty.
It's not a perfect guarantee, of course, but it is the most-effective way to improve the odds in your favour.
For a first BKK trip, your safest reservation is at someplace like a Sheraton, Sofitel, Hilton, or a similar property managed by an international chain.
For those in the middle-budget range, Accor Hotels (a management company from France) offers dependable value at many properties in Thailand.
Of course, of course, there will be exceptions.
-- Peter
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