Roger Lococco

I was going to ask about this. I believe that it's the new Police Hospital. If so, I'm assuming there will be a build after they tear down the current structure. If that's the case, then there will be noise, dust, and an ugly setting for a long time.

Would love to be told differently, as we have our stays 5 months.

Roger Lococco

Having lived in Bangkok, including very close to Asok once and very close to Emporium once ...

1. Worst hotel location. All the hotels on the river. I would never stay here.
2. Average / Acceptable location. Asok area. Good vibe. Great restaurant selection. In between our two favorite areas (Paragon on one end and Emquartier on the other end). SGS, Westin, Landmark, etc.
3. Great location. Either Emporium / Emquartier (e.g. Chatrium, Doubletree, etc.) ... or Erawan (e.g. WA, GH). St. Regis is a bit of a walk and I prefer to walk out into the action. Slightly less preferable would be the JW, in part because of immediate area.
4. Best location. InterCon. It's a real shame the old InterCon was torn down btw, but I guess that is what have us Paragon.

Kacee

I'd rather be connected directly to BTS/MRT and shopping via the skyway. Though I agree Asok intersection is an absolute disaster.

The biggest issue I have with W/A is the lack of soundproofing. Too much traffic noise for my taste. And that was when they were still upgrading elites to the premium suites.

Roger Lococco

How bad is the WA soundproofing issue? What are options for base rooms wrt views and sides of the building?

Kacee

I've never stayed in a base room. I've always booked the base suite and been upgraded to a 1BR Astoria Suite, though I understand they won't do that anymore. The Astoria Suites are on the corner of the building with Sports Club views, but unfortunately that's also the street side and there was a fair bit of traffic noise, particularly the motorbikes. It doesn't bother some, but to those who are sensitive to noise, it is definitely above norm for a high-end hotel and enough to make me pause at ever booking again (I compare, for example, to SGS, where you hear nothing in the rooms).

escape4

As mentioned by Kacee , least affected are the Astoria Suites because they are on the higher floors. Also good are the Deluxe Suites which are in the back of the building but no views. Entry level rooms and Corner Suites (which are on low floors) are quite poor for soundproofing for a hotel of this caliber.

LHR/MEL/Europe FF mentioned double glazing of windows - really? WA does not have such windows as far as I know, hence the noise problem. Perhaps he was on a room type or floor where I did not stay before.

Ghoulish

The Deluxe Suites are great, and always gotten them as Diamond after booking a base room.

Roger Lococco

This is a tough decision. The location is great. I'd love to try the WA. But I'm concerned about the noise from the construction of the new Police Hospital and now it sounds like the rooms are not adequately sound-proofed. Moreover, I am reading mixed success on upgrades for Diamonds.

Cross-shopping 3 weeks of stays against the SGS ... where I'm an Ambassador with Marriott and could potentially get preferential treatment.

And against the Conrad, where we usually stay but to some degree is not the most convenient location.

Roger Lococco

What is the view from those suites?

escape4

It's mixed between room types, but I think their policy is being consistently applied for all Diamonds. If booking entry level room, your chances of Deluxe Suite are very high. If booking a Deluxe Suite or above, your chances of upgrade are near zero, availability or not.

Deluxe Suites views = roof of adjacent buildings

LHR/MEL/Europe FF

OK ok I've been sprung!! It was my first time at a Waldorf Astoria and I just assumed the windows would have been soundproofed!! 🥺🥺

asdfghjk

I am one of the unlucky Diamonds then. I booked a king deluxe room, and got "upgraded" to a king deluxe room with park view, overlooking the half demolished building and the golf course.

Kacee

Correct. Single-pane windows.

You'll certainly get the published benefits, which are generous. Suite upgrades can be a challenge. Breakfast is very good, but a cut below W/A, which is truly outstanding.

Ghoulish

The world class breakfast and spa would go a long way towards offsetting any minor irritations. The views from breakfast, and the pool are both magnificent. The "building tops" I saw during one stay were mostly beautiful manicured green spaces with pools.

It's Bangkok and construction is happening everywhere. There's no complete respite from the daytime construction noises.

Kacee

People have difference tolerance levels for traffic noise. Mine is pretty low, and I would not call the level of street noise at W/A a "minor irritation." It is a decision point level factor when I choose a hotel. Just like I won't pick a seat right next to the lavs on an overnight flight, whereas some travelers don't mind at all.