Millennium Hilton Bangkok {THA}
Nov 3, 2020, 4:31 pm
#556
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Phuket
Programs: SQ *Gold, BA, QR, EY, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 5,273
Wow! This was much more renovation than I was expecting. Last year when I was there (late October 2019) I stayed in one of the recently renovated panoramic suites. I thought the lobby, pool, and rooms/suites were the extent of the renovations. Did not know they were extending to the restaurants as well.
I hate to see Flow closed, but hopefully it will reopen as something similar. I also hate to see the Exec Lounge moved down from the 31st floor to the 2nd! I always enjoyed the evening cocktails and the (admittedly poor) selection of appetizers while sitting outside over looking the river. I do look forward to trying the new restaurant that is in the works for upstairs. Agreed that the Lounge was very tired looking last year.
While I will miss Prime, I do think the 2nd floor (or maybe it was 3rd) restaurants are in need of a refresh. Last year I dined at Prime and was a solo traveler. I was only one of two tables occupied in the entire restaurant. Both Yuan and Maya were closed when I was there, and looked as if they had been closed for sometime.
Thanks again for the excellent report, and enjoy your stay. This hotel is very special to me. I got engaged there in 2014, and have been back almost yearly since.
I hate to see Flow closed, but hopefully it will reopen as something similar. I also hate to see the Exec Lounge moved down from the 31st floor to the 2nd! I always enjoyed the evening cocktails and the (admittedly poor) selection of appetizers while sitting outside over looking the river. I do look forward to trying the new restaurant that is in the works for upstairs. Agreed that the Lounge was very tired looking last year.
While I will miss Prime, I do think the 2nd floor (or maybe it was 3rd) restaurants are in need of a refresh. Last year I dined at Prime and was a solo traveler. I was only one of two tables occupied in the entire restaurant. Both Yuan and Maya were closed when I was there, and looked as if they had been closed for sometime.
Thanks again for the excellent report, and enjoy your stay. This hotel is very special to me. I got engaged there in 2014, and have been back almost yearly since.
The pool was open as normal & the gym too but with limited spaces available etc etc.
Nov 21, 2020, 5:32 pm
#557
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Phuket
Programs: SQ *Gold, BA, QR, EY, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 5,273
Executive Lounge appears to be remaining on 31st floor for now (18-24 months or so) & will receive a (much needed) refresh of soft furnishings & carpeting etc in next few months.
Nov 23, 2020, 10:16 pm
#558
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Seat 2A
Programs: AA EXP LT GLD 1MM, BA GLD, NH/UA*G, Hyatt Dia, Marr Tit LT PLT, IHG Spire,HH Dia, MGM NOIR,Hertz PC
Posts: 10,571
Good news! Did you see the rate drop this week? I'm almost tempted to make another reservation there.
Nov 24, 2020, 3:22 am
#559
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Phuket
Programs: SQ *Gold, BA, QR, EY, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 5,273
Bargains abound in Bangkok for now. Having just done 3 weeks on the road, staying in hotels, I am certainly done for now. There's no place like home!
Jan 23, 2021, 7:43 am
#560
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: Hertz PC, Hilton DMD, IHG Spire Amb, Bonvoy Titanium Elite & WoH Globalist
Posts: 8,076
Got a Panorama Suite AND a twin executive room on a high floor for THB 1485++ and 14K Hilton points total per night. Camping here for a week or so - here are my observations:
- The place is hopping with 200 rooms occupied mostly by Thais (85% guests are currently Thais vs. 85% or more of guests were farang pre-Covid).
- Renovations of the 31st floor and the hotel lobby.
- The executive lounge was moved to the left side of Flow.
- The Comped Hilton Shuttle boat has been scrapped for now!
- The eforea Spa has reopened but the little bakery/coffee shop (The Lantern) by the pier has been moved into the hotel lobby.
Construction in the lobby
The makeshift executive lounge taking a section of Flow Restaurant
The Lantern Bakery inside the hotel lobby
- The place is hopping with 200 rooms occupied mostly by Thais (85% guests are currently Thais vs. 85% or more of guests were farang pre-Covid).
- Renovations of the 31st floor and the hotel lobby.
- The executive lounge was moved to the left side of Flow.
- The Comped Hilton Shuttle boat has been scrapped for now!
- The eforea Spa has reopened but the little bakery/coffee shop (The Lantern) by the pier has been moved into the hotel lobby.
Construction in the lobby
The makeshift executive lounge taking a section of Flow Restaurant
The Lantern Bakery inside the hotel lobby
Jan 23, 2021, 5:23 pm
#562
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: Hertz PC, Hilton DMD, IHG Spire Amb, Bonvoy Titanium Elite & WoH Globalist
Posts: 8,076
Kalboz Shuttle boat no longer exists or we now have to pay for it?
The best ways to reach the hotel in addition to traditional modes (car, taxi, etc.) is the Iconsiam free shuttle boat from Sathorn Pier (Saphan Taksin), or the Gold Line from Krung Thumburi BTS Station to Iconsiam and then a walk to the front side. This adds lots of time and effort to reach the property especially if you have to schlep your luggage. So, IMO, the best way to reach the hotel currently with luggage is by car.
Hilton free shuttle boat as it arrived at Sathorn Pier - December 27, 2019
Jan 23, 2021, 5:34 pm
#563
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,844
Oh if it's just a temporary cut then not too bad. That said, due to the location of the hotel on the wrong side of the river a shuttle boat is quite important for stays there. That plus the lounge on the 31st floor relocated, high occupancy of the hotel, etc. I will stay away for now.
Jan 23, 2021, 6:16 pm
#564
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: Hertz PC, Hilton DMD, IHG Spire Amb, Bonvoy Titanium Elite & WoH Globalist
Posts: 8,076
Wrong side of the river is in the eyes of the beholder! 
All indications that the boat suspension is temporary.
Lounge at FLOW seems offering better F&B and with airier atmosphere is a good trade. For views, get a high floor room facing your preferred side of the river.
High occupancy on weekends mostly due to the Thai nationals promotion. It should be quite Sunday-Wednesday.
Christmas sunrise 2019 from the wrong side of the river
All indications that the boat suspension is temporary.
Lounge at FLOW seems offering better F&B and with airier atmosphere is a good trade. For views, get a high floor room facing your preferred side of the river.
High occupancy on weekends mostly due to the Thai nationals promotion. It should be quite Sunday-Wednesday.
Christmas sunrise 2019 from the wrong side of the river
Jan 23, 2021, 6:44 pm
#565
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Phuket
Programs: SQ *Gold, BA, QR, EY, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 5,273
The Hilton shuttle boat has been suspended for many months now but I am told that it will return. Fingers crossed but let's see..
Jan 23, 2021, 7:08 pm
#566
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Phuket Thailand
Programs: HH Diamond, BA Gold, IHG Gold, Oman Gold
Posts: 1,038
Thanks for the update NoY. I had thought about it, but went with Sukhumvit. I work near Iconsiam. Hotels in Bangkok have been busier as restrictions came into place, including the need to do 14 days quarantine in place like Phuket. Killed the Phuket hotel numbers. This could last for a while, many Thai's are very nervous to travel anywhere.
Jan 24, 2021, 5:44 pm
#567
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: Hertz PC, Hilton DMD, IHG Spire Amb, Bonvoy Titanium Elite & WoH Globalist
Posts: 8,076
Happy hour food last night
Jan 24, 2021, 6:19 pm
#568
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,844
For sure, agreed. That said, I would guess for the bulk of visitors to Bangkok at least 80% of where random folks have to go will be on opposite side of Hilton. Not to say that nobody will have business to do on Hilton's side of course, I am just speaking of averages. Personally, when I stay on the 'good side' in fact on occasion I end up having to go to Hilton's side, but the opposite happens far more: staying at Hilton and needing to cross.
Jan 24, 2021, 9:18 pm
#569
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: Hertz PC, Hilton DMD, IHG Spire Amb, Bonvoy Titanium Elite & WoH Globalist
Posts: 8,076
For sure, agreed. That said, I would guess for the bulk of visitors to Bangkok at least 80% of where random folks have to go will be on opposite side of Hilton. Not to say that nobody will have business to do on Hilton's side of course, I am just speaking of averages. Personally, when I stay on the 'good side' in fact on occasion I end up having to go to Hilton's side, but the opposite happens far more: staying at Hilton and needing to cross.
Klongsan Plaza market offers some great Issan food
The Sum Tam cart at Klongsan Plaza market (1/23/2021)
Salmon Sashimi at Takashimaya - Iconsiam
From this morning's elevator ride!
Jan 24, 2021, 10:05 pm
#570
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,844
Even before the Iconsiam was constructed, we loved this side because of the unobstructed views of Bangkok and the river, and the location next to Klong San where reportedly there is the best Issan food in Bangkok. Now, with the Japanese supermarket at Iconsiam and many food venues, it's even more of a culinary experience being on this side. Good one-hour foot massage still available at THB 200 or less. But I agree, to each his/her own preference.
Sounds like we have similar favorites around MH 