Conrad Bangkok {THA}
#196
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,481
I’ve done the other way often enough. But definetely the handling of late check-outs doesn’t belong to the advantages when choosing the Hilton group. 2pm is no problem, 4pm is much more difficult to get and later check-outs are quite unlikely. My personal record was 8pm - as a regular guest and because I didn’t get a real upgrade.
Usually they can’t tell you at check-in, if you will get a very late check-out or not. You have to ask again until the day of departures. I prefer a more reliable situation.
Of course everyone is free to kill 6-8 hours of time in a more uncomfortable to avoid to pay USD 100 more. But believe me, doing that is just a cheaper, not a better deal.
#197
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: HH Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Hyatt something
Posts: 33,539
?
Up to you, but to me it would be a total waste of money. Paying full nights rate for staying in the room a few hours more (mind you, Conrad rates are not that cheap) Even with a limited late check-out you will still be able to use the pool area, gym, the lounge (if EL access was included) after check-out and outside the hotel there are plenty of ways to kill a few hours. A midnight BKK depart. would require you to leave the city around 9 PM (10PM at the latest if it is one of the 01AM dep.).
Up to you, but to me it would be a total waste of money. Paying full nights rate for staying in the room a few hours more (mind you, Conrad rates are not that cheap) Even with a limited late check-out you will still be able to use the pool area, gym, the lounge (if EL access was included) after check-out and outside the hotel there are plenty of ways to kill a few hours. A midnight BKK depart. would require you to leave the city around 9 PM (10PM at the latest if it is one of the 01AM dep.).
The Conrad was about the same price as the other Hiltons in town, so not a big deal.
#198
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: Hertz PC, Hilton DMD, IHG Spire Amb, Bonvoy Titanium Elite & WoH Globalist
Posts: 8,076
Late check-out2
2Late check-out must be requested and is subject to availability.
2Late check-out must be requested and is subject to availability.
#199
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Antwerpen - Belgium
Programs: HHonors Diamond, Melia Silver, NH silver, H10 Class
Posts: 659
All I asked for was a later checkout (I repeatedly had to haggle to get 2pm) and the ability to use the lounge until it was time to go to the airport (I asked for 6pm) and I think that is not too much to ask for as a diamond member (that pays all stays out of his own pocket).
Next time we are in Bangkok we won't be staying at the Conrad. I am glad we tried it but the Hilton Millennium has given us much better treatment in the past, idem for the Marriott hotels in town...
#200
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere but home
Programs: UA 1K/MM, DL GM/MM, HH Dia, PC Plat, MR Gold, ALL Sil,
Posts: 4,552
Who can blame the Conrad if they are full and can't grant a late check-out? And it's not just this hotel, for example I couldn't get anything later than 1pm at the Hilton Sukhumvit last month due to full occupancy. Similar challenges at Sofitels, Novotels, Pullmans, etc. when hotels are at/near full occupancy.
As noted previously, check out and make use of the gym or pool, hit the town and return for a shower, then head to the airport. Conrad's lounge is often beyond capacity for happy hour, so why should they allow additional guests to stay beyond their stay?
As noted previously, check out and make use of the gym or pool, hit the town and return for a shower, then head to the airport. Conrad's lounge is often beyond capacity for happy hour, so why should they allow additional guests to stay beyond their stay?
#201
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,656
I'm booked here for 3 nights starting 01JAN18 with my wife.
I'm HH Gold and presently booked in the entry level King Room, but hoping for an upgrade to Executive. Am I better off paying THB 500/night extra for a King Deluxe Corner Room to maximise my chances of an upgrade? I know that checking in on New Years Day is never good for upgrades anywhere, so looking for any advantage.
I'm HH Gold and presently booked in the entry level King Room, but hoping for an upgrade to Executive. Am I better off paying THB 500/night extra for a King Deluxe Corner Room to maximise my chances of an upgrade? I know that checking in on New Years Day is never good for upgrades anywhere, so looking for any advantage.
#202
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: LH SEN, FB Plat., HH D.
Posts: 5,050
Stingy people are wrong at a Conrad anyway. There are plenty of much cheaper ways to stay, especially in BKK.
I’ve done the other way often enough. But definetely the handling of late check-outs doesn’t belong to the advantages when choosing the Hilton group. 2pm is no problem, 4pm is much more difficult to get and later check-outs are quite unlikely. My personal record was 8pm - as a regular guest and because I didn’t get a real upgrade.
Usually they can’t tell you at check-in, if you will get a very late check-out or not. You have to ask again until the day of departures. I prefer a more reliable situation.
Of course everyone is free to kill 6-8 hours of time in a more uncomfortable to avoid to pay USD 100 more. But believe me, doing that is just a cheaper, not a better deal.
I’ve done the other way often enough. But definetely the handling of late check-outs doesn’t belong to the advantages when choosing the Hilton group. 2pm is no problem, 4pm is much more difficult to get and later check-outs are quite unlikely. My personal record was 8pm - as a regular guest and because I didn’t get a real upgrade.
Usually they can’t tell you at check-in, if you will get a very late check-out or not. You have to ask again until the day of departures. I prefer a more reliable situation.
Of course everyone is free to kill 6-8 hours of time in a more uncomfortable to avoid to pay USD 100 more. But believe me, doing that is just a cheaper, not a better deal.
In my last 4/5 stays in Bangkok we have checked out by 8 or 9am so never had to request a late check out.
At the Conrad Singapore it has always been OK a late check out, 3 or 4pm, and for 2/3 hours we considered it was not worth paying around 200€ for an extra night.
#203
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold
Posts: 539
#204
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: LH SEN, FB Plat., HH D.
Posts: 5,050
Hello mpeterson78,
For me the Conrad(or any of the Hiltons in BKK) is fine, and even more taking in consideration that we only stay for one night before flying back to Europe, but there are much better hotels, such as the FS, MO, St Regis,...
For me the Conrad(or any of the Hiltons in BKK) is fine, and even more taking in consideration that we only stay for one night before flying back to Europe, but there are much better hotels, such as the FS, MO, St Regis,...
#205
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,673
I'm HH Gold and presently booked in the entry level King Room, but hoping for an upgrade to Executive. Am I better off paying THB 500/night extra for a King Deluxe Corner Room to maximise my chances of an upgrade? I know that checking in on New Years Day is never good for upgrades anywhere, so looking for any advantage.
However, there are only so many corner rooms, so depending on the booking mix lounge access instead is a possibility; I get the feeling there is now a hard cap on the number of guests granted lounge access.
While all-day lounge access is a plus especially for drinks, the more spacious-feeling corner room + restaurant breakfast package is possibly preferable for guests planning to go out for dinner.
Personally I would be unhappy to be moved from a standard corner room to a normal executive room at this specific hotel; I find the much larger non-glass-enclosed bathroom, walk-in closet, larger unused floor space, sitting area, and unusual shape of the corner room a welcome change from the usual rectangular hotel room, even though some people complain the space isn't used efficiently.
As for occupancy at New Year, a good proportion of this hotel's customer base are business and embassy people, which should mean less elites over the holidays. I recall overnighting at this hotel on Christmas eve some years ago, and it was completely deserted, especially the lounge. The Millenium Hilton by the river, on the other hand, is particularly crowded at that time of the year.
In short:
- lounge unlikely to be full
- corner rooms probably available, especially the 'executive' ones on higher floors (hotel gave up on the concept of executive floors some years ago)
- if the above holds, upgrade to exec floor unlikely for a gold in standard room.
#206
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anywhere but home
Programs: UA 1K/MM, DL GM/MM, HH Dia, PC Plat, MR Gold, ALL Sil,
Posts: 4,552
I'm booked here for 3 nights starting 01JAN18 with my wife.
I'm HH Gold and presently booked in the entry level King Room, but hoping for an upgrade to Executive. Am I better off paying THB 500/night extra for a King Deluxe Corner Room to maximise my chances of an upgrade? I know that checking in on New Years Day is never good for upgrades anywhere, so looking for any advantage.
I'm HH Gold and presently booked in the entry level King Room, but hoping for an upgrade to Executive. Am I better off paying THB 500/night extra for a King Deluxe Corner Room to maximise my chances of an upgrade? I know that checking in on New Years Day is never good for upgrades anywhere, so looking for any advantage.
December-January is high season in Thailand and so many hotels get completely full, including the Conrad. Room upgrades are much less likely, even for Diamonds. And as a Gold, their policy now seems to be that lounge access isn't granted unless you book a corner room (regardless of time of year).
In the past 5 years, I've spent most of my New Years Eves at this hotel and the lounge is packed, with folks having to wait until a table opens. Last year as a Diamond, I booked an executive corner room and that's what I stayed in (no upgrade). So, I strongly suggest you book the room and amenities you want. If you're on a pre-paid rate, contact the hotel and ask what the upgrade costs are -- you can then upgrade directly through them.
#209
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Chiang Mai
Programs: HH Diamond IHG Spire Amb MR PLAT
Posts: 228
I stay at this hotel frequently because i live in Chiang Mai and down there for business alot. The one problem i have with this Conrad is that it is a training hotel for the executive lounge staff. So you will meet some friendly staff who often give me there biz card and say call me before your next stay and i will try and get you a nicer room. But 2 months later they are gone to another SE Asia property. I have complained that the place needs a refurb and all the staff tell me to write that in the reviews they all agree. The ownership doesn't want to pay up to do so according to some of the staff.
The Hilton Sukhumvit and doubletree behind it are owned by the Chang Beer group. I have noticed lounge offerings in a bit of decline and the booze selection has become limited as well compared to 2 years ago. But for the price for all 3 of these hotels its still not a bad deal for Diamonds.
I too have to pull teeth sometimes to get a 2pm checkout at conrad 4pm never happens for me unless the place is empty which never happens anymore because of the big tour groups they always seem to have
The Hilton Sukhumvit and doubletree behind it are owned by the Chang Beer group. I have noticed lounge offerings in a bit of decline and the booze selection has become limited as well compared to 2 years ago. But for the price for all 3 of these hotels its still not a bad deal for Diamonds.
I too have to pull teeth sometimes to get a 2pm checkout at conrad 4pm never happens for me unless the place is empty which never happens anymore because of the big tour groups they always seem to have
#210
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,481
But of course it’s not like the MO. If I want more luxury, being GHA black I choose Siam Kempinski. But staying there for work? Definetely not.