peteropny

Be aware that local Thais will never wear shorts outside the home.

westcoastman

Thank you Peter4 for calling it like it is. So many times I hear that people will wear what they want because they are paying such and such without thinking about how they look.
Point to the OP is you don't need a suit at the Hyatt there are many people dressed much more casual than that and after all the lobby is big and no one will probably care anyway. However, at times the Hyatt is a destination for the hip young Thais to dress up and show off.
I have also noticed people do avoid shorts in Asia. In Vietnam I was told that Americans are sometimes looked down on because while they can afford to wear really nice clothes they choose to wear cheap casual wear.
Well East is East and West is West. A woman I know was very angry that Asian people would require her to take her shoes off when she had to come in the door. She found this very offensive and thought about requiring people take their pants off when they entered HER house since afterall they were also dirty.

stephem

[pacific NW liberal filter on]
I'd respond that of course I'm aware of this, even sensitive to it. But I think there is much more to dress codes than people who like to enforce them let on (and I think westcoastman's comment about Vietnam starts to flush this out "while they [Americans] can afford to wear really nice clothes they choose to wear cheap casual wear"). I dont walk around in designer suits even though I could afford to because I dont feel the need to "advertise" where we fit in the social structure. I dont see this as me forcing my viewpoint on people in Asia anymore than I think they are forcing their own sense of social and cultural order on me (and the people who cannot afford nice clothes). I see all too often that dress codes are just a way of expressing class or caste differences and that is something I dont like, something lots of folks of my generation dont like. Saying people are "uncomfortable" by the way I dress is a nice way of requiring that we continue this system, and I'm sorry to offend others but I dont buy into that. By way of example, I also dont have a live-in maid in Singapore, who would be living in what is effectively a room the size of my wife's clothes closet and working all but one Sunday per month. And I am criticized by locals for undermining local traditions and ways, because I would rather hire someone to clean our house on (much more generous) terms that I can live with.
My final comment on the dress code is that I find it so ironic that it would be formal westernwear that easterners feel more "comfortable" in, I guess if a country had its own local attire I might feel different. But having grown up in a country where formal western attire and dress codes in common public places are seen by some/many as a hangover from a distant time, I guess I'm just suspicious when I see someone else enforcing the same requirements for what seem to be the same, misguided reasons we used to enforce them.

[pacific NW liberal filter off]

westcoastman

You make some good points and I support your rejection of the class system. However, do you dress up for church, for work, for live theater, or when you are dining out? I think in certain situations everyone wants to put their best image forward and present themselves in a class possible higher than what is reality. Some Westerners could care less what a few Asians might think in the country they are visiting but they may be more conscientious in their own hometown. My Asian in-laws dress up just to go grocery shopping in Chinatown but are more casual when we go out to a fancy “American” restaurant.
In this mondern age I would not consider a suit "westernwear." What sort of clothes would you expect them to wear? Should Americans dress like cowboys?

RTWSTARALLIANCE

Preface: Just finished the end of my EKUA RTW ticket in F. Need two nights in BKK. And of course FFN using MC.

Rate: Average for BKK.

Transportation: The booth upon exiting Immigration at BKK will try and get you to pay 900 BHT. The hawkers will then descend upon you. Do not bite. The quickest way to change money at the new BKK is the booth located on the glass facing the road between the two immigration exits. The line was much shorter. That being said you can take a public taxi from level 1. Just go one floor down. The rate was 290 which included tip plus the tolls of I believe 25 and then 40 BHT.

Parking: Not needed.

Check-in: I was escorted to the Club level on 17 for check-in. The process was efficient but lacked any type of charm. I wanted to make sure my room would be quiet as I had just come in from FRA via DXB. Given room on lower floor.

Perks: I guess that would be access to Club. An amenity never appeared in my room.

Room: The room was a small affair. The smallest I have ever had in BKK. I knew I was going to have trouble as it faced the busy street and was on a low floor. My profile says high floor and quiet. I was also put next to the elevator bank. Nice job. Get the feeling how this went? You enter the room onto carpet. There was a connector door (I hate those). Next came a mini bar set up which you can place items in. Followed by a tv and comfy chair with ottoman. A wall of glass faces the street. This is where a desk and comfortable chair are located. Next we the bed. The bathroom was ok. Aged. You can see where the Hotel has been re-chalking grout lines in white. The bathroom had a separate shower and tub. A single vanity. Done in stone. Looked ok. The net is the room was nothing special and certainly not Grand. I hope this is on the capital budget sheet for Hyatt because it definitely needs a refresh.

Internet: I was not happy so not about to drop more money on this item. It is wired. How much it is? Still the question.

Gym: ?

Spa: SanDiego1k said the Spa was excellent so I gave it a try. It was good and expensive. Let us just put it this way. I booked a treatment at the Westin for today. There Spa is new. Two hours is much less than 90 minutes at the Hyatt. I did find a card in the room for early bird specials. 20% off if taken between 9 AM and 2 PM. The treatment was VERY good.

Eating venues: Did not try these. The bar in the basement was happening last night. Almost stopped in but kep on walking for my own good. Needed sleep.

Local markets: I am sure there is a small market around.

Local area: OK. This was the best thing about the Hotel. Central World is just walking distance using the sky bridges. This place is huge, new and nice. I had a great foot massage at a place called Kannikar Beauty Massage located on space number B327 in zone B. The price for 1 hours was 350 BHT or $10 USD. Now that is a bargain for a new and clean legit place. The therapist also went over time. If you grab a brouchure before heading in you can save 10%. It takes a little looking but if you find it. You made it. Ask for Nu. Great foot massage.

Also located in the Central World was a ramen shop. Not traditional but good, fast and reasonable. By Isetan on level 6. My entire lunch was 140 BHT. Also of course new and clean. That is $4 USD.

Negatives: I was expecting more. Thank goodness for FFNs because it made the stay worth the effort. The Hotel is dated and I thought the staff could be more sincere. It just lacked warmth.

Closing: I would and will stay for FFNs soon. But that is the only reason. Regards from BKK. Spend money at another hotel.

stephem

I was just here too recently, last saturday night and concur with regards to the rooms in the main hotel, they are dated and worn and really, really need a refresh. Agree also that location is great, both for what is right there and for skytrain access. Lounge breakfast was also pretty good.
I still wont totally count this place out. Last year we splurged on one of the Spa Cottages (roughly $500US) and while that seemed like a lot of money for BKK it really is worth it. I hope they renovate the main hotel the way they have done up the Spa area and these 8-10 cottages. I've stayed at a few other places in BKK and nothing comes close to the lavishness of the interiors of the spa cottages. My wife is begging me to go back soon. After recently paying $500 for a crappy hotel in NYC, these things seem more and more like a good deal. As to the rest of the hotel, you hit the nail on the head, there are tons of better options in BKK.

jkc22

$500 is someone's decent monthly salary.....it BETTER be good....

lovtofly3

Have to agree with RTWSTARALLIANCE the location and the fact FFN is on will make staying here a few times in the next weeks worth it.Rooms need refreshing and the indifferent staff make this Hyatt not my favorite.It's hit and miss on room allocation.Have stayed numerous times (15+)and 50% of the time get the room I have in my BIO.The bright note is the RC,never dissapoints.
BTW HSIA is 690++ the pricest in BKK.

RTWSTARALLIANCE

I did inquire to staff if they even read that bio information. I have been assured they will next time. The Westin is 642 BHT (plus +?) so they are not far behind. Fortunately they have free wifi in their Club.

Wilbur

RTWSTARALLIANCE is right on with this review. The Erawan GH is a fine hotel, the people are friendly, and the breakfast at the RC is nice, but really there is nothing that sets the Erawan apart from a lot of other SPG and Hilton places in BKK.

RTWSTARALLIANCE

OK. I can go with that. But the Starwoods are pretty much all fresh and the Conrad is very nice. So absent FFNs I am not staying there.

peteropny

Any recent updates? We're booked there in about 3 weeks.

lovtofly3

Stayed there a few weeks ago checking in for 1 night and then back again a few weeks latter for 1 night.

All seems the same from the Staff to the club and rooms.One new addition for me was the free wi-fi in the lounge and 2 computers in what was the smoking lounge.
FFN credit make this Hyatt very decent.

stephem

I've been spending a few days every other week in BKK and since beginning of Sept have been staying at the GH Erawan to revive my stay count and take advantage of FFNs. Overall, my opinion is that Bangkok has started to fall behind in the hotel scene as mid-aged hotels are not refurb'd and we wait for new properties to be built. The major chains suffer here and need some refreshing or new properties altogether. I've had about 10 recent stays, here is my take.
Rooms- dated overall look "hello, 1990 is calling and they want their interior desigmer back!" but not rundown. Bathroom is a bit "worn" in places. By comparison, Le Meridien is similarly dated, Westin not so bad, Conrad is much newer.
Consistency and service- they are good at this. After 2 stays the club folks started to recognize my wife and me. Helpful with everything. Give us the same exact room each time!
Spa/Pool level- This level of the hotel is in a class by itself. My wife says the pool area here is nicer than most of the other hotels in BKK we stay at. The "breezeway" restaurant near the pool is never busy and serves really good and hot thai food, but it's not really a restaurant. But given it's the only outlet in the hotel where I really like the food, this is where we usually eat.
Other food outlets- not impressed with selection, I prefer the set up and Westin and Le Meridien where you get at least a Japanese and Thai restaurant. Not a big fan of the Chinese place at the GH, I think it's a somewhat lackluster place and the cuisine is a bit tired. This is a let down given how good the other Hyatt restaurants can be around asia (SGN, Beijing, etc).
Location- the new mall across the way is completed, so now I would say this is about the best shopping location on the Sukhomvit. The area in general around the hotel has been spruced up, it's less seedy than the area around the Westin/Sheraton down at the other end of the Sukhomvit.
Posting- points and stays sometimes post correctly, I have to call/fax about every other time to get things fixed.
Rates- with our corporate rate, this place is now on the expensive side of things. If not for requalification and FFN, I'd consider somewhere else a better value.

peteropny

lovtofly3 & stephem - thank you for your comments. I'm originally Thai and usually just stay at my grandmother's when I'm there but this trip my partner is coming too so booked a hotel (paying one night and 7 nights on awards) and in particular was wondering if they usually play games with "upgrades" to RC (I'm a Diamond).

I would have to agree that the GH probably has the best location for "upscale" shopping in BKK - with the Paragon, Central World (former World Trade Center), Gaysorn, and Central Chitlom all within a few blocks. However, I wouldn't call the area around the Westin/Sheraton on Sukumvit seedy. Sukumvit, at least away from the main road, is probably the most prestigious residential area in BKK. That said, on Sukumvit itself, the road is comprised of mostly shophouses where the proprietors live above the shop - with BKK's pollution problem, these shops do tend to look quite rundown. Perhaps your perception of the seediness stems from the Nana area, at the beginning of Sukumvit (probably about 5-10 blocks closer in from the Westin/Sheraton), which is much like the Patpong area with "strip" clubs etc.