Kagehitokiri

there are design complaints re peninsula bangkok, siam bangkok, MO bangkok, and ex-FS bangkok. while GH bangkok has always had some fans here.

two of the people you recently quoted have actually been PH/GH regulars, one also regular at andaz.

PH/GH have always had positive discussion on this forum, for example >
note their name is "amanjunkies" backwards >
PH beginning to allow outsourcing of everything is not a great sign

uggboy

Depends, as I wrote earlier it has probably to do with personal expectations of what a certain brand should look like, but owners might feel different about this and I guess that brands incl. Park Hyatt are "open" to try new things for a new generation of targeted guests which might have a very different point of view of how they see and what they feel about luxury brands in the hospitality sector IMHO.

Cheers & Safe Travels. ^

Kagehitokiri

moved

bhrubin

It's tough to yet get an idea of what the finished product interiors will look like at the PH Bangkok.

However, all PH properties tend to have a pretty crisp, modern, clean, and even to some degree minimalist design aesthetic in most guest room categories IME. The furnishings shown thus far at the PH Bangkok are perfectly in line with those at most other PH properties, particularly any that have opened or been refurbished in the past decade (NYC, Sydney, Moscow, Siem Reap, Shanghai, Chicago, Paris, Buenos Aires, Maldives, etc).

MikeFromTokyo

I have seen enough of PH BKK to know that it is not on my list of hotels to try, not by a long shot.

I'm generally a fan of Park Hyatt. I expect it to be an acceptable choice. The only problem is that in a city that is home to some of the world's finest hotels, merely acceptable is not sufficient to pique my interest.

I look forward to seeing reviews here and in the Hyatt forum. Like Grand Hyatt Erawan, which I love btw, and StR BKK, this hotel will potentially be attactive to people who can get suite upgrades through elite loyalty status.

offerendum

Same! If room looks like this what should a stay change? No service is able to compensate.

scented

Exactly.. yet many of the aforementioned hotels have individually decorated suites and villas, at least Siam, MO and Anantara. Which is a sign of quality.

Outsourcing confirmed in Paris, Vienna, Tokyo, Hamburg, Zurich, NY. Bangkok despite Thai labor market taking outsourcing to 'next level', with multiple departments outsourced. To better adapt to market conditions, low season, etc.

You have a point here, my theory is that they developed a different approach to service: they try to minimize costs by outsourcing traditional departments of a luxury hotel (security, housekeeping, restaurant staff) and utilize savings in labor costs to try and customize the experience accordingly. This could be, for example, the recent addition of 'guest experience managers', which I saw. Or bigger guest relations department, for which there are several indications. However, these are things that one way or another all of the usual suspects have always done (MO has dedicated managers for high level suites, floor butlers, etc), Siam has butler team (can act as Concierge as well), Pen has Guest Relations team. Where is their USP? None of the other hotels outsource. Rates and performance will dictate future implementation of PH BKK concepts. Worst case scenario rates spiral down and adjust to StR/GH levels, guest experience posts get cut down while outsourcing will be kept = PH BKK nothing more than a better business hotel

Re furniture, outfit of rooms/suites: there are brand standards that every new built hotel/resort has to adhere to. I believe it is available online. What we don’t know is Yabu Pushelberg contract with Hyatt and/or owner influence on design choices. Materials used aren't as high quality/rare.

Biggest challenge in design at PH BKK seems floor plan, few rooms identical. This was cited as cause of the delay during the grand opening recently.

Bangkok hotel scene quite interesting when it comes to design/architecture:

'Iconic' architects (individuals w/ team):
The Siam — Bill Bensley
The Sukhothai Bangkok — Edward Tuttle, Kerry Hill

Bigger design firms
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok — P49 Deesign Thailand (refurb)
St Regis Bangkok — HOK
Park Hyatt Bangkok — Yabu Pushelberg

Interesting PH BKK observations:

- Penthouse restaurant(s?) marketed as "affordable" by management. Prices slightly under comparable Bangkok luxury hotels. Goal is to attract locals, increase activity in the building (hotel and mall)
- Spa open from June
- Portable WiFi / device / smartphone not offered, not planned (Siam just introduced. Possibly at MO for suites? Recent experiences? Can’t recall)

Shoeshine = standard, Online Newspapers = more cost cutting

- King size bed in rooms, superking sized bed in Suites
- Private gym in Ambassador and Presidential
- No 24 hr stay/flexible check-in/check-out -- that would have been interesting, since that would be personalized and a good reason for many to stay, especially during stopovers

uggboy

Thanks scented, that's fascinating and well received/very appreciated info/knowledge.

Cheers & Safe Travels. ^

MacMyDay

I was with the Sales Director of PH Zurich at the weekend and he mentioned that PH Bangkok opened a week prior and was to be their flagship property. From the pictures, it looks nothing close to Sydney or Vienna.

Aventine

I thought PH New York was their overall flagship.

uggboy

Maybe Park Hyatt Bangkok = their Asian flagship or Far Eastern [regional] flagship?

Indeed, I can remember reading not too long ago that the Park Hyatt New York is their world flagship for this particular brand.

Cheers & Safe Travels. ^

Nizar

How does the new PH compare to these two in terms of location ?

Kagehitokiri

near GH and ex-FS, which some preferred for walking and or business

PSPAirliner

I was fortunate to stay at The Peninsula Bangkok for 2 nts in Feb (Grand Delux room) and other than the traditional furniture, which didn't ruin my trip at all, was far better than I was expecting.

I'm a former corporate travel consultant with AMEX and was fortunate to stay in many 5 star and luxury properties. I tend to notice small details but these are things that caught my attention.

Treat yourself to the car service: About $80USD, BMW 7 series with wifi. Car was called up in literally 1-2 minutes from meeting the hotel rep at the airport.

A benefit of using the car service is you are met at the curb and escorted to your room to complete check in. Remember they are not part of any hotel group nor do they have a published loyalty program. Unexpected and wonderful

Approx 500sf and laid out like an apt minus kitchen.

FREE international calls over VOIP (unexpected)

Mini bar and F&B charges downright cheap

Unexpected: VERY low charges for mini bar , room service and casual restaurant:

Stocked mini bar with larger size spirit bottles, maybe pint size? $13 for Vodka, I think a coke was a $1

Restaurant: Huge portion of excellent pad thai was around $13!

Room service prices also reasonable and again very large options

3 pools including quiet and kids

Small detail like digital thermostat showing outside temp and humidity

Extremely gracious and friendly service from all the staff

I paid before tax $470 for the grand deluxe king; you'd be hard pressed to find one night in another Peninsula for under $500.

I was fooling around looking at their site and saw a deal which inspired me to go back as it was too good to pass. Staying 5 nights (or more) I received a rate of $885 for 5 nights, this time deluxe room however this rate now includes their huge breakfast buffet (approx $30), 20% off already low food except alchohol and 50% off laundry/cleaning.

What adds to being so special to me as I stayed there as part of an adventure ( I went around the world in 8 days, 235K UA MP mile/$145 tax all first or business). I sent an email back and mentioned my adventure. What surprised me was the very thoughtful souvenir/amenity they sent to my room with a personalized note wanting me to have a reminder of my RTW trip. Very impressive

I mentioned in an email for the upcoming trip to pass on to the manager that checked me in last time. She immediately replied to me saying they have confirmed an upgrade to the Grand Deluxe room and they'll have an amenity waiting for me. Certainly not expected.

I'll post after I return and see if the experience is consistent

MikeFromTokyo

The Peninsula Bangkok is a really special hotel for me. For a long time it was my favorite city hotel in the world. Notwithstanding the decline in service quality I noticed back when the hotel was experiencing a lot of staff turnover, it has still got a special place in my heart. I love the design and layout of the suites, and that wonderful swimming pool and spa. I have many happy memories of stays at this hotel. I do miss some of the familiar faces of long time staff who used to greet me every time I came back.