Bangkok, First Time, For a Day: Pen or MO?
Aug 19, 2007, 2:08 pm
#16
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 264
I stayed at the Pen and loved it. The spa is amazing and practically brand new. Its very easy to cross the river via the river taxi. The Pen has a nice pool and lots of nice sitting areas/ restuarants right on the river. I agree you probably can't go wrong at either place. I'm 33.
Aug 19, 2007, 2:27 pm
#17
Join Date: Jul 2004
Programs: AC.SE
Posts: 2,578
I've never stayed at the MO, but the Peninsula suits me just fine--my kind of ambiance. I have been impressed with both the rooms and the public spaces, and like another poster very much enjoy dining at Thiptara. The staff have been pleasant and helpful. I doubt that what's available at the MO is so remarkably different or superior as to warrant a change (from my perspective only).
Aug 19, 2007, 2:39 pm
#18
Join Date: Feb 2003
Programs: AC SE MM, too many others
Posts: 1,407
[snip]
I've written about my problem at The O before, but it would probably be hard to find with a search, so I'll just re-post it here. It comes down to a problem I and several friends of mine have experienced at a number of other MO hotels around the world: if you're a guest at the hotel, you get the red carpet treatment, but if you're not, they'd rather not have you around and treat you quite poorly.
I've written about my problem at The O before, but it would probably be hard to find with a search, so I'll just re-post it here. It comes down to a problem I and several friends of mine have experienced at a number of other MO hotels around the world: if you're a guest at the hotel, you get the red carpet treatment, but if you're not, they'd rather not have you around and treat you quite poorly.
Aug 19, 2007, 2:53 pm
#19
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 76
The Pen is nice if you want rest and luxury. The Oriental is an institution and gives you a flavor of the old Bangkok of the elite. It's unlike any other hotel in these parts, MO or otherwise. The rooms are comfortable enough and I never had a problem with the service here, but it is old and needs refurbishing in some places. Some rooms too can be oddly shaped although that's probably part of the charm. I love the split-level River view rooms in the old wing, which have a sitting room and huge picture windows onto the pool and the river on one level and the bedroom on the upper level. I have always chosen to stay here over the Pen, as it's just such a special hotel in terms of atmosphere and history; although I would probably choose the Pen if I wanted a truly indulgent weekend.
PS: No, I'm not in my 50s. And I've been staying at the Oriental ever since I was in my 20s.
PS: No, I'm not in my 50s. And I've been staying at the Oriental ever since I was in my 20s.
Aug 19, 2007, 5:56 pm
#21
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: LAX
Programs: NW 1MM, BD Gold, BA Gold, AA 1MM, LM, VX eleVAte, Hyatt D6, SPG Plat, Hertz President's
Posts: 304
I might get in trouble for this one, but:
If you're Asian, stay away from the MO. You'll be treated (typically) like crap. The Pen, on the other hand, will always welcome everyone -- as any great hotel should.
If you're White, most places will kiss your butt...ESPECIALLY the MO.
If you're Asian, stay away from the MO. You'll be treated (typically) like crap. The Pen, on the other hand, will always welcome everyone -- as any great hotel should.
If you're White, most places will kiss your butt...ESPECIALLY the MO.
Aug 20, 2007, 12:03 am
#22
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP 3 MM
Posts: 4,576
I might get in trouble for this one, but:
If you're Asian, stay away from the MO. You'll be treated (typically) like crap. The Pen, on the other hand, will always welcome everyone -- as any great hotel should.
If you're White, most places will kiss your butt...ESPECIALLY the MO.
If you're Asian, stay away from the MO. You'll be treated (typically) like crap. The Pen, on the other hand, will always welcome everyone -- as any great hotel should.
If you're White, most places will kiss your butt...ESPECIALLY the MO.
Aug 20, 2007, 3:47 am
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Boston, Jo'burg, HK
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Lifetime Diamond, CX Gold, Mrs. Pickles travels for free
Posts: 13,161
I've written about my problem at The O before, but it would probably be hard to find with a search, so I'll just re-post it here. It comes down to a problem I and several friends of mine have experienced at a number of other MO hotels around the world: if you're a guest at the hotel, you get the red carpet treatment, but if you're not, they'd rather not have you around and treat you quite poorly. In my case, this was six years ago and I was quite young at the time (mid-20's). Mr. Megatop and I had a confirmed booking for dinner at La Normandie and, earlier that day wanted to stop in to the concierge desk to have a peak at the menu before going out for shopping. As we came up to the entrance, the doorman physically stood in our way and refused to let us enter the hotel. He would not explain why. I asked several times, in English, what the problem was, and he just waved us away without explanation. I told him that we wanted to go to the concierge desk or front desk to see the menu for La Normandie because we had a reservation for dinner that night. The doorman refused to let us enter and never gave us an explanation of any sort, pretending he did not understand and giving the impression that he couldn't be bothered to deal with us. I asked to see a manager or someone who could explain what was going on. A gentlemen in a suit of some sort (more likely a security manager than a real hotel staff member) came and said that we were not permitted inside the lobby. I asked, again, why. He finally produced from a cabinet underneath an ashtray a laminated form of some sort stating policy that people wearing shorts were not permitted inside the hotel. As if this place were the Grand Palace. Meanwhile, streams of apparently hotel guests are coming out in shorts or milling around the lobby in shorts because, after all, it's August in Bangkok. I told him that now we wanted to cancel our reservation for dinner. He said he would have a hotel staff member come out to talk with us in order to accept the cancelation. I would have none of it and told him that he would have to report the cancelation and that the reason was how rudely he and the doorman had treated us. IIRC, at this point he may have even said we could go inside to the front desk and speak with someone there. I turned to leave. Tehn Mr. Megatop, who had let me endure all of this on my own, stepped forward and very calmly but firmly lit into the security man and the doorman in Thai, telling them that they should not treat foreigners like this and he knows very well they speak English and shouldn't pretend they don't just to get rid of us.
Aug 20, 2007, 4:02 am
#24
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: UA
Posts: 130
For a hotel that pretends to be tradition-bound, claiming to cultivate relationships measured in generations, the Oriental should really be, well, for lack of a better word, less obnoxious, particularly to those who are young. I think I was nine when I last stayed there, vowed would never go back, and have kept my word. I don't remember the exact details, but I was a bit lost trying to get back to my room from the pool, and the only place I recognized was the lobby. Needless to say I was not in proper lobby attire, and was scolded by somebody wearing a suit rather than being helped in a discreet manner.
Aug 20, 2007, 5:46 am
#25
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: DL SkyMiles PM/2MM, AA Plat, IC Diam. Amb., Peninsula regular, amanjunkie
Posts: 5,848
This example just points up the tremendous risk businesses run in prejudging people and shooing them away. The great service we enjoyed across the river, which subsequently improved with each stay and is now stellar, quickly turned us into lifelong devotees of the Pen. Considering the at least ten years (of increasingly frequent stays, sometimes with friends and family coming along) that will elapse between that first stay and the time I finally buy a place in Bangkok, it's a serious loss for MO.
For the record, however, I'll note that I have had good experiences at the MOSF. I must be part of the "in crowd" there.
Aug 20, 2007, 8:14 am
#26
Moderator: GLBT Travelers & Hyatt Gold Passport
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: CVG
Posts: 15,300
This example just points up the tremendous risk businesses run in prejudging people and shooing them away. The great service we enjoyed across the river, which subsequently improved with each stay and is now stellar, quickly turned us into lifelong devotees of the Pen. Considering the at least ten years (of increasingly frequent stays, sometimes with friends and family coming along) that will elapse between that first stay and the time I finally buy a place in Bangkok, it's a serious loss for MO.
Aug 20, 2007, 10:39 am
#27
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 9,120
IMO - The oriental does not seem to take tour groups, discounts its rooms more discretely, and is more expensive overall - therefore the customers are more the formal/high-level types. I do think it is the hotel in Bkk to beat.
Aug 20, 2007, 12:25 pm
#28
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: DL SkyMiles PM/2MM, AA Plat, IC Diam. Amb., Peninsula regular, amanjunkie
Posts: 5,848
Aug 20, 2007, 6:14 pm
#29
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,548
I had a similar experience as MegaTopLover at the Oriental back in 1999. We stayed at Pen and decided to hotel hop. We made it to The Oriental but were refused entry. The reason? My 2 friends were wearing shorts and carrying back-packs. I somehow managed to get in (I was wearing long pants) and asked for a brochure at the Front Desk. I thought the whole situation bizzare -- they refuse customers to enter their hotel wearing shorts, but just off the lobby, you can practically see the tourists in their dental floss swimsuit mingling at the pool.
I've been to BKK 8 to 9 times after that and I have never set foot at The Oriental. Come to think of it, I don't think I ever will.
BTW, not to steer off-topic, but why is it always Pen vs MO? Is Sukhothai not well regarded here at all? I'll be staying there for 2 nights next month.
I've been to BKK 8 to 9 times after that and I have never set foot at The Oriental. Come to think of it, I don't think I ever will.
BTW, not to steer off-topic, but why is it always Pen vs MO? Is Sukhothai not well regarded here at all? I'll be staying there for 2 nights next month.