Jan 12, 2019, 12:35 am
Four Points Sukhumvit 15 Bangkok, Thailand [Master Thread]
Dec 21, 2010, 8:32 am
#136
formerly known as 2lovelife
Join Date: Dec 2000
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Instead of leaving luggage at the airport, use the money for the taxi ride both ways. Security of both left luggage and checked luggage at BKK have had integrity issues. Take the cab.
Dec 21, 2010, 8:32 am
#137
Join Date: Sep 2007
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No need for a taxi from Asok BTS if you only have two small carry-ons. Just take the Robinsons' exit at Asok BTS and come down to the street level and if the 4P tuk tuk is there dropping off guests use it to go to the hotel. Otherwise, make a right on Sukhumvit after exiting Robinsons and another right on Sukhumvit 15 for a total walking distance of around 200 meters. Another way that I used is making a right on Soi 17 immediately after exiting Robinsons and the 4P is at the left of the end of the Soi but it's a bit complicated as construction was still going on at the hotel's underground parking.
Dec 21, 2010, 8:36 am
#138
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist
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I was even sent an email about a stay with conformation number that I had never received. The SPG CSO agreed that there was no booking, and got the 4P property to confirm with email. Prompt action to allay my fear that charges may show up in credit card, but how did the boo boo happened in the first place?
If you are taking the train to Asoke that means you are taking the airport train to somewhere in the city and then transferring to the BTS. If you are talking the local train I guess that will run you something like THB 10 plus maybe THB 25 or THB 30 for the BTS. So two people would be about THB 70-90. If you were to take a taxi you would want to take it from Nana BTS as the taxi will be in the wrong direction if you try to take at Asoke. That will be another 35 THB. I doubt you'll save much time and it seems like you will save about USD 7 a/i. Not worth it to me.
Dec 21, 2010, 9:37 am
#139
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Snooky
Posts: 2,508
Thanks for the detailed report.
No big spoon - in Asia? That's not going to go over well. Seriously.
When I think travel to Bangkok, I think, amongst other things, of how great that first shower feels after a 20+ hour flight. Most all hotels have the hottest and strongest pressure imaginable. I'll be dissapointed if this isn't fixed by my stay.
Speaking of stays - is anyone else receiving emails advising them of upcoming stays from the 4pts there were already cancelled? Given the trouble with SPG.com, now I don't trust my stays were actually cancelled.
No big spoon - in Asia? That's not going to go over well. Seriously.
When I think travel to Bangkok, I think, amongst other things, of how great that first shower feels after a 20+ hour flight. Most all hotels have the hottest and strongest pressure imaginable. I'll be dissapointed if this isn't fixed by my stay.
Speaking of stays - is anyone else receiving emails advising them of upcoming stays from the 4pts there were already cancelled? Given the trouble with SPG.com, now I don't trust my stays were actually cancelled.
Dec 22, 2010, 8:23 am
#140
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: Hertz PC, Hilton DMD, IHG Spire Amb, Bonvoy Titanium Elite & WoH Globalist
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Just returned from a short stay at this hotel (just to check it out). As many of you have pointed out, it's a hotel that focuses its strength on its hard product rather than the soft. Overall, it's a great value at a very convenient location with friendly staff. It is still rough around the edges, however, especially around breakfast and for the benefit of Janet and her team I will discuss them here.
2. During breakfast I was going to get some congee and I burned my right hand cos the handle to lift open the top was burning hot!! Not a severe burn, but enough to annoy me for two days. If the congee is going to be boiled throughout, the handle needs to at least be covered with some sort of cloth to prevent burns. I told this to one of the staff who quickly went and covered the handle with white cloth (she too seemed surprised at how hot it was). This needs to be done everyday to all handles that can get hot. To me, this should have been picked up by the restaurant management.
3. The cafe latte I ordered during breakfast was more like espresso with a spoonful of milk in it. I asked for another one with more milk and they brought another, this time with maybe three spoonfuls of milk in it. Yes I am exaggerating, but it would be good to have the staff be trained in making good coffee - as for many ppl it is a very important part of breakfast (IMHE LM BKK makes the best morning coffee in Thailand, if not Asia). I did not push to have another one be made for me, as I felt bad.
4. No music playing in the background during breakfast. Not that I listen to background music
but the restaurant felt very empty without any sound in the background except for the clanking of forks and knives of the four guests that were eating at the time (but no Kenny G please).
5. I noticed that there were no spoons set up on the tables (nor chopsticks), only forks and knives when there were plenty soupy dishes for breakfast. When I asked for one, it took the staff a while to get them (we were one of the four guests in the entire restaurant). To minimize this hassle, I would suggest setting up some spoons on the tables.
6. Water pressure in the shower felt fairly weak. Maybe this is because I am used to the sort of pressure at PA where you literally get pushed forward
I know this is not something that can be fixed easily, but I would find it a lot easier to return to this hotel if the water pressure had a bit more power to it.
7. I found the staff at the front desk extremely friendly, but the other staff (i.e. at the eatery) not as friendly. I said 'thank you' on at least half a dozen occasions (for everytime they brought me coffee, spoon, equal etc) but not once was I given a 'you are welcome' - they just walked off. I don't think it was ill-intended (or a big deal, for that matter) but given the hotel will be competing with other 4-5 star hotels in the area, it would be nice to have all of its staff be more courteous (not just the front desk who were very friendly: hats off to May who checked us in).
2. During breakfast I was going to get some congee and I burned my right hand cos the handle to lift open the top was burning hot!! Not a severe burn, but enough to annoy me for two days. If the congee is going to be boiled throughout, the handle needs to at least be covered with some sort of cloth to prevent burns. I told this to one of the staff who quickly went and covered the handle with white cloth (she too seemed surprised at how hot it was). This needs to be done everyday to all handles that can get hot. To me, this should have been picked up by the restaurant management.
3. The cafe latte I ordered during breakfast was more like espresso with a spoonful of milk in it. I asked for another one with more milk and they brought another, this time with maybe three spoonfuls of milk in it. Yes I am exaggerating, but it would be good to have the staff be trained in making good coffee - as for many ppl it is a very important part of breakfast (IMHE LM BKK makes the best morning coffee in Thailand, if not Asia). I did not push to have another one be made for me, as I felt bad.
4. No music playing in the background during breakfast. Not that I listen to background music
but the restaurant felt very empty without any sound in the background except for the clanking of forks and knives of the four guests that were eating at the time (but no Kenny G please).5. I noticed that there were no spoons set up on the tables (nor chopsticks), only forks and knives when there were plenty soupy dishes for breakfast. When I asked for one, it took the staff a while to get them (we were one of the four guests in the entire restaurant). To minimize this hassle, I would suggest setting up some spoons on the tables.
6. Water pressure in the shower felt fairly weak. Maybe this is because I am used to the sort of pressure at PA where you literally get pushed forward
I know this is not something that can be fixed easily, but I would find it a lot easier to return to this hotel if the water pressure had a bit more power to it.7. I found the staff at the front desk extremely friendly, but the other staff (i.e. at the eatery) not as friendly. I said 'thank you' on at least half a dozen occasions (for everytime they brought me coffee, spoon, equal etc) but not once was I given a 'you are welcome' - they just walked off. I don't think it was ill-intended (or a big deal, for that matter) but given the hotel will be competing with other 4-5 star hotels in the area, it would be nice to have all of its staff be more courteous (not just the front desk who were very friendly: hats off to May who checked us in).
During our 3-night stay, we had great attentive and personable service by the staff at the Eatery that met our every need at breakfast. Even if something was lacking, after a quick request, it was either corrected immediately or at the next breakfast. Example, no boiled rice for Khaotom and after a request it was available daily. ^^^
It was a different matter at check-in. I checked in and was alone in Que on the afternoon of Dec 2nd as there were 3 staffers (2 females & a male) at the FD. One female was busy with a guest, the other two's heads were down and eyes affixed at their computer terminals. They did not acknowledge me even after many ahems and this went on for about 5 minutes. Then a loud Japanese man with his girlfriend de jour who was bragging about his platinum status cuts right in front of me and he is helped immediately by the second female FD clerk. In frustration, I throw my hands up in the air. The bell-boy (a very nice & attentive Thai Indian fellow) was watching as a situation was developing and he rushed to the third FD clerk (the male one) and he spoke to him in Thai pointing at me. Although I did not catch the jest of the conversation, by observing their facial expressions, the bell boy got chastised by the male FD clerk. By then the first female FD clerk was available and she helped me. This was very disappointing to say the least. Not paying attention at who is in front of them and then not acknowledging a guest even after being alerted by a co-worker is not acceptable and disappointing first impression to say the least. What could been so important that they ignored my presence ... maybe they didn't hear me!
AFAIK the primary function of the FD clerk is to check guests into the hotel and that they are the front line that should portray a positive image of the property. But this was lacking here at every level. 
As for the shower's water pressure, it was great and we had no issues with it. ^
Dec 22, 2010, 8:28 am
#141
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Dec 22, 2010, 8:37 am
#142
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One female was busy with a guest, the other two's heads were down and eyes affixed at their computer terminals. They did not acknowledge me even after many ahems and this went on for about 5 minutes. ... AFAIK the primary function of the FD clerk is to check guests into the hotel and that they are the front line that should portray a positive image of the property. But this was lacking here at every level.
Dec 22, 2010, 9:07 am
#143
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: ORD
Programs: AA Platinum, PC Plat, Hertz 5*
Posts: 350
I guess I had misspoken, I was inquiring about cab fare from the airport to the 4 points. I think we will take the taxi down and back. Only question is, since we are going to phuket for 2 days in between, we do not need to carry the big luggage with us. Do you think the hotel will hold it for us here ?
Dec 22, 2010, 9:11 am
#144
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Dec 22, 2010, 9:23 am
#145
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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I guess I had misspoken, I was inquiring about cab fare from the airport to the 4 points. I think we will take the taxi down and back. Only question is, since we are going to phuket for 2 days in between, we do not need to carry the big luggage with us. Do you think the hotel will hold it for us here ?
Dec 25, 2010, 9:57 pm
#146
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, SPG PLAT, PC PLAT
Posts: 178
I just checked into this hotel yesterday! I was very excited with all the pre-opening discussions, but I am actually a bit disappointed. The hotel has only 8 suites available for Platinum upgrades. They are all taken by people who paid for them, hence no availability for upgrade... This is fine, but the problem is that the basic rooms are so tiny! Besides the desk chair, there is no space for even a regular chair to fit into the room!
There are also some operational/service issues that still need to be ironed out. Here has been my experiences:
(1) I asked for 5 additional hangers and to give 2 shirts for pressing... I had to wait 45 minutes and got only 3 hangars, was told I'll get more soon (never did), and when I tried to give my shirts, he wouldn't take them and didn't understand why I was trying to hand him my shirts for pressing (he didn't understand English).
(2) When talking to a hotel employee, he kindly asked if I already had dinner. I said I did, and then he said jokingly, "Dinner make you fat!" and pointed to my stomach, which was slightly pushing through my shirt. I'm sorry but I REALLY do NOT need to be called fat by a hotel employee! I just consider this to be extremely unprofessional, and just RUDE! I know he was just trying to joke, but I did not find it funny. I sort of just laughed it off in his presence, but I find it rude!
Other issues:
(1) There was an ant walking around the bathroom sink.
(2) The internet cable is not working so have to use wifi, which is not very strong. I mentioned to the hotel that the cable isn't working but they don't seem to understand the problem or maybe don't know what to do about it?
(3) The fitness center is on the 8th floor but there is no bathroom there, so need to go to the lobby for the nearest bathroom from the fitness center.
Overall, this is a fine 3-4 star hotel. For $65/night, it is about on par with the other hotels, but for $90/night I think you can do better, especially with most hotels here giving free breakfast to all, not just Platinums. I think this hotel just needs some polishing up, but I still can't get over that an employee thought it's ok to call me fat... FYI this employee is a Manager at the hotel!
There are also some operational/service issues that still need to be ironed out. Here has been my experiences:
(1) I asked for 5 additional hangers and to give 2 shirts for pressing... I had to wait 45 minutes and got only 3 hangars, was told I'll get more soon (never did), and when I tried to give my shirts, he wouldn't take them and didn't understand why I was trying to hand him my shirts for pressing (he didn't understand English).
(2) When talking to a hotel employee, he kindly asked if I already had dinner. I said I did, and then he said jokingly, "Dinner make you fat!" and pointed to my stomach, which was slightly pushing through my shirt. I'm sorry but I REALLY do NOT need to be called fat by a hotel employee! I just consider this to be extremely unprofessional, and just RUDE! I know he was just trying to joke, but I did not find it funny. I sort of just laughed it off in his presence, but I find it rude!
Other issues:
(1) There was an ant walking around the bathroom sink.
(2) The internet cable is not working so have to use wifi, which is not very strong. I mentioned to the hotel that the cable isn't working but they don't seem to understand the problem or maybe don't know what to do about it?
(3) The fitness center is on the 8th floor but there is no bathroom there, so need to go to the lobby for the nearest bathroom from the fitness center.
Overall, this is a fine 3-4 star hotel. For $65/night, it is about on par with the other hotels, but for $90/night I think you can do better, especially with most hotels here giving free breakfast to all, not just Platinums. I think this hotel just needs some polishing up, but I still can't get over that an employee thought it's ok to call me fat... FYI this employee is a Manager at the hotel!
Dec 26, 2010, 6:52 am
#147
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
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Posts: 8,076
... I was very excited with all the pre-opening discussions, but I am actually a bit disappointed. The hotel has only 8 suites available for Platinum upgrades. They are all taken by people who paid for them, hence no availability for upgrade... This is fine, but the problem is that the basic rooms are so tiny! Besides the desk chair, there is no space for even a regular chair to fit into the room!
Even when considering the cultural differences (as calling someone pompui is not really offensive in Thailand), hospitality employees who on the most part interact with foreigners must adhere to a certain professional code of conduct and be trained on what's sensitive for the guests' cultures.
Dec 26, 2010, 9:18 pm
#148
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: NH*G, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 116
First and Last Stay
Check-In was a disaster with a friendly but totally clueless guy: had booked the more expensive deluxe room with balcony and was told that they only have comfort rooms without balcony as they changed the whole concept and do not have rooms with balcony. Took a look at 3 different rooms and ended up in 5th floor, with a "beautiful" view on very old, run-down houses towards the Westin.
Room itself is surely nice and brandnew, however soundproof is really an issue as I could hear the TV, etc. from neighbour room...
Breakfast: showed there up at 9:45 (busy time, I know), and took over 10 mins to allocate us a table. If you see the small dimensions of the restaurant, I am sure this will happen very often, especially if the hotel runs full capacity and furthermore opens the other 2 floors which are still under construction as I was told. Quality and quantity of breakfast is average for my understanding and if it is really true that they charge same price like PA, Sheraton, etc. not justified at all.
Pool: really like to read and relax at the pool when on holiday, but not possible there due to the really loud music they play with speakers just about a meter away from two of the very nice round loungers. Left after 10 mins...
Staff: overall young and friendly, especially in the really cool beer pub.
Overall, I will not return there, especially since you can get same / better local hotels for less, or much better / high-end properties for only a bit more.
Dec 27, 2010, 7:36 am
#149
Join Date: May 2002
Location: SNA
Programs: STARS/LUMINOUS, PRIVE, FSPP, STARS, MO FAN Club, PEN Club, Bellini Club
Posts: 2,612
I checked out today after a 3 night stay. Overall a good value as Platinum when paying the 1900 Baht rate. However, I would go elsewhere if the difference between the alternative is less than 20-30%.
Pluses:
Minuses:
I'd come back if paying around 1,900 Baht and will go to the Westin/Sheraton if rates are higher.
Pluses:
- New room with furnishing of a higher quality than the usual Four Points. Physically its the best Four Points I've stayed at. Good shower for a hotel in that category.
- Free breakfast as Platinum
- Free drinks in the bar in the evening - I forget the times as we only took advantage once
- Helpful concierge but had a poor handle on English (but I'm in a non English speaking country so thats forgiven).
Minuses:
- Clueless staff who speak very poor english (I realize its a second language for them but staff at other hotels seem to do just fine)
- Platinum concierge had made a note of an early check-in on my reservation (flight got in at 5 AM) but also noted that the early check-in was not guaranteed. The front desk took the "guarantee" to mean that I agreed to pay for the previous night to secure early check-in. Eventually I had to settle on paying half the room rate to check-in early, which is fine but just call it an early check-in fee
- Nasty "oily" smell in the corridors around the rooms - it doesn't smell like room freshner
- At breakfast had to keep asking for refills on coffee/tea rather than the staff noticing
- Check-out took very long and I do not know why (I had nothing on the bill other than charge for the room). The agent kept fumbling as if he was very nervous.
I'd come back if paying around 1,900 Baht and will go to the Westin/Sheraton if rates are higher.
Dec 27, 2010, 7:52 pm
#150
Join Date: Dec 2010
Programs: Delta Plat, UA 1K, SPG Plat, marriott plat
Posts: 118
Absolutemente ! Just spent 5 nites here and loved the place. Canceled award booking and I got in on that Ebookers 60chf off deal and was paying $10/nite. Don't think I'd pay more than 2500 though. Lotsa nice options 2000-2500 in BKK these days and more coming online all the time. It'll be interesting to see what the Aloft on 11 looks like. I'm seeing a jazzed up Citadines. Doubt there'll be a 30 page thread on it though. wj
I would not pay more than 2500 Baht. Too many other nice places to stay. Exception might be if you are Plat.