St. Regis Bangkok, Thailand [Master Thread]
#1126
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Singapore / Bangkok
Programs: SQ, BA, QR, Marriott Titanium & LT Plat, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Accor Plat, AmEx Cent
Posts: 444
Good review, I have also done quite a few WA / StR back to backs, and lots of plus and minuses between them. Must admit, and perhaps because I'm very regularly at the StR, I am almost always upgraded to a StR suite (23 floor) or a CA suite (24 or 25 series) from a standard room, and those suites are much more impressive than what the WA offers; the WA 06/07 series suites are very nicely done, but not particuarly spacious and essentially no view. Re connectivity, there should be a Geneva sound system next to the bed in each suite at the StR (and I think a JBL speaker in all rooms). WA has a iHome speaker if I recall. The laundry benefit at StR is indeed very good. Breakfast at WA is in a different league and StR is fairly mediocre. WA spa is nice (new) but small, StR spa is much bigger with proper rest areas, and same for pools. Just for completeness, let us not forget that the WA gives Diamonds a 1000 THB dining/bar credit, a 1000 THB spa credit per stay, which I always find time to use :-) and 100% bonus points. Hard for me to say which is best overall ... probably still the StR for the recognition they give and the "welcome home" feeling, guaranteed 4pm late check-out, and small things like flowers in the room (usually several types in the suites) and air purifiers / humidifiers on-demand.
#1128
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,838
My most recent upgrade at StR was quite nice already, and it's good to know that possibly if I increase my number of stays at StR rather than spread the wealth around so much between many hotels in Bangkok, my upgrades at StR could be even better... in that case yes I would become comparatively more positive on StR and I would be more inclined to overlook the weaknesses. Right now I am satisfied with StR but I see some pluses and minuses, as (almost?) all properties in Bangkok, which is why I end up being a butterfly and experience different hotels rather than stick with one.
By the way I meant to thank you personally, it is based on your progressively improving feedback in the WA thread that I finally decided to try it. I was in a wait & see mode before that, so thanks for contributing with your views in the WA thread and here as well
#1129
#1130
#1131
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,460
I I was glad to get the Met Suite because I was curious to see how that room type looks like. I do not know if my memory fails me, but I thought the Grand Deluxe room I had in November was perhaps renovated more recently than the Met Suite. Perhaps the hotel is not old enough to have done renovations yet, and instead the explanation could be that there has just been more wear and tear in the suite I had, anyway I thought the condition of the suite was a notch below my room a few months ago unless I am mistaken. Nothing drastic but it did not seem as spotless as the Grand Deluxe: some stains on the carpet and chairs for example.
I am almost always upgraded to a StR suite (23 floor) or a CA suite (24 or 25 series) from a standard room, and those suites are much more impressive than what the WA offers; the WA 06/07 series suites are very nicely done, but not particuarly spacious and essentially no view.
#1132
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,838
So I am not losing my mind, the Grand Deluxe room are indeed in better shape than the Met Suite (or Grand Met Suite), sounds like you made a similar observation. Were the Grand Deluxe rooms renovated recently?
#1133
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: HKG • Ex SFO, NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Marriott Amb; Hyatt Globalist; Shangri-la Diamond; IHG SpireAmb; Hilton D; Accor G
Posts: 3,319
Good review, I have also done quite a few WA / StR back to backs, and lots of plus and minuses between them. Must admit, and perhaps because I'm very regularly at the StR, I am almost always upgraded to a StR suite (23 floor) or a CA suite (24 or 25 series) from a standard room, and those suites are much more impressive than what the WA offers; the WA 06/07 series suites are very nicely done, but not particuarly spacious and essentially no view. Re connectivity, there should be a Geneva sound system next to the bed in each suite at the StR (and I think a JBL speaker in all rooms). WA has a iHome speaker if I recall. The laundry benefit at StR is indeed very good. Breakfast at WA is in a different league and StR is fairly mediocre. WA spa is nice (new) but small, StR spa is much bigger with proper rest areas, and same for pools. Just for completeness, let us not forget that the WA gives Diamonds a 1000 THB dining/bar credit, a 1000 THB spa credit per stay, which I always find time to use :-) and 100% bonus points. Hard for me to say which is best overall ... probably still the StR for the recognition they give and the "welcome home" feeling, guaranteed 4pm late check-out, and small things like flowers in the room (usually several types in the suites) and air purifiers / humidifiers on-demand.
#1134
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,755
I would imagine that it's like that at most 5* hotels. If you stay someplace frequently enough, you become one of the property's better (read: more valuable) customers and should be treated better. Isn't that the philosophy behind affinity programs, anyway?
#1135
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Singapore / Bangkok
Programs: SQ, BA, QR, Marriott Titanium & LT Plat, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Accor Plat, AmEx Cent
Posts: 444
I think a number of rooms have been touched up recently...I noticed new carpets (rugs) in a couple of the rooms and walls looked freshly painted. Last time I was in a Grand Deluxe was a few weeks ago, and it looked good. Last time I was in a Met Suite was a year ago so can't really comment. Perhaps the Met Suites are heavily used and also by families, whereas the Grand Deluxe are more likely solos or couples, less wear and tear? The 02 series Grand Deluxe rooms are best, they are bigger, and I'd take one of those over a Met Suite (as I did a few weeks ago), unless I really wanted the extra space.
#1136
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,460
Don't know. The furnishings in the CA suite I had last year were absolutely pristine.
#1137
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Singapore / Bangkok
Programs: SQ, BA, QR, Marriott Titanium & LT Plat, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Accor Plat, AmEx Cent
Posts: 444
Indeed, you can find a nice 'snug' in the bar, and upstairs at the Champagne bar has the extra wow factor with the 'secret' entrance and walkway etc. But I almost forgot that StR does have the 6pm sabering for elites, which is nice to meet other members and have a glass on the balcony.
Last edited by EGW1; May 13, 2019 at 12:02 am
#1138
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Singapore / Bangkok
Programs: SQ, BA, QR, Marriott Titanium & LT Plat, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Accor Plat, AmEx Cent
Posts: 444
I think so too. Being a regular at any property coupled with membership is where you really see value and recognition. I also tend to eat in hotels (room service) for dinner, so my overall spend is probably a bit higher than average. I'm sure they take all of these things into consideration.
#1139
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,460
Properties absolutely track overall spend and will categorize return guests on that basis.
Although there some problems when the SPG properties had their data dumped by Marriott late last year.
#1140
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,838
I am glad to read from others that St.Regis treats its repeat customers extremely well, they have the hardware available and the willingness.