Feb 9, 2018, 8:28 pm
Last edit by: rxgeek
This thread refers to the various Marriott brands within a specific geographic area. Marriott Bonvoy hotels in XX usually have posts asking which property is better, etc. Trip reports are usually better suited in the property specific threads.
Can someone who knows list the names of the hotels here in this long thread? Here are the names, addresses, email contact, commonly used abbreviations and some basic info about each hotel. (Location information, CL and breakfast information, UG experiences reported within the thread, typical room layout and frequently mentioned basic advice for different properties.) Keep in mind most posts indicate these are all great hotels. Hope this helps. CJK
The St. Regis Bangkok 35,000 Category 5
Bangkok Marriott Hotel The Surawongse 25,000 Category 4
Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen's Park 25,000 Category 4
JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok 35,000 Category 5
Le Méridien Bangkok 25,000 Category 4
Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit 25,000 Category 4
Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel 25,000 Category 4
The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok 35,000 Category 5
The Westin Grande Sukhumvit,25,000 Category 4
W Bangkok 25,000 Category 4
Le Méridien Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok Golf Resort & Spa 17,500 Category 3
Aloft Bangkok Sukhumvit 11 17,500 Category 3
Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok 12,500 Category 2
Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok, Sukhumvit 1512,500 Category 2
Can someone who knows list the names of the hotels here in this long thread? Here are the names, addresses, email contact, commonly used abbreviations and some basic info about each hotel. (Location information, CL and breakfast information, UG experiences reported within the thread, typical room layout and frequently mentioned basic advice for different properties.) Keep in mind most posts indicate these are all great hotels. Hope this helps. CJK
- JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok (JW) 4 Sukhumvit Road, Soi 2, Bangkok 10110, Thailand between the Phloen Chit and Nana BTS Stations. There is a pretty large CL. Elites mostly report having complimentary breakfast offered only at the CL and not in a restaurant. Some are bothered by the hotel's proximity to the Nana district and think the hotel may get some associated business while others (myself) have not really noticed this unless looking hard to see it. The hotel was recently renovated and there are a few posts showing pictures. UGs are usually to the club level regular room where the bathrooms are interior (no outside glass wall) and feature rather small showers but great soaking tubs. Unlike the other hotels listed here, the toilets are not in enclosures.
- Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel (Ren) 518/8 Ploenchit Road Khwaeng Lumphini, Khet Pathum Wan, Bangkok almost attached to the Chit Lom BTS Station and the SkyWalk. One can reach the platform without having to walk on public sidewalks and by using escalators/elevators in the building next door, so most feel this is the property with the fastest and easiest access to BTS. The CL is smaller than the JW's and sometimes gets full. Some elites report having a choice of the complimentary breakfast in the restaurant (which is quite good and huge) while others report having that request denied. Latest reports indicate the restaurant breakfast is offered as of April 2018. The hotel does not have many suites so UGs are usually to corner rooms which often have seating and/or dressing areas as well as larger bathrooms with full glass walls. IMO this is the best/most convenient hotel for a first timer looking to do typical touristy things in Bangkok.
- Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok (CY) 155/1 Soi Mahadlekluang 1 Ratchadamri Road Bangkok is about a five minute walk to either the Ratchadamri or Chit Lom BTS Stations. The hotel operates tuk-tuks to/from the BTS Station. The hotel has a CL and consistently offers elites a choice of breakfast there or in the restaurant. The CL is on the top floor of the hotel and has outdoor seating. Having stayed at the hotel several times as a P, PP and LTP I have never been given an UG, so if there are others who can chime in on that please do. The regular room has a small interior only bathroom with a window overlooking the room and no tub, only a walk-in shower. IMO the price can makes this a great choice, as it is convenient to many places a visitor will go. Sometimes it can be half the price of other Marriott options and they often run double points promotions. (Call the hotel to ask, it cannot hurt.)
- Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park (Sukhumvit Soi 22) 199 ถนน สุขุมวิท ซอย 22 Khwaeng Khlong Tan, Khet Khlong Toei, กรุงเทพมหานคร 10110, Thailand is about an eight minute walk to the Emporium Mall and Phrom Phong BTS Station either down the Soi sidewalk or through Queen's Park. The hotel operates a regular shuttle to the BTS Station although some have reported trouble catching it back to the hotel. The CL is large, with an outdoor deck, and most people report not being given a choice for the complimentary breakfast in the restaurant. Most Plats report getting UG to a suite, with the M Suite seeming to be most common. It has a living room, bedroom and single large interior bathroom with separate walk-in showers and tubs. This is the largest hotel in Bangkok.
- Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit (Sukhumvit Soi 57) 2 ถนน สุขุมวิท 57 Phra Khanong, Khlong Toei, กรุงเทพมหานคร 10110, Thailand ([email protected]) is a two minute walk to the Thong Lo BTS Station. Getting to the station involves crossing Thong Lo intersection which can be daunting. The hotel is about a ten minute BTS ride to the central malls, the Ren, etc. The area is a little quieter and more "Thai" than the more touristy/business area where the JW, Ren and CY are located. Some people report being able to have complimentary breakfast in the restaurant while others report lounge only. The CL is about the same size as the Ren's and can get crowded in the early evening. The hotel is on the higher floors of a 40+ story building and the CL is located on one of the top floors, offering stunning views of Bangkok. There is a rooftop bar on the top of the building with great views, too. Elites are often given a coupon for a free drink on the roof. Plats report mostly getting UGs to a two room suite with an extra half bath. The main bath includes an enclosed toilet, a single large walk-in shower and a large soaking tub that can easily seat two. (While the tub is large, the JW, Marquis and Ren tubs are more comfortable for a single person looking to lean back and relax.) IMO this is the quietest of the hotels listed here.
- Bangkok Marriott Hotel The Surawongse 262 Thanon Surawong, Khwaeng Si Phraya, Khet Bang Rak, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500, Thailand is the newest hotel. As of April 2018 there are not many posts from users who have stayed, nor is there an abbreviation being commonly used on this forum. The hotel is not attached/close to a BTS or MRT station but is near the Silom business area and some more popular adult entertainment establishments.
The St. Regis Bangkok 35,000 Category 5
Bangkok Marriott Hotel The Surawongse 25,000 Category 4
Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen's Park 25,000 Category 4
JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok 35,000 Category 5
Le Méridien Bangkok 25,000 Category 4
Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit 25,000 Category 4
Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel 25,000 Category 4
The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok 35,000 Category 5
The Westin Grande Sukhumvit,25,000 Category 4
W Bangkok 25,000 Category 4
Le Méridien Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok Golf Resort & Spa 17,500 Category 3
Aloft Bangkok Sukhumvit 11 17,500 Category 3
Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok 12,500 Category 2
Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok, Sukhumvit 1512,500 Category 2
Marriott Bonvoy hotels in Bangkok, Thailand
Jul 27, 2019, 9:49 pm
#1726
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,842
Personally this is the reason I would pick ROS most times over CY unless I need to be near Sukhumvit.
Jul 27, 2019, 11:05 pm
#1727
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 73
After my first visit to Bangkok recently (12/2018), I would suggest the ROS over a similar property in Sukhumvit for the typical tourist activities due to the location. While the ROS may not be convenient for getting to Sukhumvit, imho staying at a hotel near Sukhumvit is not even really convenient for getting to Sukhumvit. The traffic is just crazy everywhere and all the time. All forms of transportation (skytrain, MRT, taxi, grab, tuk tuk, motorcycle taxi, walking) just take too long and are not very convenient.
Jul 28, 2019, 4:02 am
#1728
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
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Jul 28, 2019, 5:07 am
#1729
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
Hi all,
Titanium member here, researching a 5 night visit to Bangkok, looking at points redemption for the Courtyard (17,500) or the Sheraton Royal Orchid (17,500). Looks like location of the Courtyard is better, but Sheraton sounds like it'd be theoretically better than Courtyard (branding/marketing wise). Does anyone have any thoughts on the two? Priority for me would be to get a decent breakfast and lounge happy hour
Access to public transit and convenience to sightseeing is important too.
Reading some threads, sounds like Courtyard might be slightly aheadn (Courtyard, you get breakfast in Momo café, and the lounge happy hour looked ok, very convenient to subway). For Sheraton Royal Orchid, sounds like a nice property, decent lounge, but not as convenient to public transit. Would appreciate any insight from anyone who's stayed at the two and can directly compare.
I've stayed at Courtyards in Hong Kong (both Sha Tin and Hong Kong Island) as well as Seoul - overall, I'm very impressed with Courtyards in Asia so sounds like I can't go wrong with the Courtyard Bangkok.
Thanks in advance!
Titanium member here, researching a 5 night visit to Bangkok, looking at points redemption for the Courtyard (17,500) or the Sheraton Royal Orchid (17,500). Looks like location of the Courtyard is better, but Sheraton sounds like it'd be theoretically better than Courtyard (branding/marketing wise). Does anyone have any thoughts on the two? Priority for me would be to get a decent breakfast and lounge happy hour
Access to public transit and convenience to sightseeing is important too.Reading some threads, sounds like Courtyard might be slightly aheadn (Courtyard, you get breakfast in Momo café, and the lounge happy hour looked ok, very convenient to subway). For Sheraton Royal Orchid, sounds like a nice property, decent lounge, but not as convenient to public transit. Would appreciate any insight from anyone who's stayed at the two and can directly compare.
I've stayed at Courtyards in Hong Kong (both Sha Tin and Hong Kong Island) as well as Seoul - overall, I'm very impressed with Courtyards in Asia so sounds like I can't go wrong with the Courtyard Bangkok.
Thanks in advance!
2/ I would never stay at the ROS due to the location, but you're a tourist, and for that it's perfect. Most of the BKK sights are up and down the river, and very very easily accessible via the boats which stop directly by the ROS. Sukhumvit isn't much of a tourist sight unless you want to see what Soi Cowboy / Nana Plaza looks like… but at the ROS you're close enough to Patpong which has much of the same.
3/ If you listen to me about 1/, then it opens up a bunch more options of various hotels also at $100/night-ish that might be far better. I'm a big fan of the Marriott Surawongse and Le Meridien. You might also consider the SGS and Athenee
Jul 28, 2019, 5:11 am
#1730
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
So just to be clear, most tourist sites are more easily accessed from the river, so ROS would be more convenient for that.
You would go to Sukhumvit for shopping and nightlife. Lumpini Park is nice for running or walking, but it is not really an attraction on its own (like Central Park, for example).
You would go to Sukhumvit for shopping and nightlife. Lumpini Park is nice for running or walking, but it is not really an attraction on its own (like Central Park, for example).
Jul 28, 2019, 5:20 am
#1731
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
Fixed above. ROS has 2nd best odds of suite upgrade of all Marriott hotels in Bangkok behind Marriott Surawongse. At CY: forget a suite upgrade there. If I had to estimate rough numbers, I would say 50-60% chance of suite upgrade at ROS compared to less than 1% at CY, for a Titanium staying 5 nights, that is. An Ambassador staying one night only would have 90%+ at ROS, and CY I think would not even reach 20% chance so the difference would be even wider.
Personally this is the reason I would pick ROS most times over CY unless I need to be near Sukhumvit.
Personally this is the reason I would pick ROS most times over CY unless I need to be near Sukhumvit.
Jul 28, 2019, 5:22 am
#1732
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
Jul 28, 2019, 7:39 am
#1733
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,842
My suite upgrade changes decrease significantly when @escape4 is also staying… 🤣
Not Andaz Amsterdam!Heck if we both tell the hotel ahead of time we have a special meeting planned, I think we'll both end up in a specialty suite!
Hong Kong here I come
Jul 28, 2019, 10:07 am
#1734
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: Hertz PC, Hilton DMD, IHG Spire Amb, Bonvoy Titanium Elite & WoH Globalist
Posts: 8,076
Thanks travelinmanS, Kalboz and Kacee - appreciate your input/context - your data points make this a tough choice for me. I am sold looking at Kalboz's pictures, but at the same time, "easy" access to tourist sites via public transit is important to me (and the 45 minutes context with 2 line changes from Kacee gives me some pause). I had also considered aloft (at 12,500 points per night), but no lounge and what sounds like mediocre breakfast tipped me to consider "splurging" on the extra 5k per night for either Courtyard or ROS.
Was hoping on a no-brainer, but that is the nature of the no obvious choice as Kacee points out. Reading the ROS thread, it sounded like ROS was an amazing property from 2007-2015 or so, and has been going downhill ever since (hence, when I saw travelinmanS's note about the ROS being run down, it reminded me of the disappointment I felt when I stayed at the Shelbourne in Dublin as I did not experience the amazing Lounge or breakfast in the restaurant that folks had described in the reviews/trip reports with the downgrade/eventually closure of their Heritage Lounge and no free breakfast on weekends). My trip report for the Shelbourne was among the initial reviews/trip reports of the downhill skid for that property.
So... to be on river or to be near Sukhumvit.. will need to do some more research. I think overall, I can be content with the boats (since on vacation), but did want easy access to all the tourist sites (Grand Palace, Wat Arun Ratcharwaram, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Chatuchak Market, Wat Traimitr Witayaram Worawihan temple, Lumphini Park (which the CY is near)).
Are there any other tie breakers? Lounge wise, I saw pictures of the CY having little shot glasses of food (reminds me of the Santiago Marriott), how are the offerings in the ROS Lounge - similar shot glass setup, or the chrome dome/serving dishes? Or is the quality of the food and alcohol similar for both? I also read about tour groups ruining the experience at the ROS. How are the gym / spa areas at both? Any comment on which one feels more "upscale"? (based on Kalboz's post, sounds like ROS is more upscale despite the rooms and other areas being rundown (based on the ROS thread)). Oh, I suppose a decent chance at a suite upgrade might help too, sounds like CY is near impossible whereas the upgrade chances for ROS are a little higher.
Thanks again for all your input -
Was hoping on a no-brainer, but that is the nature of the no obvious choice as Kacee points out. Reading the ROS thread, it sounded like ROS was an amazing property from 2007-2015 or so, and has been going downhill ever since (hence, when I saw travelinmanS's note about the ROS being run down, it reminded me of the disappointment I felt when I stayed at the Shelbourne in Dublin as I did not experience the amazing Lounge or breakfast in the restaurant that folks had described in the reviews/trip reports with the downgrade/eventually closure of their Heritage Lounge and no free breakfast on weekends). My trip report for the Shelbourne was among the initial reviews/trip reports of the downhill skid for that property.
So... to be on river or to be near Sukhumvit.. will need to do some more research. I think overall, I can be content with the boats (since on vacation), but did want easy access to all the tourist sites (Grand Palace, Wat Arun Ratcharwaram, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Chatuchak Market, Wat Traimitr Witayaram Worawihan temple, Lumphini Park (which the CY is near)).
Are there any other tie breakers? Lounge wise, I saw pictures of the CY having little shot glasses of food (reminds me of the Santiago Marriott), how are the offerings in the ROS Lounge - similar shot glass setup, or the chrome dome/serving dishes? Or is the quality of the food and alcohol similar for both? I also read about tour groups ruining the experience at the ROS. How are the gym / spa areas at both? Any comment on which one feels more "upscale"? (based on Kalboz's post, sounds like ROS is more upscale despite the rooms and other areas being rundown (based on the ROS thread)). Oh, I suppose a decent chance at a suite upgrade might help too, sounds like CY is near impossible whereas the upgrade chances for ROS are a little higher.
Thanks again for all your input -
As for the location, it all depends on what you'd like to do in Bangkok. Sukhumvit is the commercial street of Bangkok but it turns to a huge night market around 6-7 PM and later to a raunchy scene past 10 PM. ICONSIAM offers 8 or more huge floors of shopping, dining, and entertainment.
Sorry, no close ups but there were little shot glasses of food at the lounge during happy hour.
ROS happy hour
ROS happy hour
ROS happy hour
ROS happy hour
ROS executive suite
Looking upriver from ROS lounge
Renovated residence of Captain Bush Bangkok's Harbor Master and Admiral of Siam from 1860-1890 - right across the street from the ROS
Jul 28, 2019, 10:35 am
#1735
Join Date: Nov 2018
Programs: AA, Delta, Marriott, IHG
Posts: 250
I’ll chime in again. The thing about hotels in Bangkok is you get so much more for money than in HK or really many other cities because the competition is so great. Yes Courtyards are much better in Asia in general than North America, they’re often equal or better than full service brands n the US. But for the small increase in price in Bangkok, over the courtyards rates, you’re getting a much better hotel.
There really isn't much reason for a first time Bangkok visitor to go to Sukhumvit, on the other hand those that visit Bangkok often, thus those that post on the hotel forums, rarely go to the river. But the river really is, and especially was, the heart of Bangkok. Near the river is where, other than shopping, where most of the things people on their first visits spend time on , Waking up and having breakfast beside the river is really a very special experience that should be part of a first visit if you can.
Rates at the ROS can easily be as low as $100, or less, a night and as high as $200/ prepaid w/taxes and that’s in the span of a week. But for 5 days the ROS seem to average in high season around 20-22k THB (around $700) A 70k points 5th night free might be a good redemption. On the other hand for a first time visitor 5 days can be a lot of time in a city as congested as Bangkok. My advice is 3 nights, paid unless it’s unusually expensive, at the ROS and add the other 2 days if you’re going to some other area in Thailand like the beaches or Chiang Mai.
There really isn't much reason for a first time Bangkok visitor to go to Sukhumvit, on the other hand those that visit Bangkok often, thus those that post on the hotel forums, rarely go to the river. But the river really is, and especially was, the heart of Bangkok. Near the river is where, other than shopping, where most of the things people on their first visits spend time on , Waking up and having breakfast beside the river is really a very special experience that should be part of a first visit if you can.
Rates at the ROS can easily be as low as $100, or less, a night and as high as $200/ prepaid w/taxes and that’s in the span of a week. But for 5 days the ROS seem to average in high season around 20-22k THB (around $700) A 70k points 5th night free might be a good redemption. On the other hand for a first time visitor 5 days can be a lot of time in a city as congested as Bangkok. My advice is 3 nights, paid unless it’s unusually expensive, at the ROS and add the other 2 days if you’re going to some other area in Thailand like the beaches or Chiang Mai.
Last edited by Ripley62; Jul 28, 2019 at 11:10 am
Jul 28, 2019, 11:33 am
#1737
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,842
I’ll chime in again. The thing about hotels in Bangkok is you get so much more for money than in HK or really many other cities because the competition is so great. Yes Courtyards are much better in Asia in general than North America, they’re often equal or better than full service brands n the US. But for the small increase in price in Bangkok, over the courtyards rates, you’re getting a much better hotel.
If you have a tight budget than CY is a good choice, otherwise you get better bang for your buck with Athenee or SGS.
Jul 28, 2019, 12:52 pm
#1738
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: San Juan, PR
Programs: MR AMB/LT, AA EP, TK EP, DL D, B6 M4, F9 100K, IHG AMB/D, HH D, CZR D, FndCd, Sixt D, NTL E, Hz PC
Posts: 428
Sadly. from what I can tell in my current stay, SGS has cost-reduced everything they provide vs. previous stays at this property; I probably will not come back. Nothing huge, but every little thing compared to a year ago is cheaper or worse.
Jul 28, 2019, 2:23 pm
#1739
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Homeless
Programs: Hyatt Glob; Hilton Dia; Marriott AMB; Accor Dia; IHG Dia Amb; GHA Tit
Posts: 4,842
For example?
Jul 28, 2019, 3:07 pm
#1740
Join Date: Nov 2001
Programs: AA PLT 2MM, UA Silver, HHonors Gold, Marriott Titanium, IHG Platinum
Posts: 232
Thanks everyone for your input - really appreciate it - FT is an amazing community and resource I normally lurk (or contribute where I can on the Airport Lounges and Southwest forums, or in this forum on occasion when it comes to lounge reports/questions, lol).
Couldn't pass up the $550-ish for a round trip ticket from Houston, and I was constrained at 6 nights total to keep the fare at that price point (just having the feeling like I "won" something by finding the combination of dates to arrive at that fare), I suppose I could have extended another night, but sadly, I'm past the 24 hour cancellation window now to cancel and rebook to add on an extra night to make Chiang Mai work without any doubt.
@Ripley62 - thanks for the suggestion to mix my trip up with Chiang Mai or the beaches (with that data point, a tiny part of me regrets not cancelling the ticket within the cancellation window and rebooking with an extra night). It's gotten to the point in my life where I prefer to stick with 7 nights or less when traveling (gets tiring, lol), so my original intent was to maximize the 5th night free and do at least 2 day trips from Bangkok, while focusing the other 3 days on the core sights in Bangkok. Technically, I am in Bangkok 6 nights (arrive at 11 PM on night 1, so I did a budget hotel near the airport for $26, then planned to go into the city and do either the CY or ROS. After everyone's input, I am sold on ROS Would you still do 2 nights Chiang Mai and 3 nights Bangkok (so I can find a low cost carrier to Chiang Mai the next morning after landing in Bangkok)? Or does the fact that I plan to do a few day trips help mix it up a little and not spend too much time in Bangkok? I'm not really a beach guy, so prefer to do cities where I can walk and explore, whether it's markets, temples, museums, or palaces.
@SHLTP - wasn't thinking Nana or Cowboy as the sites I planned to visit Was thinking more along the lines of the Grand Palace, Wat Arun Ratchawaram, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Chatcuhack Market, Wat Trimitr Witayaram Worawihan.
@Kacee - thanks for clarifying Sukhumvit. I am still reading up on Bangkok so didn't know that most tourist sites are along the river, so no need to stay in Sukhumvit and as many folks noted, it's not easy to get to Sukhumvit even when staying in Sukhumvit. I didn't know Lumphini wasn't like a Central Park, that was exactly what I pictured, and seeing the St Regis and Grand Hyatt near the CY gave me the impression it's a good location, but just not a good location for my intent and purposes.
@escape4 @helvetic Sounds like upgrades would be impossible with either of you in house
Thanks for the context on upgrades. I do have somewhat of "backpacker" mindset, so I rarely splurge on using points when redeeming award nights. Try to use points when the redemption is around 15000 points or less per night, and if more, I'll explore budget/2 star hotels in the area... but with that said, nice breakfast and nice lounge can really make the difference in one's mindset and happiness during a trip. To your points about paying for the room outright instead of burning points, my challenge is I'm more extreme when it comes to paying for a hotel, I prefer to find a good value 2 star hotel, lol and then the aloft/Four Points would come into play as options since I'd like to minimize cost outright even though you have a good point about the value you're getting with the $50 difference per night..
@Kalboz @gora14 thanks for your pics - it really sealed the deal for me - great pictures.
Do really appreciate this discussion and everyone's input, I've gone ahead and booked 5 nights at the ROS as a placeholder while I look into the feasibility/desire to fly up to Chiang Mai for 2 nights, then back to Bangkok for the remaining 3 nights, or just keep it low key and do 5 nights in Bangkok knowing that I can return another time and do Chiang Mai.
I normally lurk (or contribute where I can on the Airport Lounges and Southwest forums, or in this forum on occasion when it comes to lounge reports/questions, lol).Couldn't pass up the $550-ish for a round trip ticket from Houston, and I was constrained at 6 nights total to keep the fare at that price point (just having the feeling like I "won" something by finding the combination of dates to arrive at that fare), I suppose I could have extended another night, but sadly, I'm past the 24 hour cancellation window now to cancel and rebook to add on an extra night to make Chiang Mai work without any doubt.
@Ripley62 - thanks for the suggestion to mix my trip up with Chiang Mai or the beaches (with that data point, a tiny part of me regrets not cancelling the ticket within the cancellation window and rebooking with an extra night). It's gotten to the point in my life where I prefer to stick with 7 nights or less when traveling (gets tiring, lol), so my original intent was to maximize the 5th night free and do at least 2 day trips from Bangkok, while focusing the other 3 days on the core sights in Bangkok. Technically, I am in Bangkok 6 nights (arrive at 11 PM on night 1, so I did a budget hotel near the airport for $26, then planned to go into the city and do either the CY or ROS. After everyone's input, I am sold on ROS
Would you still do 2 nights Chiang Mai and 3 nights Bangkok (so I can find a low cost carrier to Chiang Mai the next morning after landing in Bangkok)? Or does the fact that I plan to do a few day trips help mix it up a little and not spend too much time in Bangkok? I'm not really a beach guy, so prefer to do cities where I can walk and explore, whether it's markets, temples, museums, or palaces.@SHLTP - wasn't thinking Nana or Cowboy as the sites I planned to visit
Was thinking more along the lines of the Grand Palace, Wat Arun Ratchawaram, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Chatcuhack Market, Wat Trimitr Witayaram Worawihan.@Kacee - thanks for clarifying Sukhumvit. I am still reading up on Bangkok so didn't know that most tourist sites are along the river, so no need to stay in Sukhumvit and as many folks noted, it's not easy to get to Sukhumvit even when staying in Sukhumvit. I didn't know Lumphini wasn't like a Central Park, that was exactly what I pictured, and seeing the St Regis and Grand Hyatt near the CY gave me the impression it's a good location, but just not a good location for my intent and purposes.
@escape4 @helvetic Sounds like upgrades would be impossible with either of you in house
Thanks for the context on upgrades. I do have somewhat of "backpacker" mindset, so I rarely splurge on using points when redeeming award nights. Try to use points when the redemption is around 15000 points or less per night, and if more, I'll explore budget/2 star hotels in the area... but with that said, nice breakfast and nice lounge can really make the difference in one's mindset and happiness during a trip. To your points about paying for the room outright instead of burning points, my challenge is I'm more extreme when it comes to paying for a hotel, I prefer to find a good value 2 star hotel, lol and then the aloft/Four Points would come into play as options since I'd like to minimize cost outright even though you have a good point about the value you're getting with the $50 difference per night..@Kalboz @gora14 thanks for your pics - it really sealed the deal for me - great pictures.
Do really appreciate this discussion and everyone's input, I've gone ahead and booked 5 nights at the ROS as a placeholder while I look into the feasibility/desire to fly up to Chiang Mai for 2 nights, then back to Bangkok for the remaining 3 nights, or just keep it low key and do 5 nights in Bangkok knowing that I can return another time and do Chiang Mai.
Last edited by HankAAFlyer; Jul 28, 2019 at 3:20 pm