Marriott Bonvoy hotels in Bangkok, Thailand
 

for those wanting an update on events here you can read them over in the Starwood forum which continues to allow posts on what's up here as some travelers to BKK are interested if their future stay will be OK (such as last protest which led to both the Ren & CY being closed, sandbagged and barbed wired) and safe, especially with these 2 properties being w/i a stones throw of Police HQ which has always been a venue of anti-gov't forces...........
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starw...it-hotels.html

I've never edited, deleted or complained about a post on current political conditions in Thailand. Feel free to post such information -- briefly -- in the Marriott forum.

Bruce
Moderator

expect anti-gov't folks to rally again this coming week, for at least a week, and try to shut down major parts of the city including Ratchadamnern (old downtown) and Rajaprasong Police HQ (w/i spitting distance of both Ren & CY) along with 18-other currently unannounced venues (but IMO Asoke will be targetted).....

SkyTrain is an option, but expect it to be like Tokyo during rush hour.....

IMO, neither airport are expected to be targetted, but getting transport into the city will be a problem as intersections are blocked.....

update : the anti-govt leaders have announced their intent to close down Bangkok on 13 Jan with largest group of opposition members including electric/water cuts to gov't offices and bring functioning gov't to a complete standstill...

one nighter stays at Ren, JW, Marriott on Suk 57
 

Ok, my first marriott stays in BKK. As a new gold member (being a United 1K), I decided to try out the Marriotts in Bangkok. Given that I'm a SPG Plat, it is hard to adjust as a lowly Marriott gold. The first night was spent at Renaissance, and was upgraded to a room on the club lounge floor. I really hate the "glass" wall separeting the bathroom and the bedroom. The toilet was not even covered. At the bare minimum, a blind should be available. I don't think I would like to see my spouse using the toilet. Anyhow, as far as lounge goes, it is decent. The location is not all that great, it is still a hike just to get out onto Suk. Second night was spent at JW Marriott, again, hate the location; it is quite far to the BTS, and when it seems quite dangerous to walk around late at night, since the street is not well lit. Then, the Marriott on Suk 57, a bit out of the way, but is closer to the BTS compared to JW. However, the showers only can get up to "warm" water not hot. Water pressure is fine. Lounge offering is limited, but club access guests can have breakfast downstairs. Breakfast offering is pale in comparision to those of SPG (LM, Plaza Athenee, and Sheraton Grande). Not sold on the Marriott program nor the hotels in BKK (sorry Marriott folks). And I will continue to be loyal to SPG.

There is a motor-driven blind for privacy. You must've not noticed the switch for it. Problem with SPG there is no free bfast unless you are Plat. They do have nice coverage for Thailand though

Evident you are just trying to trash Marriott and have no idea what you are talking about. The motorized blind is a case in point.

Also it is a 2 minute walk to Ploenchit from the Ren. How short do you need it. The Executive Lounge at the Ren is fabulous with lots of choices to eat at night and an excellent breakfast including an omlette station.

JW Marriott is in a completely safe area at all times of day and is a 5 minute walk to the Skytrain.

Since I have never stayed at Sukhumvit 57 I will just assume you are comletely wrong on that as well>

Not sure what sink considers a bit out of the way in terms of what and how far. Thong Lor has some of my favorite spots in the city. There's a small french restaurant very close to Suk57 with the best prepared lobster around. Take a stroll inside soi 55 and you'll find many gems. If the NEP environment is your style, then yes Suk57 may be a bit out of the way. One can cut down the schlep to the sky train by simply hopping on the friendly neighborhood motorbike.

I've spent many a days around JW at all hours of the day. It's completely safe. One may not recognize the security but it's there. Likely as a result of diplomats, heads of state, VIPs staying at JW. Don't stand in the intersection of soi 4 and you'll be fine ;)

Just visited Bangkok for the first time. Stayed 4 nights at the Ren using Cat 5 certs. I made it a habbit to contact all hotels where I`m elite upfront of a stay, advising them of my reservation and asking for benefits. At the Ren, I got upgraded to a Club Studio after my email and that`s exactly where I ended up.

The property is absolutely fabulous! Great location, train station right in front of it. Several huge malls around the corner, 15 minute walk to Sukhumvit party area. The building and the rooms are in very good shape, I love the style and feel. Staff was outstanding, always doing more than they needed.

The lounge is probably the best I`ve been to so far, only downside is that no tables were available in the evenings every time we got there so we had to wait or take a seat at the couch table areas. I always have eggs benedict for breakfast (try their R style eggs with spinach and special sauce), the third and fourth morning they brought them already without me ordering them a few moments after I walked into the lounge. That`s what I call service!

So all in all, one of the best hotel stays I`ve ever had!

I only have two negative points: The pool was too cold. It`s semi-outside and not heated. 18 degree celcius is no fun to go into. Second point, as a Plat you gt a free 15 minute head and shoulder massage. I asked if it can be extended to 30-60 minutes against payment and they said no, they don`t offer that. Very odd.

Here`s the infoletter with the benefits you receive when placed on the executive floor. I used the free laundry cleaning 3 times for dress shirt, suite jacket and pants.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...-renlounge.jpg

the recent, but now gone, 17C mornings with 22C highs wouldn't help the pool temp, but honestly the pool doesn't get much warmer even in the summer.......

this is TH.....nearly everything is for sale.....they had to misunderstand what you wanted as no way were they gonna say no to money...... (but you need to understand the Thai way of saying they understand but have absolutely NO idea what you are saying)......

You could be right, or maybe not. In any way it doesn`t matter because it doesn`t affect the impression I got of the hotel overall which should be noted since you only referred to my "negative" comments.

the 20-intersections targetted for anti-gov't protests and closure on 13 Jan are -

1) Uruphong
2) Charoenpol
3) Hua Lamphong
4) Bang Rak
5) Silom
6) Sam Yan
7) Phaya Thai
8) Ratchathewi
9) The Victory Monument
10) Siam Square
11) Lat Phrao five-way intersection
12) Din Daeng
13) Pratunam
14) Ratchaprasong (Ren & CY)
15) Lumpini
16) Klong Toey
17) Asok
18) Ratchadamnoen
19) Petchaburi
20) Yaowarat

I am certainly not an expert but so far his Bark has been way worse then his bite.

He has not shown the ability to close multiple locations because he does not have enough followers or paid followers.

I hope this continues because if he can pull anything like this off then the Military is likely to step in again.

Since I have some good friends who have had their lives turned upside down since they live in the one area they have consistently demonstrated , I am anxious for them to resolve it some how even if it is the military.

Cancelled our February 2 trip. Going to the Caribbean to relax instead. Will look into rebooking when things are resolved. Thank you for all the updates. We were staying at the Renaissance, and it was very helpful to know how the demonstrations affected that particular property.

As a reference point, we typically stay at the Sheraton Grande and Westin Grande. Love the new Terminal 21. It is so easy and convenient. Sheraton Grande have a direct BTS access, while the stairs to the BTS is just in front of Westin. So, it is great for lazy people like us. I would love it if Ren is located right off of Suk. I just found Central World and love the numerous selection of restaurants there. I am not in the business of trashing Marriott, I just wanted to share a SPG Plat perspective. And since Marriott gold is equilivent to SPG Platinum in terms of number of nights to qualify (and only 25 stays to qualifty for SPG), I am just comparing the "treatment" I personnally received from Marriott's and SPGs in Bangkok.

I was really scared walking back late at night to JW when the street, and a BKK friend told me about three men robbing tourists (not sure if it is rumor or what). I did not read about it in the news though. But, I was surely scared.

Crossing any street in BKK is dangerous in my opionion. So, I prefer to cross with pedestrian bridge if possible. So, to me JW (Soi 4; although small, traffic is very busy) and Marriott 57 walking to the BTS is a bit tough (Soi 55 is Thong Lo).

Although it is great to gain lounge access as a lowly Marriott gold (Marriott's lounges have SPG beat), but the SPG Plat benefit for suite upgrades and breakfast in the restaurant is better in "my opinion".

I thought it was odd to not have blinds, but I did not find the switch for it.

So bottom line, I apologize to anyone who thought I was trashing Ren/JW/Bangkok Marriott.