Appreciate the questions. For me, having a pool with sun access is important, since I'm coming from a European winter. Breakfast for a platinum is relatively important and access to transportation, either public or private is key.

Yes, first trip to Bangkok. Spending five days there before heading down to Phuket.

All the FS Marriott properties provide breakfast for Plats, either in the lounge or the restaurant. Bangkok lounge breakfasts are very nice, very big and quieter than the restaurant. so that is a wash in your decision.

The Ren only has an indoor pool (someone recently corrected me on this!) and the JW's pool is sun-challenged most of the day. Queen's park has the biggest and sunniest pool. Unfortunately, transportation is an issue at that hotel, especially for a first trip IMO. While the FS is a little farther from the tourist areas, it is a minute from a BTS station and an easy ride everywhere. The pool is sunny. Plats usually get an UG to a two room suite with an awesome bathroom and another half bath. The neighborhood is less touristy. It's actually a neighborhood. That might be your best bet, IMO.

All the choices are good. You cannot go wrong. Enjoy your trip. And, BTW, in Bangkok public transportation is very convenient. It's usually the best choice because you avoid traffic.

You should consider the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit (SGS).

Contrary to what many people here say, I didn't find transportation to be an issue at the Queen's Park location. A <5 minute walk through a nice park to the BTS. I suppose it could be an issue outside of park hours or in a raging storm, but taxis are always an option. And even the walk down Soi 22 is not THAT long if the park is closed. That said, the QP and Courtyard are probably the longest walks to public transportation among the Bangkok Marriotts.

Recommended, definitely! The service, rooms, and amenities are much better than the JW Marriott - have spent 150 nights at the JWM and around 25 nights at this BKK Marriott Marquis.

However, the service at the lounge has slipped since our last stay. The original staff (such as Oil, Tipy, and others) are still excellent, but my impression of the new staffers is they are very lazy. The other night, I had to call 3 times for a drink to no avail until I spotted Khun Oil who promptly served me my favorite libation. Goji remains formidable with excellent service and delicious offerings. Pagoda, however, lacks in terms of service - more on that later. Management is also very accommodating and excellent in their dealing with guests. We were invited to attend the 37th floor ABar venues and were treated to awesome service, spectacular views, and comped food and signature drinks from Akira Sushi place on the 37th floor. All in all we concluded our 6 nights stays here very happy.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...ea49911074.jpg
Bagel station at Goji breakfast

Sorry to hear this.

Am I the only one who finds that bagel holder odd?

Does anyone know what the benefits are for gold members in this hotel? What's the chance of getting an upgrade to a suite?

1. Read the recent posts in this thread and
2. Read the hotel info listed in the International Sticky

As to a suite, get in the que. There are those who actually paid for suites along with X5s, X4s and P6s before they get to X1s as the comp suite guarantee is limited to P6s and above and further limited to 3-nights or less

If this is redemption stay you can completely forget about upgrades. The attitude of the Lounge staff is very bad when I asked for upgrades on my redemption stay and they simply said that is for paying customers. :td:

This is factually incorrect. It may be because I'm a Plat but I received an upgrade to a suite on a recent Megabonus cert redemption. YMMV.

Same here. I received a Suite upgrade using the Megabonus Cert redemption few days ago as a Plat.

In fact, I believe the standard Plat upgrade is to the M Suite, regardless whether the stay is paid, award, or cert. I felt the Plat recognition here was outstanding.

As a Gold, I would never expect an upgrade beyond executive floor from any Marriott.

I am looking at a stay here and will need a room for 3 which seems to be no problem (Teenage Daughter with us) and does not seem to attract additional charges when booking online with points. Does anyone have info on having a third person in the room as a PLT in respect of charges for the lounge?

I was just there last week and I do recall in the welcome letter outlining benefits there were additional charges listed for an extra person beyond 2 - for breakfast and evening cocktails. I think it was 500 bhat.

The extra charge was not per day but per each visit during breakfast and evening cocktails. So if you wanted to have her join you for breakfast it was 500 bhat and the later in the evening it would be another 500 bhat.