Dec 3, 2019, 8:50 pm
Bangkok Marriott Hotel The Surawongse, Thailand [Master Thread]
Dec 13, 2018, 8:29 am
#76
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Just a heads up that the reason many of us are so focused on BTS is we don't like taking cabs in Bangkok. The traffic can be really awful and the experience itself can be difficult due to drivers not speaking English and/or attempting to charge off-meter. It's usually okay from the hotel, getting back is the challenge.
Dec 13, 2018, 8:06 pm
#77
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Not to be too pedantic but it's either 200 THB on a private concession boat which runs from Banglampoo (close to the river pier Phra Athit) OR 14 baht on the regular Saen Saep ferry which ends at Saphan Pan Fa (bridge).
Dec 13, 2018, 9:45 pm
#78
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 19
Just a heads up that the reason many of us are so focused on BTS is we don't like taking cabs in Bangkok. The traffic can be really awful and the experience itself can be difficult due to drivers not speaking English and/or attempting to charge off-meter. It's usually okay from the hotel, getting back is the challenge.
We would be here one night. Taxi/Grab to property, relax at pool, rooftop bar, lounge, then maybe taxi/GRAB to dinner and a bar then back, but after two days of international travel I'm guessing we'll be exhausted and stay in or lay low.This would be for a long overnight layover. We are returning to Bangkok the following week for 2-3 days of exploring.
Dec 13, 2018, 9:48 pm
#79
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 19
This property is a great off-location hotel with the infinity pool and all the slightly nicer perks you don't really get with the other hotels. Most importantly the property is still new, so the staff are very willing to go an extra mile to accommodate to guests, especially elite folks.
Depends on what you value and what you want to do? BKK is a big city, there are many districts offering a different atmosphere. Most people stay at the chitlom/saladaeng strip along the BTS because it's where all the mega malls are concentrated at, and all the 5 stars chain hotels all set up shop there, and you literally do not need to cross the streets on the ground, they have skywalks that links you from malls to malls, which is extra helpful in the sweltering midday heat.
If you are a fan of night markets/street food/wholesale shopping malls like us, try researching the Novotel at the Platinum Mall. It's a little far from the BTS (say 10 min walk), but you are in the middle of literally everything. They have night markets that go from 6-7pm to 1am, and another group set up shop from 4-7am, you also get the regular street vendors spread through everywhere through the day as well. It's also beside the canal where you can take a 100 baht boat ride to the main river that takes you to Chao Phraya River.
Back to your question, depends on what kind of action. The nightlife and bars at Silom are about 15 min cab away. If you want to go to those fancy restaurants in Sukhumvit, can take up to 30 without traffic, sometimes an hour or more during peak hours.
Depends on what you value and what you want to do? BKK is a big city, there are many districts offering a different atmosphere. Most people stay at the chitlom/saladaeng strip along the BTS because it's where all the mega malls are concentrated at, and all the 5 stars chain hotels all set up shop there, and you literally do not need to cross the streets on the ground, they have skywalks that links you from malls to malls, which is extra helpful in the sweltering midday heat.
If you are a fan of night markets/street food/wholesale shopping malls like us, try researching the Novotel at the Platinum Mall. It's a little far from the BTS (say 10 min walk), but you are in the middle of literally everything. They have night markets that go from 6-7pm to 1am, and another group set up shop from 4-7am, you also get the regular street vendors spread through everywhere through the day as well. It's also beside the canal where you can take a 100 baht boat ride to the main river that takes you to Chao Phraya River.
Back to your question, depends on what kind of action. The nightlife and bars at Silom are about 15 min cab away. If you want to go to those fancy restaurants in Sukhumvit, can take up to 30 without traffic, sometimes an hour or more during peak hours.
Still can't decide between this property, Athenee, or Marriott Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit
We would stay at a different property on our 3 days in BKK two weeks later. Just looking for a comfortable, pampering layover where we could go out if we desired.
My husband is lifetime plat with Marriott so we would have lounge access and a potential (although never counting on it) upgrade
Dec 13, 2018, 10:22 pm
#80
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Dulles, VA
Programs: UA Life Gold, Marriott Life Titanium
Posts: 2,757
I would recommend staying anywhere but the Surawongse for your first time in BKK. Honestly, with that location, I wouldn't stay there if it was free. Stay at one of the places in Ratchaprasong - the Athenee is one - or along Suk. Marriott Suk 57 (Bangkok Marriott) is fine as well.
As for transportation, taxis to/from the airport are fine, but otherwise, avoid them. Tuk-tuks are the same. Uber/Lyft/GRAB are bad options as well. Any vehicle on the street that's not a motorcycle will take you way more time than you expect to get anywhere. Use public transportation whenever possible and hoof it the rest of the time.
As for transportation, taxis to/from the airport are fine, but otherwise, avoid them. Tuk-tuks are the same. Uber/Lyft/GRAB are bad options as well. Any vehicle on the street that's not a motorcycle will take you way more time than you expect to get anywhere. Use public transportation whenever possible and hoof it the rest of the time.
Jan 3, 2019, 10:58 pm
#81
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,252
Currently lounging by the pool at Marriott The Surawongse, there are quite a few Chinese here but no large tour groups and this is probably the nicest Marriott I’ve ever stayed at (taking the crown from Marriott Taipei). If you can put up with the location, it might be time to decamp here. Service has been excellent and I was upgraded to a Two Bedroom Residential Suite on top of that. Currently this hotel is pricing above all the other Marriott options which appears to be keeping the tour groups away. Just a question of if you can handle the location.
Jan 5, 2019, 5:39 pm
#82
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How did you find the location? According to Google Maps, it's a 19 minute walk to BTS Saphan Taksin, 17 minute walk to BTS Sala Daeng and a 15 minute walk to MRT Sam Yan. Consistent with your experience? I'd like to try the hotel, but adding 30-40 minutes (round trip) every time I walk out the front door doesn't really work for me.
Last edited by yosithezet; Jan 6, 2019 at 2:09 am
Jan 5, 2019, 8:36 pm
#83
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,252
How did you find the location? According to Google Maps, it's a 19 minute walk to BTS Saphan Taksin, 17 minute walk to BTS Sala Daeng and a 15 minute walk to MRT Sam Yan. Consistent with your experience? I'd like to try the hotel, but adding 30-40 minutes (round trip) every time I walk out the front door doesn't really work for me.
Should also add caveats that i) I actually quite like the location of the W vs. Sukhumvit so probably more comfortable with this location than most and ii) I'm not sure I'd be so happy with the location if it was April and maximum humidity, but at this time of year it's completely fine in my opinion.
Jan 5, 2019, 8:47 pm
#84
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: SPG Platinum, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 236
How did you find the location? According to Google Maps, it's a 19 minute walk to BTS Saphan Taksin, 17 minute walk to BTS Sala Daeng and a 15 minute walk to MRT Sam Yan. Consistent with your experience? I'd like to try the hotel, but adding 30-40 minutes (round trip) every time I walk out the front door doesn't really work for me.
Last edited by yosithezet; Jan 6, 2019 at 2:11 am Reason: Post move cleanup
Jan 5, 2019, 9:42 pm
#85
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Google Maps says about 14 minutes to Chong Nonsi. So a half hour round trip. As you mentioned, the location is going to be a problem for me, so I'll give it a pass for now.
Jan 6, 2019, 2:19 am
#86
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: SPG Platinum, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 236
for weekend or public holiday, just use the grab app to travel around, it's inexpensive.
Location is by far this property main weakness.
Jan 6, 2019, 5:41 am
#87
Join Date: May 2003
Location: TLL
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I thought the property was amazing and the staff were great. I'm a frequent traveler to Bangkok, so I wasn't bothered by the location, but if it was my first time and I was looking to do touristy stuff, I could see this as a bit annoying. I used Grab to get here and travel around from here without any issues (I had one friend who said they had Grab drivers who had problems finding the hotel, but I never had that issue). If you want to do things in Silom, the main action is about a 15 minute walk up the street.
Jan 6, 2019, 8:53 am
#88
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 123
Stayed here more than 10 times in 2018 and have always been treated extremely well. Lounge is amazing and can be a dinner replacement. They have a rotating menu and there was one night, they were serving sashimi. Breakfast is also top notch with freshly sliced mangos, baby coconuts and tons of protein. Other than perhaps the weird lobby smell, i absolutely love this Marriott property!
Jan 6, 2019, 11:58 am
#89
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,252
Agree with Jerremy that the evening lounge spread was probably one of the most impressive I’ve ever seen and if this wasn’t Bangkok could definitely be a meal replacement. Loved it mostly because of the sheer variety of healthy options rather than it being mostly fried things - about 10 different kinds of roasted vegetables, sun dried tomatoes, nuts, fruits, etc.
Breakfast was less spectacular (certainly a big step down from, say, having access to the full restaurant breakfast at The Athenee) but is still very good for a lounge.
Breakfast was less spectacular (certainly a big step down from, say, having access to the full restaurant breakfast at The Athenee) but is still very good for a lounge.
Jan 6, 2019, 5:46 pm
#90
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: SPG Platinum, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 236
Agree with Jerremy that the evening lounge spread was probably one of the most impressive I’ve ever seen and if this wasn’t Bangkok could definitely be a meal replacement. Loved it mostly because of the sheer variety of healthy options rather than it being mostly fried things - about 10 different kinds of roasted vegetables, sun dried tomatoes, nuts, fruits, etc.
Breakfast was less spectacular (certainly a big step down from, say, having access to the full restaurant breakfast at The Athenee) but is still very good for a lounge.
Breakfast was less spectacular (certainly a big step down from, say, having access to the full restaurant breakfast at The Athenee) but is still very good for a lounge.