Sep 21, 2014, 10:57 am
Last edit by: ElevatorEnthusiast
Hotel email address: [email protected]
OR: [email protected]
Lounge: [email protected]
Le Royal Club Benefits + Facilities (As of Feb 20, 2019)
OR: [email protected]
Lounge: [email protected]
Le Royal Club Benefits + Facilities (As of Feb 20, 2019)
The Athenee Hotel (formerly Plaza Athenee), Bangkok, Thailand [Master Thread]
Oct 5, 2010, 8:10 am
#451
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Calgary
Programs: A Few
Posts: 2,339
TA can be great...but you need to read between the lines carefully.
Oct 5, 2010, 9:03 am
#452
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: IAD
Programs: Chase Million Miler, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 2,729
i have read a lot of reviews on tripadvisor that don't make sense....some people give the property a bad review because of things that are beyond the properties control....some people give bad reviews when they don't get certain things in their rooms (things that they are not entitled to but don't know that)....
i often travel to some cities where there is no major hotel chain & i have to end up staying in a small individual hotel or guest house....90% of the time the reviews on tripadvisor do not do justice to these properties....i once read a review where someone was upset about not getting free breakfast when the hotel did not offer breakfast for free to anyone....another poster gave a budget property a bad review because there was no restaurant in the hotel....these are things we here on ft research before making a booking....
i often travel to some cities where there is no major hotel chain & i have to end up staying in a small individual hotel or guest house....90% of the time the reviews on tripadvisor do not do justice to these properties....i once read a review where someone was upset about not getting free breakfast when the hotel did not offer breakfast for free to anyone....another poster gave a budget property a bad review because there was no restaurant in the hotel....these are things we here on ft research before making a booking....
But as you point out, the overall review takes a beating for one little thing, and I take that into account when evaluating my options. If the location seems good and the price is right, a handful of poor TA reviews affect my decision only if the negatives are things I care about.
Oct 5, 2010, 9:16 am
#453
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: All the wrong places..
Programs: SQ TPP, BA Gold, Hyatt Life Glob, SPG/Marriott Life Plat,
Posts: 3,371
I can't take TA seriously most of the time I read it. I read about a property I know well every now and then and I rarely recognise it from the guff on TA. It's also far too easily manipulated by properties etc.
Having said that I am not sure how LM is up there..... 
The PA was very good at cleverly building up a loyal little fan club on here, and kudos to them for being pro-active in doing it. Now they clearly need to do the same on TA, which bearing in mind how easy it is to 'work the system' on there, shouldn't be too difficult.
Oct 5, 2010, 8:09 pm
#454
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: SEA(sia)
Posts: 5,181
I wouldnt say its completely fake (maybe partially fake), the average poster on TripAdvisor is probably more used to staying at Days Inn rather than Le Meridien, and in all likelihood the first time visiting Bangkok (if not the first time abroad). As I have mentioned many times, just look at the ratings on TA for Hanoi hotels, for years the top 5 are locally run motels ......
Oct 6, 2010, 2:26 am
#455
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,682
I wouldnt say its completely fake (maybe partially fake), the average poster on TripAdvisor is probably more used to staying at Days Inn rather than Le Meridien, and in all likelihood the first time visiting Bangkok (if not the first time abroad). As I have mentioned many times, just look at the ratings on TA for Hanoi hotels, for years the top 5 are locally run motels ......
Oct 6, 2010, 4:58 am
#456
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: South Korea
Posts: 1,168
I always thought, as the selfish person that I am 
, that there is no real benefit in me writing positive reviews for a property, ALL THE MORE if my stay was a good one and i look forward to frequenting that property going forth.
If i write positive reviews on TA/FT/TVcity/etc, more customers will come to that property (given that as dumb as TA may be, it still has a huge influence over many traveller's decisions), and the more customers the property enjoys, the more crowded it will get, and the more the prices are likely to rise (if we apply the law of demand & supply strictly at its face value).
I do not want the properties I frequent and love staying at to get busier - this leads to service levels being spread out (less staff to attend to my needs), upward pressure on the rates, or downward pressure on things like freebies to attract more customers.
... of course with apt management capabilities this would not happen - that no matter how much business it enjoys, it will still retain its level of sevice while keeping prices down etc... but unfortunately not all managements perform so well and better business more often than not leads to unfavorable consequences in many hotels across the chain.
not that i go around writing bad reviews on the hotels i like to help make it as empty as possible... it's just a thought which i think is still worth noting?? 
, that there is no real benefit in me writing positive reviews for a property, ALL THE MORE if my stay was a good one and i look forward to frequenting that property going forth.If i write positive reviews on TA/FT/TVcity/etc, more customers will come to that property (given that as dumb as TA may be, it still has a huge influence over many traveller's decisions), and the more customers the property enjoys, the more crowded it will get, and the more the prices are likely to rise (if we apply the law of demand & supply strictly at its face value).
I do not want the properties I frequent and love staying at to get busier - this leads to service levels being spread out (less staff to attend to my needs), upward pressure on the rates, or downward pressure on things like freebies to attract more customers.
... of course with apt management capabilities this would not happen - that no matter how much business it enjoys, it will still retain its level of sevice while keeping prices down etc... but unfortunately not all managements perform so well and better business more often than not leads to unfavorable consequences in many hotels across the chain.
not that i go around writing bad reviews on the hotels i like to help make it as empty as possible...
it's just a thought which i think is still worth noting??
Oct 14, 2010, 7:34 am
#457
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: Hertz PC, Hilton DMD, IHG Spire Amb, Bonvoy Titanium Elite & WoH Globalist
Posts: 8,076
No apologies necessary ...
Oct 17, 2010, 9:45 pm
#458
Company Representative -Le Meridien Plaza Athenee Bangkok
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 77
Up 4 notches to # 56 http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...l-Bangkok.html
No apologies necessary ...
No apologies necessary ...
Best regards,
Plaza Athenee, BKK (Starwood)
Oct 19, 2010, 12:16 pm
#460
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: YYC
Posts: 1,876
Just added this to FFB and noticed it was not posted here:
Earn up to 5,000 Bonus Starpoints for stays on the Best Flexible Rate at the Plaza Athénée Bangkok, A Royal Méridien Hotel
* 1,000 bonus points for a 1-night stay
* 2,000 bonus points for a 2-night stay
* 3,000 bonus points for a 3-night stay
* 4,000 bonus points for a 4-night stay
* 5,000 bonus points for a 5-night stay and more
Valid for stays until January 15, 2011.
http://deals.lemeridien.com/Plaza-At...ok-1846/so.htm
Earn up to 5,000 Bonus Starpoints for stays on the Best Flexible Rate at the Plaza Athénée Bangkok, A Royal Méridien Hotel
* 1,000 bonus points for a 1-night stay
* 2,000 bonus points for a 2-night stay
* 3,000 bonus points for a 3-night stay
* 4,000 bonus points for a 4-night stay
* 5,000 bonus points for a 5-night stay and more
Valid for stays until January 15, 2011.
http://deals.lemeridien.com/Plaza-At...ok-1846/so.htm
Oct 20, 2010, 9:30 am
#461
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAX, PSP
Programs: SPG & CO Plat.
Posts: 3,143
The photos available on google images are representative of reality.
The canapes are nice, seem to follow a theme of sorts every night, but are usually high quality. It's good, well done lounge food. One supposes you can make a light meal of it, but that's not what why it is put out. Often there are "cones" that comprise a very thin crispy wafer cone stuffed with anything from mango and sticky rice to smoked salmon. (Tastes and looks a lot fancier than my meager words can describe). A nice variety of sweets, nuts, bar snacks and cakes as well.
Drinks are ordered from the lounge staff who come to your table. I don't know whether their is a limit to the number of drinks you can order. If there is, neither I nor any guest of mine has ever reached it.
I'm told, by some who know these things, that the wines are very nice.
Finally, the staff in the lounge is generally excellent. Some have worked there for a few years and have mastered the art of service. (But, I note, some are better than others.)
Hope this helps, and Safe Travels!
Oct 20, 2010, 3:14 pm
#462
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SNA/LAX
Programs: Hertz PC, Hilton DMD, IHG Spire Amb, Bonvoy Titanium Elite & WoH Globalist
Posts: 8,076
The Club Lounge is very nice.
The canapes are nice, seem to follow a theme of sorts every night, but are usually high quality. It's good, well done lounge food. One supposes you can make a light meal of it, but that's not what why it is put out. Often there are "cones" that comprise a very thin crispy wafer cone stuffed with anything from mango and sticky rice to smoked salmon. (Tastes and looks a lot fancier than my meager words can describe). A nice variety of sweets, nuts, bar snacks and cakes as well.
The canapes are nice, seem to follow a theme of sorts every night, but are usually high quality. It's good, well done lounge food. One supposes you can make a light meal of it, but that's not what why it is put out. Often there are "cones" that comprise a very thin crispy wafer cone stuffed with anything from mango and sticky rice to smoked salmon. (Tastes and looks a lot fancier than my meager words can describe). A nice variety of sweets, nuts, bar snacks and cakes as well.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bangkok...ee/4726758891/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/uggboy/4009030707/
Drinks are ordered from the lounge staff who come to your table. I don't know whether their is a limit to the number of drinks you can order. If there is, neither I nor any guest of mine has ever reached it.
and you can either do self service or ask for refills.
I'm told, by some who know these things, that the wines are very nice.
Oct 21, 2010, 4:30 pm
#463
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,682
i really wanted to stay here during the new year but i eventually decided to go with the new four points....i need 7 rooms for 6 nights & the thb 1,990 rate was too good to pass up....
Dec 14, 2010, 2:57 pm
#464
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: IAD
Programs: Chase Million Miler, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 2,729
The Club Lounge is very nice. Spacious, three large rooms and one more intimate alcove. Floor to ceiling windows offering a nice view of the city.
The photos available on google images are representative of reality.
The canapes are nice, seem to follow a theme of sorts every night, but are usually high quality. It's good, well done lounge food. One supposes you can make a light meal of it, but that's not what why it is put out. Often there are "cones" that comprise a very thin crispy wafer cone stuffed with anything from mango and sticky rice to smoked salmon. (Tastes and looks a lot fancier than my meager words can describe). A nice variety of sweets, nuts, bar snacks and cakes as well.
Drinks are ordered from the lounge staff who come to your table. I don't know whether their is a limit to the number of drinks you can order. If there is, neither I nor any guest of mine has ever reached it.
I'm told, by some who know these things, that the wines are very nice.
Finally, the staff in the lounge is generally excellent. Some have worked there for a few years and have mastered the art of service. (But, I note, some are better than others.)
Hope this helps, and Safe Travels!
The photos available on google images are representative of reality.
The canapes are nice, seem to follow a theme of sorts every night, but are usually high quality. It's good, well done lounge food. One supposes you can make a light meal of it, but that's not what why it is put out. Often there are "cones" that comprise a very thin crispy wafer cone stuffed with anything from mango and sticky rice to smoked salmon. (Tastes and looks a lot fancier than my meager words can describe). A nice variety of sweets, nuts, bar snacks and cakes as well.
Drinks are ordered from the lounge staff who come to your table. I don't know whether their is a limit to the number of drinks you can order. If there is, neither I nor any guest of mine has ever reached it.
I'm told, by some who know these things, that the wines are very nice.
Finally, the staff in the lounge is generally excellent. Some have worked there for a few years and have mastered the art of service. (But, I note, some are better than others.)
Hope this helps, and Safe Travels!
According to a lounge attendant, the canape offerings rotate from each restaurant in the hotel. On the night we arrived, they had offerings from their award winning french restaurant. Unfortunately, we were stuffed (and exhausted) from our flight, and were unaware of the selection-du-jor, so we missed out on them
Dec 14, 2010, 3:05 pm
#465
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ*G, Mar LTT, Hyatt Glb, AA LTG, LY, HH, IC, BA, DL, UA SLV
Posts: 12,019
