yosithezet

It simply isn't possible ONLINE to redeem for more that 2 people. Call and it should be ok.


I suggest you ask in the hotel's master thread http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/starw...er-thread.html as you're likely to find more hotel-specific information there.

hgadhia

Have an upcoming stay in Bangkok for 3 nights and need advice on which *wood property to book. I've read a lot of this thread + some of the individual hotel threads and haven't found a full answer yet.

My situation:

* I'm Plat50+
* First time in Bangkok and we're here for tourism/seeing the sites
* Four of us -- two adults and two infants (ages 3 & 5)
* Getting upgraded to a nice suite that can accomodate all four of us is the most important thing. and for us, having a door that separates bedroom from living room is vital to make sure that the kids' bedtime is not the same as our bedtime.

So my primary considerations are (in order of importance):

1. The property that will most likely upgrade us to an appropriate/ comfortable suite.
2. Location that is suited for seeing the sites
3. Best pool area
4. Hotel that is family friendly & has very good breakfast

So with that said, which Bangkok property would you suggest I book?

yosithezet

ROS: The suite I saw was a bit small. It would suit the rest of your needs though transportation in/out with the two young children might be a bit tiring.

StR: I wouldn't recommend it. I can't imagine it being very family friendly and the pool is smallish. It is on the skytrain so that will make getting around easier.

LeM BKK: Not so easy to get around with the kids IMO. The suites would do the trick though I think they have sliding doors rather than a closing door. Can't recall.

SGS: Fits the bill for everything you are looking for.

Plaza Athenee LeM: Suites would be perfect for you IMO. Big pool. Great breakfast Getting to the skytrain a bit of a schlep but easier than the LeM BKK.

As for suites, are you willing to use your Suite Night Awards for this stay?

jaejaez

Based on your criteria, I would vote for the Royal Orchid Sheraton.
1. Good (if not great) upgrade ratio
2. Great location for sightseeing (though a fair distance away from CBD/Downtown)
3. Good pools
4. Good breakfast & definitly family friendly (e.g. no throngs of free-lancers in the nearby precinct as per WGS/SGS/Four Pts/LM BKK)

Lobster

If having a suite is as vital as you say then I would say you should book one. Yes the Bangkok SPG hotels have a good track record of upgrading Plats to suites but it is by no means 100%.

azepine00

Contact the property directly. An upsell is very reasonable and quite possibly they will confirm you without extra $. I will be at ros with two younger kids in a few days - pm me if you have any specific questions.

starpoint_galaxy

I'm SPG 200+ with Ambassador and stay in Bangkok nearly 175+ nights a year.

For your requirements, the Royal Orchid Sheraton is best, hands down.

The ROS has the Sheraton Boat, which really gives you a feel of the actual city and the river, which is the true heart and soul of Bangkok. The ROS has two pools and the garden pool is very "kid friendly"... There is plenty of family oriented things to do along the river (temples, floating markets, etc.)... lots to see; you can request an executive suite, and depending on occupancy, you have a good chance to get it (instead of junior suite). Breakfast is fine for family and kids with a river view.

Personally, I don't consider the properties on Sukhumvit Road or Surawong "kid friendly" because they are in the heart of the various red-light type of areas, which are great for many; but not nearly as "kid friendly" as the ROS which is far from that type of "activity" to view.

I really love most properties in Bangkok and have stayed at all of them many times; but some more than others; and without a doubt the most "kid friendly" property in Bangkok is the ROS, IM(NS)HO.

jaejaez

A bit OT but WOW...

yosithezet

I strongly disagree. The various red-light districts are not going to color a stay at the SGS. Someone with young kids is going to be heading out to the BTS or across the bridge to Robinsons and Terminal 21. While they may be out during the day it will be typical street vendors on the sidewalks. Their kids will be going to bed early so they'll be hanging out in the hotel in the evening, not dodging the sidewalk pubs at 2AM. My kids were 11 and 8 when they stayed at the WGS and they weren't exposed to anything that wasn't kid friendly.

starpoint_galaxy

Yes, perhaps.... I considered that in my reply; but there is more to "kid friendly" than you mention. There is "the river"... "the boat" ... "the real Bangkok life" ... all of which come from the river and the river life.

There is nothing really interesting for kids or first time tourists on Sukumvit compared to a day on the river, time at the temples, maybe the Grand Palace, the Temple of the Dawn or the Emerald Buddha, or even Wat Po.. all of which are on the river.

Of course, you can respectfully and kindly disagree as strongly as you want (that's what forums are for, right?); yet, I also stand behind my view that two pools at the ROS and the river life there is much better (fun and educational) for kids than Sukhumvit. There are plenty of street vendors in the Sapan Taksin area so there is nothing that unique on Sukhumvit that cannot be found in any major city.

Thailand is a country rich in history and culture and anyone would be very hard pressed to find a Thai who would say "the Sukhumvit area is the real Bangkok"... true heart of Bangkok is the river; and the heart of Thailand are her busy rivers, the mountains, the jungle, the beaches and sea, the people of Issan, the people of the North, the temples, the royal projects, etc.

Kids should see the real Thailand as an education, some maybe once in a lifetime, to see the heart and soul of a great nation of people and their culture, not an overly commercial and touristy area like Sukhumvit/Asok where myriad stands selling porn DVDs, fake viagra and other sex-related drugs, and sex toys are now common place. (Should I take video and post next month when in Bangkok at all the porn, sex toys and faux sex meds within two blocks of Suk/Asok?)

Then again, maybe we simply disagree in our view of "kid friendly" that's OK right? .... To each his own, let the original poster decide as it is their vacation and their small children.

starpoint_galaxy

Hi Jae!

Yah, looks like my final 2012 SW total will be 205 nights, 201 logged now for 2012 and 4 more to come starting on the 28th through next year in Malaysia, then back to Bangkok and who knows where after that!

(I'm thinking to cut down on SW next year and go for another major brand more, but SW has great properties in Thailand, especially Bangkok!)

mario33

I do sometimes get 'harassed' in that area, and if not for the convenience of Terminal 21, there is nothing of interest for a family traveling as tourists.

The ROS is clearly the winner here; resort setting, stunning views, the river, easy access to main tourist sights in Bangkok as well as to Ayutthaya etc etc

BTW the exec suites at the ROS is quite spacious, more so on the non-towers floors which are newly refurbished with slimmer furnitures. These suites 'feels' at least 50% larger than similar suites at the Westin.

starpoint_galaxy

Urban meaning of 'harassed' in that area:

'Handsome Man! What Hotel You Stay? Me Go With You??"

schley

While I would also choose the ROS for kids, I don't think the reason is that sex and porn are in the kid's faces if you stay at the SGS or WGS etc. You either take a taxi or the skytrain to the river if that is where you want to take the family for the day. You could also take the skytrain to Terminal 21 or to Paragon, MBK etc. and not have to be subjected to the street vendors. The whole purpose of having the BTS access for the SGS/WGS is to allow people convenient access to the rest of the city. It is there, use it.

If you are going to hit the river with the family sure it makes sense to hit the ROS, but if you stayed on Suk. it isn't like painting a picture of child abuse for what you are subjecting them to. So either way would work, but the ROS is more convenient.

pansted00

The area around SGS and WGS is fine during the day, but at night it gets raunchy wild.
Let's face it , within half a mile perimeter from these 2 properties you have 3 of the biggest sex markets in Bangkok : Nana Plaza, Soi Cowboy and Thermae .