remymartin

The Sheraton in Cha-Am is really nothing to write home about, unless you can dwell in a pool for hours on end. There's nothing wrong with it, but the rooms are really... Sheraton. It can be had for rather reasonable rates, though.

The Sheraton in Pattaya is a completely different style resort, though. The pools aren't that great, but the villas can be nice if you manage to get upgraded to one.

Neither property has a very good beach.

geminidreams

I think it would be easier to go to the LM in Bangkok and soak up the sleaze and entertainment on the doorstep than Pattaya. Then again the SGS is a short walk to Soi Cowboy. Beaches in Pattaya are pretty ordinary.

pricesquire

I'm sorta seeing a trend to the Le Meridien over the St. Regis...no?

remymartin

pricesquire - LM is Cat3 and StR Cat6. Rates are about double at the latter. LM is very good value, but its location is an acquired taste.

pricesquire

FWIW, not looking to redeem points...

While I agree that rates are 1/2 as much at the LM, the StR looks like a good opportunity to double my potential earning balance by the end of my trip.

By acquired taste, you mean ___?

remymartin

StR is an excellent property and unlike yosithezet wrote, I can get into a shopping centre in 5 minutes on foot. It is next to the Four Seasons and has stunning views from the Grand Deluxe rooms.

geminidreams

LM is right opposite Patpong market. There are a lot of gogo bars and ping pong touts to deal with but the market is similar to other markets around Bangkok, there are a few bars with live music and a lot of restaurants. It is not as convenient to the BTS but is 10 min walk from Sala Daeng stop which is the next station on from the StR so its actually not very far if you want to visit there. I like to spend 3 or 4 nights there on a trip, the hotel is good and the Plat recognition is excellent. Some here don't like the sleaze aspect on the doorstep but the wife and I like to have a few drinks listening to live music and wander about the market whilst easily being able to slip back to the hotel. Then again I regularly spend 3 - 4 days at most other SPG hotels in Bangkok except for ROS as each area has its own attractions and advantages. I don't go to ROS as the location is inconvenient and the river isn't my thing. I like both the StR and SGS but don't stay often because usually other hotels have much better rates and Im usually stayin 2 - 3 weeks so value for money starts to become important.

jaejaez

Plaza Athenee is now my favourite SPG hotel in Bangkok, if not all of Thailand.
SGS falls to 2nd place for me now, the service at PA was simply phenomenal this time round.

yosithezet

Excellent hard product and in my 3 stays, poor soft product.

5 mins by foot into which shopping mall?

remymartin

Central World, Zen entrance.

cln

you must have very fast shoes

pricesquire

OK, I've pretty much got it down to the St. Regis, on hard-product alone.

Usually don't care about soft product, as I rarely eat in hotels, use the services, or really "need" any assistance. I recognize soft product is a huge +/- for a lot of people, but it's not my shtick.

Anyways, the only thing that has me holding back on the StR is the location. Seems a bit sterile. How easy is the train to use? Let's say I'm out late and tipsy...is the train going to be a burden?

In short, what's the next best thing as far as hard product?

remymartin

Easy - just split up those 4 nts into 2 stays in 2 different areas. StRegis for shopping etc and SGS (Sukhumvit) or LM (Surawong) for a livelier location.

pricesquire

Good idea.

Dr. HFH

I believe that there's a walkway from the hotel directly into the Skytrain station. I don't think that it's quite as easy as the similar arrangement at SGS, where the walkway to the Skytrain goes directly from the main entrance (the main entrance at SGS is a fairly tall floor up from ground level), but nearly so. IIRC, the hotel end of the walkway between the Skytrain and StR is in a somewhat less obvious location than the front door, but once you find it the first time, you're fine.