Sphinx

Ditto re the great food at Bamboo Chic and the friendly and efficient service.

My only qualm was being subjected to the usual systemic problem of "fictiional" upgrades on check-in. Despite their admission of their current low occupancy rates, as well as my finding online availability of regular suites and the lower-category "circular rooms", I was not upgraded to either of them. Yet the check in agent was brave enough to claim that I was "upgraded" to a Vista room in the corner. When I explained that this was the same category that I originally booked, the lady mentioned my "long stay" of 19 days as a justification for the absence of the upgrade. Funnily enough, the Vista room they allocated to me was not even ready at the time (11 am).

A call to the wonderful SPG customer service in Singapore promptly solved the problem, and I got the Avantec suite.

I really look forward to the day when we do not need to resort external help to get our promised SPG entitlements.

Hamurabi2008

Can actually only agree with all previous posters:

Platinum Benefits are great. Hotel is modern, chic and very nice. The surrounding is not too great but it worked fine for my recent stay.

I received upgrade to a fantastic suite.

The fact that they print your SPG point status on the Instant Award leaflet was a first (for me).

Also the shower with two full separate showers inside was interesting.

I posted some photos on my Flickr account.

Included the Instant Award chart in case someone wondered.

Regards
Ham

mario33

If you are refering to your points balance, its pretty standard for hotels that offer instant awards.

olisch

For my next stay in Bangkok I plan to stay at Le Meridien. Though my flight to upcountry departs at 6 am I will leave the hotel at about 4:30 am.

Is it difficult to get a taxi at that late/early time, that is willing to get me to the airport with the taximeter on?

Or do I better just stay at Novotel Suvarnabhimi Airport simple to avoid any trouble with a taxi?

P.S. yes ... there are much smarter things in the world than to book an early flight like mine ...

delter

no problem at all with taxis there. the staff of the Le Meridien are extremely proactive when it comes to getting you a meter taxi

Golden Toque

And an English Speaking Taxi Driver, with a new taxi... That is what the Front Desk girl who walked us all the way out the door, flagged down, sending a couple on their way before picking our taxi.

alanslegal

I don't know if linking you up to another site is a 'no-no' but if I so may kindly provide my review of the LM BKK (warning - alot of photos though)

glennaa11

I arrive BKK around 7 AM next Wednesday. How likely is it I will be able to check in at LM when I arrive quite early in the AM? I am staying on a prepaid rate in a basic "Vista" room. I am an SPG member with no status. Thanks

I Claudius

Was here last weekend for 3 nights. It was our anniversary and I mentioned our hopes for a suite when making the booking. Arrived - no suites available but we get the circular bed room (we'd booked the cheapest room). Research that morning showed 9 suites available and only one circular bed. Didn't bother checking up again when we got to the room. I hate making a scene over things like that - British reserve.

There was a very nice cake waiting for us (saying Happy Honeymoon but at least they made the effort!) and the wireless internet was free - we got a passcode but that wasn't necessary. No problems with the wireless connection.

The room is small or feels small compared to other SPG BKK standard rooms. No views to speak of (22nd floor facing North, I'd guess). Comfy bed - softer mattress than the Athenee, thank the Lord.

Great cocktails in the lounge (Spicy Mohito - excellent) but if you don't like sushi there's not much else to munch on (spicy cashews are available). They also serve a great breakfast - almost as good as the SGS.

Very friendly staff and helpful concierge.

Main downsides for us were the small room, the terrible noises/musak they play in the lifts, the lobby, the bar, at breakfast, and the generally gloomy lighting. Some say it's cool and hip, we say pay more and stay at the SGS.

jaejaez

If I were you, I would email the hotel's reservation desk and let them know of your early arrival. Given that you have no status and that you have a basic room booked on a promptional rate, it may be a good idea to sound more polite than to come across as 'demanding' (FTers feel free to dispute me on this). Then give a call to the SPG hotline and ask them to help you let the hotel know that you will be arriving at 7 AM and any arrangements made to ready the room ASAP will be much appreciated.

Hotels are usually very accomodating to such requests unless of course they are very packed (with the exception of Westin Seoul, the only hotel in my experience that downright rejected this although they did not appear very packed).

Rusty65

I agree with JaeJaez's recommendations in general.

I would add that the hotels in BKK often have very early arriving guests due to the arrival times of international flights and some check in times are just too early. For example, I was understandably told to book the extra night for a 4 AM arrival.

I would suggest building in all of the wait and travel time when requesting the room following the steps laid out by Jaejaez. I just think there may be a cutoff for them and requesting an early checkin for 9AM (and 10 AM may be the safest) has a much stronger chance of being cleared as a 7 AM.

The computers at hotels must have a time when the next day "starts" and I would not be surprised if it is 8 or 9. Putting cushion time for your arrival through customs, luggage pickup, transport time and even possible delay may be helpful. If everyone does what they need to do and clears a room for a 9 AM or 10 AM arrival, there is a good chance it will be available for you when you arrive even if you get there a bit early.

seanthepilot

This is a problem in both of their hotels (Le Meridien Bangkok & Chiang Mai)

The music is supposed to be quiet background music. But the people regulating the volume have obviously never been to any of the other Le Meridians worldwide. In this hotel the music is loud and bothersome. In the elevator, it's painfully loud.

Here's a test, and an example...

In the elevator, once I've exited to my floor, from meters down the hall (until the doors close) I can still hear it. In fact, I find it still piercingly loud meters from the elevator. Maybe the management can try going to the room levels, and listen to the volume (elevator noise) from 10 feet back.

here are the sounds from the Starwood site...
https://www.starwoodhotels.com/lemer...html?id=STRUCK

macabus

I stayed at the LM Vienna a few weeks ago and had similar issues.

The music wasn't as loud as the LM Bankgok, but it was totally disconnected from the ambiance of this majestic city.

I don't want to hear crashing waves first thing in the morning and galloping horses before bedtime.

yosithezet

The music is horrible. I have yet to meet anyone that likes it. At some properties it is just totally out of place, as is much of the branding. Le Meridien Pune and Le Meridien Bangalore are two examples. The run-down, old-school style of the places makes the music and the black/white branding sound and look out of place. This is not music for an old elevator. In new elevators it is also annoying regardless of volume.

alanslegal

I sit on the other side of the fence and think the whole music vibe at this LM is trendy! I thought the music in The Latest Recipe was cool and the volume was perfect

I know its a subjective thing, which is probably directly proportional to age, I'm 29yo fwiw.