Jan 25, 2015, 3:52 pm
Le Meridien Bangkok, Thailand [Master Thread]
Sep 21, 2022, 10:34 pm
#1186
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Tokyo
Programs: Bonvoy LT Titanium ANA Diamond
Posts: 763
Sep 22, 2022, 2:07 am
#1187
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Switzerland
Programs: Bonvoy LT Gold, IHG Gold, BAEC Silver, TP Silver
Posts: 1,495
Long discussed, long awaited, finally Le Meridien Bangkok opens its new club lounge in the old presidential suite on the 24th floor (there's still another presidential suite on the 23rd floor with lower ceilings for those all-important 50th stay upgrades).
Here's the pictures so you can decide for yourself if it's your taste. The design follows the refurb of Tempo on the mezzanine floor so nothing surprising.
This used to be the bedroom and bathroom
This used to be the living room
I didn't take breakfast in the lounge as it's strictly continental only with the option to order a full-English from downstairs and the sparkling wine is free flow in both the lounge and Latest Recipe for eligible elites.
As predicted, food in the evening is a selection of high-quality canapés rather than main courses and so Le Meridien is not trying to compete on this aspect with some of the other Bonvoy hotels that feed their elites and extended families whole meals in the evening. Hours are adjusted to 18.00-20.00 which I'm happy about. Just as breakfast can be taken in the lounge or Latest Recipe, so too can Creative Hour be taken in the lounge or Tempo downstairs though I'd expect the offering is the same in both locations. I only visited the lounge in the evening to stay away from the riffraff.
Not much else to add. It's good to see Le Meridien investing in its premium products and its elite customers. Apparently last Friday was their highest occupancy since the reopening and I still got my suite on the 23rd floor :-). I've had nine stays and 27 nights here this year since it reopened in January and I'm never really tempted to stay anywhere else.
One other point to note is that the bathroom products have just converted from single-use to pump action dispensers in the showers which I assume is following Marriott's much-discussed environmental policy.
New pump action
It didn't affect the quality of my stay one iota.
Here's the pictures so you can decide for yourself if it's your taste. The design follows the refurb of Tempo on the mezzanine floor so nothing surprising.
This used to be the bedroom and bathroom
This used to be the living room
I didn't take breakfast in the lounge as it's strictly continental only with the option to order a full-English from downstairs and the sparkling wine is free flow in both the lounge and Latest Recipe for eligible elites.
As predicted, food in the evening is a selection of high-quality canapés rather than main courses and so Le Meridien is not trying to compete on this aspect with some of the other Bonvoy hotels that feed their elites and extended families whole meals in the evening. Hours are adjusted to 18.00-20.00 which I'm happy about. Just as breakfast can be taken in the lounge or Latest Recipe, so too can Creative Hour be taken in the lounge or Tempo downstairs though I'd expect the offering is the same in both locations. I only visited the lounge in the evening to stay away from the riffraff.
Not much else to add. It's good to see Le Meridien investing in its premium products and its elite customers. Apparently last Friday was their highest occupancy since the reopening and I still got my suite on the 23rd floor :-). I've had nine stays and 27 nights here this year since it reopened in January and I'm never really tempted to stay anywhere else.
One other point to note is that the bathroom products have just converted from single-use to pump action dispensers in the showers which I assume is following Marriott's much-discussed environmental policy.
New pump action
It didn't affect the quality of my stay one iota.
Jan 1, 2023, 2:01 am
#1189
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 241
Not so positive views
I'm on my second stay in the past week (with a side trip in between). First stay I arrived off a redeye and got in at 7am. While there was a room available, they wouldn't let me check in unless I paid another night. After I questioned the amount they lowered to 3000 BHT as an early check in charge and I agreed. I was tired, didn't want to argue, and just wanted to sleep. My checkout the next morning was at 7am so it's not as if I was abusing the time I spent there.
I came back for New Years Eve. I arrived at 4pm (early checking was completed the day prior). My room was not available although there was little communication about the issue and j was simply escorted up to the lounge. They later said it was an upgraded executive room. I asked if I could take a regular room and they eventually said nothing else was available the hotel was full (despite rooms still advertised). At the 60 min mark I started getting visibly frustrated, asked for the front desk manager or general manager. People would shuffle around but no manager came to speak with me. Finally at about the 80 min mark I got my room. That was 80 minutes of wasted time that I needed for rest from jet lag prior to NYE festivities. There were verbal apologies but nothing more. I was told they would give me a late check out but that's already guaranteed as a Titanium. There was zero recognition (beyond the 24th floor room upgrade) this stay. The check in was so disorganized I wasnt even given the amenity information. And at no time could they give me an estimate of when the room would be ready so I was hanging out doing nothing for 80 minutes. I have one more stay in Bangkok on this trip but going to change back to the Renaissance or JW. And I'll probably be writing the GM. I think this was the first time I had to wait for a room at a Marriott property after official check in time. I get that New Years is busy but they need to plan better. I wouldn't expect that many late check outs on New Years Eve itself. And it's ironic that I have to pay to check in early when they don't even have a room ready for.me well after check in time and I get nothing in return.
THe renovated rooms are great and I find the Silom location overall a bit more central to where I go (closer to river, Chinatown, less traffic than Sukhomvit). But the social hour has limited food offerings and i didn't find the drinks great. I think the social hour was much better years ago prerenovation in the older bar/lounge.
Hopefully these are just post pandemic and post renovation hiccups. And I will see if management is responsive. Strangely unlike most Asian properties there is no pre-arrival semi personalized reach out by front desk staff or management.
Dave
I came back for New Years Eve. I arrived at 4pm (early checking was completed the day prior). My room was not available although there was little communication about the issue and j was simply escorted up to the lounge. They later said it was an upgraded executive room. I asked if I could take a regular room and they eventually said nothing else was available the hotel was full (despite rooms still advertised). At the 60 min mark I started getting visibly frustrated, asked for the front desk manager or general manager. People would shuffle around but no manager came to speak with me. Finally at about the 80 min mark I got my room. That was 80 minutes of wasted time that I needed for rest from jet lag prior to NYE festivities. There were verbal apologies but nothing more. I was told they would give me a late check out but that's already guaranteed as a Titanium. There was zero recognition (beyond the 24th floor room upgrade) this stay. The check in was so disorganized I wasnt even given the amenity information. And at no time could they give me an estimate of when the room would be ready so I was hanging out doing nothing for 80 minutes. I have one more stay in Bangkok on this trip but going to change back to the Renaissance or JW. And I'll probably be writing the GM. I think this was the first time I had to wait for a room at a Marriott property after official check in time. I get that New Years is busy but they need to plan better. I wouldn't expect that many late check outs on New Years Eve itself. And it's ironic that I have to pay to check in early when they don't even have a room ready for.me well after check in time and I get nothing in return.
THe renovated rooms are great and I find the Silom location overall a bit more central to where I go (closer to river, Chinatown, less traffic than Sukhomvit). But the social hour has limited food offerings and i didn't find the drinks great. I think the social hour was much better years ago prerenovation in the older bar/lounge.
Hopefully these are just post pandemic and post renovation hiccups. And I will see if management is responsive. Strangely unlike most Asian properties there is no pre-arrival semi personalized reach out by front desk staff or management.
Dave
Last edited by dave456; Jan 1, 2023 at 2:10 am
Jan 1, 2023, 8:09 am
#1190
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Earth ... for now
Programs: UA 2MM * Marriott Ambassador LT Titanium * IHG Diamond Ambassador * Hilton Diamond *
Posts: 1,786
I'm on my second stay in the past week (with a side trip in between). First stay I arrived off a redeye and got in at 7am. While there was a room available, they wouldn't let me check in unless I paid another night. After I questioned the amount they lowered to 3000 BHT as an early check in charge and I agreed. I was tired, didn't want to argue, and just wanted to sleep. My checkout the next morning was at 7am so it's not as if I was abusing the time I spent there.
I came back for New Years Eve. I arrived at 4pm (early checking was completed the day prior). My room was not available although there was little communication about the issue and j was simply escorted up to the lounge. They later said it was an upgraded executive room. I asked if I could take a regular room and they eventually said nothing else was available the hotel was full (despite rooms still advertised). At the 60 min mark I started getting visibly frustrated, asked for the front desk manager or general manager. People would shuffle around but no manager came to speak with me. Finally at about the 80 min mark I got my room. That was 80 minutes of wasted time that I needed for rest from jet lag prior to NYE festivities. There were verbal apologies but nothing more. I was told they would give me a late check out but that's already guaranteed as a Titanium. There was zero recognition (beyond the 24th floor room upgrade) this stay. The check in was so disorganized I wasnt even given the amenity information. And at no time could they give me an estimate of when the room would be ready so I was hanging out doing nothing for 80 minutes. I have one more stay in Bangkok on this trip but going to change back to the Renaissance or JW. And I'll probably be writing the GM. I think this was the first time I had to wait for a room at a Marriott property after official check in time. I get that New Years is busy but they need to plan better. I wouldn't expect that many late check outs on New Years Eve itself. And it's ironic that I have to pay to check in early when they don't even have a room ready for.me well after check in time and I get nothing in return.
THe renovated rooms are great and I find the Silom location overall a bit more central to where I go (closer to river, Chinatown, less traffic than Sukhomvit). But the social hour has limited food offerings and i didn't find the drinks great. I think the social hour was much better years ago prerenovation in the older bar/lounge.
Hopefully these are just post pandemic and post renovation hiccups. And I will see if management is responsive. Strangely unlike most Asian properties there is no pre-arrival semi personalized reach out by front desk staff or management.
Dave
I came back for New Years Eve. I arrived at 4pm (early checking was completed the day prior). My room was not available although there was little communication about the issue and j was simply escorted up to the lounge. They later said it was an upgraded executive room. I asked if I could take a regular room and they eventually said nothing else was available the hotel was full (despite rooms still advertised). At the 60 min mark I started getting visibly frustrated, asked for the front desk manager or general manager. People would shuffle around but no manager came to speak with me. Finally at about the 80 min mark I got my room. That was 80 minutes of wasted time that I needed for rest from jet lag prior to NYE festivities. There were verbal apologies but nothing more. I was told they would give me a late check out but that's already guaranteed as a Titanium. There was zero recognition (beyond the 24th floor room upgrade) this stay. The check in was so disorganized I wasnt even given the amenity information. And at no time could they give me an estimate of when the room would be ready so I was hanging out doing nothing for 80 minutes. I have one more stay in Bangkok on this trip but going to change back to the Renaissance or JW. And I'll probably be writing the GM. I think this was the first time I had to wait for a room at a Marriott property after official check in time. I get that New Years is busy but they need to plan better. I wouldn't expect that many late check outs on New Years Eve itself. And it's ironic that I have to pay to check in early when they don't even have a room ready for.me well after check in time and I get nothing in return.
THe renovated rooms are great and I find the Silom location overall a bit more central to where I go (closer to river, Chinatown, less traffic than Sukhomvit). But the social hour has limited food offerings and i didn't find the drinks great. I think the social hour was much better years ago prerenovation in the older bar/lounge.
Hopefully these are just post pandemic and post renovation hiccups. And I will see if management is responsive. Strangely unlike most Asian properties there is no pre-arrival semi personalized reach out by front desk staff or management.
Dave
THB 3,000 (an amount that had to be bargained down) for an early 7 am check-in, when a room is available, for a Titanium guest!
Plus "only escorted to the lounge" when the room (not even a suite) was not ready at 4 pm, without some kind of gesture, to apologize. So many times, because of my early flights, I checked out at 5 am or earlier at this property.
The LMBKK, that I knew and stayed at so many times, if this experience is representative of how Titanium guests are treated nowadays, is gone.
A couple of days ago, I had an 11 pm check-out at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit (no addt'l charge was even discussed).
Last edited by UASPG; Jan 1, 2023 at 8:57 pm
Jan 1, 2023, 3:12 pm
#1191
Join Date: May 2009
Location: USA
Programs: Marriott Titanium -> United Silver
Posts: 936
I'll be there at the end of the month, hopefully some of these issues will be resolved by then.
Jan 1, 2023, 8:45 pm
#1192
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SMF
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium, SPG LTP
Posts: 1,526
Our first trip to Bangkok about a decade ago included a very early arrival at the LM (7 or 8am, if memory serves). Not only were we allowed to check into our suite, I believe we were invited to breakfast that morning!
Just wrapped up a stay at The Athenee, which was quite nice. Will work on posting a review in that thread in the coming days.
Just wrapped up a stay at The Athenee, which was quite nice. Will work on posting a review in that thread in the coming days.
Jan 1, 2023, 8:58 pm
#1193
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Toronto
Programs: UA 1K, AC MM E75, Marriott LT Ti, IHG Dia Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 15,521
Our first trip to Bangkok about a decade ago included a very early arrival at the LM (7 or 8am, if memory serves). Not only were we allowed to check into our suite, I believe we were invited to breakfast that morning!
Just wrapped up a stay at The Athenee, which was quite nice. Will work on posting a review in that thread in the coming days.
Just wrapped up a stay at The Athenee, which was quite nice. Will work on posting a review in that thread in the coming days.
Jan 1, 2023, 9:27 pm
#1194
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Earth ... for now
Programs: UA 2MM * Marriott Ambassador LT Titanium * IHG Diamond Ambassador * Hilton Diamond *
Posts: 1,786
My advice is to insist on speaking directly to the GM, Dieter Ruckenbauer. I don't think that anything positive will be accomplished with a discussion with this FOM.
Jan 1, 2023, 9:29 pm
#1195
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: BKK
Programs: World of Hyatt Globalist; Marriott Bonvoy LTP; IHG Plat
Posts: 2,232
MarRIOTt is in full swing ruining SPG legacy brands.
they need those brands to be in line with their legacy brands.
they need those brands to be in line with their legacy brands.
Last edited by 3rdworldresident; Jan 2, 2023 at 4:08 am
Jan 1, 2023, 10:39 pm
#1196
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 241
The whole thing was made worse by the lounge distraction. In fact they asked me to follow them to the lounge and started check in procedures (credit card, etc.) without even telling me the room wasn't ready. I simply found it ridiculous that I would be charged 3000 THB (negotiated down from a full night of 8000THB) for checking in at 7am after a redeye, when I received no compensation due to my room not being available until nearly four hours after guaranteed check in time. At least throw in some sort of token of gratitude like a bottle of wine (not that it addresses 80+ min of wasted time) to acknowledge the situation. Instead I'm told I can have a later checkout which is already a benefit (and which I couldn't use due to my outbound flight).
And agree with the other poster. As a former SPG elite the standards definitely have gone down. But this would be a fail even for a non-elite.
I only posted it here to inform others who may be debating where to stay in Bangkok. I don't expect it to solve the problem. Issues aside, however, the renovated rooms are nice along with the new presence of a lounge.
Jan 2, 2023, 8:42 pm
#1197
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,222
8000 a night for this place is nuts. It seems all the Bonvoy hotels are going for the "let's gouge the COVID rebound tourists" strategy in Thailand.
I like this hotel and other Bonvoy ones but I'm staying at Hilton properties until they stop their insane pricing.
I like this hotel and other Bonvoy ones but I'm staying at Hilton properties until they stop their insane pricing.
Jan 2, 2023, 10:12 pm
#1198
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Singapore
Posts: 2,317
Jan 3, 2023, 6:31 am
#1199
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: AC MM E50 , Former SPG, now Marriott LT Plat
Posts: 6,262
Fully agreed. Furthermore, we are now facing some unwelcome competition for hotel rooms going forward: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-t...-idUSKBN1ZN13G
Why would you link an article that is 3 years old, from before the COVID era?
Jan 3, 2023, 8:35 am
#1200
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Singapore
Posts: 2,317
Also, there has been minimal (if any) tourists from China in recent years so a more recent article would have limited value demonstrating the point.