forumpersona999

Yes it has finished. But you know at the price point... It's sort of acceptable. You sometimes see them publish rates well below 3000 Baht a night.

Dr. HFH

I believe that it's room 5407. One of my friends stayed in it while I was there; although I did not see the interior.

Just finishing up a delightful three days here. Some observations:

The physical plant is gorgeous. The first impression of the large open air lobby with very high ceilings is one of airiness and calm. Ample smiling staff were present to deal with bags and provide cool drinks during the checkin process, which takes place sitting at a normal desk, as opposed to standing at a checkin desk. Smiling and friendly checkin agent explained the hotel a bit as well as PLT benefits. All paperwork was in order on arrival.

The grounds, too, are beautiful. While I was there, I saw from my room a wedding setup on one of the lawns. It was just perfect, -- romantic, shaded by large trees and beautiful. Given the grounds, pool and some interesting sightseeing in the general local area, I can imagine that this would be a great location for a laid-back destination wedding.

The omnipresent General Manager, Mr. Murali Viswanathan, was in the lobby area while we were checking in and welcomed us personally. He’s a lovely and gregarious man with both a quick mind and quick wit. (I know him from his previous position in Starwood.)

The guest rooms are situated in a series of long, four story buildings spread throughout the property and connected by walkways. I used SNAs and was upgraded to the Grand Deluxe Wing and thus can comment only about that. (I believe that the PLT upgrade percentage is pretty good here; but I wanted to increase my chances on this particular visit.) The room was quite large, almost too large, with very high ceilings. Off the entrance hallway is a large, walk-in closet with lots of space as well as a tall hanging rod and a shorter one, plus a platform for suitcases. Opposite, on the other side of the entrance hallway, is the bathroom, with a tub in the main part of the room, along with separate sub-rooms for shower and toilet. The shower is quite large, would fit 2-3 people comfortably, and is equipped with a regular shower head on a hose and mounted on the wall as well as a rain head. Standard LM brand toiletries (which I happen to quite like).

The room has a large balcony equipped with a large, padded lounger as well as a chair or two. The balcony looks out on the pool area. Everything in the room worked as it was supposed to, except....

Returned one afternoon to find a puddle in the front hall. It obviously came from the air conditioning unit in the ceiling above that space. I asked for assistance from the front desk; and two gentlemen from engineering came quickly with towels and a tall ladder. They opened up the ceiling and fixed the problem quickly. 10-15 minutes later someone from management called to make sure that the repair was completed to my satisfaction. This is exactly how it should have been handled. Problems occur; but it’s how the hotel handles them that is really telling.

There is a pretty good sized flat screen TV mounted on the wall opposite the bed. Viewing options were limited during my visit as H.M. King Bhumibol had just died; and all programming was pre-empted by coverage of this sad event.

The pool is large and beautiful. It’s a multi-tiered infinity-edged pool with three levels going down to the adjacent river level. There are comfortable lounges in pairs generously spaced around the pool; you never felt crowded. While I was at the pool, there were always two staff members standing discreetly off to one side watching to see if anyone needed anything. If you looked up to try to catch their attention, one of them came right over with a menu, a smile and a pleasant greeting. If memory serves me correctly, the top tier of the pool is not as deep, and thus more suitable for children.

PLT happy hour benefit is 50% off drinks in Latitude 19 Bar.

One of this hotel’s great strengths is its staff. With only one exception that I noticed, all staff members were sufficiently fluent in English to understand and be understood in a hotel context. They are genuinely friendly, too (with the same exception)! Pass a staff member anywhere in the hotel and you’ll invariably get a smile and a greeting. Ask any of them for assistance and they will be pleased to assist, regardless of your specific request and their position or job. These people seem genuinely happy in their work.

The only area I found which could use some improvement is food. We ate dinner in both Latest Recipe and Favola, and breakfast in Latest Recipe. While there was nothing particularly wrong with any of the food, I would describe it as uninspired. Note that there are both indoor and outdoor tables at Latest Recipe. An outdoor table on the balcony makes for a very pleasant breakfast experience.

There’s a small village only five minutes’ walk down the street (turn right as you exit the driveway) with some good restaurant options. In particular, I recommend Lulum for authentic Issan food. I believe that there’s also a Chinese restaurant, but I’ve never eaten there.

One interesting note was that I was speaking one afternoon with Mr. Viswanathan and I mentioned that the hotel seemed nearly empty. I wondered aloud what plans he had to increase occupancy. He replied that at that moment, the hotel was 80% full! During my visit, the hotel was always both quiet and peaceful. Even in the late afternoon, when tourists return from sightseeing and business visitors from work, with 20-30 people or more in and around the pool, it didn’t seem crowded or noisy at all. Nor did the staff seem at all overwhelmed, harried or frantic. Service was consistently relaxed and smiling.

This is a great resort hotel. It’s definitely low key, -- calm, peaceful and relaxing. The beautiful and spacious grounds, low-rise design and expansive pool all contribute to a feeling of calmness which I really liked. I would definitely classify this property as a solid five star resort.

And it’s a bargain, too. Just checked a random week next March (2017), -- THB 3,040++/night, or USD $86++/night, for a seven night stay.

BigE

We stayed here (again) for two nights after New Year's, using points. The hotel and grounds and room are pretty impressive given the category level. The platinum perks weren't so great, though.

1) Have to use your 500 points to get breakfast (most Thai SPG hotels give you the points and breakfast).
2) We didn't get a room upgrade.
3) We couldn't get a late checkout past 1 PM, even though 15+ rooms were bookable on the website. It's a resort, so it's "based on availability" and perhaps it's never "available".
4) As people have said, you just get half off coupons for drinks. No free drinks or free food.
5) We did get a few chocolates and candies and fruit as a welcome gift in the room. That would be the only substantial thing they give to plats above the minimum required, though I'm not sure it's actually platinum-specific.

The breakfast was pretty good for the level, except the pastries lacked freshness. I'd rather have Four Points BKK, or any other Thai SPG hotel, but it is (for me) not far off, and is better than the Aloft.

We ate once in the restaurant and it was pretty good. There are several restaurants about 2-3 blocks away which are even better and half the price. And busy, it seems. I had a whole fried Tilapia in Tamarind sauce (Leelawadee) for only 240 baht.

Right now they have a free boat shuttle to the free flower festival, both of which were quite nice. They also still have a shuttle that goes to town (Night Market and Central Mall) many times a day for 50 baht/person roundtrip.

ftrichard

This is disappointing. It looks like the hotel has significantly cut its Platinum benefits. Maybe they have so many tour groups that they don't need/value us any more.

I stayed twice last year and both times got both 500 points *and* breakfast and the two hours of Platinum drinks with nibbles in the bar. Nice room upgrade to one of the huge double-fronted rooms that faces the pool too. Felt they wanted me to stay there.

Sure, it's on the cheaper end for a Le Meridien in Thailand but that's more of a reflection of Chiang Rai's location somewhat out of the way and more on the backpacker trail than a luxury resort destination. Looks like the Four Points Sandakan with its lounge, breakfast, points and suite upgrades is now the value property of choice in Asia...

SHLTP

Delete

3rdworldresident

With the current and reducing platinum benefits, this property is no longer on my radar.

It's not their fault, just don't worth my effort to go there.

yosithezet

How is this not their fault?

Bravada04

Was on my radar also for the longest time but not anymore. I will be visiting the Le Meridien in Saigon next month as I believe the old Manager here is now Managing that Le Meridien?

ftrichard

Indeed. I agree with you. I went twice last year because it's a nice hotel and the benefits were good. I would return just to, you know, hang out if I had some spare days but not now with the cut in Platinum benefits.

That is definitely their fault.

cln

Well, I mean free booze for this rate or points, together with free breakfast. plats just didnt bring in enough revenue to have this freebies justified. with Marriott spg merger there are even more plats....


​​

dsquared37

Disappointing.

I've been eating at Leelawadee since 2008. Some nights are better than others but in general it's consistent. The music is, um, entertaining at best and large groups can be quite loud but it's part of the package.

The menu is extensive.

My stays, though none since 2015, were like you describe. This is a significant scaling back of benefits ala Four Points BKK a few years ago.

Doubtful. The hotel likely gets more revenue from tour groups so just doesn't care about anything/anyone else. They'll give the bare minimum and be content.


I've already reverted to cheaper establishments in Chiang Mai which are better located (I despise the night bazaar/tourist ghetto area - with the exception of Boy Blues Bar) and not group tour havens.... looks like this hotel is also off the map for me.

yosithezet

SkiAdcock

A non-FTer friend stayed at this property last week & emailed me the following. The email was about a variety of things not travel-related, but in the middle was this report re: his stay. He's Platinum. I have his permission to post the property info/trip report part of his email to me on FT.

"The Chiang Rai Meridien is a Resort but still benefits provided are really pitiful -

Breakfast chosen as platinum "gift" and was told to eat in their Italian Rest Favola where it's an upgraded breakfast vs the breakfast restaurant, but getting a second cup of coffee was worse then pulling teeth (and there was only 1 other table occupied). Breakfast was not buffet but choice of 8, with such appetizing items such as 3 previously frozen hash brown wedges or many chicken sausages (and this is not a halal area). My wife got sick on the undated yogurt. That night asked Guest Services about going to the normal breakfast and was told, sure as Platinum you have choice (but informed differently at checkin).

No Lounge but given vouchers 50% off drinks off a selected menu (no chardonnay) during 5 to 7PM.

GM and SPG Guest Service Rep - neither identified nor introduced themselves.

Since this hotel is currently a Cat 2 but moving up to a 3 I had made reservations for a return next year (prior to arrival) but after this 3 nighter will be cancelling those reservations."

Cheers.

italdesign

Has anyone booked the C&P rate of 2k + $35 and remember how much tax & fee is added? Is it about 20% of the $35?

Paiteaw

You are close. It should be 18-19 %.