Le Meridien Chiang Rai, Thailand [Master Thread]
Mar 7, 2017, 2:47 am
#316
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
I've long pined for SPG to set a local currency rate at the time of a C&P booking akin to Hyatt's practice.
Mar 8, 2017, 1:03 am
#317
formerly fdemoulin
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: UK
Programs: SPG Lifetime Platinum, BA Silver, Virgin Flying Club Red
Posts: 916
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.
"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.
I agree it is a bit cheap offering 50 % off, a free drink would have been more appreciated
Mar 8, 2017, 8:36 am
#318
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
Perhaps because many of us don't base our (breakfast offerings as a reference to NA properties).
Mar 8, 2017, 7:35 pm
#320
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,764
A week would be a good amount of time for a lazy, relaxed visit. I'd say do your sightseeing in the mornings and take leisurely afternoons by the pool, and seven days sounds about right.
Mar 9, 2017, 5:43 am
#321
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,512
I too ended up reserving some rooms for Feb.2018 before the category moved up..always wanted to venture up to the northern part but was a little turned off when they really cut the PLT benefits. We are thinking of flying into BKK for a couple nights then off to Chiang Rai and heard about this Yellow VP Bus or something of the sort - thought it might be a nice 3 hour ride to Chiang Mai and try out the Le Meridien for a couple of nights then fly back to BKK.
Anyone heard anything about this bus etc.,
Anyone heard anything about this bus etc.,
Mar 9, 2017, 6:39 am
#322
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
I too ended up reserving some rooms for Feb.2018 before the category moved up..always wanted to venture up to the northern part but was a little turned off when they really cut the PLT benefits. We are thinking of flying into BKK for a couple nights then off to Chiang Rai and heard about this Yellow VP Bus or something of the sort - thought it might be a nice 3 hour ride to Chiang Mai and try out the Le Meridien for a couple of nights then fly back to BKK.
Anyone heard anything about this bus etc.,
Anyone heard anything about this bus etc.,
http://www.greenbusthailand.com/webs...bus/time-table
Mar 9, 2017, 8:37 am
#323
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Europe/SEA
Programs: TK E+, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Dusit Gold
Posts: 1,714
going LM chiang mai and chiang rai now for five years, and i have only taken the bus the first time. It was a horrible experience 
I suggest renting a car, there is a lot to see on the way as well
I suggest renting a car, there is a lot to see on the way as well
Mar 9, 2017, 4:52 pm
#324
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
Your point is well taken though, having your own transportation in the north is convenient and liberating. For OP they'd be hit by a o/w surcharge on the itin described however.
Mar 9, 2017, 5:03 pm
#325
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,512
Oh noooo! UGH. LOL. Here I thought this VIP bus was going to be such a great idea..leave in the morning and enjoy the countryside? The pictures of the thing look decent with 1 - 2 seating for room and even a bathroom on board!!
I would rather not fly such a short route.....by the time we dk around at the airport and such we could probably be there driving.
..and yes you are right. Not interested in getting nailed for one way charge nor have I ever rented a car in Thailand?
How come this bus was so horrible.....it makes no stops correct? ....or is it just the 3 hour or whatever long ride.
I would rather not fly such a short route.....by the time we dk around at the airport and such we could probably be there driving.
..and yes you are right. Not interested in getting nailed for one way charge nor have I ever rented a car in Thailand?
How come this bus was so horrible.....it makes no stops correct? ....or is it just the 3 hour or whatever long ride.
Mar 9, 2017, 6:53 pm
#326
formerly fdemoulin
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: UK
Programs: SPG Lifetime Platinum, BA Silver, Virgin Flying Club Red
Posts: 916
I too ended up reserving some rooms for Feb.2018 before the category moved up..always wanted to venture up to the northern part but was a little turned off when they really cut the PLT benefits. We are thinking of flying into BKK for a couple nights then off to Chiang Rai and heard about this Yellow VP Bus or something of the sort - thought it might be a nice 3 hour ride to Chiang Mai and try out the Le Meridien for a couple of nights then fly back to BKK.
Anyone heard anything about this bus etc.,
Anyone heard anything about this bus etc.,
Mar 9, 2017, 10:29 pm
#327
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
Oh noooo! UGH. LOL. Here I thought this VIP bus was going to be such a great idea..leave in the morning and enjoy the countryside? The pictures of the thing look decent with 1 - 2 seating for room and even a bathroom on board!!
I would rather not fly such a short route.....by the time we dk around at the airport and such we could probably be there driving.
..and yes you are right. Not interested in getting nailed for one way charge nor have I ever rented a car in Thailand?
How come this bus was so horrible.....it makes no stops correct? ....or is it just the 3 hour or whatever long ride.
I would rather not fly such a short route.....by the time we dk around at the airport and such we could probably be there driving.
..and yes you are right. Not interested in getting nailed for one way charge nor have I ever rented a car in Thailand?
How come this bus was so horrible.....it makes no stops correct? ....or is it just the 3 hour or whatever long ride.
However you are at the mercy of their schedule.
Oh, and there are no flights in between unless you want to connect in BKK.
Your description doesn't sound at all like Green Bus VIP.... have you actually taken it?
Mar 9, 2017, 11:32 pm
#328
Join Date: May 2002
Location: PHX
Programs: Hhonors Diamond, SPG Plat, HGVC, AsiaMiles
Posts: 77
We took the VIP bus a few years ago and quite enjoyed it. The main drawback if you have luggage however is that the bus stations in both CM and CR are a fair distance out of the center of town.
We often rent cars and don't mind driving in Thailand at all but don't really need a car in either of the two cities and don't want to pay a one-way charge (not to mention the hassle we've had with car rental agencies in the past).
For that reason we now just hire a car and driver.
We often rent cars and don't mind driving in Thailand at all but don't really need a car in either of the two cities and don't want to pay a one-way charge (not to mention the hassle we've had with car rental agencies in the past).
For that reason we now just hire a car and driver.
Mar 10, 2017, 6:09 am
#329
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,512
The VIP bus that I looked at showed 1 x 2 seating - I never seen 1 x 1 seating? As for choosing a car & driver one way how much does that set a person back?
.....and correct. If there are no flights in between I would not be interested in connecting back in BKK
.....and correct. If there are no flights in between I would not be interested in connecting back in BKK
Mar 10, 2017, 7:33 am
#330
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Europe/SEA
Programs: TK E+, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Dusit Gold
Posts: 1,714
the bus i took was horrible 5 years ago, maybe there are other options now, the bus was packed with very loud tourists ( i wont mention where they came from... )
budget thailand has no oneway charge if u rent more 5 or more days...
In Chiang Rai the car can be very useful as well :]
budget thailand has no oneway charge if u rent more 5 or more days...
In Chiang Rai the car can be very useful as well :]