tfong007

SGS is easy, u just take the lower elevator. No need to pass by the main lobby at all.

Tak

No need to pass main lobby, however, there is a hotel security person near the lower lobby elevator, especially at night time.
I don't know he is checking who are the night guests and who are the real hotel guests.

DebBrown

We plan to stay at the ROS in April using points. I was able to reserve a Towers room for DH and myself but there are no Towers rooms available with 2 doubles instead of a King for my boys who are travelling with us.

My understanding is that the Towers room is on a higher floor and comes with free breakfast and afternoon snacks. Is there a way for the boys to join us for breakfast, etc? It doesn't make sense for us to keep the Towers room if we can't have our whole party together. Any ideas? suggestions?


Deb

RTWSTARALLIANCE

Preface: Came into BKK to pick up my EK/UA RTW ticket. Late arrival into BKK on CX so thought I would spend one night at a Starwood property and one night at a Hilton property. As it has been a few years since staying at the Royal Orchid and noting renovated pictures on the website gave this property a try again. What a mistake! Marginal.

Rate: It is high season in BKK. The rate for this Hotel was actually $1 more than the Conrad and the Conrad had a package. See my report on the Conrad in the Hilton forums. I should have picked two nights at the Conrad and not greed for the SPG points.

Tranportation: I opted to take a taxi from BKK. With tip far less than $10 USD all in.

Check-in: I checked in late in the evening. I was escorted to my junior suite upgrade on 10. The exact type of upgrade I had before. I also received a slip from the Spa on my reservations which was all wrong. As the Spa was closed not able to correct. Amenity picked was 500 points. Fresh fruit arrived while completing check-in process. Access to Executive Lounge given.

Perks: P status. As noted above. One perk could have been a taxi out of this Hotel.

Room: The room was again like I had before. A long wood floored hall leads you to a small living room. Their is a half bath off the hall. The living room was sparse and has not updated furniture. Frankly none. Not on piece of furniture was new. The bedroom contained a dressing area with closet, a desk, chair with small sitting area. Both rooms had a view of the river. That was nice. The bathroom was disgusting. Look up or look down disgusting. There were more pieces of other peoples hair in that I could have convened a DNA conference in that room alone. Disgusting. The bathroom had of course not been renovated and the tile grout frankly all grout had dark spots in place. Just disgusting. I called down to speak with the duty manager and he said parts of the room were renovated. What the carpet I stated? He said of yes. What other parts I asked? That is it he replied. Rate brought down to $110. Dump.

Communications: HSIA is via wire and charged. Like $16 USD for 24 hours.

Location: Good for just walking around. Something I did not do. I just headed for the Conrad for a early check-in.

Closing: At least for me the room internet pictures were nothing like my room. I have stayed at a number of hotels in BKK. This one is a pass regardless of rates. The Spa did give me a 15% discount for messing up the reservations. The Spa is slated to start opening earlier but does have a late start time of 10 AM. If I have a dirty bathroom that is it. Regards

StarpointsSlave

RTWSTARALLIANCE's description of the bathroom is exactly why I decided not to take any chances and reserved a Towers room (for only 500 points more per night over the regular award) when I stayed at this hotel 2 weeks ago.

My Towers room was completely renovated, including the bathroom, which was stylish -- and clean. Toiletries are Ashford & Hall -- not the best, but at least the same brand used by SGS.

I stayed at ROS over the busy Christmas season and did not receive a suite upgrade, so I found the room a bit cozy.

The Executive Lounge, which is quite attractive, was extremely crowded at breakfast, so as a Platinum I opted to take my complimentary breakfast in the main restaurant instead. This is the way to go, as the buffet is much more extensive in the restaurant (and offers a noodle soup bar), and one can dine on the riverside terrace, which is absolutely idyllic when the weather is pleasant.

derpelikan

i made the same exp.

we booked two rooms and one was in the 24th and the other in the 16th.

the 16th one was a renovated suite the 24th suite looked like a chinese hotel

but i would stay in that hotel again if i got a renovated suite..

dp

THEMOON

StarpointsSlave you said " I decided not to take any chances and reserved a Towers room (for only 500 points more per night over the regular award)", how did you do this? When I called I was told that the points required to upgrade to towers level is 1500 additional per night. When I enquired about the room type, the hotel replied that I would get the towers level longe perks but not a room on the towers floor, this would require even more points. I am only a lowly gold, but aren't the point redemption levels the same for everyone?

StarpointsSlave

THEMOON, you're correct, and the SPG Plat concierge who booked my room was incorrect. I only realized this when I checked my account today and saw that SPG had pulled an extra 2,000 points (for 2 nights) over what I was told the award would cost. (My points for this stay were pulled after I completed the stay, otherwise I would have noticed at the time I made the reservation.) However, because I had relied on the concierge's representation and as a result cancelled my award stay at the Westin Bangkok for the same nights, SPG agreed to refund my 2,000 points.

So, to set the record straight, a confirmed upgrade to a Towers room is an extra 1,500 points per night. Bummer.

Life_Platinum

Thanks, RTWStarAlliance. You have the reputation of delivering fair and honest reports, so I suspect you again have described this property accurately.

RTWSTARALLIANCE

Thank you. I think I am fair and trust me staying at the Hotel was nothing to be proud about let alone boast.

Christian

Have they fixed the freakin elevators? I mean, that has to be the WORST elevator system in the world - makes you want to jump from 17th into the river to get to the lobby. (to be fair, when I was there in Nov., there were technicians working on something...)

RTWSTARALLIANCE

I just had the best chuckle with that. While at the Hotel I headed down to the Spa to check it out. There was a board over one of the lifts and the therapist who eventually came to my room said they have been working on that for some time. Fortunately isn't 17 a crossing over floor for the higher lifts. At least you had a chance at two different sets of lifts. Also fortunately this will never ever be my problem again.

sylaw72

just stayed at the ROS last week. first time there. got the same upgrade to the junior suite on the 25th floor. have to say i agree with RTWSTARALLIANCE's feeling about the room, especially about the bathroom. no hair, but dirty and moldy grout lines everywhere. great view of the river, but will definitely asked to check out the room first before accepting it next time. will even take a smaller but newer room.

p.s. - as i was checking out, the luggage valet broke the retractable handle on my luggage. he denied responsibility, and claimed that it was already broken, which i think I would have notice as i lugged it down from my room to the concierge desk myself. report it to the overnight manager, who got the same answer from the valet. didn't have time to deal with it because trying to catch a flight. manager said will investigate, and get back to me. not very hopeful.

Aus_Mal

I had a very good experience staying here in Sept.

I was on Floor 27, upgraded to a junior suite from a generic towers floor room.

Don't recall mould everywhere in the bathroom. Found the staff quite pleasant and helpful, although in some ways did find the hotel off the beaten track! The ferry did help, so did the shuttle...

The view was good though of the river.

100,000miler

What rates are you paying at the ROS these days. I have stayed there many times and like the hotel, esp the pools, gym and restaurants, as well as the great location on the river. But I have noticed rates have gone up a lot. Used to get in for under $100US, but no more.