Aloft Bangkok - Sukhumvit 11, Thailand [Master Thread]
Mar 6, 2017, 3:32 am
#661
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: SIN
Programs: TK-G | Accor P | SQ-G | Marriott T
Posts: 3,831
Checked in at 4PM this afternoon and was told they'd upgraded me to a suite but it wouldn't be ready for an hour.... I declined because it's never just an hour. Was then given a low floor room I though was toward the front, but the FDC said no, it was in the back.... I was right and returned to the lobby requesting a new room that wasn't in close proximity to Levels.
I saw a sign in the front desk telling that the Platinum Upgrade is not avail for Element and Aloft when I stayed there early Feb. I don't think I saw it before.
Also on my last stay in Feb (which on points), they did not "upgrade" me at all. I got the room that facing Sukhumvit road (which is blocked by the nearby apt) instead of the room that facing the back (unblocked view) which normally they gave it to me.
You got you paid. I never really got room that bad in my 12 stays there.
But this property sometimes to pricy especially over the weekend as many party goers.
If I can get good rate at FP (around THB2800), I rather stay at FP.
Last edited by lingua101; Mar 6, 2017 at 3:45 am
Mar 6, 2017, 7:35 am
#662
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
Wow you are lucky. I have stayed in this hotel for 12 times and only got suite once and I was told only for this time and don't expect to happen again.
I saw a sign in the front desk telling that the Platinum Upgrade is not avail for Element and Aloft when I stayed there early Feb. I don't think I saw it before.
Also on my last stay in Feb (which on points), they did not "upgrade" me at all. I got the room that facing Sukhumvit road (which is blocked by the nearby apt) instead of the room that facing the back (unblocked view) which normally they gave it to me.
You got you paid. I never really got room that bad in my 12 stays there.
But this property sometimes to pricy especially over the weekend as many party goers.
If I can get good rate at FP (around THB2800), I rather stay at FP.
I saw a sign in the front desk telling that the Platinum Upgrade is not avail for Element and Aloft when I stayed there early Feb. I don't think I saw it before.
Also on my last stay in Feb (which on points), they did not "upgrade" me at all. I got the room that facing Sukhumvit road (which is blocked by the nearby apt) instead of the room that facing the back (unblocked view) which normally they gave it to me.
You got you paid. I never really got room that bad in my 12 stays there.
But this property sometimes to pricy especially over the weekend as many party goers.
If I can get good rate at FP (around THB2800), I rather stay at FP.
I often am upgraded to a city view (northern view) which is nice.... so I've got that going for me.
Mar 6, 2017, 11:21 am
#663
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,720
The one thing that interests me about this property is that theoretically I assume that it should be possible to upgrade to the suite with the giant outdoor 10 person jacuzzi for quite few points. Whenever I've thought of trying it the suite has been occupied though.
Mar 6, 2017, 3:24 pm
#664
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: a hotel room, somewhere...
Posts: 962
b. westin is *usually* a significant $ bump over 4P. a lot of the time, aloft vs 4P is less than i stated- often within 2-300bt, while the bump from 4P to westin is usually another >1000bt). i've seen many times that aloft is actually MORE than 4P, 4P is (essentially) never higher than westin. personally, i don't like the westin very much- except for their gym vs 4P. executive lounges are important to me, but do mean less to me in low cost cities like BKK, if i prefer the hotel without one. a good breakfast offering is important everywhere to me, and i have always enjoyed the 4P breakfast.
Mar 6, 2017, 5:41 pm
#665
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: SPG Platinum, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 236
The Westin can usually be brg at around 3k thb outside of the peak season. When I can get this rate, that's where I end up on cash usually.
Agree that between the 4P and the aloft, I picked the 4P anytime. Better room condition, better location and 4P even give free drinks voucher at the pub to platinum compared to nothing at the aloft.
Agree that between the 4P and the aloft, I picked the 4P anytime. Better room condition, better location and 4P even give free drinks voucher at the pub to platinum compared to nothing at the aloft.
Mar 6, 2017, 6:38 pm
#666
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Singapore
Programs: TG Gold, MPC Silver, Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 563
I have tried to use points to upgrade to the suite with the outdoor pool with no success (albeit a few years back). It can be had for around 15k baht ++ which isn't too terrible although the indoor portion of the suite is exactly the same as the regular suites if my memory serves right.
IMO it's good for a party or special event but I wouldn't bother booking it for an extended stay.
IMO it's good for a party or special event but I wouldn't bother booking it for an extended stay.
Mar 6, 2017, 7:24 pm
#667
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: perth
Programs: SPG(LTG), QANTAS gold, Korean, Accor Plat
Posts: 1,500
a. ugh. i did not insult anyone. i was making a point. the point was about the hotel's many unacceptable shortcomings. i said 'ill informed or...'. geesh, must even hotel reviews require safe space/SJW word policing?!? i'll assume 'no-brainer' wouldn't have passed your PC filter either, as that's clearly insensitive to people in a coma, vegetative state, etc...
b. westin is *usually* a significant $ bump over 4P. a lot of the time, aloft vs 4P is less than i stated- often within 2-300bt, while the bump from 4P to westin is usually another >1000bt). i've seen many times that aloft is actually MORE than 4P, 4P is (essentially) never higher than westin. personally, i don't like the westin very much- except for their gym vs 4P. executive lounges are important to me, but do mean less to me in low cost cities like BKK, if i prefer the hotel without one. a good breakfast offering is important everywhere to me, and i have always enjoyed the 4P breakfast.
b. westin is *usually* a significant $ bump over 4P. a lot of the time, aloft vs 4P is less than i stated- often within 2-300bt, while the bump from 4P to westin is usually another >1000bt). i've seen many times that aloft is actually MORE than 4P, 4P is (essentially) never higher than westin. personally, i don't like the westin very much- except for their gym vs 4P. executive lounges are important to me, but do mean less to me in low cost cities like BKK, if i prefer the hotel without one. a good breakfast offering is important everywhere to me, and i have always enjoyed the 4P breakfast.
I prefer the location of the Aloft, then again I like walking. Certainly Aloft has a wide selection of restaurants, clubs and massages on its doorstep, Whereas 4P is down a dingy lane.
Apr 18, 2017, 2:03 pm
#668
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SEA (previous locations: DTW, TLV, EWR, BOS)
Programs: AS: 75K; DL/NW: Plat; DL SC: Lifetime; Hyatt: Diamond; HH: Gold; SPG: Plat;
Posts: 3,383
Don't stay here if you're even remotely a light sleeper.
The room doors in this hotel slam shut, they don't have a 'soft close' spring. Must have heard at least 2-3 doors close each hour during my recent stay there - highly annoying.
The room doors in this hotel slam shut, they don't have a 'soft close' spring. Must have heard at least 2-3 doors close each hour during my recent stay there - highly annoying.
Apr 20, 2017, 4:32 am
#669
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York City
Programs: OneWorld, SkyTeam
Posts: 65
Bedside condom delivery
I am a frequent business traveler to Bangkok and decided to give the Aloft a try this time around. I had a generally good experience, while the room had a mildew smell, it wasn't overwhelming and in BKK, I find it is more common than not. Then the last night of my stay happened.
I had an earlyish flight, so I was in bed early. About 1:30 am, I hear loud banging from the hallway, I figure someone lost their key/had too much to drink/trying to get in to their room. It continues for a bit, I start to think they are banging on my door. While I am debating whether I want to get up to deal with this or just hope it goes away, I hear a door open. Great I think, they got in to their room and I can go back to sleep. Then I realize the light is on in my room! This is like every bad dream I've ever had - I jump up and decide if something bad is going to happen, I'm not going to go out laying in bed. I'm 6' 5" and 250 lbs, not small. I go to rush the intruder like a defensive tackle only to come face to face with a thai male, who quickly throws a (new) condom package at me, saying something about "here is your condom" before he runs out of the room.
I call the front desk, they confirm it was housekeeping, which made a mistake. I spoke to the manager in the morning after not being able to go back to sleep and he knew nothing about it but promised to get back to me. He does later confirm it was a mistake. I reached out to Starwoods corporate to ask - "What would be the best outcome of having housekeeping enter a room, at 1:30am, with a do not disturb light on, with someone who does not answer their door after lots of knocking to deliver a condom?" I would think finding me asleep would be one of the better scenarios in this case.
After about two months of emails with Starwoods corporate where they say they are researching the issue, they ask me to call to discuss. I call to discuss only to be told that they would have to call me back at an elevated level.
Over a week later, still no response. I am curious - how is anyone sent in to a room with a DND sign up (electronic, so the doorbell wouldn't work, hence the banging on the door) in the middle of the night to deliver a condom - what is the best outcome of this scenario?
I had an earlyish flight, so I was in bed early. About 1:30 am, I hear loud banging from the hallway, I figure someone lost their key/had too much to drink/trying to get in to their room. It continues for a bit, I start to think they are banging on my door. While I am debating whether I want to get up to deal with this or just hope it goes away, I hear a door open. Great I think, they got in to their room and I can go back to sleep. Then I realize the light is on in my room! This is like every bad dream I've ever had - I jump up and decide if something bad is going to happen, I'm not going to go out laying in bed. I'm 6' 5" and 250 lbs, not small. I go to rush the intruder like a defensive tackle only to come face to face with a thai male, who quickly throws a (new) condom package at me, saying something about "here is your condom" before he runs out of the room.
I call the front desk, they confirm it was housekeeping, which made a mistake. I spoke to the manager in the morning after not being able to go back to sleep and he knew nothing about it but promised to get back to me. He does later confirm it was a mistake. I reached out to Starwoods corporate to ask - "What would be the best outcome of having housekeeping enter a room, at 1:30am, with a do not disturb light on, with someone who does not answer their door after lots of knocking to deliver a condom?" I would think finding me asleep would be one of the better scenarios in this case.
After about two months of emails with Starwoods corporate where they say they are researching the issue, they ask me to call to discuss. I call to discuss only to be told that they would have to call me back at an elevated level.
Over a week later, still no response. I am curious - how is anyone sent in to a room with a DND sign up (electronic, so the doorbell wouldn't work, hence the banging on the door) in the middle of the night to deliver a condom - what is the best outcome of this scenario?
Last edited by Informpage; Apr 21, 2017 at 3:50 am Reason: correction of present/past tense
Apr 20, 2017, 6:15 am
#670
Company Representative - Starwood
Join Date: Aug 2011
Programs: SPG
Posts: 713
I am a frequent business traveler to Bangkok and decided to give the Aloft a try this time around. I had a generally good experience, while the room had a mildew smell, it wasn't overwhelming and in BKK, I find it is more common than not. Then the last night of my stay happened.
I had an earlyish flight, so I was in bed early. About 1:30 am, I hear loud banging from the hallway, I figure someone lost their key/had too much to drink/trying to get in to their room. It continues for a bit, I start to think they are banging on my door. While I am debating whether I want to get up to deal with this or just hope it goes away, I hear a door open. Great I think, they got in to their room and I can go back to sleep. Then I realize the light is on in my room! This is like every bad dream I've ever had - I jump up and decide if something bad is going to happen, I'm not going to go out laying in bed. I'm 6' 5" and 250 lbs, not small. I go to rush the intruder like a defensive tackle only to come face to face with a thai male, who quickly throws a (new) condom package at me, saying something about "here is your condom" before he runs out of the room.
I call the front desk, they confirm it was housekeeping, which made a mistake. I speak to the manager in the morning after not being able to go back to sleep and he knows nothing about it but promises to get back to me. He does confirm it was a mistake. I reach out to Starwoods corporate to ask - "What would be the best outcome of having housekeeping enter a room, at 1:30am, with a do not disturb light on, with someone who does not answer their door after lots of knocking to deliver a condom?" I would think finding me asleep would be one of the better scenarios in this case.
After about two months of emails with Starwoods corporate where they say they are researching the issue, they ask me to call to discuss. I call to discuss only to be told that they would have to call me back at an elevated level.
Over a week later, still no response. I am curious - how is anyone sent in to a room with a DND sign up (electronic, so the doorbell wouldn't work, hence the banging on the door) in the middle of the night to deliver a condom - what is the best outcome of this scenario?
I had an earlyish flight, so I was in bed early. About 1:30 am, I hear loud banging from the hallway, I figure someone lost their key/had too much to drink/trying to get in to their room. It continues for a bit, I start to think they are banging on my door. While I am debating whether I want to get up to deal with this or just hope it goes away, I hear a door open. Great I think, they got in to their room and I can go back to sleep. Then I realize the light is on in my room! This is like every bad dream I've ever had - I jump up and decide if something bad is going to happen, I'm not going to go out laying in bed. I'm 6' 5" and 250 lbs, not small. I go to rush the intruder like a defensive tackle only to come face to face with a thai male, who quickly throws a (new) condom package at me, saying something about "here is your condom" before he runs out of the room.
I call the front desk, they confirm it was housekeeping, which made a mistake. I speak to the manager in the morning after not being able to go back to sleep and he knows nothing about it but promises to get back to me. He does confirm it was a mistake. I reach out to Starwoods corporate to ask - "What would be the best outcome of having housekeeping enter a room, at 1:30am, with a do not disturb light on, with someone who does not answer their door after lots of knocking to deliver a condom?" I would think finding me asleep would be one of the better scenarios in this case.
After about two months of emails with Starwoods corporate where they say they are researching the issue, they ask me to call to discuss. I call to discuss only to be told that they would have to call me back at an elevated level.
Over a week later, still no response. I am curious - how is anyone sent in to a room with a DND sign up (electronic, so the doorbell wouldn't work, hence the banging on the door) in the middle of the night to deliver a condom - what is the best outcome of this scenario?
Sorry to hear about the lack of follow-up. You may email us more details and case number at [email protected] and we'll check what's going on.
Best regards,
Alexis Lhopital
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
Apr 21, 2017, 3:46 am
#671
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York City
Programs: OneWorld, SkyTeam
Posts: 65
Hi Informpage,
Sorry to hear about the lack of follow-up. You may email us more details and case number at [email protected] and we'll check what's going on.
Best regards,
Alexis Lhopital
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
Sorry to hear about the lack of follow-up. You may email us more details and case number at [email protected] and we'll check what's going on.
Best regards,
Alexis Lhopital
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
"It is my pleasure to provide more information regarding this incident for you today.
As far as the how and why this had occurred, we have no further information aside from the investigation the property had conducted."
Well, okey dokey then.
Apr 21, 2017, 8:01 am
#672
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 325
I am a frequent business traveler to Bangkok and decided to give the Aloft a try this time around. I had a generally good experience, while the room had a mildew smell, it wasn't overwhelming and in BKK, I find it is more common than not. Then the last night of my stay happened.
I had an earlyish flight, so I was in bed early. About 1:30 am, I hear loud banging from the hallway, I figure someone lost their key/had too much to drink/trying to get in to their room. It continues for a bit, I start to think they are banging on my door. While I am debating whether I want to get up to deal with this or just hope it goes away, I hear a door open. Great I think, they got in to their room and I can go back to sleep. Then I realize the light is on in my room! This is like every bad dream I've ever had - I jump up and decide if something bad is going to happen, I'm not going to go out laying in bed. I'm 6' 5" and 250 lbs, not small. I go to rush the intruder like a defensive tackle only to come face to face with a thai male, who quickly throws a (new) condom package at me, saying something about "here is your condom" before he runs out of the room.
I call the front desk, they confirm it was housekeeping, which made a mistake. I spoke to the manager in the morning after not being able to go back to sleep and he knew nothing about it but promised to get back to me. He does later confirm it was a mistake. I reached out to Starwoods corporate to ask - "What would be the best outcome of having housekeeping enter a room, at 1:30am, with a do not disturb light on, with someone who does not answer their door after lots of knocking to deliver a condom?" I would think finding me asleep would be one of the better scenarios in this case.
After about two months of emails with Starwoods corporate where they say they are researching the issue, they ask me to call to discuss. I call to discuss only to be told that they would have to call me back at an elevated level.
Over a week later, still no response. I am curious - how is anyone sent in to a room with a DND sign up (electronic, so the doorbell wouldn't work, hence the banging on the door) in the middle of the night to deliver a condom - what is the best outcome of this scenario?
I had an earlyish flight, so I was in bed early. About 1:30 am, I hear loud banging from the hallway, I figure someone lost their key/had too much to drink/trying to get in to their room. It continues for a bit, I start to think they are banging on my door. While I am debating whether I want to get up to deal with this or just hope it goes away, I hear a door open. Great I think, they got in to their room and I can go back to sleep. Then I realize the light is on in my room! This is like every bad dream I've ever had - I jump up and decide if something bad is going to happen, I'm not going to go out laying in bed. I'm 6' 5" and 250 lbs, not small. I go to rush the intruder like a defensive tackle only to come face to face with a thai male, who quickly throws a (new) condom package at me, saying something about "here is your condom" before he runs out of the room.
I call the front desk, they confirm it was housekeeping, which made a mistake. I spoke to the manager in the morning after not being able to go back to sleep and he knew nothing about it but promised to get back to me. He does later confirm it was a mistake. I reached out to Starwoods corporate to ask - "What would be the best outcome of having housekeeping enter a room, at 1:30am, with a do not disturb light on, with someone who does not answer their door after lots of knocking to deliver a condom?" I would think finding me asleep would be one of the better scenarios in this case.
After about two months of emails with Starwoods corporate where they say they are researching the issue, they ask me to call to discuss. I call to discuss only to be told that they would have to call me back at an elevated level.
Over a week later, still no response. I am curious - how is anyone sent in to a room with a DND sign up (electronic, so the doorbell wouldn't work, hence the banging on the door) in the middle of the night to deliver a condom - what is the best outcome of this scenario?
That sucks. Hope this story has a happy ending!
Apr 21, 2017, 9:24 pm
#674
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 989
Just wanted to comment about the mildew smell. I've visited this exact property 4 times in the past 3 years. First three times were fine, but this last time when we visited in January was the first time I experienced the horrible smell in the rooms. I can't imagine how it would smell if it were the summer. I hope they do something to fix it.
Apr 21, 2017, 10:08 pm
#675
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
Just wanted to comment about the mildew smell. I've visited this exact property 4 times in the past 3 years. First three times were fine, but this last time when we visited in January was the first time I experienced the horrible smell in the rooms. I can't imagine how it would smell if it were the summer. I hope they do something to fix it.
On my last visit I had a vinyl floored room (or some other synthetic material) and there was absolutely no scent. That was the first in awhile.