stimpy

Thanks for the tip. I'll have to try it out next time I'm in town. FYI it's best to buy your cigars at airport duty free on the way in.

Diplomatico

Actually, it's best to bring your own cigars. King Power duty free is not a bargain by any means.

dsquared37

^

There are a handful of lower end booze that are well priced at King Power but beyond that I'll give a pass.

stimpy

I meant when you are flying to BKK. The airport that you fly from, CDG in my usual case, or AMS, or NRT, or HKG, etc. I always buy at those places and the prices are ok. But more importantly you are guaranteed of the authentic quality of the Montecristos or Cohibas, etc.

There are cheaper places, such as Andorra or Cuba itself. But if you aren't passing by there, most international airport duty free shops have the best prices. Certainly better than buying at a bar.

Kalboz

Thai room rates expected to rise this year: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/busi...-30260561.html

eponymous_coward

I believe we call this "burying the lede":

https://www.google.com/search?q=usd+...utf-8&oe=utf-8

https://www.google.com/search?q=eur+...utf-8&oe=utf-8

https://www.google.com/search?q=rmb+against+thb

Basically, for a number of tourist, rooms will be cheaper.

Though perhaps not Aussies...

https://www.google.com/search?q=aud+against+thb

Tchiowa

Agreed. With the recent move of the baht with the USD rooms are cheaper. Not sure how long that will last. I don't see the baht staying at roughly 34. I suspect it will move 2 or 3. Question is, which direction?

kymbakitty

Why can't I locate any Marriott properties in Thailand on their website?

njxbean

working for me.

lenyoga

Possible spelling errors in title .

Hilton Millennium, Royal Orchard Sheraton, Marriott Sukhumvit

Which is the best overall of the three? (Rooms, service)

Which has the best WiFi?

Which has the best pool? (Both in location, ie quiet/relaxing as well as in well staffed for drink orders, cold towels etc) do the two riverfronts have nice riverfront pools or set back?

Which has the best exec lounge? (with food and alcohol details if you could be so kind)

Many thanks for those in the know

lenyoga

I have no idea why this post was moved, since out of some ten thousand 'hotels in bangkok', my questions concern 3 and only 3.

Does anyone who frequents the Thailand forum have experience with these three hotels? Or should I write three separate posts in spg, hh and mr?

SK AAR

You may not get any answers because (1) you ask too many and too general questions - some of which can answered by searching on tripadvisor.com (2) it may be that only very few have stayed at the 3 properties you inquire about and therefore the majority of us following this forum are uanable to make the comparison

I have only stayed at the Hilton Millennium, which is a great hotel. I would go back without hesitation. I do not know the other properties, but most likely they are great properties too. In general you will not be dissappointed with 4* og 5* hotels in BKK, so just take your pick rather than spending ages researching more or less relevant details.

eastnortheast

As SK ARR notes, you cant go wrong with pretty much any 4 or 5 star property. I think that of the three hotels you note, they will be relatively close in the categories you list.

I think one distinguishing factor is location. I am not a big fan of the Hilton location. It is on the other side of the river, and (at least for me) traffic can be a pain in the you know where when trying to reach other parts of the city.

The Royal Orchid is also on the river but on what I consider the main side. Not close to public transport but you have the river scenery out your window.

The JW is right "downtown". Close to shopping malls, public transport, etc. But it is in a busy area and the view out the windows is an urban landscape.

So, give some thought as to what is important from a location standpoint, and they may help guide your decision.

dsquared37

I believe OP was asking about the Marriott Soi 57 rather than the JW and, for me, happens to be a better hotel in a better location.

Kalboz

My last stay at the ROS was back in 2010 and I personally like the riverside location of the ROS and the Millennium Hilton. Never stayed at the Hilton, but have had many memorable meals at 360 and Prime and next door at "Be My Guest". Reports about both riverside properties here and elsewhere are not encouraging though as service and amenities have deteriorated considerably in recent years. Now, the ROS caters mainly to tour groups and they treat guests like cattle (mass production) - SPG Platinums complain often about this property. I very much like and highly recommend the Marriott Sukhumvit 57 for the great service, awesome Platinum recognition & treatment, and the authentic/convenient location.


Which is the best overall of the three? (Rooms, service): Service is immaculate at the 2-year new-ish Marriott Sukhumvit 57 and the rooms are specious with great views as the hotel occupies floors 22-41 of a skyscraper. We have had more than 40 nights at this property since they opened.



Which has the best WiFi? Very fast at the Marriott.

Which has the best pool? (Both in location, ie quiet/relaxing as well as in well staffed for drink orders, cold towels etc) do the two riverfronts have nice riverfront pools or set back?

The ROS has two pools, one under the highrise on the second floor and the second is shared with the Portuguese Embassy next door.



Which has the best exec lounge? (with food and alcohol details if you could be so kind)

Although the ROS has a lounge with dramatic views of the river, its ambiance and food offerings were very weak. At the time of our stay, we had a choice of breakfast at lounge or the restaurant by the river. Both were okay but nothing to write home about.

At the Marriott Sukhumvit 57, we had full lounge benefits and choice of having breakfast at either the 40th floor executive lounge or the lobby restaurants. At the lounge, two hot stations at breakfast (in addition to the buffet spread), one for eggs any style and the second for noodles. High teatime was served between 3-5 PM with various sandwiches, pastries, and their accompaniments. Different theme happy hour food theme during the cocktail hours at the lounge (Thai, Japanese, Pasta, etc.). Hot station nightly cooking on the spot the hot items of the day until 7:30 PM. Happy hour goodies, as usual, were plenty and good enough to make a nice dinner. I seldom drink alcohol (usually Campari on ice), but booze was available from 5-9:30 PM along with fruits and desserts.

Our photos of the Marriott Sukhumvit 57 are here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kalboz...57633998650183

More on the Marriott Sukhumvit 57 here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/marri...resent-25.html

Breakfast at the 57 Street Restaurant (Marriott lobby restaurant): https://www.flickr.com/photos/kalboz...57649993957803

ROS album is here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kalboz...57625539423944

Millennium Hilton photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/kalboz...57651972795984