Millenium Hilton or Banyan Tree?
 

Doing a quick weekend stopover in BKK and considering these hotels. We're primarily interested in proximity to shopping, ease of access to SkyTrain and/or taxis, pool, and of course great suites.

Both of these are coming in at about the same price for a suite. The Hilton is on the club floor, the Banyan Tree is the basic "Deluxe View Suite".

I can't find much information about the Hilton. I have stayed at the Banyan Tree resort on Bintan and expect nothing but greatness from them.

We would prefer a place that isn't too stuffy...I was put off by the staff at the RC in SIN recently for this reason.

What can you guys recommend?

alanw, Hi,

In my opinion you have picked two hotels that don't have any of the qualities you are after.

Both hotels are away from the skytrain albeit the Hilton does have a boat that will take you to it. All the hotels along the river, Sheraton, Oriental, ShangriLa, Peninsula, and the Hilton have boats that ply back and forth to the skytrain, rivercity etc. The first time I was in BKK I stayed at the Pen and it's the one feature that I thought was fantastic. The boat boys are always happy and the way they manouvere their boats jockeying for position at the wharf is an art in itself.

The Banyan tree is a good walk to the closest station and on a quick trip, I don't think you need this. Of the two suites, the Banyan is larger, but it doesn't have a great view, but then the Hilton does not have the large windows I would like for a hotel on the river. I prefer the food at the hilton, whilst i love the pool at the Banyan tree.

Reading back over this I have had a bit each way and I guess if it was my decision between the two I would choose Hilton because I dont like navigating that busy street the Banyan is in, up and over street overpasses, down that laneway entry if you are walking, Yes , I have talked myself into it, out of the two it's definetely the Hilton.

Have a good weekend regards bkkrop

Judging by how often I see the little boat on the river, the Hilton's riverboat shuttle service doesn't operate as regularly as, say, The Peninsula's does (the Pen's being basically constant except during the overnight period). It could get irritating to stand around waiting for it a lot if your timing is unfortunate. The Hilton is a healthy ride upriver from the SkyTrain station at Saphan Taksin.

I would *assume* that service would be better at the Banyan Tree than at the Hilton, judging purely by reputation. But when Mr. Megatop and I had dinner at the steakhouse at the Hilton during Songkran this year, on the recommendation of a manager at the Pen who specifically praised their service, we were duly impressed. So perhaps the usual assumptions do not apply.

Regular readers of this forum probably know that I always stay at the Pen. It would seem to give you the best combination of 5* service and easy access to the SkyTrain. I've always found service at the Pen formal and definitely polished to a high shine but never stuffy. Can't wait to be back at my home on the river, actually. <sigh> I have no idea how the Pen's rates compare with the others for suites.

The O would be similar to the Pen in terms of location but it has a reputation for stuffiness. Shangri-La is practically on top of the SkyTrain station but is a much larger hotel than the others.

I would stay at the Sheraton Grande Sukumvit. Then you have easy access to both the Skytrain and Subway.

The Hilton was nice. I'd recommend it. However, it's across the river from the Skytrain, so I would probably try something else, if Skytrain access is paramount.

Thanks everyone. Presumably getting a taxi across the river to the Hilton is no big deal?

My vote goes to the Banyan Tree.Granted Skytrain and Subway access suck but it is a great hotel.
At one time it was the tallest building in Bangkok.(now Baiyoke)It has the greatest health club with an outdoor pool and hot tub on the 50th-54th floors.
Great views from bar and resturant on the top floor.
For those unique qualities I say check it out.

I also must agree with the Sheraton Sukumvit for access at a nice hotel.
akdude

Well, remember that BKK is traffic hell! Plus there are not many bridges connecting two riversides. So the best bet is that you take the hotel boat transfer and then take taxi from there on, unless you are traveling very early morning, before 6AM.


Hilton BKK is nice hotel but location is aweful if you are traveling for business... or even for leisure. Why not go over to IC BKK or Marriott, or any other branded hotel on the sky train line?

Good question...and the answer is price. We're looking at suites in both of these hotels for around the same price (or less) as a plain-jane room in the other usual suspects. I have stayed before at the Westin and thought it was OK, but really didn't much care for the hooker obstacle course you have to fight through to reach the front door. Sheraton decor is too old-lady IMO.

It sounds like there is no clear consensus and they are both equally good/bad, though in different ways. We're going to have to walk or taxi from either, so I guess it really comes down to pool and rooms.

The Hilton has an interesting pool I can't begin to describe. Unfortunately I was only there for 12 hrs (4pm-4am) and didn't think to check it out till the sun had already set. I have video, but it's so dark it's not worth you taking a peek.

I was in a King Exec and the workmanship in the bathroom was a bit shoddy - nothing major. Messy grout, the bathtub fixture was slightly askew. I'd hope the suites are better done.

I'll send you a PM in a bit.

Apart from shift-changing time in the mid-afternoon (around 3pm, when getting a taxi to go anywhere that isn't directly on the route to the garage is a nightmare), getting a taxi to take you to the Klongsan side (where Peninsula and Millennium Hilton are) is not a problem. You can often get a tuktuk to take you over there too. And getting taxis at the hotels or on Charoennakorn Road isn't difficult either. The issue is how long you get stuck in traffic backed up at the major intersection on the Sathorn Road side of Taksin Bridge. In the mornings, traffic can back up clear across the bridge to the Klongsan side and it could take upwards of 30 minutes to get across, which even then only leaves you on Sathorn or the access road underneath the expressway. Going toward Klongsan is usually easier, though roadworks in that already-disastrous intersection have, for about a year, made things even worse.

So, getting a taxi isn't the issue. How long it takes to get where you're going can be the issue at certain times of day.

If you're coming off the SkyTrain, grabbing at cab at the station to take you to your hotel is a waste of time and baht. Just wait for the shuttle boats-- far more often than not, they're faster and free.

Thanks for the advice everyone! Even though the suites at the Banyan Tree look nicer, I think we're going for the Hilton.

The Hilton boats to/from the Saphan Taksin station departs at every 20min. They also have a regular shuttle crossing the river to River City where they maintain a small check-in desk.

If you go with the Hilton may I suggest at least a visit to the Banyan Tree.The view from the top floor bar is awesome on a clear night and you really should check out the pool on the 50th floor cutout.
I always checked in up there and had a beer while my luggage was being delivered and set up in my room.Its so high your usually above the smog and its about 65-70degrees F.perfect beer drinking temp for this poor melting Alaskan.:)

If your primary objective is shopping, perhaps consider the Four Seasons, Intercontinental and the Grand Hyatt since they are probably in the best location for shopping (at least somewhat upscale) for BKK. Personally I can't deal with the traffic of having to cross the river to the Millenium Hilton, Marriott River Resort or the Pen (sorry MegatopLover ;) ). This it from the perspective of someone who rarely takes public transit or taxis in BKK (I usually have my grandfather's driver & car when I'm visiting).