So Sofitel Bangkok: A conceptual hotel gone astray

1   Not Recommended
November 5, 2016 by

 Map | 10 Reviews | 50% Recommended
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Sofitel So Bangkok
 Map | 10 Reviews | 50% Recommended

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Share
Liked:
Location
Service
Food
Amenities
Room
Stats

Check In

Check-in was quite slow, although there was nobody in front of me but I was not in a rush. I was invited to sit in the lobby and was offered a welcome drink (some sort of very sweet, slghtly disgusting, cocktail) while my details were being processed.

Room

So Sofitel boasts that its unique concept results from a mix of French chic (personified by Chritian Lacroix) and Thai hospitality, the former being most apparent in the design of the rooms and the staff uniforms.

The room never ceased to disappoint. I was offered an earth-themed room with walls painted with murals in a naive style reminiscent of a (poorly talented) fifth-grade student art project. The result is dreadful, all the more so that cheap material is used, the finishing touches are neglected, and the overall comfort of the bed is mediocre. 

The room is not soundproof and the din of trafic 24 floors below is constantly audible.

Wifi is free and fast enough but access to multiple sites is blocked (by law allegedly).

 

Service

Service is fine, as is usually the fact in Thailand.

The staff's uniforms are a mixed bag and I am being polite. The Christian Lacroix's touch does not exactly enhance the sartorial style of those poors employees and sometimes borders on the ridiculous: not everyone can wear a jodhpur with elegance.

Dining

This is the nadir of the whole experience at this hotel.

Room service is served promptly but is properly disgusting. They even manage to botch staples like pasta of hamburgers. And the food is served barely warm even cold.

Breakfast at the restaurand is a beehive of activity. The choice is large but the quality of the food is sub-par. Service is so-so at that time of the day.

Location

Close to a garden.

But this is Bangkok and it is quite hard to find a quiet, relaxing place.

As noted previously, the hotel is literally at the base of a very busy expressway and the noise from traffic is permanent.

Pool

The outdoor infinity pool is approximately 20m long and allows laps. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of sunloungers compared to the number of guests and those loungers are taken by storm early in the morning by greedy customers.

Bathroom

The room set-up is quite bizarre and the bathroom is barely separed from the bedroom. Soap & shampoo are offered in large containers, like those found in supermarket, and are of low quality.

Gym

Small gym clearly not geared for the number of guests at this hotel.

Flights

Transfers from and to the airport (in a BMW series 5) were arranged via the concierge at a very reasonnable price. No complaint on that front. There was no wait either at the airport or the hotel.

Overall

Overall, this conceptual hotel mixing French & Thai influences is a flop and should be carefully avoided due to the plethora of luxury hotels in Bangkok with verified, outstanding reputations.

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