- The Last Aeroplan Hurrah: Introduction
- The Last Aeroplan Hurrah: United Global First Lounge San Francisco
- The Last Aeroplan Hurrah: Lufthansa First Class San Francisco to Munich
- The Last Aeroplan Hurrah: Le Meridien Munich
- The Last Aeroplan Hurrah: Lufthansa First Class Lounge Munich, Swiss Business Class Munich to Zurich
- The Last Aeroplan Hurrah: Swiss First Class Lounge Zurich, Swiss First Class Zurich to Bangkok
- The Last Aeroplan Hurrah: St. Regis Bangkok
- The Last Aeroplan Hurrah: Thai Airways First Class Lounge & Spa Bangkok
- The Last Aeroplan Hurrah: Thai Airways First Class Bangkok to Hong Kong
- The Last Aeroplan Hurrah: Ritz Carlton Hong Kong
- The Last Aeroplan Hurrah: Exploring Hong Kong
- The Last Aeroplan Hurrah: United Club Hong Kong and Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge Hong Kong
- The Last Aeroplan Hurrah: Asiana Business Class Hong Kong to Seoul Incheon
- The Last Aeroplan Hurrah: Hyatt Regency Incheon Airport
- The Last Aeroplan Hurrah: Asiana First Class Lounge Seoul Incheon
- The Last Aeroplan Hurrah: Asiana First Class Seoul Incheon to Frankfurt
- The Last Aeroplan Hurrah: Sheraton Frankfurt Airport
- The Last Aeroplan Hurrah: Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt, Lufthansa First Class Frankfurt to Seattle
- The Last Aeroplan Hurrah: Four Seasons Seattle
Perhaps it’s one of the more irrational things I’ll ever do, but I decided to arrange a car transfer with the hotel. Bangkok cabs are inexpensive so on one hand it’s a waste, but I figured we’d give the hotel transfer service a try in one direction. The cost was about $90USD, and the transfer was in a pimped out Mercedes S500. I will say that while it was expensive, it was really nice to arrive at a hotel in Bangkok not drenched in sweat, as cabs in Bangkok tend to cheap out on the air conditioning.
Car transfer
Car transfer
Hotel exterior
Hotel entrance
The hotel’s lobby is actually on the 12th floor, though there’s still a fairly grand entrance on the 1st floor including plenty of seating.
1st floor entrance
We were escorted up to check-in on the 12th floor, which consisted of individual tables instead of one long check-in desk, which I always find to be a nice touch at luxury hotels (the Park Hyatt Tokyo has the same).
12th floor lobby
I had booked our stay through American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts (the hotel hasn’t yet joined Virtuoso). The rate was identical to the best available rate, which was around $200USD per night. By booking through Fine Hotels & Resorts we received complimentary breakfast and one complimentary afternoon tea once during our stay in addition to the Platinum benefits.
While Starwood Platinum members have always received free breakfast at this hotel, they now have to select it in lieu of the 500 point welcome amenity. This is due to the SPG program revamp that happened on March 1. So by booking through Fine Hotels & Resorts I essentially “earned” an extra 500 points and got free afternoon tea.
It’s worth noting that the alternative was to book cash and points for $90USD plus 4,800 SPG points per night. After crunching the numbers I didn’t think that was worth it. It’s rather crazy that the hotel has since gone up to a category six hotel, meaning cash and points would now be $150 plus 8,000 points per night. That’s outrageous given how inexpensive luxury hotels are in Bangkok.
The agent at check-in was very friendly and informed us of all our benefits. She informed us we had been upgraded to a Grande Deluxe room with a nice view. I was a bit surprised not to get a Metropolitan Suite which Platinum members seem to report getting about 90% of the time at this hotel, though after looking at availability she informed us that we could move the second night if we wanted to.
I was impressed that the GM was “hovering” around the lobby, and as each party checked in he introduced himself and handed out his business card, mentioning that he appreciates any feedback. I thought that was a nice gesture.
Our room was located on the 22nd floor, room 2227. It was easily one of the most beautifully decorated rooms I’ve ever seen, and in the end we decided not to even move the second night, since apparently the Metropolitan Suites at this hotel don’t have nearly as nice views.
Room entrance
By the entrance was the closet and bathroom equipped with a walk in shower and separate tub, as well as double sinks.
Bathroom
Tub
Sinks
Toilet
Then sliding doors led to the bedroom, which featured a soft bed facing a flat screen TV, as well as a couch and desk with comfortable chair.
Bedroom
TV
Couch
Desk
The room featured views of the pool and in the distance the racetrack and city. While I love Bangkok as a city, it’s not one I usually associate with nice views. This was definitely the nicest view I’ve ever had in a Bangkok hotel.
Awesome views
View of pool
Since this is a St. Regis they have the signature butler service. I’ll never quite understand what purpose the butlers serve. Our butler introduced herself to us at the beginning of the stay, though if you need anything you call the “central” butler phone number, and then they dispatch a butler to help. So it’s not quite as personalized (or useful) as the one I had at Aman-i-Khas, for example (not that I was expecting that level of service).
The two things they seem to always suggest doing is helping with packing and unpacking, and also bringing complimentary tea or coffee. The latter is useful, I guess, but does anyone really want a stranger packing and unpacking their clothes? I sure don’t…
It’s worth noting that as a Platinum member you get access to a complimentary evening cocktail reception at the hotel’s bar, Decanter, between 5:30PM and 7:30PM. It’s almost like a mini club lounge with a nice little spread consisting of cheese, meat, bread, olives, etc. They also have a wine list from which you can order whatever you’d like, including champagne. It’s a nice little bonus for Platinum members given that the hotel doesn’t have a club lounge.
Decanter
Buffet
Not too shabby
Breakfast is served daily in Viu Restaurant from 7AM to 11AM, so we took advantage of that both mornings. As is the case in most Thai hotels, the spread was very, very good. It wasn’t quite as good as Le Meridien Bangkok, which is easily the best spread I’ve ever seen, though it was still very good. They had everything imaginable, from Western to Chinese to Japanese to Thai.
Breakfast restaurant
Omelet station
More food
Fresh fruit
Breads
The good stuff
Lukewarm waffles, pancakes, and french toast
More food!
My only complaint is that the service was a bit lackluster. While I found the service around the hotel to otherwise be great, unfortunately the restaurant staff were lacking a bit with efficiency and accuracy. I should also note that a lot of the hot options were lukewarm at best, so I’m not sure if they weren’t replacing them often enough, or if their heating mechanism was no good.
While we’re talking about Platinum benefits, it’s also worth noting that Platinum members get five free pieces of laundry dry cleaned during their stay. They seem to do it overnight, though not faster.
As I mentioned at the beginning of the report we also received complimentary afternoon tea once during our stay, which we took advantage of in the lobby bar. While it wasn’t the seven course afternoon tea I had at the Burj Al Arab, it was excellent nonetheless.
Afternoon tea
Afternoon tea
As far as the hotel’s facilities go, the pool, spa, and gym are all on the 14th floor. The pool is especially nice, including two (cold) jacuzzis.
Pool
Jacuzzi
Hotel from pool
Bar by pool
Gym
Gym
The Elemis Spa was also fantastic, easily one of the nicest I’ve ever seen. The spa was considerably more expensive than Le Meridien Bangkok, though well worth the price. I was especially impressed by the (hot) jacuzzis they have for before or after treatments.
Spa entrance
Spa reception
Post-treatment area
Post-treatment tea
Elemis Spa hot and cold
On the whole I’d say the St. Regis is probably now my favorite hotel in Bangkok. Bangkok has lots of great luxury hotels, though many of them are starting to show their age. The St. Regis has both great service and brand new facilities, so I’d return in a heartbeat. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, Le Meridien is very good as well and possibly has even better Platinum recognition.
For views, try the Peninsula. They don't participate in points schemes, but the river location provides one of the best views in Bangkok. Only comparable view is the Hyatt in Shanghai looking over to Pudong. Balcony rooms are best. Service is excellent, although decor is beginning to age. The breakfasts will surprise, and the pool, cabanas, and riverside bar are wonderful. The icing on the cake is the ferry ride across the river to get...
For views, try the Peninsula. They don't participate in points schemes, but the river location provides one of the best views in Bangkok. Only comparable view is the Hyatt in Shanghai looking over to Pudong. Balcony rooms are best. Service is excellent, although decor is beginning to age. The breakfasts will surprise, and the pool, cabanas, and riverside bar are wonderful. The icing on the cake is the ferry ride across the river to get to and from the city. At first it threatens to be an imposition, but ends in feeling like the trip to and from an oasis of comfort and pleasure.
@ R B -- I just pulled it up and it is. Where are you seeing that it's not?
It seems the St Regis is no longer part of Amex fine hotels & resorts.
@ Donald -- Regardless of who I'm traveling with, I'm an adult and capable of sharing a king bed with just about anyone.
I don't understand where your friend stays, you never post his room. Do you arrange a camp bed for him?
I don't know if it's your camera lens, but everything in the hotel rooms looks very small, like the couch and bathtub? I mean, there is no way I could fit both me and my usual Bangkok ladyboy companion in that tub!
@ Rowena -- For me it wasn't too bad. Putting a towel in front of the shower did the trick. It definitely could have been designed a bit more practically though.
Just wondering if the shower in your room tended to flood the whole bathroom floor? We stayed in St. Regis last year and the water used to flow out of the bottom part of the shower screen. I saw reviews on TripAdvisor and it seemed that our shower wasn't an isolated case. I wonder if they had that fixed.
I will vote for hookers and blow -- on toilets
I've stayed at this hotel too. I got the same response from the management when I asked about the metropolitan suite - and when I kindly asked them to check again, after about 20 minutes they said they could have it ready. It was a fantastic suite, 1-bedroom, but the views weren't great at all. However, at the category 5 level I thought it was a great redemption value for my points. Also - dry...
I've stayed at this hotel too. I got the same response from the management when I asked about the metropolitan suite - and when I kindly asked them to check again, after about 20 minutes they said they could have it ready. It was a fantastic suite, 1-bedroom, but the views weren't great at all. However, at the category 5 level I thought it was a great redemption value for my points. Also - dry cleaning could be done same day, you just have to ask. The best part of it all was the Platinum member cocktail hour you mentioned above. Fantastic selection of beverages!!
I have to agree that $90 for transfer to the hotel is a bit much for you and your travel companion. In cases like that, how do you handle the cost? Do you and he split it?
Great review & photos ... thank you for sharing! Please feel free to post with link here about your stay: http://milepoint.com/forums/threads/the-st-regis-bangkok-master-thread.7705/page-3#post-1222724
@ DBest -- Absolutely, almost always when it's an option. I'm all for public transportation when it's efficient for where I'm headed.
Just curious, do you ever take the subway from the airport (for those cities blessed with a rapid connection to downtown)? I see how its not worth it for groups/families, but for single travellers I'm a big fan.
@Lucky, fair enough, and thanks for the insight.
This arrival service is listed on the Grand Hyatt Beijing website (http://tinyurl.com/77zcugw), and is quoted for 600CNY ($95) in an Audi A6. They also offer a MB S350 for 920CNY.
Since it's booked through the Hyatt, I assume it can be charged to the room, but I only reserved it for a trip later this year, and haven't used it yet.
@ Jack -- Haven't stayed there yet, though will likely give it a shot the next time I'm in Bangkok.
@ Brent -- LOL, I love it. Promise to do that with the next report.
@ JetAway -- As @RakSiam points out, the location is excellent for sightseeing, both in terms of the actual location and access to transportation.
@ RakSiam @ John -- Good to know for next time. Thanks.
@ David -- Would...
@ Jack -- Haven't stayed there yet, though will likely give it a shot the next time I'm in Bangkok.
@ Brent -- LOL, I love it. Promise to do that with the next report.
@ JetAway -- As @RakSiam points out, the location is excellent for sightseeing, both in terms of the actual location and access to transportation.
@ RakSiam @ John -- Good to know for next time. Thanks.
@ David -- Would be very curious to hear the cost for that.
@ Andrew -- I've said it before and I'll say it again. When I travel I spend 8+ hours a day walking around. I admitted upfront that I've never before arranged a car abroad unless it was included with the hotel. I always take public transportation or taxis, no matter how lost I am (and I negotiate). I just don't think I can add much value in writing a thorough review of a city I'm frankly not an expert on, since there are many better resources on the web. I'm trying to fill a different niche by focusing on the "getting there" and "staying there" part, and less on the destination.
And while I don't eat a lot of street food (I'm terrified of getting sick abroad), there's nothing I love more than the hawker stalls in Singapore.
Can you please take a trip to Asia one of these times where you actually "go" to Asia? Meaning, you land at the airport not knowing where you're going to stay, you haggle with a cab driver for ten minutes to get a $7 fare down to $6, eat street food, etc? In other words, do the things that make Asia Asia, and make Asia worth going to?
Also, although you somewhat admit it, $90...
Can you please take a trip to Asia one of these times where you actually "go" to Asia? Meaning, you land at the airport not knowing where you're going to stay, you haggle with a cab driver for ten minutes to get a $7 fare down to $6, eat street food, etc? In other words, do the things that make Asia Asia, and make Asia worth going to?
Also, although you somewhat admit it, $90 is absolutely nuts for an airport transfer in Bangkok. Is the marginal utility you gained from an S500 really worth more than the countless things you could've otherwise purchased in BKK with the $60-$75 you could've saved on getting to your hotel?
@David - May I ask how much the hotel/airport transfer cost? What type of car did they use? I presume air conditioning is a given? Did you have to pay the driver, or was it chargeable to the room? Thanks.
The Four Seasons next door to the St. Regis was one of the most reasonably priced, and best stays I have EVER had... definitely worth looking at.
I think you should do a blog post about arrival transporation services, and when they make sense for certain cities and properties. If you have 3 or more people, then you should definitely look into it, b/c the incremental cost is minimal.
I was looking at the GH Beijing, and the service starts after de-planing: Our Private Limousine Transfer includes our “Meet & Greet” service. With this service, our airport representative will wait for...
I think you should do a blog post about arrival transporation services, and when they make sense for certain cities and properties. If you have 3 or more people, then you should definitely look into it, b/c the incremental cost is minimal.
I was looking at the GH Beijing, and the service starts after de-planing: Our Private Limousine Transfer includes our “Meet & Greet” service. With this service, our airport representative will wait for you with a “Grand Hyatt Beijing” sign, at the aerobridge of your plane. You will then be escorted through to the Immigration line, followed by the luggage collection point and finally to your Private Limousine.
This is definitely worth it to me, considering the comfort of getting to the hotel without language issues, potential to earn points, and low incremental $ cost for 4 people.
Ben @ RakSiam- I used a limo service based at the airport in Bangkok, AOT Limo, in Dec. It was only $72 one way for a late model BMW 750. They had cheaper cars as well. They are located inside the baggage claim in BKK as well as another counter outside of baggage claim. I did not have an advanced reservation. On the return from the Conrad to BKK I used the Conrad hotel BMW...
Ben @ RakSiam- I used a limo service based at the airport in Bangkok, AOT Limo, in Dec. It was only $72 one way for a late model BMW 750. They had cheaper cars as well. They are located inside the baggage claim in BKK as well as another counter outside of baggage claim. I did not have an advanced reservation. On the return from the Conrad to BKK I used the Conrad hotel BMW 7 series. The Conrad charged around $92. AOT is a much better deal than using the hotel car at the Conrad or St. Regis.
It's walking distance to Central and Siam Paragon - or one BTS stop. In opposite direction, one BTS stop to Patpong.
AOT Limo offers R/T car service with Volvo or Camry [both with A/C] for less than what was paid for one day in the Mercedes...LOL.
We watched the construction of hotel when it first started back in summer 2010. It took quite a bit of time to complete....
@JetAway, as you can see in some of the photos, the hotel is located right at a BTS (Skytrain) station Ratchadamri (I believe). Just one stop from the big malls for shopping. Sightseeing is a little less conducive to public transit unless you take BTS down to the river (Saphan Taksin) and take the river boat to the Grand Palace area.
there is a middle ground between taxis and exorbitantly priced hotel limos...there are lots of car services. The one I usually take is about $30 one way and they use nice late model Camrys and Nissan Teanas (Maximas).
How is the hotel for access to sightseeing, shopping and transportation?
@ Lucky
You should do some sort of Easter Egg. Hide something in one of your photos that doesn't belong (in the room) and see who the first one to point it out is. Might make for a better contest than a random giveaway!
What about the SGS? I find their platinum recognition better than the St. Regis. Free Breakfast, many options for free happy hour, huge upgrade percentage, very personalized service, etc.
I like the toilet shots. Just like the lime and diet coke shots, it is not a proper Lucky report without it!
@ lucky - Now THAT would be exciting! ;)
@ michael -- It's a hotel review. What do you want, hookers and blow?
great shot of the toilet. So informative!
C'mon, spice these reports up a bit.