Review: Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport

Rude behavior and indifferent service from the hotel staff?

What did you expect from a French owned hotel chain? 😉

I had the exact same experience in June.

Great location, rough service.

One thing you started to mention - with the halls - which I found in the room as well is it's starting to show wear. The furniture was scratched, the closet doors were banged up.

Oh, and it's super handy that you get 24 hours in the room from the time of check-in. Excellent idea that more chains should think about.

Same experience.

They forced you into the shuttle and drove for a while so you would tip.

I stayed here with my family about 4 years ago - snaqgged a room when Accor had a huge super-sale, so it was quite affordable. I remember the lobby being beautiful (all the water and plants) and the service being indifferent at best - but the rooms were clean and reasonably sized. It was great to be so close to the airport, and we were well rested for our next flight. I'd stay here again for a night if transferring - why not?

The airport has been open (more or less) for about 7 years now. I think the Novotel opened about the same time. I wonder how frequently most hotels renovate these days.

Maybe since they are presumed to be the only game in town for a quick layover stay they have that attitude. There are several other hotels within a few minutes of the airport that are not too expensive. But I think most people just choose the Novotel because it's connected to the airport. All of those worn out guests who are only staying for a short time probably put a fair bit of wear and tear on the place.

No excuse for the bad service. But maybe it's an Accor thing. I stated at the Mercure in Koblenz last month and had very indifferent service there as well. (Although to be fair the Mercure Trier had very good service)

Have you ever stayed at the Best Western Premier Amaranth Suvarnabhumi Airport? It's near the airport, has a free shuttle, nice rooms, free wifi, and even a free plate of fruit in the room. It's where I stayed on my last overnight layover in Bangkok and will probably head back there the next time I have a similar layover.

I paid $180 back in 2007 for a few overnight hours. While pleasant enough I opted for the terminal on my next overnight in Bangkok.

taxi to the old but nice Asia hotel 600bht, room
appx 2000bht, free return to airport.

better deal

Louis' Tavern in the terminal airside is a good option for a short layover, say late night arrival, morning departure. They have rooms, internet, breakfast, no need to clear immigration/customs. For this option, must check bags to next destination.

Le Meridien is building a property near the airport that is scheduled to open next summer.

I second... The Best Western Premier Amaranth Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel. Stayed there twice and booked with Agoda for a rate of $80USD which included breakfast.

Are you an Accor Platinum? Is this meaningful anywhere?

@ Ryan @ iv -- Haven't done the Best Western, so sounds like I should try that next time. Or for that matter just have a layover long enough to the point that it makes sense to go into the city.

@ David -- I am, and haven't found there to be any meaningful benefits. For example, upgrades are only available upon request at Sofitel and Pullman properties, but even there they rarely happen. At other properties it just seems to translate into extra points.

I've never considered a hotel for under a 12 hour layover since you can get showers at the airport clubs. Are the lounges that bad there or is it more of wanting to try a different hotel?

Is there something you are leaving out that could account for the bad service? Maybe the front desk was acting that way upon check in because you showed up with your ladyboy "friend" despite the reservation being for one person? Maybe that's why the bill was higher than you expected when you checked out because they added the charge for your friend?

@Dave - I think the Thais are a fairly tolerant people, and I doubt there is any difference in room rate if there are 2 guests rather than 1. I stayed in this hotel in 2010 and found it to be exactly as Lucky has described. It's very much like the airport it serves, which for the most part is underwhelming.

Stayed here about a month ago for one night and we were quite surprised at how nice our stay was. We did see the sign at the airport and they had our name at the desk and we had a lot of bags. They took them all to the shuttle and it left immediately. I had signed up for Accor Platinum so I think the wi-fi was free and we had a sale rate of about $120. My wife loved the art gallery in the hotel lobby also. If anything, I was surprised at the indifferent service in the Thai First Class lounge later. 6 employees standing around the bar talking to one another while we tried to flag them down for a drink.

I once stayed at this hotel for a quick overnight < 10 hours three years ago (of course your can neither collect nor redeem miles, so it's probably a no-go for you 😉 - also has less than 5 stars)
http://www.booking.com/hotel/th/mariya-boutique-at-suvarnabhumi-airport.html

They have free Wifi and airport transfer. I remember the whole process as being extremely convenient and the staff being as kind as you're used to in Thailand.

A very good place about 10 minutes drive from the airport is a lovely family hotel called Maria Boutique Hotel. Price $45 Aus per night. Transport is free to and from airport. It does not have any facilities e.g. swimmin pool etc but for 6 hours lay over it is good value. Free soft drinks and snacks available and service is friendly.

Help needed please - I am due to be travelling on my own with two grumpy Teenagers, and have an 18 hour transit at Bangkok - I am looking for Hotels that do not require immigration/customs clearance - Is Hotel or the Best Western Premier one of them?
Thanks

@ Deb McCormack -- I could be mistaken, but I don't believe there are any airside options.

AVOID THIS HOTEL AT ALL COSTS! Staff NOT helpful, very rude, And their booking company, Booking.com are a gang of incompetent morons who screw up the reservations. Much better to take short taxi to any of hotels near airport. Novetel charges 300%++ above other hotels.

I last stayed in this hotel in 2012. My late partner and I used Bangkok as our hub on a three week holiday for our visits to Myanmar, Penang and Saigon/ HCMC, then we finally and happily stayed as usual at Bangkok's Royal Orchid Sheraton (we went there primarily for the poolside peacocks!).

The service was the worst I have ever experienced in Thailand but about on par for the Accor group. The only thing to recommend itself is the hotel's poolside.

Those three stays added up to being the penultimate nail in the coffin of my membership of their loyalty programme. I only have had one friendly and positive experience and that was at the dreadfully noisy Ibis in Birmingham (UK).

I dislike making negative comments but of all hotel groups Accor is consistently the worst I've experienced and their premium product always falls short. As I pay out of my own pocket I would rather party with good money for a Hyatt or Sheraton, for instance. The quality has always been much better toward me as a loyal customer.

One of our bikes stayed on novotel area after we left the hotel and now we have a hard time getting it back. They want to see all kinds of documents and price go up each day. Offered a deal but they refused. Send a girl friend with the key and contract . She came home without the bike .

One of our bikes remained after 2 day stay.
found on novotel ground
girl friend go with the key for a ride home. About the bike. Photos for that design contest at some point. Get the means to tow the bike. Then you go take off the red plate . There is a plan for repa Mod it like crazy. You get to mod a scrambler Ducati. Toss it on the tow mobile. Give some for attention . Go eat lunch

Hey lucky will You please delete the previous or both. I had to change the lyrics . I don't wanna pass novotel policy on to any one. Kind regards. Andersabi

I stayed at this hotel last night and can honestly say it has only gone downhill from when this review was originally published. Carpets are dirty and worn and in some areas have been patched (poorly). The smell of mold on the 3rd floor was so bad I had to move to a room on the 5th which was much that much better.

While the bed was satisfactory the furniture is old and beat-up. It's one for a top to bottom rehab of the entire hotel. The sooner the better. Until then I'll make the trip into town where there are far better hotels at far better prices.

Hi,

Do you need to clear the immigration to get to this hotel? And go through it again to get to the terminal? Thanks.

Prem

@ Pramod -- Yes, you do need to clear immigration in both directions to go to this hotel.