Chasing the Sun: InterContinental Bangkok

Ben- Do you usually tip in these hotel club lounges? I usually only tip when they serve me food with a waiter (as opposed to a selfservice buffet in the lounge).

Where (how) did you get buy one get one night free certificate from?

Lucky - I see booze in that fridge, do you mean no booze that is free?

@romsdeals, I think by booze he meant hard alcohol. He mentions that there was beer.

Sorry, read too quickly. Thai Iced tea is bomb, but I prefer milk tea. The best drink ever is definitely the Mango Juice at Paris Vendome Hyatt. Free for diamonds, but if not Diamond then it would cost 14 Euros a glass!

Maybe I'm seeing things, but that looks like a window between the tub and the bedroom. Is that awkward when you're traveling with a friend? Or is there some sort of agreement that one stays out of the bedroom while the other is using the tub/shower?
And I have to admit that I was surprised to read that you like bubble tea. If you're looking for some in the area, there's a place near you. Everything's made fresh, no powders. https://www.facebook.com/drivethruboba

two questions, how do you attain the high status with ITC and second, how did you get the buy one get one free coupon ?

@ John -- I never feel pressured to (aside from the Westin Diplomat, but that's a different story), though sometimes do. In this case I don't think I did.

@ caveman -- You get one of those certificates for being an Ambassador member.

@ romsdeals -- Sorry, for booze meant liquor.

@ Diana -- There's a privacy screen that can go down for complete privacy. Hate when they have those glass arrangements as well. Thanks for the heads up on the tea, I'll check it out!

@ choi -- The certificate comes with Ambassador status (which can be purchased for $200). I got Royal Ambassador status through a referral from another Royal Ambassador member, as each member can nominate one person for that status.

I think this is a good property for first time visitors to Bangkok, decent access to shopping and cheap eats, public transportation, and reasonably priced massage places (hotel spas can be 3-4X). Also, the IC is connected to a Holiday Inn.

@ David -- Speaking of which, found this spa to be way overpriced. It was $100USD+ for an hour long massage. I've found most hotels in Bangkok to charge in the $50-60USD range, which seems more reasonable.

So just got $8/hour massages in the shopping mall across the street instead.

I stayed at the intercontinental Bangkok for 5 nights a few years ago . It was a point break hotel at the time so each night was only 5,0000 points instead of 30,000! We were only planning on staying 2 nights but at that "price" we decided to stay longer. The room rate during our visit was over$200 a night- so this was a great use of our points.

My wife and I travel with backpacks - however we were still treated wonderfully!

My Wife and I stayed two nights at the IC Bangkok in May and wow! What a place. I contacted the front desk manager ahead of time and let him know I was a longtime fan of IC hotels and he upgraded us to the club level (no suite upgrade but we were happy with what we were given). As Lucky mentions, the lounge is the highlight of this property. The service is incredible. Most of the female servers are downright beautiful. I believe I remember the Julia he mentioned. She was always talking with other patrons... never said a whole lot to us... but I was impressed with the food and the service for SURE. Anytime I get a chance to get back to Bangkok... my allegiance is there. The ONLY downside was the night we went to the rooftop pool... the agent didn't bring us any towls or waters, just sat there texting on his phone the whole time... but to me... if thats the worst that happened... no that big of a deal. Thanks for the review Ben.

I have never heard of "bubble" tea either so I'm not at all surprised a Thai would never have heard if it.

I have been enjoying your trip report immensly, but this report on the IC in Bangkok is off the mark. It's funny how you initially say how you don't like some of the truly 5- star hotels because of their age and maybe dated style and appearance and yet you stay in one of them and go on to give it high praise. I guess you wouldn't know, but having lived for almost two decades in Thailand, I can tell you that the I C, and the predecessors at its location, have been around for decades too. Just one look at the decor, especially the rugs and floor surfaces, gives its age away. I mean, those white and grey marble looking bathroom wall/floor tiles are like so 1980s. And don't even get me started on the furniture.

However, your plane flight reports are spot-on, even if I don't like the food on planes, even in the front of the bus, as it's all slop!