Four Seasons Bangkok vs Grand Hyatt Erawan- Part 1

This is this first installment of a series of posts where I will compare two of the premier five star hotels in Bangkok- The Four Seasons Bangkok and The Grand Hyatt Erawan.

I guess I should start this comparison of the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok and the Four Seasons Bangkok with a disclaimer;
The Grand Hyatt Erawan is usually my first stop every time I arrive in Bangkok.  It’s become customary for me to spend my first night there and has been for a long time. I have always wanted to try the Four Seasons, but always found a reason to stop me.

One of those reasons was the lack of a Frequent Guest program at the Four Seasons. I must admit that I am a status freak and love collecting points and status at hotels and airlines, and have racked up quite a few benefits at the Hyatt, Marriott and a number of other places.

I was also under the impression that the Four Seasons was going to be a lot more expensive, but with the current worldwide economic environment, coupled with the recent instability of Thai politics, hotels in Thailand are providing some great deals lately.

I recently had the opportunity to stay at both properties in the same week and was glad to be able to compare the two. Though I am a fan and frequent guest at The Grand Hyatt Erawan, first and foremost I am a lover of luxurious hotels, and will endeavor to compare these two magnificent properties as objectively as possible.

Location

Both hotels are located on Rajadamri Road, a couple of hundred meters apart, across the street from the Royal Bangkok Sports Club. The Grand Hyatt Erawan is close to, and indeed connected to BTS Skytrain Chitlom station on the Sukhumvit line, while the Four Seasons is closer to Rajadamri station on the Silom line. You can however, easily walk to either station from both hotels.

Exterior

What better place to start than the exterior of the hotels. Both properties were built in the early 1980’s and began life as different hotels, The Four Seasons as The Regent and the Hyatt as the Erawan Hotel.

The Four Seasons is definitely a nicer looking hotel from the outside.  In front of the hotel leading up to the entrance there are beautifully maintained gardens with lots of water and tropical plants, which are subtly lit up at night, creating an elegant atmosphere, which hints at the luxury inside.

The property is low and wide, comprising only 9 stories and separated into 3 wings, a central  “Kannika” building and two atrium wings on either side, Monthathip Court and Parichart Court.

The Grand Hyatt Erawan stands taller at 22 floors, and while the sweeping entrance is a little more grand than the Four Seasons (well it IS the Grand Hyatt), the exterior of the Hyatt as it rises above the 5th floor betrays it’s early 80’s vintage with it’s black glass windows, looking like a dated, anonymous office tower.

At the entrance, guests are greeted by two huge elephant sculptures and a flurry of activity from the attentive staff, many of whom are clad in traditional clothing reminiscent of a bygone Siamese era.

Lobby

The lobby of the Grand Hyatt Erawan is breathtaking with its huge white columns and the majestic staircases sweeping down from the second floor to the lobby, and again from the lobby down to the lower lobby. Full sized trees and meandering water that leads to a fountain add to the ambiance of the lobby of this popular hotel that always seems to be abuzz with activity, full of visitors and locals alike.

On either side of the marbled walkway that leads to the front desk and the elevators are two teakwood floored raised public areas furnished with tables, lamps, plush chairs and sofas scattered with silk cushions. Morning and afternoon tea can be taken here and to the left the extensive breakfast buffet is served.

The lobby of the Four Seasons is no less impressive with its marble floors, plush carpets, soaring columns and art deco inspired fittings. The centerpiece of the lobby has to be the wall behind the grand carpeted marble staircase, stunningly hand painted by renowned Thai artist Paiboon Suwannakudt (1925-1982).  In addition to this stunning gilt inlaid masterpiece, the lobby is covered end to end with hand painted silk ceilings.

Coffee tables, upholstered chairs and lamps dot the carpeted areas of this lobby as well and the high afternoon tea at the Four Seasons is certainty an experience not to be missed.  There seem to be less people using the Four Seasons as a meeting place than at the Grand Hyatt Erawan and this may be because the lobby here has more of an air of exclusivity about it and it is certainly quieter.

Arrival procedures were quick and pleasant at both hotels with plenty of staff waiting to open the taxi door, whisk our bags away and escort us to the front desk for check-in. After being shown to our rooms and given an explanation of the amenities, our luggage arrived with 5 minutes at both the Four Seasons and the Grand Hyatt.

In part two of The Four Seasons vs. Grand Hyatt Erawan, I take a  look at the guestrooms at both hotels.

You might also like:

• Four Seasons Bangkok vs Grand Hyatt Erawan part 3 – The pools
• Four Seasons Bangkok vs Grand Hyatt Erawan- Part 2
• Video tour of Grand Hyatt Erawan + Wish list
• Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok Review