In April I had the opportunity to visit a hotel that many people have been talking about for a while, Bangkok Tree House.

Most people don’t realize that just 1.5 kilometers from the Skytrain you can enter a natural oasis of mangrove trees and a wide array of flora and fauna that makes you feel as if you are miles away from Bangkok. The so called “green lung of Bangkok” is protected by government legislation which places heavy restrictions on urban development.

Inspired by Henry David Thoreau’s Walden, owner Joey Tulyanond envisioned and built Bangkok Tree House to leave as little an effect on the environment as possible. Among the environmentally conscious initiatives, they have promised to clean up one kilo of trash from the Chao Phraya River for every booking made.

In the picture above you can see owner Joey, standing in front of one of the art installations at Bangkok Tree House. All of the wood used in this installation was recovered from the Chao Phraya River. PET bottles that are found littering the river are used as planters in the green walls throughout the hotel. Instead of painting the walls of the hotel, bamboo lattice is used and supports plants such as morning glory and butterfly peas. These provide the dual functions of naturally insulating the rooms and also supplying the organic hotel kitchen.

Rooms

I took a look at two different room types when I visited, the Rooftop Nests and the “View with a Room”.

Treetop Nests

The Treetop Nests are spread out over three levels. On the first level is the bathroom with a large open rain shower. You can lower the bamboo curtain to keep the birds from watching you shower, but that takes away half the fun.

Climb the narrow and steep stairs to the second floor where you will find the air-conditioned bedroom. There is also a personal computer pre-loaded with environmentally themed movies and documentaries.

Climb the stairs outside onto the “green roof” to sun bathe and get a good vantage point from which to watch the river or observe the wildlife.

With the steep stairs and the sheer drop from the shower, these rooms are not recommended for children.

View with a room

As seen in the picture at the top of this post, The View with a Room offers 360 degree wide open views and fresh breezes. When I posted pictures of these rooms on Facebook, people commented asking about rain and mosquitoes. Joey says there is a contingency plan.

While the long white flowing canopies cascading down from the four corners of the bed and billowing in the soft river breezes certainly make for a romantic scene, the lack of privacy up there almost certainly precludes too much romantic activity from taking place.

There are also two other rooms types, which were scheduled to be ready this month, the Family Nest with a maximum occupancy of four people, and the Honeymoon Nest, which can strangely accommodate three people.

Food

All food served at Bangkok Tree House is locally sourced, always in season, and prepared at the hotel restaurant “Reflect”. Of the name, owner Joey says “We want people to reflect on what they are eating”. A satellite dish shaped solar cooker is also used to cook lunch, apparently sealing in the natural flavors and nutrients in a way that other cooking methods cannot.

Bangkok Tree House offers food from two menus, pescetarian (fish and vegetarian) and vegan.

The aforementioned green walls also contribute to the menu, with morning glory being used in the eggs benedict served at breakfast and the butterfly peas being used in the welcome drink served as guests check-in.

Pool

The pool at Bangkok Tree House is one of it’s most unique features. Shunning chlorine due to the ill effects on the environment, the pool is filtered naturally by reeds and water hyacinth. Built in a reverse L shape, one end of the pool is for swimming while the other end holds all the filtering plants.

Activities

With the owner of Bangkok Tree House placing such an emphasis on the environment and local community, it should come as no surprise that the local community plays a major role in the activities on offer to guests.

Early risers can greet and offer alms to the local monks as they pass by the hotel at 5:30 am. The monks are from the nearby Wat Bang Nampheung, and they hold free meditation classes there every day from 3pm.

Bangkok Treehouse has bicycles that are offered to guests for free to explore the area, including Bang Nampheung Floating Market (only open on weekends)which is nearby, as is the Siamese Fighting Fish Gallery. There are many raised paths that meander throughout small local communities that are ideal for walking and riding bicycles. You will also find the Mon Cultural Museum and Si Nakhon Khuen Khan Park, an area popular with birdwatchers and the Bangkok bicycle tour companies.

Access

Take a taxi to Sanpawut Pier from Bangna BTS station on the Sukhumvit line (1.5 kms). From there you have two options- take the green public ferry for THB4 (13 cents) or take the faster and more direct “speed boat” across the Chao Phraya River to the private bamboo pier of Bangkok Tree House

If you are coming from the airport let Bangkok Tree House know your flights details after you have booked (+66 82 995-1150) and an AOT airport limousine service representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall to whisk you away. Price is THB700 (about USD22)

Soft opening prices

Now is a great opportunity to experience the Bangkok Tree House at soft opening prices- 25% off the usual rate.

During the soft opening, which is expected to last for the next couple of months, you can stay in the Tree Nest for just THB3444 (approx. USD110). Normally these rooms will go for THB4590 (USD146).

The View With A Room, which will normally go for THB6590 (USD 210) will be available for only THB4940 (USD157)

– Read more about soft openings here –

What’s not ready yet?

As is the case with most hotel soft openings, not everything is 100% ready, hence the lower prices. At Bangkok Tree House, the only two things are the pool, which according to Joey will be ready in 2 months, and the “green walls” have yet to fully grow in. Apart from that, everything is as it will be after the grand opening.

Have you stayed at the Bangkok Tree House? How was your experience? Please share your thoughts below.

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I visited the Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa recently and stayed in one of the private pool villas (My first!!), of which there are 26, but there are also 150 deluxe rooms, which I also took a look at and will post a pic or two here. You can of course see a lot more photos (51 to be exact) on the Flickr set of the resort.

On the northwest coast of Phuket, north of the airport lies Mai Khao beach, an 11 kilometer stretch of practically deserted tropical beach which is home to a number of luxurious resorts away from the noisy crowds often found on other parts of the island.

Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa opened on March 28th 2010 and was in soft opening mode until its Grand Opening on October 2010.

Location

16 kms north of Phuket International Airport, the Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa is about 20 minutes by taxi (THB 500) or hotel transportation. Opting for the hotel transportation (THB1200) is a good idea for a couple of reasons; Mai Khao beach is quite far from everything on Phuket and public transportation on the island is practically non-existent. Cartels of private taxis are pretty much the only option for getting around Phuket and prices will leave a bad taste in your mouth.

If you do plan on traveling around the island a fair bit, renting your own car could be a good choice economically.

There is a shuttle bus service between the resort and a number of places on Phuket, see below for destinations, prices and timetable.

Rooms

There are 150 deluxe rooms at the Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa, situated on four floors in a “U” shape around the perimeter of the resort. The rooms feature all the standards you would expect from a 5 star resort in the Marriott family, and since it was built recently, they have adhered to the recent trend of the fully glass walled bathroom. All rooms also come with a balcony which overlooks the resort gardens and one of the pools.

Deluxe rooms at The Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa hold 2 adults and 2 children, or up to three adults. There are 14 sets of interconnecting rooms for larger families and a roll-away bed can be requested for an extra charge of THB1600+++ (USD53).

Private Pool Villas

The resort features 21 one bedroom private pool villas, 4 oceanfront pool villas and one 3 bedroom oceanfront pool villa. The photos here and in the Flickr set are of the one bedroom pool villa, in which we stayed.

Upon entering the villa there is the bed and a sofa, both facing glass double doors that open out onto the private pool in the little garden. By the pool there is a pool deck with two deck lounges and a small table between them.

The pool is 1.3 meters deep and has steps around the corner leading to an outdoor shower and another glass door that leads to the bathroom.

The bathroom runs the length of the villa, front to back and is very spacious.

Bathroom

The bathtub in the private pool villas at Renaissance Phuket Resort and Spa is the biggest solid stone bathtub I have ever seen. It’s huge and can easily and comfortably accommodate two people, perhaps even three. It’s like having a second private pool in the villa (O.K, maybe I got carried away there).

Amenities

A nice touch are the bicycles available for free for guests to use in the area. We took a ride around the Mai Khao area visiting other resorts including The JW Marriott Phuket Resort and Sala Phuket Resort, which also has private pool villas. There is also a small shopping complex up the road at Turtle Village near Anantara Phuket Villas where you will find a mini-mart where you can stock up on drinks and snacks if you don’t want to pay mini-bar prices.

There are two pools at the resort, the main pool, measuring 33 meters in length and situated practically on the beach, and the smaller “Kid’s World & Pool” located in the center of the resort complex.

Speaking of kids, babysitting is available for THB214 net (USD7.15 at the time this review was written) per hour and needs to be booked one day in advance.

Dining

Pictured above is Sand Box, a poolside/beachside all day dining spot that turns into a bar and barbeque at night with funky lounge grooves to mellow out to.

Above Sand Box is Takieng, serving classic Thai cuisine with indoor and outdoor seating. The tables on the balcony are popular, so if you want to eat with the sounds of waves gently crashing on the nearby Mai Khao beach, I recommend you make a booking earlier in the day.

The staff at Takieng were very friendly and helpful in helping us choose our food and we were very happy with Kang Masaman Nuea, a tender and mild beef curry with potatoes and peanuts, which melted in my mouth, and the Pla Nueang Manoa, steamed whole fish with lemongrass, lime and chilli dressing.

There was also a nice selection of delicious traditional Thai desserts as well, in which I of course indulged.

Breakfast buffet is served at Loca Vore which has many outdoor tables, some perched over the man made lake in the gardens. Lunch and dinner are also served here.

Shuttle bus service

Renaissance Phuket Resort and Spa provides a shuttle bus service between the resort and three places of interest on the island. Officially a reservation is required one hour prior to departure, however they aren’t going to kick you off if you call 30 minutes before departure.

All shuttles require a minimum of two passengers.

* Patong is the main touristy beach strip on Phuket. While the beach itself is nothing to be impressed by – crawling with louty tourists, persistent touts and freelance prostitutes- this is the main commercial hub of the island with many shops, restaurants and bars. I personally am not a fan of the area, but if you are on the island for a number of days, it might be o.k. for a quick visit- especially if you are looking for a Burger King or a Starbucks coffee.

*Central Festival is a huge modern shopping mall in Patong with a huge selection of restaurants, shops, a game center and a cinema. Great place to escape the sun for a day and perhaps keep the kids entertained.

The Bottom Line

Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa on Mai Khao beach is a great addition to Marriott’s lifestyle brand and fits in harmoniously with its quiet environs.

The resort’s target market of couples and families will find the secluded and peaceful area very relaxing, however if you are the type who likes to party, unless you are up for a bit of traveling back and forth, a base closer to the action of Patong might be for you.

Have you stayed at the Renaissance Phuket Resort & Spa? What was your experience like? Do you have any photos online that you would like to share?

Read more about and check rates at the Renaissance phuket Resort and Spa.

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Sivatel Bangkok opened in late March and has just completed a three month soft opening. I had an opportunity to stay here in late March, two days after its soft opening. At that time, there were a total of two guests in the hotel, including me. While everybody was fresh faced and eager to please, there were a couple of newbie mistakes, but that is the whole point of a soft opening, to iron out these kinds of kinks, so I’m not holding it against them.

Location

Situated on Wireless Road on the northern side of Sukhumvit and facing the British embassy, Sivatel Bangkok is less than 5 minutes walk to the BTS Skytrain Chidlom station. It is a short walk to Central Chidlom mall and not much further to the Erawan Shrine, Central World, and then Siam Paragon, Siam Square and plenty of other shopping and dining options.

Rooms

If I have to pick a word to describe the guestrooms at Sivatel Bangkok it would be “space.” I stayed in the “Grand Noble” room, and even at 48 square meters, it is laid out so well that it felt very spacious. Other, larger rooms feel positively huge- you could throw a party in these rooms.

Sivatel Bangkok offers 75 guestrooms including one and two bedroom suites. The smallest rooms are the Noble rooms at 32 square meters and increase in size up to the 136 square meter Grand Royal Suite Duplex. The types of rooms and their respective sizes are as follows:

• Noble Room- 32 sqm
• Grand Noble- 48 sqm
• Regal Suite- 64 sqm
• Grand Regal Suite- 80 sqm
• Regent Suite- 96 sqm
• Grand Regent Suite- 144 sqm
• Royal Suite Duplex- 104 sqm
• Grand Royal Suite Duplex- 136 sqm

The bed was comfortable, with overhead reading lights and four soft pillows, there was a two person sofa, coffee table, workdesk and ergonomic chair, flat screen TV with AppleTV and even a small dining table with two chairs. There was also plenty of room to put your stuff with not only lot’s of closet space but plenty of open bench-top spaces.

Bathroom

The bathrooms in all the rooms at Sivatel Bangkok are very large, in fact, some of the largest I have seen in Bangkok. All rooms feature a very large round bathtub big enough for 2 people. Depending on the room type you get, the bath may be set into a window bay offering views of the Bangkok skyline.

The shower in my room was also huge, big enough to fit three or four people inside! Waffle robes and Molten Brown toiletries were a nice touch.

Amenities

Thoughtful touches in the room include a safe with plug inside so you can charge your laptop while storing it.

Guests can choose from a pillow menu of eight different pillow types, which I am seeing more and more lately in hotels throughout Thailand.

A not so guest friendly surprise was the cost of WIFI access, which, at THB700 per day (yes, that’s USD23!!) is two dollars per day more expensive than even the JW Marriott Bangkok! In a city like Bangkok with so many hotel choices, and many hotels now coming to accept the fact that guests consider wifi a basic necessity (like hot water) and not an added extra, this is definitely a misstep for a new hotel trying to stand out in the crowd, especially when other heavyweight new hotels in Bangkok like the Hansar Bangkok and Siam Kempinski offer free wifi in all rooms and public spaces.

The pool was lovely and at 22 meters by 10 meters and 120 centimeters deep, excellent for doing laps.

Dining

Sivatel Bangkok is particularly proud of their dining choices, with a number of establishments on the premises. There is a sports bar, Big-a-Byte, a cafe, Cafe Jardin, and an Asian eatery call East Indy serving food from a variety of regions in Asia, and The Porch, on the pool level where breakfast is served as well as all day dining.

The bottom line

Sivatel is a solid choice  for people looking for spacious, well equipped rooms in a central location in Bangkok very close to the Skytrain.

Have you stayed at this hotel? How was your experience? I welcome you to share any experiences or questions you may have by leaving a comment below.

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After being featured in the Hollywood summer blockbuster The Hangover 2 which was released a couple of weeks ago, The Lebua at State Tower Hotel, and it’s rooftop restaurant and bar have been receiving a lot of attention from around the world. This blog alone has seen a 300% increase in visitors looking for info on the hotels appearing in the movie.

The panoramic views of Bangkok were one of the reasons that the property was chosen by location scouts to appear in the movie. The breathtaking views however are not restricted to the open-air rooftop venues, but also captivate guests from the private balconies of the 357 lavish suites which go all the way up to the 59th floor of Bangkok’s second tallest building.

We recently had the opportunity to stay in one of the Tower Club Suites, which are located on floors 51 to 59 of the Lebua complex. This review and the photos within are of the Tower Club Suites.

Tower Club Suites

Tower club suites are long and spacious, as you can see from the photo below and at the top of this post. Upon entering there is a living room/area with a two person sofa, a lounge chair, two coffee tables as well as another armchair with a side table.

Proceeding further into the room there is a small kitchenette, with two hotplates, a microwave oven, a coffee maker, a hot water pot, various teas and coffees, cups, glasses and a sink. There is also a refrigerator stocked with four cans each of Coca Cola, Sprite and jasmine tea.

Past the kitchenette, you enter into the bedroom area with big glass sliding doors that open out onto large open air balconies- once you sign the waiver agreeing not to throw anything over the edge, and indemnify the hotel from any losses or damages, that is. If you don’t sign the agreement, the balcony doors will remain tightly locked. You really should agree, as the views are truly spectacular.

Beside the bed is a divan couch, from where you can watch the flat screen TV if you don’t want to mess up the bed before you sink into it to sleep at night. There is also a DVD player under the TV, and work desk with office chair beside it.

Bathroom

One of the biggest surprises in the Tower Club Suite was waiting in the bathroom, namely bathroom amenities from Italian luxury brand Bvlgari. Soap, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and body lotion, all scented with the unisex Bvlgari perfume, Au the Rouge.

Pool

There is quite a large pool which is certainly long enough to do laps, and there is also a large, shallow circular pool which is good for children to play in. Unfortunately, most of the sun-catching deck chairs are placed around and quite close to this shallow pool, so if there are kids splashing about in it, you will have a front row seat to all the action. On the other hand, if you are a parent with young children, this would be a convenient area to base yourselves.

Lebua at State Tower is part of Lebua Hotels and Resorts, a local Thai company, and the pride that the staff take in this fact is apparent from the moment you are greeted at the door.

Dining

Lebua is probably more famous in Bangkok for its exquisite selection of restaurants and bars at The Dome, perched on top of the second tallest skyscraper in Thailand. This is where you come if you want to feel like you are living the high-life while you are in Bangkok.

Sirocco is the world’s highest open air Al Fresco restauarant, located on the rooftop on the 63rd floor. Skybar is also on the 63rd floor and both the restauarnt and bar offer unparalelled views of Bangkok and the Chao Phraya River. Expect prices to match the altitude here, especially during special events like New Years Eve, where tickets are about USD800 per person.

Check rates for Lebua at State Tower on Agoda

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The Kempinski chain is famous for its award-winning service and its rich sense of luxury, with hotels in 62 countries around the world. With the opening of the five-star Siam Kempinski, their first property in Thailand, luxury in Bangkok has been kicked up another notch.

It is a stunning hotel, surrounded by lush landscaping and refreshing saltwater pools ensconced in frangipani trees, and it offers every amenity, including private BMW-7-series limousine service to pick you up from the airport.

The location is fantastic. Situated on Rama Road, behind the upscale Siam Paragon shopping mall. What I like about the location is that while it is accessible from the back of Siam Paragon, it is quite discreet, and as yet relatively unknown, so you don’t get any foot traffic or curious people strolling around.

Of course from Siam Paragon you have easy access to the Skytrain, and from there, most places of interest to the Bangkok visitor. Even without boarding the Skytrain, in the immediate area one can walk to Siam Square, MBK, Central World and a number of other malls. Within Siam Paragon itself are many high end brand flagship stores, plenty or restaurants, a multiplex cinema and an aquarium.

When the hotel opened in 2010, it revealed itself as an art piece. From the green garden atmosphere outside, to the two-story gleaming marble lobby, down to the 1,500 works of art inside, the theme of this hotel is the grace and beauty of Thailand. In fact, more than 200 of the hotel’s original art pieces were commissioned by renowned Thai artists. Featured art work includes sculptures, paintings and collages, as well as padded Thai silk panels in guestrooms, with gilded depictions of Thai rural life and lotus flower designs (see image above).

That theme continues throughout the 303 rooms, including 42 suites, many of which offer private balconies, with stunning views of the city. Guest rooms range in size from 40 square meters (430 square feet) to more than 48 square meters (520 square feet). Each room offers internet access, a well-stocked mini-bar, which is replenished for free every day of your stay, as well as coffee and tea making equipment. The décor is rich, with an earth tone color palette in the plush carpeting, rich fabrics and thick drapery. Glass fronted bathrooms give each room a chic, urban feel, with a deep soaker bathtub and private shower.

Siam Kempinski also offers free wifi throughout the hotel, which is a big improvement on many 5 star hotels, however this may be becoming a trend as the new Hansar Bangkok also provides such a welcome service. (See my review of Hansar Bangkok here.)

Many of the rooms offer buffet breakfast, afternoon tea and evening cocktails. Cabana Rooms open right onto the garden and the swimming pools, giving you that resort feeling in the heart of the city. I have mentioned before that the pool at Grande Sheraton Sukhumvit makes you feel like you are at a tropical resort and far away from the Bangkok hum and grime. Well, the pool(s) at Siam Kempinski make that two tropical escapes in the capital.

The suites start at 70 square meters (750 square feet), ranging up to 300 square meters (3,200 square feet) in the Royal Suite. Each suite offers separate living, working and sleeping areas, all with incredible views of the garden and the city. Every suite has walk in closets, breakfast service, and evening cocktails. There are also eleven duplex suites, which have two levels of luxurious accommodations including a living room and bedroom.

The Siam Kempinski Hotel has several restaurants and bars, where you can have dinner and relax. You can enjoy European cuisine at the Brasserie Europa or local Thai delicacies at the Sra Bua by Kiin Kiin restaurant, where Danish chef Hanrik Yde-Andersen shows why he earned a Michelin star for his Thai cooking in Copenhagen. The T Lounge serves afternoon tea, served by a professionally trained Tea Master. You can also enjoy a glass of champagne or a refreshing cocktail here, or at the 1897 Bar.

If you need to unwind further, the Kempinski Spa can be found in the Garden Wing, and offers healing treatments based on natural healing elements. You can also work out in the fitness center, and take a class in Muay Thai or body stretching.

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St Regis is famed for its signature butler service, and apart from the car ride from the airport if you so chose, your personal butler will be your first, and last, point of contact during your stay.

Your butler will be waiting for you on the ground floor and will take you and your baggage up to the 12th floor to check you in. Don’t be surprised if your butler anticipates your needs before you have an opportunity to express them, as they are exceptionally well trained at the original St Regis property in New York and are very attentive and perceptive.

As I was there before the hotel officially opened and the ground floor was yet to be completed, Yod, my butler, met me at the foot of the stairs at Ratchadamri BTS Skytrain station. Immaculately dressed and perfectly mannered, he looked exactly how you would expect a butler to look; three-piece suit, cuff links, white gloves and shirt, silver necktie.

Yod took great pride in his work and assured me that all the other butlers at the St Regis did as well. I asked him what makes a great butler and he told me it was a hunger for knowledge.

“I’m always watching to see what guests are interested in and then I try to find out as much as I can about those things so I can answer any questions a guest may have.”

Yod- St Regis Bangkok butler

Try as I might, I couldn’t stump him on any question that I could come up with, whether it was the thread count in the sheets (320 count Egyptian cotton), where the signature Remède toiletries -which are made specially for St Regis- were made (Spain), or the name of the bartender who invented what has become known as the Bloody Mary, at the King Cole Bar in St Regis New York in 1934, (Fernand Petiot).

Butlers at the St Regis Bangkok do a lot more than simply greet you and carry your bags to your room. Whether it is unpacking your luggage for you or whipping up just about any food order you can concoct, with one assigned to each floor they are always at your beck and call.

Guests also have a choice of butlers if they so choose. Apart from butlers fluent in English and Thai, St Regis offers butlers who are proficient in Japanese and Mandarin, with Spanish and French speaking butlers currently undergoing training to be deployed soon.

Guests can also choose to have a female butler if the idea of a male butler packing and unpacking their suitcases make them a little uncomfortable.

The introduction to Bangkok of the butler service at the St Regis is an exciting addition to the Bangkok luxury hotel market and certainly raises the bar for high end properties.

You don’t have to be a millionaire to live like one for a few nights and enjoy the pampering attention of a butler at the St Regis Bangkok with the introductory “BANGKOK DEBUT” package from THB 7,300 ++ per night (around USD 242).  The package is valid between April 1st and June 30th 2011.

To book this special opening package call the St Regis at +(66) 2207 7777 or email them at reservation.bangkok@stregis.com

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The people who designed the Hansar Bangkok have spent either a lot of time staying in hotels, or asking and actually listening to what guests really want in a hotel, probably both.

Signs of the thought and care obviously put into the Hansar when it was being designed are everywhere and are particularly embodied by the little touches that give you little “aha!” moments all throughout your stay.

Hansar, which means “to surround in joy and happiness” in Thai, does everything that a great hotel should, and they do it so seemingly effortlessly that you start to wonder why other hotels cannot get it this right. Things like free wifi for everybody, everywhere in the hotel: in the guestrooms, lobby, by the pool, in the restaurants. No 20 dollar charge here for in-room wifi, or “complimentary” spotty wifi in public spaces only.

There are many more thoughtful aspects that I will touch on later.

Opened in mid-December 2010, The Hansar Bangkok is one of the newest members of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group, and comprises 92 rooms, which are more like suites really, ranging in size from 59 square meters for the 32 Studio Suites, up to a lofty 125 square meters for the Loft Suites, of which there are two. In between these two room types are 33 Urban Suites, 15 Edge Suites and 12 Vertigo Suites, measuring 71, 77 and 81 square meters respectively.

Urban Suite

I stayed in one of the Urban Suites during my stay, and this is the room type that I will mostly be talking about in this review, though the excellent design concepts are of course a running theme throughout the whole property.

The second the door of the Urban Suite is opened for you by the eager, attentive and very well trained staff, the first surprise is the unique living tropical garden wall, which at first glance appears to be inside the room but is actually encased in a glass tower that runs up the inside of the building.

The main living area of the Urban Suite contains a spacious, wide granite and wood work-desk, situated behind a three person sofa, small coffee table and chairs, and a 32 inch flat screen TV and DVD player.

Hidden behind one of the silk paneled doors by the TV is the mini-bar, filled with softdrinks, juices, beer and snacks. These are all free and replenished daily throughout your stay!

The walls throughout the suite are silk paneled and the carpets are particularly thick and lush. Windows are floor to ceiling and run the entire length of the suite, from the living area through to the bedroom.

Bedroom

The earthy tones and graceful marriage of silk and wood continue in the bedroom, with each room featuring a unique, individually hand-beaded headboard by Chiang Mai artisan Kachama.

The bed was the most comfortable I slept in during my week-long tour of Bangkok hotels, with extra long pillows and a mattress that, according to the staff, many guests call back after their stay to ask where they can buy one of their own.

The bedroom is where you will find more of the thoughtful touches that I mentioned earlier, like reading lights in the ceiling that are placed at a 45 degree angle, making it much easier to read than if they were placed directly above the bed, as they are in many hotels.

Another pleasant surprise are the cables placed in a little leather bound box by the bed which contains cables to charge not only your Apple products like your iPhone/Pad/Pod, but also a cable to charge your Blackberry. The charging cables are split and also plug into an AC port so you can listen to your music through the audio system.

In the bedroom you will also find another 32 inch flatscreen TV, built into the wall.

Bathroom

The bathroom is large and luxurious, harmoniously combining wood, stone, glass and water. Double sinks are housed in an extra wide stone vanity, and the bathroom features a luxurious free standing terrazzo bathtub and large rain shower.

A big bottle of bath salts are provided in the bathroom and you can use as much as you want- a big difference from the tiny portion controlled baggies that you may get at other hotels.

Pool

The attention of the staff continues down by the pool area. As soon as you take a seat around the 52 meter long pool, a bottle or two of chilled bottled water is proffered, complimentary of course.

The Hansar is in a highly desirable neighborhood in Bangkok, on Rajadamri Road, so there are many high condominiums in the area. Because of this, if you were after the sun, the best time to hang out by the pool would be between 2 & 4pm.

Hansar Bangkok is still running on soft opening mode, so excellent prices can still be had before the grand opening. I was so impressed with the Hansar that I have a feeling that it will become my default suggestion for people asking for recommendations for hotels in Bangkok. Highly recommended.

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Grand Hyatt Erawan video tour

Here is my video tour of the standard room at the Grand Hyatt Erawan in Bangkok, one of my favorite hotels in Bangkok.

While I do love the Grand Hyatt Erawan, and it is always my first port of call every time I am in Bangkok, it is aging a little and there are a couple of improvements that I think would make the hotel that much better.

My Grand Hyatt Erawan Wishlist

• An iPad docking station, or any way to listen to your own music in the room.
• A reading light above the sofa chair. You have the sunlight coming in the window during the day to read the newspaper by, but at night there is no direct lighting to read by.

What changes, if any, would you like to see made at the Hyatt in Bangkok?

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The Millennium Hilton Bangkok Hotel has towered over the Chao Phraya River skyline like a beacon since opening in May 2006, offering spectacular views from every room in the hotel. The rooftop pool and fitness facilities are amazing, and guests have a great choice of dining options, including a sun drenched  buffet breakfast right on the riverside.

Rooms

Deluxe  Rooms

Executive Rooms

Though the Deluxe and Executive rooms are both the same size at 34 square meters, there are two main differences. While the deluxe rooms have a more traditional layout, in the executive rooms, the bed has been turned so that the foot of the bed is facing the window, offering breathtaking views of the river from both sides of the bed. If you like to read a book in bed before going to sleep, you may not get very far, as the view of the night skyline, and the boats plowing up and down the Chao Phraya River may be too distracting.

Being an executive room, a larger workspace is provided, and this is accomplished by placing it behind the head of the bed. The work desk is quite wide with plenty of room for your laptop and files.

Behind the work desk and ergonomic chair, the bathroom wall has been knocked out and a floor to ceiling glass window has replaced it, providing natural sunlight into the bathroom, and making the room look and feel larger. Wooden venetian blinds provide privacy when the bathroom is in use.

Guests staying in the Executive Rooms are afforded access to the Executive Lounge on the 31st floor with free wifi, soft drinks all day and cocktails, beer and hors d’oeuvres in the evening. One thing that I particularly liked about the Executive Lounge at the Millennium Hilton was that there is an outdoor section where you can enjoy the sunset in the evening breeze from high above the city. Not many executive lounges, in Bangkok anyway, offer an outdoor section and I was pleasantly surprised when I discovered this one.

If I must find something that could be improved upon it would have to be the size and age of the televisions in the deluxe and executive rooms. Flat screen TVs are pretty much standard in 5 star hotels in Bangkok nowadays, but not in the deluxe and executive rooms at the Millennium Hilton, which is a shame because I don’t think I can remember the last time I saw a TV in any 5 star hotel in Thailand that wasn’t a flat screen. Even four star hotels like Amanta Ratchada have plasma TVs with bigger screens than the ones I saw in the non-suite rooms here.

Suites

Suites at the Millennium Hilton Bangkok hotel are located on the four corners of each floor. There are 32 Executive Suites and 43 Executive Plus suites, which are positioned on the two corners of the hotel facing the river. Having said that, even the city view Executive Suites have views of the river as the Millennium Hilton is on a bend in the Chao Phraya River.

The work area in the suites is more like a little office with a full sized desk, with 2 chairs, free standing desk lamp, coffee maker and CD player/stereo with remote control.

There are two flat screen TVs mounted on the walls of the suite, one in the living room (also viewable from the work area) and one in the bedroom.

Pool

Before visiting the Millennium Hilton Bangkok, one of the things I was most excited about was the pool. I had seen many photos of the rooftop pool area with the pool-side lounge-chairs placed in the water, and the view of the Bangkok skyline over the edges of the infinity pool.

What I didn’t know, as none of the pictures online showed it, was if there was a place where one could do laps. From what I could see online, it didn’t look like you could. However as you can see from the picture above, there is in fact a rectangular section of the pool that is both long enough and deep enough to get some exercise in.

There is also a play area for children and a “beach” area with imported sand from Australia, which offers semi-private, partitioned areas for relaxing.

If you are really looking for privacy though, you need to head over to the other side of the pool to an area that many guests never know exists.

Behind the pool area, around the side of the hotel you will find, discreetly hidden away amongst shrubs and greenery, three private jacuzzis, with reclining lounges for two people. The little alcoves get plenty of sun and offer wonderful views down the Chao Phraya River. You cannot reserve these little gems so it is first in, first served.

Dining

Flow is open all day and is huge. You can start the day with a lavish variety of food at the breakfast buffet, and choose to eat it outside by the river on the terrace, or inside where it is a little cooler.

We had quite an interesting and unique experience on the night of our stay at Maya, where a 15 course Tapas style Thai cuisine feast was served while we were being entertained by a contemporary Thai dance and theatrical performance.  The food was great, and though the portions were small, we were full by the end of the meal.

There is also Chinese restaurant, Yuan,  on site as well as Prime, an upscale steakhouse with an impressive wine list which is definitely on my “comeback to” list for the near future.

Have you stayed at the Millennium Hilton Bangkok Hotel? Do you agree with my assessment or do you think I missed something? Please feel free to leave any comments you may have below.

All photos © 2011 ReserveThaiHotels, except top image, which was taken by blink+

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The newly opened (December 2010) Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok Sukhumvit 15 raises the bar for Four Star hotels in Bangkok.

Offering simple sophistication for both mid-scale and leisure travelers, the Four Points by Sheraton Sukhumvit 15 gives guests the best value with comfortable and stylish accommodations, a location in a trendy neighborhood, and a selection of casual in-house eateries.

This 268-room hotel opened in December 2010 and is Thailand’s first Four Points by Sheraton property. Known for its uncomplicated approach and honest value, the hotel’s accommodations are both modern and well appointed at the same time. Its focus is on simple pleasures, such as its signature Four Points by Sheraton Four Comfort™ Bed, high-speed Wireless Internet, complimentary bottled water and a complimentary area shuttle.

Guests can also enjoy its casual dining restaurants, a beer bar where you can taste locally and internationally hand-crafted brews, a rooftop bar, outdoor swimming pool and modern fitness center. Shopping and nightlife are mere steps from the hotel’s front door, and public transportation is within close walking distance.

Location:

The Four Points by Sheraton Sukhumvit 15 is situated at an enviable position on Sukhumvit Road, the epitome of modern Bangkok with its stylish restaurants, air-conditioned shopping centers, and exciting nightlife. Asok Station, the BTS Skytrain station that interchanges with the MRT subway, is only a 5-minute walk away.

Accommodations:

The  stylish guest rooms, eight junior suites and 11 executive suites feature modern design, the signature Four Points by Sheraton Four Comfort™ Bed with feather down pillows and cozy duvets, an LCD flatscreen television and DVD player, a spacious bathroom with separate shower and tub, complimentary bottled water, complimentary wireless high-speedy Internet, an in-room safe and minibar, and a dedicated work station with plug-and-play station.

Comfort Room
At 32-38 sq. m., these extra comfy rooms are located in the Pool Wing and Garden Wing, with a king or two queen beds.

Terrace Suites
With 48-56 sq. m. of space, these studio-style accommodations offer an open design with a couch, oversized bathroom, and complimentary breakfast buffet for two at the hotel’s Eatery Restaurant.

Facilities and Services:
Four Points Sheraton Bangkok Sukhumvit 15’s fun and casual dining and drinking options include Wrapped, a deli-style café with lounge seating, delicious cupcakes, excellent coffee and friendly staff; Eatery, featuring all-day dining and their breakfast buffet; and AmBar, their inviting rooftop lounge.

On the first floor you will find BeerVault, where they claim they are “serious about beer” and you’ll find  internationally hand-crafted brews, including Hoegaarden, Stella Artois, Guiness, Blonde and Brune Leffe as well as local brews such as Singha.

To stay fit and healthy during their stay, guests can use the 24-hour state-of-the-art gym or the 14-meter long 1.2 meter deep outdoor infinity pool. The hotel also offers 400 sq. m. of event space that accommodates up to 160 people.

Nearby Attractions:

The hotel is located in the trendy and vibrant Sukhumvit, known for its endless shopping, dining, dancing and nightlife options. Save all your shopping fancies for Siam Square, a dense collection of boutiques, and Siam Paragon, a grand 5-story unrivalled shopping experience for luxury, goods, which are both 3.2 km away.  Siam Ocean World, located at the basement level of the luxurious Siam Paragon, is one of the largest aquariums in Southeast Asia.  About 4.8 km away, Jim Thompson’s Museum, a collection of antique Thai structures purchased by a successful American businessman, is one of the most popular architectural tourist attraction in Thailand. All of these attractions are easily and quickly accessible by BTS Skytrain, which runs along Sukhumvit Road, just outside the hotel.

You can find many more hotels near BTS Skytrain stations on our convenient map.

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