News and Reviews on Thailand's
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Category: vacation tips

What’s up with nationality restrictions at some hotels?

No Vacancy

Do some hotels in Thailand discriminate against guests based on their nationality?

While browsing through a number of third party hotel reservation booking sites, I occasionally come across hotels that have a notice regarding a restriction on the nationalities of guests who can book through their site.

For example on Agoda, I sometimes see things like this:

NoticePlease note that this hotel operates exclusive contracts with other vendors to service specific markets and thus these rates do not apply to nationals of Cyprus, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Yemen. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Looking at the list of countries, I could not help but become suspicious.  Could it be that the hotel simply doesn’t want guests from this region of the world in their hotel?

Read more ...

Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort

View of the pool and the river from the balcony at Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa

In November 2011 Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa was re-branded to Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort. Ownership has not changed, the property is still owned by the Minor Hotel Group. The rebranding is to bring the riverside resort in line to fit in with some of the company’s existing boutique properties, such as the Anantara Phuket Resort, or the Four Seasons Bangkok and Four Seasons Chiang Mai. I am re-posting a review I wrote of the property a little while back, as most of the details will remain unchanged.

On “the other side” of the Chao Phraya River, a short boat ride away you will find the Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort. While it is located only 10 or 15 minutes from the heart of Bangkok, it feels like it is a world away with a true resort feeling.

Read more ...

11 Hotels in Thailand make the 2012 Gold List

Condé Nast Traveler has just released their annual Gold List for 2012 listing the 511 top rated hotels, resorts and cruise lines in the world, as voted for by their well-traveled readership.

After over eight million votes through their readers choice survey, eleven hotels throughout Thailand- six in Bangkok, two each in Chiang Mai and Phuket and one in Chiang Rai have come out amongst the best in the world.

Read more ...

New Year Bangkok Hotel Deals

Bangkok hotel discount deals

Here are this week’s hot deals on hotels in Bangkok, courtesy of Agoda.

As always, for all the deals on this page, click through to check your dates.

Some discount offers at some hotels have a minimum stay requirement, which I have listed next to the price. For such hotels, the promotional rate will be displayed once you have selected dates that cover the minimum number of nights required.

The Lit Bangkok Hotel The Lit Bangkok Hotel 4 and half stars
Location
: Siam
From 116 107 USD
Ramada Encore Bangkok Hotel Ramada Encore Bangkok Hotel 4 stars 50% off. Location: Sukhumvit. From 96 48 USD
Bangkok Boutique Hotel Bangkok Boutique Hotel 3 and half stars 50% Off.
Location: Sukhumvit.
From 46 23 USD
Chatrium Suites Chatrium Suites 5 stars 43% off.
Location:
Riverside.
See more Bangkok riverside hotels
From 158 90 USD
Amari Boulevard Bangkok Hotel Amari Boulevard Bangkok Hotel 4 stars 26% off. Location: Sukhumvit From 122 90 USD
Courtyard by Marriott Courtyard by Marriott 4 and half stars 20% off.
Location:
Siam / Rajadamri
From 115 92 USD
Golden Tulip Sovereign Hotel Bangkok Golden Tulip Sovereign 4 stars 28% off
Location:
Ratchadaphisek
From 64 46 USD
Best Western Plus Hotel @ 20 Sukhumvit Best Western Plus Hotel @ 20 Sukhumvit 4 stars 50% Off.
Location:
Sukhumvit
From 11859 USD
FuramaXclusive Sukhumvit Hotel FuramaXclusive Sukhumvit Hotel 4 stars 25% off Location: Sukhumvit. Min 2 nights. From 7750 USD
Heaven @ 4 hotel Heaven @ 4 Hotel 3 and half stars Stay 4 nights, pay for 3.
Location
: Sukhumvit.
From 42 31 USD

Check back here mid-week every week for the latest discounts and deals on Bangkok and Pattaya, Phuket and Samui hotels. For previous week’s specials, you might like to peruse the “Deals on Hotels” category.

If you want to be sure that you won’t miss any deals, it’s a great idea to subscribe to the RSS feed, or you can Subscribe to updates by Email and be the first to know about any new Bangkok hotel deals, as well as all the other cool stuff that I post to this blog. Email subscriptions are handled by Google Feedburner and you will only receive an email when a new post is made to this blog. You can unsubscribe with one click at any time.

NYE 2012 parties at Bangkok hotels

Ring in the New Year in style with these parties at some of Bangkok’s best hotels.

Hansar

At Hansar Bangkok, you can start the New Year’s Eve celebrations early at EVE restaurant with a choice of a special set dinner with one glass of champagne for THB4,555++ or with wine pairing for THB6,055++. Dinner guests will receive party favors and are invited to the New Years Eve party on the 19th floor Sky Terrace (free entry).

Sky Terrace at Hansar Bangkok

Or you can skip dinner and head straight to the rooftop party from 10pm to 1:30 am. Cover charge is THB700 and includes a snack buffet and one glass of champagne. Views from the Sky Terrace are of the Royal Bangkok Sports Club and the Bangkok Skyline.

Hansar Bangkok tel: +66 2209 1234

Millennium Hilton

Three Sixty Lounge

On the 32nd floor of the Millennium Hilton Bangkok, which is situated on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Three Sixty Lounge was mentioned in my list of the best places to view the NYE fireworks in Bangkok.

 

Banyan Tree Bangkok

Vertigo Grill and Moon Bar

On the 61st floor, the open air rooftop bar offers spectacular views, rivaled only by Sirocco and Breeze at State Tower. On New Year’s Eve this year Vertigo Grill is holding a “Party with the Stars” gala dinner, with a seven course meal, live band and a DJ, with glass of champagne upon arrival. 8pm to 2 am. Children under 12 years of age not admitted.

THB18000++ per person (around USD575)

Latitude Bar & Lounge

Celebrate the new year with a “Latino Night” at Latitude Bar & Lounge on the 51st floor, with salsa, merengue and the best in Latin tunes to dance the night away. Open from 8pm to 2 am.

Two pricing options- THB 1,800 with 2 standard drinks or THB 2,000 for “Unlimited” drink package which includes house wines, house spirits, local beers, soft drinks, and juices. 8:00 pm to 2:00 am. Children under 18 years old are not allowed.

THB1800 (USD57) for 2 drinks or THB2000 (USD65) for unlimited drinks

Banyan Tree Bangkok Tel: +66 2 679 1200. Download the pdf of all the Christmas and New Year celebrations at Banyan Tree Bangkok

Dome @ State Tower

Located on the roof of the Lebua at State Tower, this is one of the premier locations for high end New Year celebrations.

The prices are high but the views are spectacular and the atmosphere is truly a once in a lifetime experience. All dinner reservations include a Complimentary Champagne hour from 7.00PM to 8.00PM at the outdoor 64th floor Flute Bar. Guests are also invited to the After Midnight Party held at Distil Bar and Cafe Mozu.

Mezzaluna

Mezzaluna is Lebua’s signature Italian restaurant on the 65th floor, offering superb views of Bangkok and the Chao Phraya river.

THB 28,246.82 ++ per person (USD838)

Breeze

Pan-Asian restaurant with incredible views from its outdoor perch overlooking the skyline from the 52nd floor.  Million dollar views of NYE 2012 celebration all over Bangkok.

THB 25,892.82 ++ (USD827)

Lebua at State Tower tel: +66 2624-9999

Distil

An elegant bar on the 64th floor, featuring an international menu.

THB 14999++ (USD565)

Reservations are required in advance for all NYE 2012 celebrations at Lebua restaurants and bars. Download this form and apply by Thursday December 22nd.