Monday, April 5, 2010

Holiday Inn-Silom-Bangkok

hmmm...still fresh from my recent trip to my 2nd home..where else..Bangkok!
ive made a promise to myself that i will try to experience all types of accommodations that this city has to offer..and mind you..this city has lots...from the trashy cheap hotels around Patpong to the Le Meridien in Surawong and all the fancy hotels along the Chao Phraya river such as Shangri-La..this city has it all.The best part is, sometimes you can get a deal if you booked directly from their websites (which will safe your-piggy bank another day) as what ive encountered from my recent stay at the Holiday-Inn Silom.

External facade of the hotel doesn't impressed me at all...looks like something straight from the 70's..as you can see from the pic which i borrowed from other site...


















ohh..before i go on further, on this trip i took the airport coach for the first time from Suvarnabhumi airport right to the bus stop opposite the Holiday Inn. Some travelers' notes; the airport coach is (i believe) the cheapest way to travel from the airport to the city. It costs only THB150 and the bus will depart like every 20-30 minutes..and they also confirmed beforehand of your ultimate destination so that the driver can stop at the appropriate places for you.Not the most comfortable type of transportation compared to taxi which will take you direct to your destination, this airport coach will follow its pre-determined route..so if your destination is at the end of the route...than you better have some patience and bring something to amuse you like books..mp3..as the journey is dead borringggg!

okay...so after a dueling 2 hours (!) ride on the bus (rush hour traffic)i arrived at this hotel feeling tired and at the same time excited as i have passed through the hotel many times..but now i got to stay in it :)

the lobby was well arranged and looks exclusive enough for this 4* establishment. Reception and concierge are nicely lined at the left end of the entrance and a small cafe and bar are situated at the right.

the door was promptly opened by the bell boy and i headed straight to the reception where i was greeted by the nice Thai reception girl. As ive booked my room via their website and payment was already made, the check-in process was a swift one. I was not handed with the room-card..but instead..... the reception girl volunteered to bring me to my room. My bag had already been taken to the room earlier by the bell-boy...how efficient was that??

My room was at the 7th floor of the (old?) building..i read somewhere that they actually have 2 phases of buildings where the standard rooms are at the old and the more expensive rooms at the new...

upon exiting the lift, i was greeted by this view of the immaculate hallway....














and my room is just a few steps away from the lift...here we are...716















i was showed of all the facilities and amenities of the rooms..and mind you..i was so happy when i first saw this....
















5 fluffy pillows and 3 cushions of different types and sizes nicely placed on this king sized bed..just for myself!! im in heaven!!..





























1st test-comfortable bed and nice pillows-checked and passed..with flying colours...the bed is just nice as it neither too hard nor too soft..the pillows consist of 2 feather and 2 cotton pillows each..the cushions consist of different fillings and sizes and you may also request for any of these pillows and cushions to be changed as per your likings..that's what i called true pampering!

pardon my excitement with the pillows and cushions...actually, the first thing which greets you upon entering the room is this...




















nicely hanged bathrobes (2 pieces) and electronic safety box and a hairdryer in the cabinet...and





















nicely stocked minibar and mini fridge with all assorted goodies..unfortunately they didn't come cheap..so all ended up as accessories to the room...

off we go to the bathroom...the bathroom comes equipped with scale..something which i rarely found in other hotels though using it might be a hassle as NON of the area in the bathroom is leveled..so you wont get the correct measurement...lighting is a bit dimmed to my liking and the size could have been bigger as i did feel a little claustrophobic inside it after a while...







































toiletries consist of high quality product, shampoo and soap are of the hotel's brand itself while lotion and conditioner are from Red Earth.Apart from that the usual things such as shower cap,sanitary and vanity pack are made available in the bathroom.





























if you forgot to bring your tooth brush,shaver or comb...don't worry as you may request as many as you like from the housekeeping as what i did the next morning :)

the main feature of the room i must say is the circular window which measures 6ft in height..you may sit by the window looking down at the traffic below and the city's skylines...




















other features of the room are as below..feast your eyes....

















































































checkout time was another experience of itself..in a good way i mean..while they are processing my details and checking the rooms for any items taken from the minibar etc..i opted to have the complimentary welcome drink coupon which i didn't use when i checked in..welcome drink was a sweet fruit punch which i had at the cafe next to the entrance.

now came the best part, the person who attended me at the checkout counter took the effort to actually locate me at the cafe and handed me all the checkout documents, completing the checkout process..she also reminded me to check my passport and other belongings and also wished me a safe flight (which was a little off as i actually checked in to another hotel right after that)

what can i say of Holiday Inn Silom? the service is top-notch and personal..the room is comfortable and you get the feel of luxury as promised by the "Holiday Inn" brand..i may have not experienced the thorough service of the hotel..but from that one night stay...i can safely conclude that it was one of the best hotel ive ever stayed in and if ever i came across the same deal for stay at the hotel, i wont hesitate to do it again.

Rate out of 5: 4

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Hotel Review-The Tawana Bangkok

Ive been to Bangkok countless of times and for most of my stays there, the usual option of accommodation would be budget hotels around Silom and Patpong area. But for this particular trip in late October 2009, i was tempted to (at least for one night) have a feel of luxury at this 4* establishment located in the middle of Bangkok's nightlife district.

The Tawana Bangkok is located in Surawongse Road which is just within a walking distance to the red-light district of Patpong and the ever crowded Patpong night market. I really love this area, regardless of it seediness, as it offers you a first hand account of what Bangkok is all about...gogo bars...strip dance...fake goods....spicy and delicious foods...things you can't experience in Malaysia..i would say??

ok..on to the review.I arrived at Bangkok around midnight thanks to the delay of my Thai AirAsia flight from KL. Taxi from the airport cost me almost THB500 including midnight surcharge. Tired and hungry (as i had to work that morning and rushed to the airport from my office)i was greeted with a small lobby with a twirling stair leading up to the reception area. Reception was friendly and fast and my bag was taken by the porter to my room promptly.

The first room that they gave to me had a blocked sink and i requested for a change.The porter immediately went down to the reception and got the key for my new room. My first sight of the room......

not bad...though furnishings look like someting out of the 80's..the room is spacious and the bed is massive...
















all the usual frills of a 4* hotels are in place..bathrobes..amenity kits..slippers..safety box...well stocked fridge..and to make it more personalized and for you to feel welcomed, i found a small card neatly placed on the bed stating the housekeeper's name who had made and prepared your bed for the day..how nice!

















writing table
















lets see the washroom...nice marble flooring and tiles...sorry forgot to take pics of the amenity kits...but it was well stocked and sufficient...



































as i was deprived of food since lunch and Thai AirAsia flight operated by a Boeing 737 doesn't served any rice based menu (on which i was craving for at that time) i decided to order something from the room service menu...one which looks tempting was the Thai Salad and as they are having a promotion for Haagen-Dasz...i ordered one small tube as well to fill my empty stomach...


















the food was delicious and the ice-cream reallly complement it all.the next morning's breakfast buffet was the usual chores..pastries..western and thais selections..i only had some cereals and fruits as im cautious of the foods not being halal..forgot to take photos of the buffet spread but it was nothing interesting.

well all in all, the Tawana had been a great hotel with the price that ive paid for. I was also provided with complimentary drink selection at its bakery/cafe which i didnt utilize.

the staffs had been helpful and friendly and if you are looking for a comfortable mid-luxury stay in Bangkok..i gladly propose for you to try the Tawana Bangkok.

Rating out of 5 : 3.5