Review: Le Méridien Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok Golf Resort and Spa
Intro
Following a splendid flight in Drukair Business Class from Paro to Bangkok, we had a very short one-night layover in Bangkok. Originally, we planned to stay at the hotel in the airport, but it sold out at the last minute, leaving us with the only option of staying in Le Meridien.
Unfortunately, during our time at the hotel, it wasn't that great. While it does have plenty of nice facilities, the room service took a long time, and the staff just weren't the friendliest.
Let's get into it!
Check-In Lobby
The taxi dropped us off around 11 pm at the lobby. We gave the taxi driver a nice tip and made our way into the lobby. There was no one greeting customers or anything of the such.
Eventually, we found someone working one of the desks and confirmed our booked rate at 192$ after taxes. Check-in was a bit slow, and we were tired, but after 10 minutes, we were given our keys to the room.
As you can see, a golf-heavy hotel.
Navigating The Hotel
The layout of the hotel is a bit confusing, with lots of different passageways. I do wish more signs were in place.
There are about 4 elevators, all for different sides of the building. We originally took the wrong one since no one informed us of it.
Eventually, we made it to the fourth floor, where our room would be. The hallways felt a bit sterile. Bangkok is relatively cheap in comparison to the US per se, so at 190$+ per night, I would have expected a little nicer.
The Rooms
The rooms at Le Meridien are by far the best part of the hotel. They are quite spacious with modern interiors. I personally found the beds extremely comfortable, but that might have been attributed to the fact I was exhausted.
There is a very nice desk if you plan on getting some work done.
Charger ports and complementary water bottles were available by the bed as one would expect.
A beautiful chaise is located in the back corner of the room. If you plan on having some in-room dining, this is a great option.
The bathroom also felt very modern and spacious. It featured a large shower, a beautiful deep soaking tub, and plenty of other features, such as a vanity mirror.
I did find it interesting that the toilet was located in a private cubicle behind the shower. Not that it's a bad thing; I just haven't seen it before.
Sliding glass doors at the back of the room led to a small outdoor space. If you happen to be a smoker or just want some fresh air, this is a great relaxation area. The small sofa was plenty comfortable.
Compared to the hotel's service aspect, the rooms were a huge step up. I was pleasantly surprised.
Amenities
Unfortunately, we had very little time at the hotel (just a few hours), so we didn't get to see the golf course. However, judging by the pictures it does look quite beautiful!
I'm unable to find the golf course fees, but I imagine they are pretty much in line with most of the Bangkok prices.
There is also the first ever "Le Meridien" branded spa at the hotel. This is another amenity that looks gorgeous from the pictures, but then again pictures are never to be trusted.
Treatments start at around 2000 Baht (before tip and tax) for a 60-minute massage. In terms of Thailand, that's quite expensive. In terms of upscale hotels, that's about the normal in this part of the world.
Lastly, there is a 24-hour fitness center and a pool that is open from 7am to 7pm. I would have loved a quick dip, but sadly, it was closed.
Service
Now, let's bring it back to service. As an airport hotel, I would have expected them to offer round-the-clock transfers to the airport, considering Bangkok airport is busy 24 hours a day. However, they don't. That was not a problem, really, so I then asked them to arrange a private driver, which we would pay for. After some back and forth, they couldn't find someone, so I decided to book a grab.
That brings me to my next point: room service. To start with, the phones in the room didn't work, so I had to walk down to the front desk. Once placing my order at 11:45 pm, I was informed that the order would take 25-30 minutes. 50 minutes later, nothing had appeared, and with no call informing me as to why. For a five-star hotel, I would expect a bit more communication when food is delayed.
Final Thoughts
Le Méridien Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok Golf Resort and Spa is a perfectly mediocre place to stay. I can see how this resort can appeal to those looking to play golf around the Bangkok area, but my recommendation would be to look elsewhere if your plan is to have an overnight airport layover.
The rooms are comfortable and modern, but the service is what was lacking. Especially in Southeast Asia, where the service is the best in the world. I would recommend staying at the Banyan Tree or Intercontinental if you are looking for something in a similar price range.
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