Le Meridien Bangkok!

[Alanslegal]

[**A LOT OF PHOTOS warning**]

A few weeks back I returned to Bangkok – the land of smiles – and what a huge smile it brought to my face when I stayed at the newly opened (if a bit over 12 months counts as new) Le Meridien. As a Starwood Platinum Guest it is always extremely difficult to select which of their five properties to stay at, when all of them really treat Platinum’s well with superior room upgrades and benefits & perks above and beyond what the program requires. Not only is there currently five properties to choose from but with another five more being built and all set for completion within two years, that will make it 10 properties to choose from?! This is going to be a serious decision dilemma!!

12 months ago I stayed at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit and this hotel was simply outstanding with suite room upgrade, butler service, complimentary buffet breakfast at one of two restaurants, complimentary happy hour at one of their three bars and all day drinks, but what won my heart was their pool!! The SGS’s pool seriously one of the best and most relaxing pools for any city hotel and I could laze by the water’s edge, under the tropical foliage and feel like I am a million miles away from the city; it was really that good.

Fast forward to a few weeks back and I had to make a decision on where to stay this time round!

Being a price sensitive guest, the SGS was immediately struck off the list when their rates (for my dates) commanded a 40% premium over the other properties. The newly opened and very cool LM was a front runner and I had to just be there – so that was my choice!

 

[Alanslegal]

Le Meridien Bangkok

I was excited at visiting this new property. It consistently brings backs positive reviews and top rankings on TripAdvisor so it must be pretty good. Then the photos – it looked ultra modern and swish. The location is right in the heart of the infamous Patpong red light district – but don’t let that worry you, serious!

I had booked the most basic of rooms called the Vista Room however I did not get to see it as I was upgraded to an Avantec Suite, mind you, prior to my arrival.

Getting there from the airport was a breeze, I just handed over the taxi driver a print out with the hotel name in Thai and I was on my way. Of course, you could always tell the driver to head straight to Patpong, and would be right on course.

Arriving at the hotel, two porters quickly attended to the vehicle with one opening my door and the other heading straight to the trunk to retrieve my luggage. I was quickly welcomed by the porters, dressed in nice black suits as if they are actual bouncers at a swish nightclub. The entrance was arty per LM style with a huge picture of some dude against the huge glass entrance – I should have enquired who or what that was. I entered a darkened lobby with black and white swirl marble floors, aluminium brushed tables and dark brown wood for contrast. Funky leather chairs, recliners and matching tables were scattered around with magazines and various reading material. Yes very night club feel and I like it!

I was then was escorted to the front check-in desk and handed over to the check-in agent. A second round of warm welcome to the LM by the friendly check-in lady and when I announced my name as Mr. sLegal …. Her supervisor behind her, softly interrupted and asked “Are you Mr. Alan sLegal?” and when I said yes, she took over the check-in process. The Manager On Duty now gives me a third round of welcome to the LM and said she was expecting me! She warmly thanked me for staying with them and as it was my first visit at the LM started to give me a brief introduction and a guide to the hotel.

The MOD advised that I have been upgraded to a suite as a Platinum Guest – and also apologised for pre-upgrading me to a smoking room when my profile indicates I am a non-smoker – but quickly found and allocated me a non-smoking room. I was handed a card, also verbally advised of the other complimentary benefits provided as an elite guest that included: complimentary breakfast at The Latest Recipe restaurant, Creative Hour (a.k.a happy hour) at Bamboo Chic, pressing of two items of clothes and complimentary in-room internet. And of course, she said if there was anything else I needed to just let her staff know.

I was then escorted to the elevators and on my way to my Avantec Suite – and carrying my new soft toy; the oh so cute LM bear that was chosen as my free Platinum gift.

So, finally, here are some photos of the LM BKK:-

 

[Alanslegal]

So here’s the room; a super modern setup with various Thai artefacts decorating the room. It was a good blend of brown, whites, black and red and although the photos don’t reveal much, there were intricate patterns and wording discreetly patterned around the corner suite. A coffee machine? Nice!

The beds are on the firm side but at least these ones here seemed much softer, well at least against the ones I experienced at the LM Kuala Lumpur.

 

[Alanslegal]

From the bedroom lead to a walk-in closet, then onto the super huge bathroom. Dark black marble lined the floors which also extended to the ‘his & hers’ basins, and then there was the bathtub which reflected against the sliding floor to ceiling mirrors. These mirrors slide and then reveal the bathroom to the bedroom and vice versa. Nice open plan if you are into the bathroom-bedroom thing. There is also a ‘his &hers’ stand in showers with monsoon / rainforest effect – awesome! The bathroom products were the regular Le Meridien fare which was a disappointment, after reading so much about the Hermes products they once stocked in the suites. Must be the GFC?! All in all – a very nice hotel bathroom!

 

[Alanslegal]

Next morning it was off to The Latest Recipe for breakfast. A young woman was the welcoming host and she was friendly, helpful and in a talkative mood. She welcomed me to the restaurant and the hotel, and made me feel very at home. We made some small talk as she lead me to a table, overlooking the hotel entrance. The natural lighting from the four storey glass entrance gave the restaurant an amazingly airy feel about it, with the light rebounding off the white, grey and black marble but those brown chairs? ewwwww that’s just not me, maybe a mauve colour would have been better?

The friendly host took my coffee order and quickly told me where everything was, the buffet spread was comprehensive with a range from Western through to Asian type, and if it wasn’t there, well then you’d probably be too fussy. Each and every staff member at the restaurant was friendly, smiled and said good morning. They all seemed to be enjoying working there, and I thoroughly enjoyed being there.

 

[Alanslegal]

After a super stomach-filling breakfast, I needed to start walking and took a quick detour via the pool. It looked like a cool place to relax with poolside chairs and for-hire cabanas. The rectangle pool reminded me a bit of the W Hong Kong Pool especially with the colourful wall that stood in the backdrop. Some comments suggest they should have made it a glass wall and made it into an infinity pool that idea would have worked too.

I took a moment to sit down by the pool and within a flash a pool attendant came to me, politely greeted hello and provided a cold facial towel, a cold glass of water, and a refreshing facial spray mist. I told him I was only there for a few seconds but he told me to enjoy the cool towel and drink, and come back anytime. Excellent service really, as he could have easily hid and ignored me, and I wouldn’t have even known.

Located on the same floor as the pool, is the SPAat LM which is their day spa and beauty facility. Two immaculately dressed hostesses were awaiting and I thought I was instantly falling into serenity. Then add an exotic 90 minute full body papaya scrub with honey would have been stunningly fun but then when I saw the cost – I’d apologetically told the hostesses that I might try that next time. Of course there are a whole range of super treatments and massages but given the relatively high cost – I had to pass and head to the streets of Bangkok.

Sure Patpong can be like seedy and what not – but then you are like right next to the market, bars, pubs, clubs, massage places, restaurants and everything is at your doorstep. Anybody who visits Bangkok expecting to avoid seedy stuff …. IMO isn’t really informed enough about Bangkok because you really can’t avoid that stuff. But in terms of the hotel itself, those slick gel haired bellboys do a great job and I did not see any wild or wacky activity in or around the hotel. It felt very comfortable staying in that location.

 

[Alanslegal]

Fast forward a few hours and I have returned to the LM to enjoy Creative Hour at Bamboo Chic. What’s Creative Hour some would ask? But it is really a trendy way of calling it complimentary tasting plate of fusion food and happy hour drinks. I arrived at LM’s flagship restaurant dressed in a blue muscle tank top and board shorts – as if I am ready to hit the pool – and I felt sooooooooooooo underdressed. I felt absolutely daggy in my casual attire when the ultra-chic ambience was surrounded by people in dress – that impressed. Ok I don’t like hotel club lounges much, so give me a cool place to hang out whilst enjoying complimentary drinks and people watching, yes please! The Sheraton allows happy hour in their ultra-cool bar, BarSu and this LM must be trying to match it, and they certainly have me impressed.

There is a DJ spinning out some club beats – (iirc) he is Michel from Norway – and what a cool spirit he is. He dresses in black pants and white long sleeve top however I think it’s a bit uncool for such a trendy club DJ.

Bamboo Chic is absolutely eye candy – fluoro blue against fluoro green, smothered with bright orange lighting, with a mixture of darkened wood and twilight flooring – absolutely no boring bits found here.

The waitress serves me a tasting plate which consisted of various sushis’ and other assorted nibbles. I am given the drinks menu where I can pretty much order anything on the house bust since I can’t recall each and every drink here are some photos, cheers!

 

[Alanslegal]

As they say, all good things must come to an end and this stay at the Le Meridien is definitely a good thing! Firstly the hotel is smoking hot and I love that front entrance! Then the doormen in their black suits – are they bouncers from a swanky club? From start to finish, every staff I encountered was totally welcoming and would say Hi. There was not a single moment I felt uncomfortable except when I felt underdressed at Bamboo Chic. The benefits as an elite guest was above and beyond what was required but this definitely made my stay extremely wicked.

I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone and everyone. It is simply fantastic all round – and one of my best stays for a city hotel like ever. And just when I thought the W Hong Kong was hot, the LM Bangkok is hotter!!!!

[thanks for reading]

 

[drron]

Sounds and looks very good.Just one question-how far from the Skytrain or underground stations-this is where we feel very spoilt at SGS.

 

[Alanslegal]

Sounds and looks very good.Just one question-how far from the Skytrain or underground stations-this is where we feel very spoilt at SGS.

I never caught the train so can't say from my experience, though the doorman did say around 5 minutes. From googlemaps, I'd estimate anywhere up to 10 minute walk.

 

[auriga]

Thanks for the report!

 

[Keith009]

V modern and flashy public areas and even slightly trendy, definitely looks a lot sleeker than either the WGS and SGS (somehow the SGS reminds me of a Thai temple, people might like the "charm" but it's defo not for me - Bar SU is good fun however)! Better locale for me too, v near party central. Will defo give this a go next time in BKK unless the W or aLofts are already open.

 

[CaptWalker]

A detailed, informative and very positive report ... what did you say your job at Starwood is ...?

 

[Alanslegal]

A detailed, informative and very positive report ... what did you say your job at Starwood is ...?

U r cheeeeky :mrgreen:

BTW welcome to AFF CaptWalker

 

[BlueAU]

I love your trip reports Alanslegal! Thanks, keep em coming

 

[Alanslegal]

Bumping up an old'ish thread of mine;

Travel and Leisure's 500 World's Best Hotels for 2010 has the Le Meridien Bangkok up there with the best, being 3rd best for a hotel within Bangkok.

http://www.travelandleisure.com/tl500/2010/region/asia

For a relatively newcomer hotel in Bangkok it is an excellent result indeed. I am looking forward to my next stay there in June 2010