Cheapskate month in SE Asia with status

[froggerADL]

Back to BKK and the Conrad

It was a long way from the arrival gate to immigration so I was happy to do it sitting down.

My pusher went to the standard immigration area, which was an absolute zoo, and I was about to ask him to go to premium immigration when we were stopped by an airport official who redirected us there. MH had provided me with the appropriate pass.

Priority baggage worked well and we were through in no time. From the moment we landed I had tried to get a data connection but my phone just wasn’t having it so that meant no Uber for me. I decided that I would get the train to Makkasan station and then taxi to the Conrad. I told my assistant that I wanted to get the train and he looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language . Again, I said “train”. He looked at me blankly. Due to my inability to speak any Asian languages, other than a bit of Vietnamese (ba ba ba), I had downloaded the Google Translate app and all the languages that I would need for this trip so that I could use it off-line. I typed in “train”, showed him my phone and voila, we were off.

The train from BKK to Makkasan is 5 stops and costs 35 baht (A$1.35). From there it is about 2km to the Conrad. It was a bit of a walk from the train to the taxi but I made it without falling over.

I told the driver that I wanted to go to the Conrad, he replied “Conlad, Wireless road” and I replied “yes, Conlad”. I could now speak some Thai. He assisted me with putting my bag in the boot and I got in the back seat. He said “bad traffic, I take you for 200 baht”. I said “meter”. He said “bad traffic, 200 baht” and I said “use meter please”. He turned on the meter. By now I had managed to get data access on my phone so I used Google Maps to make sure we didn’t take the scenic route, which we didn’t. Fifteen or so minutes later we arrived at the Conlad and the meter was showing 65 baht. I gave him 100 baht and he smiled at me and thanked me.

:idea: Cheapskate Tip: If a Bangkok taxi driver quotes you a fixed fare it will usually be three to four times what you would pay using the meter. Always use the meter but tip generously.

Given the traffic in Bangkok I think I saved a fair bit of time, not to mention money, by using the train. I had landed at 1.24pm and was checking in at the Conrad a little after 3pm.

 

[RB]

Re: Back to BKK and the Conrad

Enjoying the read, photos and humour

 

[froggerADL]

Re: Back to BKK and the Conrad

Enjoying the read, photos and humour

Thank you RB.

 

[froggerADL]

The Conrad – Feels Like Home

On arrival at the Conrad my bags were collected from the taxi and I was escorted to reception. Reception was very busy so I asked if I could check in at the executive lounge. No problem.

I was welcomed back with a big smile and asked to sit at a table while formalities were completed. While sitting there, three staff members welcomed me back as they walked by, again with big smiles. I had chosen my room via on-line check-in and received the executive level room I’d selected.

The cost was a little higher than my last stay at A$130 per night. I’m here for six nights then head home. WiFi speed is excellent at 15 Mbps.

I was presented with my key-card and told that the lounge would be very busy tonight. I’m not sure why they assumed that I would be at the lounge that evening, but there you go. Just kidding. I said that I would come a little early at 5:15pm and she said that she would keep my favourite table for me.

I love this hotel and it would seem they love me.

 

[froggerADL]

Conrad Room Photos

The rooms are great. Here are some pictures for your visual pleasure.

The bar


Work area. I won't be needing that!


Sitting area.


Looking towards the door.

 

[froggerADL]

Re: Conrad Room Photos

Some more room photos.

The bathroom. Toilet seat up. The joys of being single .


The bath. Not so good being single .


The bed. No further comment.

 

[froggerADL]

Domestic Duties

I have one shirt with me on this trip that has a collar and it is my preferred flying attire. As I had worn it on my last flight and dribbled food down the front of it, it would require a wash before my BKK-SYD flight. I do like to impress the flight attendants. It is a genuine Baleno that I purchased during my recent trip to China. It cost A$16. I know, expensive eh!

Anyway, I now had a dilemma as there are no free laundry facilities at the Conrad. According to the in-room price list I would have to pay 205 baht plus 17.7% service charge & tax. That’s A$9.20 .

So I resorted to something I’ve never done before. I washed it in the bath. I ran a shallow bath of warm water and added a bottle of body wash and let it soak for three hours then wrung the excess water out. I now have four days to get it dry.

The in-room dryer.


Aromatherapy Associates body wash. I expect my shirt to be very relaxed.


I’m sure that Anna will be along soon to tell me what I’ve done wrong !

The best bit is that as an HH Diamond I get up to three pieces of laundry pressed free of charge per stay. Winning .

 

[Fifa]

Re: Domestic Duties

So I resorted to something I’ve never done before. I washed it in the bath. I ran a shallow bath of warm water and added a bottle of body wash and let it soak for three hours then wrung the excess water out. I now have four days to get it dry.

Just a hint (and I'm sure Anna will agree) - after wringing, lay your shirt out on a towel, roll it up then twist.
Viola! It will be dry in no time!

 

[Austman]

Re: Domestic Duties

So I resorted to something I’ve never done before. I washed it in the bath. I ran a shallow bath of warm water and added a bottle of body wash and let it soak for three hours then wrung the excess water out. I now have four days to get it dry.

Make sure it's BONE dry before wearing it. And perhaps then run a hot iron over it. Unless you are fond of fungal skin infections. I speak with considerable (unwelcomed) experience from hotel hand-washed-in-the-room laundry.

 

[froggerADL]

Re: Domestic Duties

Make sure it's BONE dry before wearing it. And perhaps then run a hot iron over it. Unless you are fond of fungal skin infections. I speak with considerable (unwelcomed) experience from hotel hand-washed-in-the-room laundry.

Thanks Austman. I like to avoid fungal skin infections wherever possible. However, I do plan on letting someone else do the ironing courtesy of the free pressing service.

 

[froggerADL]

Re: Domestic Duties

Just a hint (and I'm sure Anna will agree) - after wringing, lay your shirt out on a towel, roll it up then twist.
Viola! It will be dry in no time!

Advice taken.





Thank you Fifa.

 

[TomVexille]

Re: The Conrad – Feels Like Home

I love this hotel and it would seem they love me.

And why wouldn't they?

 

[froggerADL]

Re: The Conrad – Feels Like Home

And why wouldn't they?

I don't know. You'd have to ask my ex wives!

 

[froggerADL]

Re: The Conrad – Feels Like Home

As I said in an earlier post, the EL lounge angel said that she would keep my favourite table for me that night. As I entered the lounge at 5:15pm I was met with a beaming smile and led to my table. She had placed a newspaper and a glass of water on the table which were whisked away as I sat down. How’s that for service?

I had five Whisky Sours for the evening and just to keep them on their toes I had a Singha beer as a nightcap. A very enjoyable evening.

Now remember, it had been fifteen days since my last stay. I arrived for breakfast and was welcomed back with a lovely Thai smile as I was led to my favourite table. Guests are usually asked if they would like tea or coffee but I drink neither. She smiled at me and said “Orange juice”? I was blown away that she remembered what I drink at breakfast. Amazing!

Next up, afternoon tea.

 

[froggerADL]

The Conrad Executive Lounge - Afternoon Tea

The Conrad executive lounge is generally fairly quiet at afternoon tea time. I guess that's because of the lack of free alcohol, or maybe people have better things to do. I quite like it and it's a convenient place to go while my room is being serviced.

The Conrad executive lounge


Another view


Executive lounge reception


Afternoon tea sandwiches


And sweets. They had scones too but I didn't have any because, as you can see, I'm watching my weight.

 

[froggerADL]

Afternoon Tea - Again

I arrived for afternoon tea to find that there was only one type of sandwich on display, and it contained nothing that had been slaughtered in its making.

I must have had a look of disappointment about me as a lounge angel appeared from nowhere and said that they had some tuna sandwiches and that she would bring them to my table. Now, if I had selected them I would have taken one or two. This is what arrived.

Tuna Croissants x 4. They were very nice.


I do like my sweets.

They had scones again but I'm still watching my weight.


I'm doing a good job of eating and drinking my room rate here.

 

[froggerADL]

Conrad View

This is the view from my favourite table at the Conrad Executive lounge.



And this is my favourite table at my favourite time of the day. Yes, free booze time .

 

[froggerADL]

Lunch at The Garage

I went for lunch at The Garage as my body was crying out for a substantial lump of red meat. The Garage is an American restaurant in the All Seasons Mall which is attached to the Conrad. Some of you may remember that this is where Hvr and I went for dinner during my last stay at the Conrad.

I had the cheeseburger, and asked that it be served with fries instead of the normal undercooked wedges.

Mmmmm, meat.


See that Hvr, the bun is branded :shock:. I even ate some of the salady bits!

With a bottle of water it cost exactly THB300 (A$11.50).

 

[froggerADL]

More Points

Points have posted from the DoubleTree KL stay. 7752 HH points and 1080 Avios.

825 QFF points and 40SC posted three days after the MH flight.

 

[froggerADL]

MH Survey

I just completed an on-line survey for my MH KUL-BKK flight.

I rated them highly in all areas other than beverages. I expressed my disappointment at the lack of alcoholic beverages in business class on flights less than three hours.

I'm sure they'll fix that now!