Several recent openings and major renovations boosted Bangkok's international reputation as a hotel-bargain center.
For example, the 171-room Metropolitan on 27 South Sathorn Rd., now in its second year, brings sleek comfort and modern design to the heart of the city's business district. A total conversion of a former YMCA, the Metropolitan's spacious, wood-accented rooms feature furniture and rugs made by local craftsmen. High-tech amenities include broadband Internet access, 25-inch flat screen televisions, and DVD/CD players. With a Web rate in the $150 range, the Metropolitan typifies the lengths to which lodging dollars in Bangkok can stretch.
The Metropolitan, which is part of Como Hotels and Resorts, offers a pool, fine dining, and a range of spa options. It's less than a five-minute stroll from Celadon,in the nearby Sukhothai Hotel, arguably Bangkok's best Thai restaurant. The Metropolitan also is a 15-minute walk to the Sala Daeng skytrain elevated rail station.
Also noteworthy is the 338-room Nai Lert Park on Wireless Road, a former Hilton. Accented by an 8.5-acre garden, the property, taken over in 2004 and now operated by Raffles International as a Swissotel, offers two tennis courts, a squash court, swimming pool, and a health club including a brand-new gym with sauna. Extensive meeting facilities are also on hand, as are Asian fusion and French restaurants. The hotel, with rates in the $150 range, is a 10-minute walk from the Ploenchit skytrain station.
Another new and smaller entry is the 57-room, boutique Swiss Lodge. Located on Convent Road and Sala Daeng 2, a five-minute walk from Silom Rd., It offers intimate and comfortable rooms, a full business center, conference room and a pool. Even more economical is the 69-room Siam Heritage hotel on Surawang Rd. Close to business complexes, the Patpong entertainment district, and the Sala Daeng skytrain station, the hotel—with Web rates in the $50 to $60 range—offers a pool and fitness center.
On the renovation scene, the 799-room Shangri La, overlooking the Chao Praya River, has completed major upgrades to its guest rooms, and redesigned its two-story lobby. Set at an angle, guest beds are placed to maximize river views. The hotel also has instituted 24-hour restaurant service, as well as high-speed broadband and Internet access in all renovated rooms. It also debuted the first of its CHI spas offering body-water massage and facial therapies.
Function planners should take note of a new series of "apartment-like" meeting rooms at the 380-room Grand Hyatt. Part of the management's goal of making the property more "MICE oriented," this area, called The Residence, is geared toward upscale corporate gatherings. The space features four sets of furnished rooms, each with access to a living room, fireplace, a kitchen where chefs are in view, wireless Internet and videoconferencing capabilities.
As for future hotel tidings, a new Novotel is slated to be the only hotel onsite at Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi International Airport. It will feature 600 rooms in two five-story buildings. Each will feature large open atrium areas in the center, and will be linked to a 30,180 sq.-ft., five-story lobby. The hotel will be linked directly to the airport's terminals.
Thai Airways on May 1 will inaugurate a 17-hour non-stop between New York and Bangkok. It's the first non-stop flight available on this route.