Solid SPG offering in the heart of Bangkok

If you’re headed to SE Asia then it’s given that you’ll end up flying in/out of Bangkok at some point. Even if Bangkok doesn’t top your list of places to stay for a weeklong vacation, it is a comparatively inexpensive place to spend 2-3 nights on either end of a trip (or, just on a really long layover). Starwood happens to be very well represented in Bangkok, featuring a St. Regis, W, three Meridien properties, a Westin, three Sheraton properties (one fits into the Luxury Collection), and of course an Aloft. Having stayed at the St. Regis, the W, and the Le Meridien by the airport/golf course (looooong layover), I decided to give this Le Meridien a shot, and here’s what I thought about it…

First up – it’s pretty cheap

Sure you can find cheaper hotels in Bangkok, but for a points-earning experience steps from dining and nightlife, I think this Le Meridien is hard to beat. A night will run you ~$100 or 10,000 SPG points (thank you SPG card from Amex), which is roughly half of what the St. Regis will go for, and the W is somewhere in between. I really enjoyed both of those other hotels (both had great pools, bars, and breakfast), but price and location make this Le Meridien a strong contender for my points/dollars.

But did you get upgraded??

Here’s what my fellow hotel aficionado friends always want to know: “but did you get upgraded?” Yes, as a Platinum I would’ve been upgraded, but I was with a friend and we needed two beds, which either means a base room or one tier up, OR a massive two bedroom suite, but the latter has only happened to me once… The base room was totally adequate, though, and I still got my Platinum bonus points and free breakfast, as expected, and that is always a nice perk. As for the pool, it’s probably not the first thing you think about when you think “what should I do in Bangkok?” but it is nice to have a late afternoon beverage and take a dip after a long day of sightseeing. To that end, the Le Meridien Patpong will get the job done, but it is noticeably less awesome than both the St. Regis and the W.

Cash or Points (or Cash and Points)?

My take? if the rate is $100-ish, as it was for my stay, go cash all the way. Why? Well, $100/10,000 points = $0.01 per point, which IMHO is not a good redemption at all. In fact, I will buy points at $0.01 all day long. Then take into account the fact that as a SPG Platinum 75 with the SPG credit card I earn 6 points per dollar – 2 from Amex and the other 4 from Starwood Platinum (3) 75 (1 extra). For a stay of 3 nights that’s 1,800 SPG points which I value at over $0.03/dollar (blended hotel/airline usage), making a “savings” of ~$54…or getting me 1,800 points closer to something I really, really need…like Cathay Pacific first class…totally reasonable 🙂

The Gallery:

The shower

The front door with adjoining room option

Coffee/tea service

Standard Le Meridien treatments

The rom w/ two beds

The lav next to the shower

The view at night

Shot of the floorplans on this floor

Plenty of water

The desk and TV area

Bedside table

Standard Le Meridien soaps (not the upgraded Cinq Mondes)

More from the minibar

Toto Washlet – a must in any bathroom

Bath amenities

The bathroom

The minibar

Better view of the desk area

Closet with robe and slippers

The tub again, towards the room

Nice sofa by the window

The two twin beds

View from the entry

Separate soaking tub

The Bottom Line:

I dig the Le Meridien properties in general, and in Asia I find them to be a good value — decently modern without the scene associated with staying at a W, assuming I can’t find a reasonable way into a St. Regis or there isn’t one around. If you’re looking for luxury then hit the St. Regis, otherwise I recommend checking out the Le Meridien given the price and location considerations vs. the W.

Missing anything?

Have you stayed at this Le Meridien before? What did you think? Or are you maybe planning a stay here? Let us know in your comments below!

The verdict

Reviewed by

Seatlink

Date

2016-05-10

Airline/cabin

Le Meridien Bangkok, Patpong

Rating

4