Time for another posting from Bangkok and the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Bangkok review. I have to say when reading my list of hotels I would visit for this trip, I was wondering first. A Sheraton Hotel belonging to Luxury Collection – I won’t believe that, so I was really interesting on my trip to the hotel.
Arriving at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit at 3.30pm with the great hotel shuttle service from the Royal Meridien Hotel Plaza Athenee. A lot of people were waiting on the entrance of the hotel for me and after a very friendly greeting and introduction to the team, everything was prepared for a direct trip to my suite and the checkin on my suite.
This is one of the things I always appreciate so much – direct checkin on the suite, no waiting in lines, everything prepared – so wonderful. When you stayed in so many hotels over the last 10 years, you will find out, that these are the moments, that travelling can also be very comfortable.
The friendly team of the SGS (Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit) had all these “lovely” small surprises everywhere on my suite and which is always a great start for a meeting and it seems that they wanted to make my stay real special… chocolate strawberries and little cakes, tons of fruits and fresh coffee and a real great idea, a German daily business magazine “Handelsblatt” fresh printed from the same day directly on my room.
Room / Suite:
My room for the next 24 hours was a wonderful “Grand Suite” with approx. 75 sqm on the 24th floor with a great view over Bangkok and the Lake Ratchada. All you need on the room, a real quick internet connection on the room (40MBit) wired and wireless, but you can also use your account everywhere in the hotel without problems, so I decided to work during the evening in their library.
I like these suites, completely separated their living room with working desk, sitting area and TV and sleeping area with a huge bed, walk-in closet and nice bathroom incl. shower and bath-tube.
It was really interesting to see how everything was on its place, everything I like was prepared and for the cases that I might need help “just dial zero” for your personal butler. Very quick and helpful always during the day.
Also housekeeping always took care on your room, if you need additional towels, cleaning the plates, bringing fresh fruits or making the bed for the evening or day. You never saw them, but they are there, whenever you might need them. Very great!
Poolarea:
One of the things I had to check immediately after my arrival was the pool area, I saw a few pictures of it online, but pictures and reality might be different from time to time. But this swimming pool was really special. A tropical garden in the middle of Bangkok, not the typical square you find – created like a garden or jungle to discover. Water fountains, different sitting possibilites in the water, underwater music speakers and the Asian art becomes part of this scenery.
What I really enjoyed on this property was the different sitting or sun chair possibilites, also great for families if you want to be close to the water of if you want to walk about your own private bridge to your chairs. Their pool-service took care on every guest, directly after entering the area, showing you different spots where you can relax, preparing everything with fresh towels. Very nice also on this spot, always fresh water, fresh fruits and always asking if you need a new towel, etc. – very attentive.
Also the internet connection was working here very well – you saw people everywhere with their tablet or laptop working or browsing the internet. You do not have this quality of speed very often on a hotelpool – so relaxing and writing posts for my blog… Very good.
Library / Living room / Bar / Restaurant:
During the evening I visited a local concert, they had in their bar and with table on the table and also on the library, the service was very good, you can still work without problems, enjoy complementary (depending on your booked room) softdrinks and coffee, tea etc. and a very fantastic service. Worth to spend a few moments there and just to sit together with friends, talk and relax a little bit. You will have plenty of possibilites to discover, also their special restaurants – The “Rossini’s” – one of the best Thailand restaurants since 2006 with a Northern Italian Cuisine, the Orchid Cafe with a buffet, The Sala at the pool – outdoor barbeque atmosphere, or the “Basil” a authentic Thai restaurant with a brilliant cuisine.
For me, during my days at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit I had no time for dinner in the evening, but will have to try it next time, as the reviews are fantastic everywhere.
Breakfast:
I decided to take the breakfast in the Orchid Cafe with a view outside to the pulsating city of Bangkok with all the interesting new buildings. The staff on the Orchid Cafe was always very friendly and also very polite. Relaxing and warm atmosphere.
As most hotels in Asia always offer an awesome breakfast buffet with special courses from all over the world, if you are looking for Sushi or Japanese food, Chinese food or more the American Style with eggs and bacon, the European style with fresh bread and different danish pastries or fresh fruits – I am sure you will find all you need.
All the fruits are sliced always fresh during the morning – not the typical plates which was really nice to see. During my days it was a little bit crowded, but still very nice to enjoy your breakfast and to talk with your meeting partners.
Location:
A great advantage on this property is the connection you get in Bangkok, everything is very close or very easy to reach. You have your personal BTS skytrain stop on your private bridge from the hotel, just walk out of the door and take the next train, wherever you want to go in Bangkok. Or use the train-station to cross the streets and you are in “Terminal 21” – Bangkoks newest shopping mall with a great concept (more about it tomorrow on my blog). You will find a great food court in Terminal 21 called Pier 21 hundreds of stores (independent labels or all famous fashion labels) and also a huge multiplex cinema, where I decided to watch “Les Miserables” (separate posting: here)
For the case that this shopping temple is not enough for you, you will find all other stores, brands, 7-11-supermarket, fast-food-brands and also entertainment possibilites just 100 meters around.
Opposite of the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit you will find the Westin Sukhumvit, the Four Points by Sheraton and also the new Aloft, a place with a lot of hotels by Starwood around.
Service:
When you travel a lot and you met a lot of people, you know about the service and if there is anything they might can do for you – just give us a call, but most times everything is perfect and you do not need it. During checkin I also received this offer and a few business cards, whenever I am in Bangkok and might need something, just give us a call.
On my Bangkok tour after checking out at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, I stayed two days later on another SPG property and had to check out immediately (long separate posting will follow) – but it was Chinese New Year and most hotels are completely sold out. So I took this business card and gave him a call… 10 minutes later, everything was fixed, I received again a wonderful suite and came back to this hotel during my stay for the final night in Bangkok before leaving to Europe again.
So I requested on my second time a late checkout (as late as possible for the hotel – on Chinese New Year
My review / opinion:
This time, the review and my personal opinion is very easy and when you read the posting you might already know it. This Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit is one of the best Sheraton Hotels of the Starwood Group (SPG) and in my opinion one of the best two hotels in Bangkok by SPG.
It depends on your personal travel needs, if you are looking for a hotel, close to every spot, just walking around and you will have every store, every restaurant and also a huge shopping mall close to you, a direct train access and and a tropical swimming pool. In this case it is the best hotel in Bangkok (especially for families, groups who want to discover a little bit and also for groups who still want to have a comfortable/relaxed hotel)
The Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit combines the common charme of a Sheraton Hotel with the service of a luxury hotel – so when starting to write about this hotel and asking myself “Sheraton and Luxury Collection” will it fit? The answer is absolutely clear… “YES”… wonderful hotel with wonderful people and very polite staff…
For me it was the first time staying at the SGS Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, but I am sure, I will not be the last time. (5/5 points)