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Good Evening.
My wife and I are staying in Bangkok for 4 nights in May and are planning to use IHG Reward points.
I’ve currently got the following two hotels in mind:
– InterContinental Bangkok (149k points)
– Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok (168k points)I’m a Diamond Ambassador.
I would welcome peoples experiences of both hotels, and any other IHG recommendations in Bangkok.
TIA
Was very impressed with the Club lounge at the Intercon when I stayed a year or so ago. I booked it on a cash rate using the Ambassador free weekend night voucher, but I think you can pay the usual $80 or so per night to upgrade from a points redemption.
At the other end of the scale, the HIX Sathorn is good value if you’re arriving late and just need somewhere to sleep before moving on to the IC or wherever next morning.
Thanks @Jon
We will be staying at the Vignette next week, looks like an option, too. I’ll report back.
I much prefer the location of the IC. It’s right in the middle of the action, BTS station on the doorstep and there’s a covered pedway connecting you to the rest of the district – ideal if it’s raining or if you’re jetlagged.
By comparison, the Kimpton is on a bit of a side street. It’ll be a 10 minute walk to get anywhere or a taxi (cheap and plentiful, but the traffic can be horrendous at rush hour or if it’s raining).
Do you have lounge pass to use at the IC?
Agree with @aseftel re location of both. Some people don’t like the suites at the Kimpton. Apparently you can rent bikes from the Kimpton too if you want to risk it on Bangkok roads.
At 0.5 US cents per point the Kimpton is effectively costing USD 210 per night – not expensive compared to Kimptons in western countries but think about what else that money could get you in Thailand, particularly if you are not planning to spend much time in the hotel (but if you don’t plan to venture too far, then the Kimpton’s location is not such a big problem).
Also if willing to pay cash, consider whether booking through Emyr might yield more perks.
I recently stayed at Hotel Indigo Wireless Road, it was around two-thirds the price of IC/Kimpton but did everything I wanted – great breakfast (Diamond), got a few free drinks at the poolside bar, so-so upgrade (corner room, reasonably spacious but not a suite). 5 mins walk to the BTS and shopping areas, perfectly fine in December but might get you very sweaty in May
I love the IC Bangkok. The location is superb – Lumphini Park and several shopping centres are nearby. There’s a covered walkway to the BTS station. Central World nearby has a massive selection of restaurants. There’s also a number of small streetfood markets if you walk towards Wireless road.
And if your Scottish then the upmarket supermarket at the top of Central World has Irn Bru (even the diet stuff!!) 🙂
The lounge is excellent with great mojitos. Breakfast is great also with a large selection of foods and I particularly like the Indian foods. Can’t beat a curry for breakfast 🙂
The only downside is that taxis will refuse to use their meter when picking up at the hotel.
Definitely the IC as it has a great lounge.
The only downside is that taxis will refuse to use their meter when picking up at the hotel.
Book the taxi on Grab and you’ll be fine.
Thanks all. That’s really helpful advice.
@John – My wife is keen for us to use points on this holiday! Will check out the Indigo.
@jek – Look forward to Vignette report.
@BP – The Irn Bru recommendations is very helpful, my addiction to the orange stuff needs to be sated… “a can day keeps the diabetes away”, no one ever said!The only downside is that taxis will refuse to use their meter when picking up at the hotel.
Book the taxi on Grab and you’ll be fine.
This.
Don’t even bother with a regular taxi (unless departing the airport, at which point DO get a regular taxi).The only downside is that taxis will refuse to use their meter when picking up at the hotel.
Book the taxi on Grab and you’ll be fine.
This.
Don’t even bother with a regular taxi (unless departing the airport, at which point DO get a regular taxi).But if you’re going from BKK to the IC don’t bother with any sort of car and take the Skytrain (unless you have tons of luggage).
My thoughts IC for location.
If you’re not going to be in the hotel much, save the points and book the adjacent HI, like all IHG options in Bangkok it’s decent.
Anybody who would consider hiring a bike in Bangkokwould be both a lot cheaper and safer uxing a mogorbije taxi – way to go in jams.
Grab cars won’t be rushing to get to IC at wrong time of day either. Better to use BTS and walk so a lot to be gained from planning day well.
The only downside is that taxis will refuse to use their meter when picking up at the hotel.
Book the taxi on Grab and you’ll be fine.
This.
Don’t even bother with a regular taxi (unless departing the airport, at which point DO get a regular taxi).But if you’re going from BKK to the IC don’t bother with any sort of car and take the Skytrain (unless you have tons of luggage).
I thought only BJ travelled without luggage?
Absolutely no way I’m using Airport Link even though I travel HBO. Tried it twice, packed and uncomfortable both times. I’ve no idea why do many happily pay ip £30 for a 15 minute ride to Edinburgh Airport but grudge a Bangkok taxi driver £10 for a journey 2-4 times longer, or £4 for a ride in central areas thst would cost £20 in London. Use Grab and you might end up eith a netered cab off meter anyway. Better just to nrgotiate with taxi than wait for grab. If your not happy with deal just shake your head, the next taxi sees what’s going on and will offer a better deal if they want the business.
Absolutely no way I’m using Airport Link even though I travel HBO. Tried it twice, packed and uncomfortable both times. I’ve no idea why do many happily pay ip £30 for a 15 minute ride to Edinburgh Airport but grudge a Bangkok taxi driver £10 for a journey 2-4 times longer, or £4 for a ride in central areas thst would cost £20 in London. Use Grab and you might end up eith a netered cab off meter anyway. Better just to nrgotiate with taxi than wait for grab. If your not happy with deal just shake your head, the next taxi sees what’s going on and will offer a better deal if they want the business.
Our experience was different. We used it in Spring last year, mid-afternoon with suitcases, and it was a pleasant not particularly busy train.
I now can report on the Vignette. Itis on the same street as the Kimpton (5min away) and the location is great.
We stayed four nights on 89k points (two basic rooms) and got upgraded to a one bedroom sky suite and a king bed sky suite. The bedroom in the suite was a little bit small as I was often bumping into the TV and the bathroom was small and underwhelming. But as an upgrade to the 27th floor with floor to ceiling windows and a great view, we can’t complain!
There is an outdoor pool on the 18th floor which was colder than expected.
There is a rooftop bar on the 30th floor with a Korean restaurant, again with great views.
The breakfast buffet was great with a huge variety of- one of the best breakfast buffets we have encountered. Many of the guests are Korean and there are a lot of Korean food options at breakfast, too.
We haven’t stayed at the other IHG options, but with the difference in price, we can recommend the Vignette.
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