Let the Bangkok hotel battles begin
Banyan Tree Bangkok's new two-bedroom suites are designed for long-stay guests. To say this last year was a bit rough for the Bangkok hotel industry would be like saying Kanye West is mildly opinionated. Airport closures, swine flu and the economic downturn all had a hand in the dismal occupancy numbers the city’s hotels now endure.
Which are why some hotels aren’t holding back in the run-up to this year’s high season, tying up with transit operators, renovating, revamping their services or throwing big events.
All-in-one keysChaophya Park Hotel has launched an all-in-one subway pass and hotel room key card as part of a joint initiative with the Bangkok Metro. The card offers unlimited one-day subway travel in addition to that all-important feature -- room access. This is a pretty smart move and will actually come in handy for guests, given an MRT station sits right outside the hotel’s doors.
They're all natural, babyCatering to the world’s eco-conscious travellers, the Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa recently transformed all its hotel limousines, swapping its old vehicles for a fleet of new Mercedes Benz E 200 NGT (Natural Gas Technology). The hotel said it brought in the environmentally friendly vehicles due to its concerns about city pollution. It claims to be the only city hotel whose entire limousine fleet runs on NGT. (257 Charoennakorn Road, tel +66 (0)2 476 0022)
Master Chefs come to playIt’s all about the stars at The Four Seasons. Michelin stars, that is. Throwing the spotlight on the hotel right before the (hoped) winter deluge of guests, the hotel is holding its 10th annual World Gourmet Festival from October 5-11. Several Master Chefs will be cooking and giving classes. The hotel has created a Gourmet Package which includes deluxe overnight accommodations, full access to the Executive Club, complimentary breakfast, evening cocktails and a featured dinner of choice for each night booked.
Some hotels took advantage of the ongoing slow period to do some renovating. At the Pan Pacific rooms have been given a complete overhaul, and are now very modern yet still have that touch of class the brand is known for. But the real draw are the room's new imported Japanese toilets with buttons that do all sorts of wonderful things -- including heat the seat.
The hotel also just launched its new sky-high Panorama restaurant which we recently tested and were blown away by the creations of head chef Steve Van Remoortel.
(952 Rama IV Road , tel +66 (0)2 632 9000)
Banyan Tree Bangkok has also been renovating and announced it’s creating new one- and two-bedroom, long-stay suites. The hotel has also added a new Banyan Tree Club room category. All of these will be ready by early 2010.
(21/100 South Sathon Road, tel +66 (0)2 679 1200)
