Amari Watergate Hotel, Bangkok

...had never heard of the Amari hotel chain until I was told that I was staying there, so I really did not know what to expect. The name doesn't exactly convey any clues; it makes me think of sweet chestnuts, for some reason, but I felt sure that I would not be staying in a sticky plastic bag. I hoped not anyway. I also wasn't sure what to make of the "Watergate" part of the name; would I see bugging devices? Reporters? Kirsten Dunst? A president ...
.../> Location and Arrival
The arrival is off a busy street near the World Trade Centre, with several shopping malls nearby - next door is a rather downmarket mall full of small outlets selling cheap clothing; down the street is the IT mall selling cheap electronics, IT equipment and pirate DVDs - all very well organised, even the warnings when a policeman is on his way!

No piracy in the hotel though, as far as I could see. ... more

I had never heard of the Amari hotel chain until I was told that I was staying there, so I really did not know what to expect. The name doesn't exactly convey any clues; it makes me think of sweet chestnuts, for some reason, but I felt sure that I would not be staying in a sticky plastic bag. I hoped not anyway. I also wasn't sure what to make of the "Watergate" part of the name; would I see bugging devices? Reporters? Kirsten Dunst? A president shamed? Well, I could hope...

Location and Arrival
The arrival is off a busy street near the World Trade Centre, with several shopping malls nearby - next door is a rather downmarket mall full of small outlets selling cheap clothing; down the street is the IT mall selling cheap electronics, IT equipment and pirate DVDs - all very well organised, even the warnings when a policeman is on his way!

No piracy in the hotel though, as far as I could see. The taxi took me off the aforementioned road, up a rather grubby looking concrete ramp and then I stepped into an attractive lobby. To the right is a lounge area adjoining a pastry shop; Reception is to the left up a few steps and the lifts are in front, behind a wall.

Check in was fairly quick and efficient. My reservation was right, they took my details and credit card. They were not especially friendly, but polite and pleasant.

The Room
My room was quite large, 40 sq m they claim, but dominated by a huge, plush bed that just screamed: "Come get into me, baby!". When I did, later that evening, I found it a bit hard (stop it!) and the next morning I was aching a bit, but the second night I slept like a baby and in the morning I was fine. Or maybe it was getting back in the small hours that helped there.

Of course, the bed was not all that was in the room. There was a desk, a stylish sofa, or chaise longue overflowing with cushions, collapse into, along with an armchair and a tiny coffee table already loaded with a fruit basket. There was a full sized TV, a safe deposit box, a kettle so I could make my own tea and coffee, and of course a minibar so I could run up a massive bill while getting mildly tipsy if I so chose.

The desk was large and well laid out for work with easily accessible plugs, internet socket etc which makes a nice change - how many hotels brag about their in-room internet, then you end up crawling around the floor behind the desk trying to find somewhere to plug your PC in before the battery dies?!

The bathroom, off to one side as one enters the room, was large, nicely laid out, with separate shower stall as well as bath and a separate basin as well as the basin - two basins! I can't figure out why this is so important but they brag about it in the hotel brochure. There was a nice selection of bathroom amenities, which made the morning shower almost worthwhile. Next to the bathroom door, in the hallway, was a luggage shelf.

Food And Drink
There are five restaurants around the hotel, mostly on the 4th floor which looks down onto the lobby. The main, 24-hour outlet is the Promenade Coffee Shop which has a buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. It was very food, as hotel buffets go, in that they offer fresh seafood including oysters at lunch.

Next to the coffee shop is the creatively named Thai on 4; no prizes for guessing what type of food, or what floor it's on. I came here once for dinner, was seated quickly but the service was a bit slow after that. The food, though, was good and not too spicy.

Up one floor and you'll find the Heichinrou Chinese Restaurant and the Italian Grappino, neither of which I tried. I did try Henry J Bean's Bar and Grill which is down in the basement. It is quite large and manages to have some atmosphere, unlike too many sterile hotel bars. It is reminiscent of a TGI, or a Bennigans, and they serve up quick and tasty bar food as well as the drinks.

Finally there is the lobby bar, an aforementioned sterile corner of the lobby.

Leisure Facilities
On the pool deck I found, not surprisingly, a pool. It is an odd shape, sculpted around two trees, with a mini lagoon between. Lovely for splashing around but crap for swimming lengths. On the pool deck there is also an excellent spa, with a wide range of treatments available as well as sauna and steam room.

There is a fitness centre with gym and squash courts.

Business Facilities
Meeting rooms are plentiful. There are several off a foyer area, where tea/coffee is served and the staff are very attentive - one girl seemed to spend the day standing by the lifts, maybe she was in detention or being punished? The meeting room that I saw was well equipped and set up. There was also the ball room which they say can take up to 1000 people.

There is also a business centre where the usual services are available, along with rental of mobile phones, PCs, AV equipment etc.

It's All Over...
Check out was a bit slow - I don't like it when you go to check out, they ask if you used the minibar then call someone. Specially when they then wait for it to be verified. Why ask if you aren't going to believe me? Printing the bill took a while and when I told them that I had taken a Diet Cola from the minibar it took ages to add it, so I ended up wishing I had kept my big mouth shut and let them discover my drinking habits for themselves.

Summary
The room was very comfortable and well furnished, managing to be both practical and stylish. The food, in all the places that I tried, was excellent. Service was good, but just a little slow both in the restaurant (except for the bar) and at check out.

Booking on their website, a regular room costs around US$145 with breakfast but late deals are available from as low as US$99 room-only.

Certainly a good place to stay if you are visiting Bankgkok for a few days, on business or as a base for exploring the city.
 

...less