Conrad, Bangkok

...the Thai staff of the Conrad, but as soon as we did – we got onto checking out the room. The room was a decent size but there were so many delights within its hard to know where to start!

Following the theme of the hotel it was dark wood, very contemporary and relaxed. The bed was huge – plain cream with a simple silk chocolate brown and red runner. Sitting perched on the pillow was a chocolate brown elephant – for ...
...to ceiling glass with views all over Bangkok. There was a large work desk with all the hotel paraphernalia to be read. There was a huge big telly, with surround sound – even in the bathroom! The usual minibar/fridge (which were still at extortionate prices), a large closet area and drawers including 2 robes and checked blue bedroom slippers (these were excellent – lm still wearing mine at home!), and 2 brollies. The piece de resistance ... more

I have stayed in a few hotels in my time, but when in Thailand the Conrad Hotel (part of the Hilton group) really has to be singled out as the utmost pinnacle of sheer unadulterated luxury. Staff really go beyond the realms of expectation when dealing with their customers.

We stayed in Bangkok for four nights and five days at the end of May 2004. We usually book Hilton group hotels as we have a diamond Hilton Honors membership card and this usually means room upgrades and access to the executive lounge in the hotel. We booked our hotel as part of our Bangkok trip but for the 4 nights it worked out quite reasonable with a free upgrade to a deluxe corner suite room. The rates were pretty reasonable, especially when you consider a 5 star hotel in regard to Western prices. Check out www.conradhotels.com for booking information. What you are talking about is around £107 for a deluxe room inclusive of a buffet breakfast. Now where would you get a 5 star hotel in the western world for that sort of price!

The Conrad Hotel is situated in the business and embassy district of Bangkok – at All Seasons Place, 87 Wireless Road, Bangkok. It is within a retail and residential complex. The location is fantastic – 10 minutes walk and you will find a night market, but why walk in the heat when a constant supply of reasonable taxis will take you there. There’s a bus connection which will drop you off at the Sky Train stop which will take you in cool air - conditioned cars to the shopping districts, to the river or to the area of Papong (for shopping and other Bangkok life!).

The hotel itself is brand spanking new. It has 392 rooms all furnished to perfection. The style is that of contemporary Thai – that is the lobby is a huge atrium with dark woods and fresh flowers. It really is a place where you could imagine the beautiful people hanging out. There are 4 restaurants – Italian, Japanese, Chinese and International. There is also a coffee shop. There is a bar off the lobby and also a nightclub too. For business people there is a business centre – couldn’t tell you much about it – l was on holiday! There is a huge outdoor pool full attended open until around 9pm at night, it has also a Jacuzzi pool too. There’s a bar and café for light snacks. They have a fully equipped gym for guests with the best of equipment open from 5am until 10pm. There are two tennis courts and a health and beauty spa also. Phew – lm glad all that’s out of the way!

After a 12 hour flight from Heathrow, a 4 hour wait in Heathrow and 2 hours in Belfast - 18 hours on the go you could say we were slight crumpleted and disorientated when we arrived (it was nothing to do with the booze on the plane!). It was my first trip to somewhere so close to the equator and the sheer density of the heat was a shock to the system in itself! So when our transfer bus pulled up outside of the Conrad we were already walking about with our systems in shock not to mention the jet lag! So we unloaded our luggage and these Thai porters scurried it seems out of nowhere! We were brought into the cool sophistication of the dark wood lobby and the chilled air was so welcoming! Every member of the Thai staff had a huge smile, with hands in pray position with a swadee kai for me and a swadee krup for Paul (please feel free to correct me on my spelling and grammar!).

As soon as we approached the reception a young chap in a white jacket with Manderin collars was straight over to help us – we were both first of all profusely welcomed to Thailand and indeed the hotel, and presented us with orchids. We were then taken to our room to be checked in! After the formalities of check in, our photo was taken digitally so should we ever stay again they would recognize us and welcome back a returning customer. We were then shown about our room – more of which later – suffice to say that even as far as how to flush a loo! Just as the check in ceremonies was ended our luggage arrived and was carried into the room and laid out conveniently. Then another guy arrived with a tray of fruit and drinks (non alcoholic fresh fruit juices). To be truthful we were overwhelmed – we were embarrassed - we wanted them to stop – we were being killed by kindness and hospitality!

It took us a while to get over the shock of the amazing customer service given by the Thai staff of the Conrad, but as soon as we did – we got onto checking out the room. The room was a decent size but there were so many delights within its hard to know where to start!

Following the theme of the hotel it was dark wood, very contemporary and relaxed. The bed was huge – plain cream with a simple silk chocolate brown and red runner. Sitting perched on the pillow was a chocolate brown elephant – for us to take home! The main window was floor to ceiling glass with views all over Bangkok. There was a large work desk with all the hotel paraphernalia to be read. There was a huge big telly, with surround sound – even in the bathroom! The usual minibar/fridge (which were still at extortionate prices), a large closet area and drawers including 2 robes and checked blue bedroom slippers (these were excellent – lm still wearing mine at home!), and 2 brollies. The piece de resistance has got to be thee bathroom however! One wall of the bathroom was of glass – so one could watch the telly from the huge roll top/claw foot bath! This bath was so deep it took almost half an hour to fill it to a decent level! There were his and her sinks, a loo (obviously) and a huge shower which one could choose to have on power shower mode or rain shower. The bathroom was amazing!! Should one have to use the loo there was a curtain which when a button was pushed closed over and made you decent – there are just some things couples don’t need to share!! Also for guests – a rubber elephant to keep you company in the tub!!

The pool facilities were phenomenal too. Once down there were huge sun loungers – pool boys laid out towels for you. Then you were brought down glasses of iced water. The huge big pool was not heated – not needed! Should you want a fruit juice, or other beverage you simply had to scrap the serrated frog which was on the table beside your lounger and a pool attendant was by your side. There was also a café serving light snacks – we ate there once – and l had a huge burger and fries – mmmm – lm salivating now just recalling them! What l would say was because of the shape of the building and the rise and fall of the sun around 4pm you were almost completely in the shade – which aint much good for any sun kings or queens! The area was surrounded with palms and exotic plants – which an arm of gardeners were constantly watering and tending too. It was a perfect oasis – great for recovering from hangovers at!

I did use the fitness suite (just the once though!). Again highly tended by staff, who ensured you were hooked up and using the equipment correctly. Each cardio piece (cross trainers, recumbent cycles, treadmills etc) all had individual TV monitors so you could watch a movie, a lifestyle piece or take in the news whilst you slogged away. There was a fitness mat for yoga or the ball and weight training equipment. There was even a fridge filled with bottled water for you to enjoy before during and after your work out.

We ate only at the Chinese restaurant in the hotel – it was rather posh! The décor was all very contemporary – but yet again – the staff were fantastic – they helped us choose the meal – brought us pigs ears to nibble on (mmmm – not) and really wanted to know about us and where we were from. They gave us advice on where to go and visit whilst in Bangkok. It was more expensive than other Thai restaurants we ate in but food and service were unquestionable.

The main bar and club situated off the main lobby was obviously a cool and trendy hang out for the rich and mobile young Thais. It had a quite hum – everyone seemed to be drinking fabulous cocktails or champagne. The table service girls were all beautiful. In the club section – this was a melee of world wide people – it had a British DJ giving shout out’s to people from around the world, playing cheesy Kylie and was all flashing neon lights. We were there one evening – it was enough to be honest!

As l mentioned we were able to access the executive suite – thanks the diamond Hilton Honors card. This is where we breakfasted – continental, hot, American, or Asian breakfasts were available. If it was not out – simply ask the chef and your wish was sorted. In the afternoons we could nip in for some tea and cake. In the evenings until 7pm it was hors d’oeuvrs and drinks! There was internet access, world wide papers and a huge plasma screen telly. The manageress Julie (a lovely French lady) deserves special note – she helped us book restaurants, arrange transfers, advised us on shopping and was always there to help.

There is no doubt in my mind this hotel was special – no in fact it was phenomenal and it really made our trip that bit more special. Paul and l both are in agreement – should we venture back to Bangkok (which l really intend to do) we will be staying at the Conrad – no questions asked. The service and the people were second to none. There was always a welcoming hello how are you, a huge smile and a total and genuine willingness to help out.
 

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