After the wonderful beaches of Phuket and Ko Phi Phi Don, we gave ourselves some time in Bangkok to get to experience the city. We ended up staying at the Le Meridien Bangkok as it intersected the needs for price, convenience and quality. Surprisingly, the room had a circular bed as well which fit the profile for this odd ball city. We were really happy with the stay and the location and would stay here again if given the need.

---

This post is one chapter in our Around the World in Star Alliance First Class via China, Thailand and Spain. This trip was booked using Air Canada Aeroplan miles. For more information on how this trip was booked, please see our trip introduction here. For other parts of the trip, please see this index.

If you enjoyed this post, please follow us here or on social media through Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for more travel tips and hacks on how to “Upgrade Your Travels”.

---

Review: Le Meridien Bangkok, Bangkok, Bangkok

---

Booking and Getting there:

After a quick one hour cab ride through some immense South East Asian thundershowers, street flooding and rain, we checked in at the New Le Meridien Bangkok. The ride was 450 Baht with the airport surcharge and a “tip”.

I booked this property through the Starwood Preferred Guest site (direct) on a save 30% advance purchase rate. I had a little extra time and happened to notice a better rate on the online travel agency Expedia for 4,083 BHT. I submitted a Best Rate Guarantee and got a rate match to the lower 4,083 BHT ($129 USD).

On arrival at the hotel we were escorted into the funky contemporary Le Meridien. I’d highly recommend staying here again as the hotel was the right balance of oasis, tranquility, with a good location to see the sights. It was listed as a Travel and Leisure Top 500 Hotels of the world, but I don’t know if I would go that far… It was an excellent hotel and it opened in 2007.

The BTS Skytrain access was convenient, although perhaps not too convenient if you were trying to get here towing your own luggage. It was a 5 minute walk to the elevated BTS Skytrain. There is a 7-Eleven and Starbucks almost immediately adjacent to the hotel and a bank anchored money changer across the street open from 1400 – 2400hrs. 

The Room: A Circular Room

When I was booking, I noticed that the hotel offered suites with a circular bed. Being one to jump at a novelty, I booked one. Perhaps it was my effort to be like Clark Kent in Superman II? Not withstanding Ms WT73’s amused impression when we arrived to the room, it was the most comfortable bed of our 22 day adventure across nine hotels. Beyond that, who else can say that you have stayed in a circular bed?

The room also offered a reasonably sized western bathroom.

We also had a pretty good view of central Bangkok from our hotel room. The view from room #2205 – Starwood Preferred Guest Floor. 

Overall:

I would easily stay here again for business or pleasure without feeling the need to look around for different properties. In therms of the good things, let’s start with the Circular Bed. Need I say more? There was excellent noise insulation in the room (no noise), with a short walk to the BTS train and western conveniences within 1 block (7 Eleven, Starbucks) 

In terms of disadvantages, the hotel pool was a little small, consistent with a high rise building with a small footprint. There wasn’t any free wifi available anywhere on the hotel property. The Patong night market and the door men pushing “ping pong” shows may put off those traveling with families. This can probably be avoided by taking alternate routes in the area (away from the market). Overall it was a great stay and I would easily stay at this property again.  

---