During my last stay in Bangkok, arriving late from Phuket the day before, I preferred to sleep at the airport. Also, the only viable option as directly connected to the passenger terminal is theNovotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. I’m not a fan of the Accor group, but very often in France you have no choice.
What surprised me at first was the price. 6200 THB the night including taxes, it is huge for Bangkok. 50% more than any 5 star hotel booked at least a month in advance in the city. At this price, we expect a high quality service, like those provided by the Sheraton Hotel in Paris Charles-de-Gaulle. It will not be the case, as you may have guessed…
I arrive shortly before 11pm at the Bangkok airport from Phuket. At the exit, impossible to find the signs to the hotel. I really didn’t want to take their shuttle and lose another 15 minutes… But I had no choice. Unless you have already been there, it is impossible to know the way: you have to do as if you were taking the Airport Express train, but without taking it, by walking to the end of the station. Only then will you see the sign to the Novotel.
So here I am in the shuttle. I have to say that it’s pretty well organized: they have a booth near door 4, with a listing of customers who have booked.
15 minutes après, donc, me voici donc dans le lobby de l’hôtel, immense et assez joli. No assistance for the luggage is proposed at the exit of the shuttle, the luggage handlers had to go to bed.
At check-in, I was informed that my room had been assigned, and despite having presented my Platinum card, I was told nothing. Here is your standard room!
I’m sorry? What am I hearing? The traveler next to me, who presents an airline voucher, is upgraded to an Executive room? So I politely ask for the Platinum benefits… A welcome drink at the bar (already closed) and an upgrade to an Executive room. Well OK, I have no choice anyway.
I arrive in the room, and there, it is vera disappointing. If it is well decorated, how is it an Executive room? Oh boy, yes, there are two bathrobes!
Otherwise, the room has nothing Executive and especially, I discover this in my closet:
So you’re telling me, in a thinly veiled way, that if I steal the kettle, you’re going to charge me €60 on my bank card! I have NEVER seen this, even in regional Formula 1.
The bed is limp, not comfortable.
The air conditioning is ultra-noisy, and mosquitoes are already present in the room when we arrive.
Novotel toiletry products are of poor quality.
Oh well, just before leaving the next day, I discover that there is an Executive Lounge. Nobody told me, yet I have access to it… Yes, it’s a listed benefit of the loyalty program.
At the time of the departure, I check my bill and well, another 1000 THB were added. Excuse me? In addition to making me pay 6200 THB for a room that is worth 3 times less, you are trying to get a little more out of me. I kept this to myself, but you can imagine my exasperation.
A piece of advice: unless you only have 5 hours to sleep, avoid this hotel at all costs. There is a hotel that’s airside in the airport, or take a cab to Bangkok for 400 THB. You’ll see, it’s totally different !
