It is after a journey of nearly 15 hours, but not tired, that we arrive in Bangkok.
As a reminder, here is the itinerary followed:
Booking
I had originally booked this property for our February 2022 stay. At the time, it was necessary to book a SHA+ Package, including 2 PCR tests, transfer from the airport, and all meals for 24 hours, as this was the quarantine time needed to produce the test results.
However, when we changed the dates of our stay to August 2022, and since the SHA+ Package was no longer required and neither were the tests, I asked the hotel to use the prepaid credit for the original reservation as part of a new reservation.
So, a few days before our stay, I booked the Governor’s Suite, one of the highest categories in the property, for one night.
And this, for a rate of 21 000 THB per night.
Since this is an equivalent room category to the presidential suite, there will be no additional upgrade, but I expected that.
Arrival
I booked in advance a transfer from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport, for 1000 THB, which is about 25 £.
A small sign with the name of the hotel was waiting for us at the exit after the customs, and our driver arrived a few minutes after we left the airport.
Instead of the Toyota Camry that was initially reserved, a much more spacious and luxurious Mercedes E class was waiting to take us to the Sheraton.
After a thirty minutes ride, we arrive on Suvarnabhumi, and after about ten minutes in the traffic, we arrive at the lobby of the hotel.
On the way, the driver calls the hotel to announce our arrival. As we got out of the car, two baggage handlers took charge of all our luggage, and we were quickly taken to the reception.
The head of reception, waiting for our arrival, had prepared all the documents and led us to the suite to carry out the check-in formalities in the latter. These formalities were very simple, our arrival being totally prepared, I did not need to indicate anything for the credit to be applied to our stay, and for all the benefits to be explained to us.
Suite
Our Governor’s Suite was located on the 32nd floor of the property. The front desk manager apologized for not upgrading us to the Royal Suite, the highest category of the property, which was occupied by a paying guest.
This suite is obviously very spacious. An entrance leads to a toilet for the visitors of the suite, very well equipped, since Japanese toilets are available.
Then comes the huge lounge, made up of numerous sofas and a coffee table on which was arranged a very generous welcome service.
A very large stocked minibar is available, as well as a Nespresso coffee machine, a kettle and all kinds of snacks, as well as a nice fruit basket obviously offered by the house.
In this suite, a very large desk allows you to work, for those who are in Bangkok for that. Obviously, considering the floor on which the suite is located, the view on Bangkok and the Lunphini Park is magnificent.
Then comes the bedroom, equipped with a king size bed, a chaise longue, and a large television. Since we are celebrating our three year engagement with my wife, the room was decorated with great care by the housekeeping team. We appreciate the gesture, and the exuberance of the preparation.
A little further on, there is a dressing room, surprisingly small for the size of the suite, and then a large bathroom equipped with a hydromassage bathtub, a large shower, a toilet, and two basins.
Finally, here is a video tour of the suite:
Hotel facilities
Like any luxury hotel in Asia, the hotel has many facilities, including a fitness room, a spa, and an outdoor pool.
Pool
The Sheraton Grand’s pool is located outside the building on the third floor. It is built in a very traditional Thai style made of wood and ochre colored statues. The pool allows you to stroll in this lush setting, even if it is relatively small given the size of the hotel and its number of rooms. We will be lucky and will find sunbeds easily, with the help of the beach attendant, but I imagine that the seats must be rare at the end of the day.
The service is quite attentive at the poolside, and the waiters regularly pass by to ask if you want to order something. On the other hand, there was no suggestion of a water bottle, at least not naturally.
Spa
The spa is adjacent to the pool, also located on the 3rd floor of the property. We had made a reservation in advance for a 90-minute aromatherapy massage for couples.
We arrive at the scheduled time and are taken to the processing area, accessible by a staircase. After the usual consultation, we are taken to our treatment room where our two masseuses will do an exceptional job as I will end up falling asleep… And for a really ridiculous price for such a service in a luxury property, less than 120 € for two.
Food options
The hotel has a few food and beverage venues, located on the ground and second floors of the property. Some of them will remain closed, like the Thai restaurant located on the second floor of the property, which we would have liked to visit the evening of our arrival. We will use the Italian option.
Dinner Service – Rossini
The night we arrived, we had dinner with my brother-in-law at the Rossini restaurant, located on the second floor of the property. This restaurant is quite famous, referenced in the Michelin guide, is recognized as one of the best Italian restaurants in the city. Not very exotic when you come from Europe, but we did not want to leave the hotel to find a restaurant.
The menu is quite appetizing, with an interesting selection of pastas, and rather well prepared meats. The price of the meats is nevertheless exorbitant and we will fall back on a selection of pasta.
I’ll have the spaghetti with clams, which is unfortunately quite bland. This will also be the case for my wife’s dish, tortellini with truffles. This is disappointing for supposedly one of the best Italian restaurants in the city.
For dessert, my wife’s tiramisu was also disappointing, while my hazelnut and pistachio ice cream was excellent. A small disappointment then.
Rossini – Breakfast Service
For breakfast, we had initially tried to go to the hotel’s main restaurant, located on the same floor as the lobby.
Nevertheless, a queue of about 15 people made us explore the alternative option of having breakfast at the same place where we had dined in the evening, i.e. the Italian restaurant Rossini.
We are taken care of quickly, and without any waiting, placed at a table. Our order of hot and cold drinks is made, and we head to the buffet. The latter is quite complete in terms of hot and cold dishes, but a bit weak in terms of sweet options. We imagine that the main buffet located in the lobby of the hotel is much richer.
Service
I know we are in Thailand, but I have to say that I am quite impressed with the service in the hotel. The staff is absolutely adorable, very cheerful, and we were treated exceptionally well.
In all honesty, I don’t think it’s related to the Marriott status at all, but just to the natural hospitality of the Thai people, and the level of service imposed by the hotel management. Clearly, and despite the Sheraton demonination in its name, we are in a Luxury Collection property, with the level of service one would expect.
Departure
During the night, I will receive a pro forma invoice by email. Again, whether in paper or electronic form, I don’t understand why this practice is not generalized in all hotels. It’s much easier to check your bill when you’ve seen it before, than to have to do it in a hurry when you check out.
The departure formalities will therefore be simple and since no guarantee had been taken on my card at my arrival, the entire stay was debited at the time of departure.
Bottom line
A short but pleasant stay in this hotel which has seen its hour of glory. The hallways are worn, but the suite was beautiful. This is probably less the case for standard rooms or suites.
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