This is a large (26-floor) high-rise hotel in the Sukhumvit District, said to be a hot spot for Bangkok nightlife. For me, alas, it was a very fine hotel in an unfortunate location --- a block east of what’s possibly the most congested intersection of all in a city notorious for horrendous traffic jams. At times, the last mile to the hotel could take 20-30 minutes to negotiate.
That’s a shame, because I’ve rarely encountered such attentive service and comfortable appointments in a mid-priced hotel. Amenities included a large outdoor swimming pool with adjoining bar --- on a fourth-floor deck well above traffic noise --- and a free-to-guests workout room. If only they’d had a Jacuzzi!
My "single" room had twin beds --- one for me and one for my luggage --- and a pleasant city view. Rooms on the north side have a superb view of the skyline and the Skytrain scooting along far below them. On the south, you look down on the swimming pool and into an apartment building across the street. (If you can see into their rooms, they can see into yours.) Still, there was enough of a city view for me to park an easy chair in front of the window and gaze out on it for awhile before going to bed.
Financial junkies could receive both CNN/Asia and the Bloomberg news channels. Many popular movies were available on demand, but pricey.
The Rembrandt had some of the best dining options I’ve experienced in an Asian city. Even if you don’t have dinner there. visit the Indian restaurant on the 26th floor and spend some time on the open-air observation terrace there. Da Vinci Ristorante Italiano, by the fourth-floor pool deck, didn’t have the view but does have an Italian chef who did marvelous things by applying Italian traditions to locally-sourced ingredients.
I plan to review this restaurant separately in the future.
The hotel is within a 10-15 minute walk of the Asok Skytrain station if you’re willing to cross a very intimidating intersection and climb about 30 feet of stairway. My problem with the light-rail was that, once I’d taken a sightseeing tour of the system, it didn’t go anywhere I really wanted to go. Exception: If your destination is on or near the river, and you’re agile enough to use the water taxis, riding Skytrain to its one riverfront stop might be a way to go. Boats call frequently at a pier just below the tracks.
Re the Rembrandt’s address: "Sukhumvit, 18" is NOT an address on Sukhumvit Road. It’s short for "Sukhumvit, Soi 18" which means, roughly, "Sidesteet #18 in the Sukhumvit District". The hotel is at least 150 meters off the main road.
If you’re not concerned about rush-hour traffic, The Rembrandt combines comfort, many amenities, and great value. I, for one, would still return there.
In November, 2002, many Southeast Asian hotels were offering substantial discounts to their published rates for stays booked through tour operators the internet.