- Hun Ohm
- First Reviewer
- 3 out of 5
- Avg. Member Rating
- 5
- Reviews
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3
- Photos
Editor Pick
Top of the World
- July 2, 2009
- Rated 5 of 5 by
Cat19 from Stocking Pelham, United Kingdom
I first heard of the Banyan Tree when a fellow traveller in Vietnam told me that dinner in the roof top restaurant of the Banyan Tree would be the perfect way to end my trip before returning home to London. I was determined to do this and the following month I met another traveller in Cambodia who travelled on to Bangkok with me and agree to accompany me to this magnificent restaurant on the final night of my trip.
It was a perfect evening and ending to my trip, I was only sorry that my budget on this particular trip did not permit me to actually stay here.
In 2005, I was back in Thailand for Christmas and New Year and with that same traveller that I met in Cambodia, who was now my fiancé. This time I had the pleasure of spending four nights in the Banyan Tree including New Years Eve.
I made my booking directly with the hotel by email and they were very courteous and prompt with their replies. I was offered a nightly rate of US$225 including New Years Eve and this was for a "club room". In fact every room in the hotel is a suite. Our suite had large bathroom with oversize bath and separate oversize shower, medium sized bedroom and a large lounge with two sofas, coffee table, TV media cabinet as well as an office area. Every night there was a different gift left for us on our pillows, including a cuddly tortoise that I am particularly taken with and another night we received carved wooden bookmarks.
The club rooms are all on one of the higher floors and the additional benefits included early check in / late check out (very useful as most flights back to the UK are at about midnight), use of the club lounge which provided free internet access and unlimited complementary snacks, soft and alcoholic drinks all day and inclusive breakfast served on the outside terrace of one of the restaurants which was a hot and cold buffet of a very high standard. I thought it was worth the additional cost which was about $35 per night for the room.
The hotel is conveniently placed a short walk from both a Skytrain station and the MRT (underground) station, which are easy to negotiate, pleasant to travel on and cover most of central Bangkok. It is not in the heart of the main shopping areas but I did not see this as a problem due to the transport links and rather I preferred it to be not so bustling as it can be in the shopping districts.
In the evenings, as we have been to Bangkok several times before, we were more interested in trying out the various restaurants in the hotel itself rather than venturing outside, although there is a rather good Irish bar en route from station to hotel that we made a re-fueling stop at once or twice. The highlight of any stay in this hotel has to be dinner at Vertigo, which is open air and the highest restaurant in Bangkok. We were here for a spectacular, black tie, eleven course, New Years Eve black tie dinner, an experience that will never be forgotten.
One disappointment for me was the hotel spa. The spa is extremely well-appointed and luxurious, however I found it very difficult to get an appointment and this was despite the supposed priority booking for club room guests. I went to make an appointment on my first day at the hotel but was told they were completely booked up for the rest of my stay, so this presumably means it is wise to book treatments in advance.
The day I arrived at the hotel I was suffering from an ear infection and being concerned about the flight home I contacted reception to see if they could recommend a doctor. Within 15 minutes, the hotel nurse and assistant manager came up to see me and after examining me and deciding that I should see a doctor, they then provided a limousine to take me to the local hospital (which was itself outstanding). When I returned to the hotel an hour later, I found a get well card and an extremely large box of chocolates which I thought was a very nice touch and I think is indicative of the attention to detail and client care that the hotel provides.
Of course there are far cheaper, good quality hotels to stay at in Bangkok. But this was a suite and a high quality one which I think is good value compared to an equivalent suite in one of the major "western" hotel chains. So for a short trip, a treat or a special occasion I would highly recommend the Banyan Tree. If I return to Bangkok again, I will undoubtedly be returning to this hotel.
From journal Four months in Asia
this banyang tree is not the same banyang tree
- May 3, 2007
- Rated 2 of 5 by
a traveler from Travelocity.com
we stayed at the Club floor, it was very dispointed, room are pretty basic and old, the service also not good. It cannot be a 5 star hotel.
not worth it
- September 18, 2006
- Rated 2 of 5 by
a traveler from Travelocity.com
it was not a pleasant stay, get the feeling of they're short of staff. Dine in 2 of their resturants, takes far too long to serve food after ordering (with less than 10 people dining)
Not 5-star hotel
- April 30, 2006
- Rated 2 of 5 by
a traveler from Travelocity.com
Pipes were noisy in the room, always heard when next room use toilet. Service in restaurant very slow. I order beer and never get it. The bill arrive after second request in 25 minutes.Baht-tube was not cleaned, sand on bottom.
Editor Pick
Banyan Tree Bangkok
- November 26, 2004
- Rated 5 of 5 by
Hun Ohm from small town, Massachusetts
All right, if you've seen our other entries, you already know that we were largely budget travelers in Thailand. But sometimes, you just have to let loose. Or be visited by very generous relatives, which was the case for us. Thus the Banyan Tree experience.
Self-described as "the only all-suite vertical resort in Bangkok", Banyan Tree Bangkok is an unmistakable landmark -- from afar, just look for the sliver of gray and glass soaring hundreds of meters into the Bangkok skyline. The rooms are simply but elegantly decorated in various beige tones and come with all the fixings. The well-appointed bathrooms (with separated shower stall and bathtub) have lovely soaps and spoil-yourself-silly goodies that will make you reluctant to ever leave. Turn-down service at night with complimentary trinket and incense lighting are nice touches that assure you that you are being looked after. Baby-soft robes and slippers and numerous other perks further pamper you. And the higher-floor rooms have some impressive views of the city, which heighten the distinct danger that you will not want to leave the facilities.
For the more practical traveler: The rooms are also geared for business travelers, so they have a desk, two TVs, and lots of international newspapers and magazines that will be sure to keep you apprised of all the world's events.
The breakfast buffet included in our rate was absurdly plentiful. The lobby bar was a bit dull and empty, but it was pleasant enough for a nightcap. Banyan Tree properties are known for their spa facilities, so if you have the extra time (and spending cash), give it a look-see.
Sure, there are a number of other hotels in Bangkok that are even more impressive (e.g., we liked the overall atmosphere at the Sukhothai, the Bamboo Bar at the Oriental), but for the money, it’s hard to argue against the Banyan Tree. We (um, our benefactors) paid a very fair $120 a night, including breakfast (special Internet deal). However, as with all luxury places, you can pay over $1000 a night for the ultimate experience. For more information, check out .
From journal Bangkok Beds