I booked this hotel because it was close to where my friends live, however on arrival it was further away than we were led to believe and not an easy hotel to find or to get to.
I had to phone the hotel on my mobile, and then gave it to my taxi driver and the staff were very helpful at guiding him in.
The main building is very "Thai Style" and looks nice, the staff were friendly and I was greeted nicely. I did not have a printed copy of my booking reservation, A lot of hotels get shirty over this but to the staff here it just wasn't a problem.
The main reception area is pleasent and comfortable, and I enjoyed having a drink whilst reading the free daily paper, there are also plenty of magazines to read and the atmosphere was very relaxing.
After check in, I was taken to my room outside the main building, into a challet style bungalow. The room was rather dark due to the vast ammount of teak wood and green walls, but the bathroom was large and clean with a nice shower cubicle as well as a seperate bath.
As in most Thai hotels, the bed was as hard as the floor and I don't like hard beds, so they loose points here straight away (this is a very personal area).
It was clean and I was only staying two nights.
Sadly I had a very bad night, as the air con sounded like a 747 going off and I could not get the room cool enough.
All was not lost, as I mentioned this to the reception who immedietly moved me into the main building and I was given a VIP suite. The staff could not have been more helpful and well done to them and their trainers.
Next came breakfast, Sorry, this was a big let down for a person who enjoys breakfast. No immagination here at all, The fried eggs had been put in a baine marie and looked cold and ndercooked, I thus ordered scrambled eggs. The ham ws sat in warm water. (why do they do that, it's ham for goodness sake) Like many Thai hotels you just can't get a decent cup of tea, again why do they put it in a coffee pot and let it stew? Sorry low score for a dull looking and unappetising breakfast.
The VIP suite ws lovely and a lot brighter, a great bathroom with a huge jacuzi bath, seperate shower cubicle and clean, although the towels were on the thin side of worn out.
Sad to say that despite the impressive four poster bed, the matteress was rock solid.
A decent air con unit so I did sleep but woke with a back ache.
All in all for the price I paid, and the area I wanted to be in, this hotel is nice if you like hard beds and don't do breakfast in a big way. It is worth considering.
However if you want to be in Bangkok then this hotel is not an easy place to get to. On arrival I was given a set of directions and a map in both Thai and English. I was advised to give it to the taxi driver when I came back. I had huge problems with the driver, a complete neandethal, who went every which way but the right one, Not an easy place to find.
I must now tell all readrs that directly opposit the main enterance to this hotel is a huge sea food restaurant. It is fantastic, the food is wonderful (if you like sea food) and the best Tom Yum Kung I have ever had in Thailand and after 4 years I think I am qualified to say that. The manu is vast and very reasonable in price, also very popular with Thai society. Great service and very slick, but the food is wonderful.
The name of this place is something like Som pong, and you just can't miss it leave the hotel via the main enterance and cross the road into the car park and you are there. Bon appiteet!