When we traveled to Thailand we stayed at a few Marriott properties on points. Even if you don’t have points, many people prefer to stay at global chains to earn points or status and take advantage of any perks they might receive with status. I researched the Marriotts in Bangkok endlessly, and we ended up choosing two different properties.
Arriving in Thailand we had a quick 18 hours in Bangkok so I chose the Bangkok Marriott Hotel The Surawongse because it was newer, had great reviews, and offered an incredible rooftop infinity pool. This was the perfect choice for a quick stay after the long journey from Michigan. We got to decompress and relax at the pool and check out the skyline views. Additionally, since we have titanium elite status with Marriott, we were upgraded to a beautiful suite.
We dined at the hotel for convenience and all of the food was delicious. The location was pretty good and I would highly recommend this hotel for a layover or quick stop while in transit.
After a few weeks of travel we circled back to Bangkok and opted for the Athenee Hotel, which is a Marriott Luxury Collection. Bangkok hotels are typically extremely affordable compared to other major cities, the room rates at the Athenee were less than $200 per night. This is on the high end for Thailand, but the Athenee was more luxurious than most US Ritz Carltons or Four Seasons I’ve stayed at. So if you are looking to splurge and relax, this property is an excellent choice.
The Athenee Hotel is located in the Lumpini neighbourhood, close to Lumpini Park. The area is home to many luxury condominium buildings and embassies and is a bit further from some of the major tourist attractions. We took cabs to get around and hit the major sights on our list easily.
The entire hotel is impressive with beautiful furnishings, fresh flowers, and well appointed rooms. The rooms were plush and the bed was one of the most comfortable I’ve ever slept in.
The Athenee had a very well appointed club lounge that we also found to be quite impressive. Located on the 26th floor the lounge offers breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. The lounge has several rooms with lots of seating options. This was a wonderful space to relax and just enjoy the amenities.
It’s important to note that lounge access is only available if you are Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite, or Ambassador Elite Members. Lounge access is available for one member plus a guest.
The pool area at the Athenee was also lovely, with lush landscaping and views of the Bangkok skyline. We also visited the hotel spa during our stay and while there are endless options for spas and massages in Thailand, the Athenee was the ultimate pampering. The spa features private treatment rooms, each with its own sauna, steam room, and Jacuzzi. This hotel and spa were the perfect way to end our SE Asia trip.
What we liked about both of these properties is that they weren’t right on a main road or surrounded by the general Bangkok craziness. Seeing that we started and ended our trip in Bangkok, opting for more elevated accommodations off the beaten path provided the perfect way to relax while still enjoying everything Bangkok has to offer.
