Shangri-La

Lovely hotel, just stayed at the wrong time!

Recently visited Thailand for the first time and Shangri La was booked by a local colleague. I arrived on an overnight flight at 7:00am and collected from airport by hotel limousine service. Hotel representative at airport and driver both apologised for the renovations and noise taking place at the hotel - turns out they were getting their apologies in early! Again, on check in the reception staff apologised for ongoing work. After a quick shower I settled down for a nap but the work began at 9:00am (on a Saturday). Normally noise doesn't bother me but this was incessant and sounded as if the rooms above, beside and below were being demolished. I complained at reception who were apologetic and offered to try and find me another room but I decided to move myself poolside and relax there. Work went on until late afternoon and started again on Sunday morning although this didn't bother me as I was up early and out of the hotel with friends. Apart from this the Shangri La proved an excellent hotel. Location is superb, right beside the river. Facilities are first class and the staff throughout the hotel are courteous, friendly and helpful. Food and drink was excellent although on the pricey side. Breakfast came to £20 which is frankly ridiculous, even with current state of the £ - who eats £20 worth of food at breakfast time? Overall, my stay was good and I would definitely go back, just making sure that the renovations had finished.

Most beautiful room in Asia

I got a Horizon Suite in the Shangrila wing on my most recent stay at the Bangkok Shang. It was simply an exquisite room. The decor had a lot of Thai details, with the most interesting screens, wall-hangings, ornaments, hand-painted paintings, patterned wood panels, Thai silk pillows, etc. The Thai motif was a prefect fit with the modern furniture, and the Thai details were indeed a treat for the eyes wherever they should wander.

The Horizon suites also come with a work area, a separate bedroom with heavenly sheets, etc. The bathroom is very nice with a separate shower (nice tropical shower head) and Etienne Aigner toileteries. Very nice and comfortable. (Perhaps not as luxurious and high-tech as the bathrooms across the river at the Peninsula, but NO complaints at all.)

I really appreciated the fruit plate, the fresh flowers and the tea/coffee making facilities as well. There was also a scent menu that you could select as part of your turn down service.

Of course, one of the advantages of the Horizon-level rooms is the access to the Horizon Lounge. Great breakfasts, afternoon tea, hors d'oeuvres and cocktails at different hours of the day. I must say overall, the service was SIMPLY IMPECCABLE.

This was my second stay at the Shang and of course I was less taken by the wonderful view of the river. It was still just spectacular.

The front desk manager told me that the Shangrila will be undergoing a renovation after 22 years. I must say that some areas of the hotel are showing some wear and tear. Frankly my previous stay at the same Shang had much to be desired, but the Management and Staff more than made up for it and I'll definitely stay with them again.

I struggled a bit whether to pick the Shangrila wing or the newer Krungthep Wing. On this trip I made a point of checking out one of the rooms in the Krungthep Wing. Honestly the Horizon rooms were much nicer for my personal taste as the Krungthep Wing rooms had a more minimalistic modern decor.

The Shang, in the finest tradition of Bangkok hoteliers, really spoils its guests. I can't wait to go back there! The downside is, it'd be so difficult to be happy with other hotels elsewhere in the world and particualrly if it's not a Shang!

• Opinion of Price: most expensive

Shangri-La Photo: Entranceway: tantalizing decor behind the screen

4 more images

---

Was this Shangri-La review helpful?

Shangri-la, was less than expected

On arrival, the checkin staff were so busy they were not as friendly as I had experienced previously with Thai service. The rooms are dated, in need of renovation and not value for money. We did not even want to consider the CHI spa on first look at the prices. If you are on the Horizon Club room, the room is not new but there is access to the Lounge on the 24th floor which was nice.

• Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
• Related to: Food and Dining, Business Travel, Castles and Palaces

Shangri-La

---

Was this Shangri-La review helpful?

A comfortable Stay in Bangkok.

What a delightful experience to arrive at this hotel after a long flight from Helsinki. Our room 1919 was spacious and beautiful overlooking the Chao Phraya River. The view is very similar to others we have stayed in Bangkok

The dinner was amazing overlooking the waterfront with traditional food and fabulous dancers to entertain us. A must to do if staying here. Book early to ensure a waterfront position.

Pool area is great to cool off after a days shopping. Sauna is available but why bother in Bangkok!!!

I have stayed at many hotels in Bangkok and have basically enjoyed all of them. I do not think you go past Asian hotels for comfort and service.

My pick in Bangkok is the Marriott Spa only because its low rise and built in a traditional Thai flavour.

Unique Quality: extremely comfortable.

5 Star Hotel overlooking Menam Chao Phraya River

An excellent hotel if your budget can afford.

Stayed here for a convention. Excellent convention facilities. Great gym.

There is a boat service to a riverside shopping complex. Walking distance to a public boat taxi too.

Great to have buffet breakfast, eating Thai longans and watching life goes by on the river.

• Opinion of Price: more expensive than average

Shangri-La

---

Was this Shangri-La review helpful?

Best spa experience ever

Unique Quality: The spa of this hotel is quite excellent. It is called "Chi" and it deserves being called like that: a treat to both body and soul. We have chosen a treatment called "Ying-Yang Journey", a four hours (!) delight in a secluded area entirely at your disposal. It starts with a foot massage while a cup of healing tea is being served, continued with steam bath and whirlpool (with huge lotus flowers floating on the surface of the the pool!) and finished with a complete body and face massage during which you understand the true meaning of "relaxation".

Not a great experience at all

At the first, room and the rest of a hotel looked pretty decent, but then I have run into a few problems that made me book another hotel when I came back. These were:

- Bad air conditioning: Althrough it worked temperature-wise, the circulation of air in my room was very bad, to the point that I wanted to spend as less as possible time there. Besides from the fact that I really need good air circulation because I smoke, even when I stopped doing it in the room I could feel the cigarette that I have smoked my first day there, plus the lack of oxygene. When I have asked the staff to open the window for a while so a little air can enter (at least while the room is being cleaned up), I have got an answer that "the windows were sealed", what wasn't true, it was obvious that they were locked.

- Very expensive internet and business center:
We 've had no other option than to meet there because we have had to work on a holliday, and it left us pretty angry. Internet cost was cca 600 baht (18-20 US$) per hour, and a projector was cca 1200 baht(40 US $) per hour too. If you have to have a meeting, better choose another option althrough it is on the company expense, because you can really feel like fool.

Good sides were not that bad restaurants and kind staff

• Opinion of Price: more expensive than average
• Related to: Family Travel, Luxury Travel, Business Travel

Shangri-La

---

Was this Shangri-La review helpful?

Bangkok hotel

Bangkok hotel