This is by far the best hotel video I have seen in Bangkok so far. Insane, brilliantly done. Thank you for the great insights and inspiration for your next Bangkok trip!
One of the better hotel and fight review youtube page. Your video clips on the rooms and facilities of the property give full insights into what what one can expect. Thanks for a the grt videos and keep up the wonderful work going!
This is such great work. It is super impressive how detailed you are. Love watching your videos. I’ve seen your almost all your videos, the Singapore hotel series was limited only to two hotels. Really wish you do a longer trip to Singapore. I’m travelling in December and super confused about where to stay in Singapore. 😅 😅 Also, I stayed at the Ruma in KL after O watched your video on it. Absolutely loved it.
I think the word "sophisticated" has many different meanings to different people. For me, I'd probably say the Four Seasons and Mandarin's rooms are tops for me- as far as sophistication goes- but they are also double or triple the price of this property. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Ok, I scrapped the Standard and it's now between this and Kimpton, thank you ! When you go to South Africa please try and visit Kruger Shalati, a unique safari lodge that's a train on a bridge.
I feel like you should add a swimmability score for pools. some of these pools look so fancy but you can barely swim a lap in them because of either an awkward shape or because they're meant for kids/families diving about. this one looked particularly good from a swimming / fitness perspective.
I’ll be back in Bali in the spring and think the FS there is a beautiful resort but I consistently get the impression that it’s well overpriced given its competition in the Jimbaran area. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
I am a new subscriber to your channel and I must say, I love love your content. it is not an average, boring, run of the mill travel review that you see way too many times on TH-cam. Specially, I love when you talk about architecture, design language and history. You are the only travel content creator who knows what brutalism is(Brazil episode), and can pronounce Christian Lacroix correctly(Bangkok episode)! Very impressive. I love your understanding of architecture and design details along with history of the hotels, airlines and the city itself. Some travel reviewers can't even pronounce the hotel name correctly while they were staying in the hotel, let along the city they are visiting. I guess they couldn't bother to ask the hotel staffs or locals. Also, they just assume it is a luxury travel since they are paying obnoxious amount of money or points for the hotels and plane tickets. To me, they don't understand what the true meaning of the luxury is. Lastly, I love the fact that your reviews are not sponsored, not like that Chinese dude who runs 15 min of basically paid ad(cannot stand his reviews nor will I trust). Keep up the good work and thank you for your amazing content. Looking forward to your new episodes each week. By the way, I enjoy your subtle sarcasm...very on point.
Thanks very much for the thoughtful comment. Not for all, but for many airlines and hotels, I think the history/design/language all form a context that is necessary to understand why a property is worth (or not worth…) the price they charge. Drawing connections between properties/styles/architects is one of the more fascinating aspects of the job to me. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
@@tfft couldn't agree more. I really appreciate your vast knowledge of architecture, design, art and history. Thank you for informing me many knowledgeable points I would have never known otherwise.
Very nice. I love this part of Bkk. Tucked away but central. Normally stay in Luang Suan Rd next door. Agree about the pool. I don't like pools which are covered. Like to get some sun.
What a jaw dropping entryway (the lobby). That dramatic dark wood with the greenery and the soft hues of the table lamps and lighting as a whole is just beautiful and then add the music it is dreamy, opulent, glamorous and embellished. It is absolutely important to have the entire hotel impeccable shape. No dust or dirt. It is a luxury lodging place. Also the whole world is just coming about from a pandemic which we all now know the importance of hygiene at its utmost. What was your meal from the Japanese restaurant? The gardens are beautiful. Is the pool salt water or chlorinated? Were there doormen at the front to receive you from your taxi or was there a town car to pick you up at the airport? Where were the busboys? Is the area safe to walk around and perhaps go to a museum, a nice middle class mall to high end boutiques? Which is the better country to shop high end brands Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia? In your opinion having traveled to the three countries.
@@tfft well there are a lot of outdoors pool very warm in the snowing mountain peaks around the world...in bangkok should be easier to warm just a bit.. a great pool should be used everyday of rhe year 😉
Honestly, ive looked at sooo many hotels in bangkok including a bunch of videos, posts, google map pictures since they dont glamorize pictures/vids, and ive cane to the conclusion of two hotels: Four seasons & chatrium geand, both had very modern rooms which is what i wanted i didnt want one thing that screamed outdated to me
@@tfft well considering the rooms, the carpet floors and the colored pillows for a start doesnt look like the hotel was recently opened in 2020 it looks older
13:03 I don't think Kempinski Lombok will ever be built (jammed/failed) 6 months ago the construction was opened but the facts on the ground have not been built until now...until the government visited construction site in west lombok...and the reason I don't know why there isn't construction at the site even though the opening for construction has already been carried out....
We recently spent two nights here, based on this video. It was one of our best stays in Bangkok. Wonderful staff and great break, especially the pasties and fresh fruit. Thank you for the video
I think its time I changed brands. So much nicer but the $$ may hurt more too. Sadly the group I am with I have had 4 bad stays in recent weeks so not the happiest. Trying to plan next year I don't know how you do it I can't plan next week. Great vid again and definitely look at this place for March.🙏👍
If you want the best points redemption tickets you’ve always gotta be booking 10-12 months out. Just wrapped up booking my trip for next October. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
How would you say this compares to the Kimpton? We’re struggling to choose between the two - I’m leaning towards the Kempinski but it’s almost $900 more 😅
Simple question; ‘The Flip Flop Traveller” meaning you travel and stay in luxurious hotels wearing flip flops, shorts, and t-shirts? Or is your channel name misleading? Cheers! And… you are “entirely self funded” … meaning you don’t actually earn money for your videos via Patreon or anything else?
I do wear flip flops every day but it’s also about my love of premium but decidedly non pretentious hotels. Self-funded means nothing was provided to me for free or at a discount by the company and no other entity covered my expenses as well.
Just home from our trip - We really enjoyed the Sindhorn Kempinski and by pure coincidence we were allocated the same room you stayed in - #1114. Bath products have changed to Natura Bissé from PanPuri. We agree on almost every point you make apart from the "hotel scent". We also stayed at the Kimpton Kitalay on Samui which you also covered and the Park Hyatt Bangkok.
Hi Kevin, I stayed at this hotel during last Christmas for six nights, the room service offered excellent food, I did it twice. The spa was beautiful, I wanted to have facial and massage, only one service was completed due tro lack of availability. The club offered me exceptional services with very nice cocktails. However, I don’t like their buffet breakfast, it was always too crowd during Christmas. Love your channel. Keep it up!❤
If this is self funded then who pays you my friend? Next time take me as a companion so I can watch over you and keep you honest. I have stayed here and your review is only 20% accurate. You next out lots of issues reaching and staying up in this place.
Altho im not financially stable enough to financially support you, i will watch and like all of your new vids and comment on some, too (i am already a subscriber)
I also love this property and the Firefly bar. I used to stay this corner as well but different floor, I loved it. I am glad to see they have changed amenities, it was Rituals when I stayed here 2 years ago. Btw, comparing to Kimpton Maalai, which one is better? And certainly, thanks for the review.
Personally I like Kimpton better purely because of the design. The service levels at both are similar so its just a matter of aesthetic preference. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
These guys know the real treat! It’s awesome to see they offer pisco in of course, the South American beverages. They may actually turn to the map to see that Mexico is in North America and that Mexican firefly should be in another page…
I've lived in Asia long enough to know that geography of 'the Americas' is very different from country to country haha. I've been called a "South American" before (since the US is south of Canada, which surely is North America 😂).
If you were to pick one hotel in Bangkok what would you choose? We currently have the SO booked after I watched your review but not sure! It's $199 a day through amex travel though so hard to beat.
Beautiful Hotel with very generous size rooms considering you stayed in the smallest size 😮 Love the variety of your content! So nice to see the different styles and standards the different hotel brands carry! We have found our villa for our first year in Bali when we move next year and it is located….just 8 minutes away from the Kempinski, I know where we’ll be having coffee when we have just moved 😎 Listening to your travel plans for next year, we are in for a treat! So close to 20.000 subs….🎉
This year was great for the channel in learning which destinations and types of videos do well, which don’t and which have potential. 2023 is going to be all about taking that learning and turning into a really interesting year of content. Thank you as always for your continued support and please say hello to the lobby floors at the Apurva Kempinski for me, I miss them 😅
This is by far the best hotel video I have seen in Bangkok so far. Insane, brilliantly done. Thank you for the great insights and inspiration for your next Bangkok trip!
Thanks very much 🙏🏻
Love your commentaries - very good. I have now booked 2 hotels in Bangkok based on your reviews! Good job!
Enjoy your trip 🗺️
One of the better hotel and fight review youtube page. Your video clips on the rooms and facilities of the property give full insights into what what one can expect. Thanks for a the grt videos and keep up the wonderful work going!
Thanks very much for the kind words and for watching 🙏🏻
Last year I spent about 3 months in this hotel. Truly amazing. B
Thanks for sharing ✈️
This is such great work. It is super impressive how detailed you are. Love watching your videos. I’ve seen your almost all your videos, the Singapore hotel series was limited only to two hotels. Really wish you do a longer trip to Singapore. I’m travelling in December and super confused about where to stay in Singapore. 😅 😅
Also, I stayed at the Ruma in KL after O watched your video on it. Absolutely loved it.
Yeah I am straying from urban hotel reviews and focusing more on resorts going forward. Thanks for watching 🩴
Probably the most sophisticated hotel rooms in Bangkok, aren’t it, Kevin?
I think the word "sophisticated" has many different meanings to different people. For me, I'd probably say the Four Seasons and Mandarin's rooms are tops for me- as far as sophistication goes- but they are also double or triple the price of this property. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
@@tfft 😅😎
Thanks for your review I appreciate it and the hotel is excellent 👌🇧🇭
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Great video as always! ❤❤
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Ok, I scrapped the Standard and it's now between this and Kimpton, thank you ! When you go to South Africa please try and visit Kruger Shalati, a unique safari lodge that's a train on a bridge.
Yes I know of Kruger Shalati, but wasn’t able to make it there on my recent trip. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Beautiful hotel . Will check out on my next trip. Tq for sharing. Cheers
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
I feel like you should add a swimmability score for pools. some of these pools look so fancy but you can barely swim a lap in them because of either an awkward shape or because they're meant for kids/families diving about. this one looked particularly good from a swimming / fitness perspective.
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Great review as always. I’d love to see a review of the 4 Seasons Bali and Sayan
I’ll be back in Bali in the spring and think the FS there is a beautiful resort but I consistently get the impression that it’s well overpriced given its competition in the Jimbaran area. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
The hotel looks amazing, I love it! 😮
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Great video as always! How would you rate it compared with Kimpton Maa-Lai ? Cheers!
Similar level, but very different style. Becuase of that, I don't think their guests overlap much. Kimpton is more my style.
Looks like an ideal choice for those wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of Bangkok.
Precisely! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
I am a new subscriber to your channel and I must say, I love love your content. it is not an average, boring, run of the mill travel review that you see way too many times on TH-cam. Specially, I love when you talk about architecture, design language and history. You are the only travel content creator who knows what brutalism is(Brazil episode), and can pronounce Christian Lacroix correctly(Bangkok episode)! Very impressive. I love your understanding of architecture and design details along with history of the hotels, airlines and the city itself. Some travel reviewers can't even pronounce the hotel name correctly while they were staying in the hotel, let along the city they are visiting. I guess they couldn't bother to ask the hotel staffs or locals. Also, they just assume it is a luxury travel since they are paying obnoxious amount of money or points for the hotels and plane tickets. To me, they don't understand what the true meaning of the luxury is. Lastly, I love the fact that your reviews are not sponsored, not like that Chinese dude who runs 15 min of basically paid ad(cannot stand his reviews nor will I trust). Keep up the good work and thank you for your amazing content. Looking forward to your new episodes each week. By the way, I enjoy your subtle sarcasm...very on point.
Thanks very much for the thoughtful comment. Not for all, but for many airlines and hotels, I think the history/design/language all form a context that is necessary to understand why a property is worth (or not worth…) the price they charge. Drawing connections between properties/styles/architects is one of the more fascinating aspects of the job to me. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
@@tfft couldn't agree more. I really appreciate your vast knowledge of architecture, design, art and history. Thank you for informing me many knowledgeable points I would have never known otherwise.
Very nice. I love this part of Bkk. Tucked away but central. Normally stay in Luang Suan Rd next door. Agree about the pool. I don't like pools which are covered. Like to get some sun.
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
We just stayed here in November and absolutely loved it! Firefly and the attached cigar bar were so cool! Thanks for the great content.
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
The breakfast buffet looks absolutely amazing !!!😍🤤
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Great video! Wanna check it out myself! I don't see any sunbathing area at the pool, would it be possible to get a tan at the pool?
Only if you float near the edge of the pool :) Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Thanks
What a jaw dropping entryway (the lobby). That dramatic dark wood with the greenery and the soft hues of the table lamps and lighting as a whole is just beautiful and then add the music it is dreamy, opulent, glamorous and embellished. It is absolutely important to have the entire hotel impeccable shape. No dust or dirt. It is a luxury lodging place. Also the whole world is just coming about from a pandemic which we all now know the importance of hygiene at its utmost. What was your meal from the Japanese restaurant? The gardens are beautiful. Is the pool salt water or chlorinated? Were there doormen at the front to receive you from your taxi or was there a town car to pick you up at the airport? Where were the busboys? Is the area safe to walk around and perhaps go to a museum, a nice middle class mall to high end boutiques? Which is the better country to shop high end brands Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia? In your opinion having traveled to the three countries.
Happy to chat and answer questions in depth as you've asked on Patreon. Thanks for watching 🩴
@@tfft How do I use or go about patreon?
Been there! Loved it! Just the pool should have warmer water!!
It was too cold during my stay to attempt to try it out 😆 But yeah, heated pools are always appreciated. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
@@tfft well there are a lot of outdoors pool very warm in the snowing mountain peaks around the world...in bangkok should be easier to warm just a bit.. a great pool should be used everyday of rhe year 😉
I like piping hot food. That is how it should be served!
Honestly, ive looked at sooo many hotels in bangkok including a bunch of videos, posts, google map pictures since they dont glamorize pictures/vids, and ive cane to the conclusion of two hotels: Four seasons & chatrium geand, both had very modern rooms which is what i wanted i didnt want one thing that screamed outdated to me
Not sure what about this hotel seemed outdated to you lol
@@tfft well considering the rooms, the carpet floors and the colored pillows for a start doesnt look like the hotel was recently opened in 2020 it looks older
13:03 I don't think Kempinski Lombok will ever be built (jammed/failed) 6 months ago the construction was opened but the facts on the ground have not been built until now...until the government visited construction site in west lombok...and the reason I don't know why there isn't construction at the site even though the opening for construction has already been carried out....
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
whats the resort at 0:25 in the intro?
My guess is you're asking about the Hyatt Regency Samui.
Kimpton or this?
Depends on personal taste- both are worthy contenders. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
i was there today,,didnt like it..the place felt weird.
Hmmm… care to elaborate? Did you walk in with farm animals? Did you not have any pants on? What exactly felt “weird” to you…?
Just booked executive rioom for 6 night
Enjoy your trip 🗺️
Link to the background music?
Most is Shazamable, all from Artlist.
We recently spent two nights here, based on this video. It was one of our best stays in Bangkok. Wonderful staff and great break, especially the pasties and fresh fruit. Thank you for the video
Glad you enjoyed!
I think its time I changed brands. So much nicer but the $$ may hurt more too. Sadly the group I am with I have had 4 bad stays in recent weeks so not the happiest. Trying to plan next year I don't know how you do it I can't plan next week. Great vid again and definitely look at this place for March.🙏👍
If you want the best points redemption tickets you’ve always gotta be booking 10-12 months out. Just wrapped up booking my trip for next October. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Very beautiful hotel!
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Thank you for your wonderful unbiased reviews.I've been following your channel since the first videos in Vietnam. It's really great❤️
Happy to hear that! Thanks for watching 🩴
@@tfft I am confused between 2 hotels, Kempinski and Four Seasons bangkok. Can you advise me on which hotel is better? Thank you very much.
How would you say this compares to the Kimpton? We’re struggling to choose between the two - I’m leaning towards the Kempinski but it’s almost $900 more 😅
Very much up to personal taste. Both hotels are playing on the same level. Thanks for watching 🩴
Simple question; ‘The Flip Flop Traveller” meaning you travel and stay in luxurious hotels wearing flip flops, shorts, and t-shirts? Or is your channel name misleading? Cheers! And… you are “entirely self funded” … meaning you don’t actually earn money for your videos via Patreon or anything else?
I do wear flip flops every day but it’s also about my love of premium but decidedly non pretentious hotels.
Self-funded means nothing was provided to me for free or at a discount by the company and no other entity covered my expenses as well.
Just home from our trip - We really enjoyed the Sindhorn Kempinski and by pure coincidence we were allocated the same room you stayed in - #1114. Bath products have changed to Natura Bissé from PanPuri. We agree on almost every point you make apart from the "hotel scent". We also stayed at the Kimpton Kitalay on Samui which you also covered and the Park Hyatt Bangkok.
Glad you enjoyed!
Great video, we made reservations for Summer 2025 based on your review! Thank you!
Enjoy your trip 🗺️
Hi Kevin, I stayed at this hotel during last Christmas for six nights, the room service offered excellent food, I did it twice. The spa was beautiful, I wanted to have facial and massage, only one service was completed due tro lack of availability. The club offered me exceptional services with very nice cocktails. However, I don’t like their buffet breakfast, it was always too crowd during Christmas. Love your channel. Keep it up!❤
Thanks for sharing ✈️
If this is self funded then who pays you my friend? Next time take me as a companion so I can watch over you and keep you honest. I have stayed here and your review is only 20% accurate. You next out lots of issues reaching and staying up in this place.
And here I thought it was 19% accurate! #winning
Altho im not financially stable enough to financially support you, i will watch and like all of your new vids and comment on some, too (i am already a subscriber)
Everyone has their own way! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Wish you could have also reviewed the Siam Kempinski? Wonderful review and vlog, you are one of the most objective and tasteful travel vlogger.
Bangkok has too many Five Star Hotels! haha. I'm sure I'll get there eventually! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
We stayed at the other Kempinski hotel- Siam Kempinski - good location & service .Thanks for sharing
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
A great video, a fantastic hotel, many thanks 👍👍
Thanks for watching 🩴
I also love this property and the Firefly bar. I used to stay this corner as well but different floor, I loved it. I am glad to see they have changed amenities, it was Rituals when I stayed here 2 years ago. Btw, comparing to Kimpton Maalai, which one is better?
And certainly, thanks for the review.
Personally I like Kimpton better purely because of the design. The service levels at both are similar so its just a matter of aesthetic preference. Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Unlike you, I would’ve told the staff to leave only decaf Nespresso pods!😂
I’ll admit that I now have decaf for my 5th coffee each day when home 😅 Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Magical. Got to love the entrance regardless of anything else 😀
Thanks for watching & Happy New Year 🎉
These guys know the real treat! It’s awesome to see they offer pisco in of course, the South American beverages. They may actually turn to the map to see that Mexico is in North America and that Mexican firefly should be in another page…
I've lived in Asia long enough to know that geography of 'the Americas' is very different from country to country haha. I've been called a "South American" before (since the US is south of Canada, which surely is North America 😂).
If you were to pick one hotel in Bangkok what would you choose? We currently have the SO booked after I watched your review but not sure! It's $199 a day through amex travel though so hard to beat.
All depends on price point. At the $200ish mark, my favorite is the Kimpton. Thanks for watching 🩴
@@tfft its almost $400ish now Kevin 😁
Probably should leave out or tone down the negative comments. Let the video speak for itself and let us fantasize.
This was a positive review lol. Feel free to mute the commentary 😉
@@tfft On a positive note, I liked your piano music.
Is this hotel better of the siam kempinski
Have never stayed at the Siam 🤷🏼♂️
We’re those Fava beans!?
Sat here for a full minute trying to think what you're referring to, but can't 😅
This hotel looks amazing 😻 love it
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Beautiful hotel colours
Thanks for watching 🙏🏻
Superb gym!
Sure is! Thanks for watching and Happy New Year 🎉
P49 or A49?!
Eh? 🤔
Beautiful Hotel with very generous size rooms considering you stayed in the smallest size 😮 Love the variety of your content! So nice to see the different styles and standards the different hotel brands carry! We have found our villa for our first year in Bali when we move next year and it is located….just 8 minutes away from the Kempinski, I know where we’ll be having coffee when we have just moved 😎 Listening to your travel plans for next year, we are in for a treat! So close to 20.000 subs….🎉
This year was great for the channel in learning which destinations and types of videos do well, which don’t and which have potential. 2023 is going to be all about taking that learning and turning into a really interesting year of content. Thank you as always for your continued support and please say hello to the lobby floors at the Apurva Kempinski for me, I miss them 😅
@@tfft I will be paying special attention to the black sparkly stone floor and say hello! 😍