I usually book a hotel based on where I want to be when I walk out in the morning but the Chatrium Riverside is my favorite when I'm in Bangkok for just a day or two. The large balcony overlooking the Chao Praya River is a fantastic experience in the late night or early morning. The ferry makes it easy to get to the Saphan Taksin Pier to catch the Sky Train or other ferries. The pool is huge but disappointing because the entire pool is only about 40 inches (1 meter) deep. Rooms used to be available for $100 in high season but last year I was paying $150 or $200.
Well, I hope you'll get back soon! I'll have many other videos about Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Lupe and Phuket soon, as I'm touring Thailand again right now...
Great report, thanks a lot. I know a lot of Bangkok hotels but these were mostly new to me. Interesting selection of 4-5 star properties. I would say, though, - and you mentioned that yourself - that most of these hotels were not real 5 star properties like Sofitel, Shangri-La, JW Marriott, Sukothai, Banyan Tree, Conrad etc. that are all above the $100 mark for a reason. Also, I think you just got lucky on the Chatrium Riverside, which usually costs $130 and above. Anyway, great video!
Thanks! There should indeed be a difference between 5-star and 5-star luxury. But the frontier in between all those 5-star hotels is complicated to draw. Even in these 5 hotels, the Chatrium is clearly above the JC Kevin in both quality of service, breakfast and amenities. I would compare it to hotels like the M Gallery Muse or the So'.
Just returned from the Chatrium, great hotel but not at the price you stated...actually 3 times your price for a river view std. room. When were you there??
Sorry. I only made it to the 2nd hotel. The first two were clearly not 5 star hotels. Pleasant looking and great value, sure, but 3.5 - 4 star quality at best
First isn't the best location, either. In Thailand we call nana District the red light District... full of scenes that you may not want your kids to see at dinner time
Nysa hotel is more than 15 minutes away from Nana Plaza... You could say the same for people going to the ultra luxury Rosewood or Park Hyatt, which are both closer to Nana Plaza!
@@WanderlustReports yep any hotel near that District is avoided by most locals. it's just what it is, lol. Tourists don't often know, so it doesn't really matter. Just as long as you're being safe.
I'm sorry but I did not see any 5 star hotels. I know about 20 hotels for 60$ or less with character, design, and ftage. These were over priced and about 3 star properties.
Review sites ratings are one thing, official classification is another one. But in Thailand, they don't have a 5-star luxury or 6-star classification that would fit with hotels such as the Mandarin Oriental, the Capella, Peninsula or St Regis...
Quit looking at stars. Just because it says it's five stars doesn't mean anything. You need to stay at some real 5 star properties so you know what one is, because you did not even come close to staying at one. You overpaid for all of them. There's so many with style and great services that put these to shame. They are at least$40 cheaper.
Which is exactly what I said in the video. These are five stars officially but they are just premium hotels. If you want to see a five-star luxury hotel in Bangkok, check my last video!
If you're going to show what you get for a certain price, it would be better to show the class of room you booked, not your upgrade. Not everyone is so lucky to get an upgrade.
All of them are officially 5-star hotels in Thai classification. For me they are more premium than luxury, but, factually, on the Thai listings, they are 5-star hotels.
I usually book a hotel based on where I want to be when I walk out in the morning but the Chatrium Riverside is my favorite when I'm in Bangkok for just a day or two. The large balcony overlooking the Chao Praya River is a fantastic experience in the late night or early morning. The ferry makes it easy to get to the Saphan Taksin Pier to catch the Sky Train or other ferries. The pool is huge but disappointing because the entire pool is only about 40 inches (1 meter) deep. Rooms used to be available for $100 in high season but last year I was paying $150 or $200.
As a matter of fact, prices in most of the hotels I know have been rising quite steadily post covid.
MAN, I just came from Thailand last month, and I wish this was one of the vlogs I've seen to get ideas. Now I know what to look for. Thanks
Well, I hope you'll get back soon!
I'll have many other videos about Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Lupe and Phuket soon, as I'm touring Thailand again right now...
@@WanderlustReports Don't forget Pattaya
Maybe, maybe not. Pattaya is really not my preferred place in Thailand...
Excelent work my friend. Thank you!
Thank you! Cheers!
very nice presentation! my Fav is the Chatrium in die Video. But rly i love the Millenium Hilton.
The Millenium is nice, but much more expensive.
Great report, thanks a lot. I know a lot of Bangkok hotels but these were mostly new to me. Interesting selection of 4-5 star properties. I would say, though, - and you mentioned that yourself - that most of these hotels were not real 5 star properties like Sofitel, Shangri-La, JW Marriott, Sukothai, Banyan Tree, Conrad etc. that are all above the $100 mark for a reason. Also, I think you just got lucky on the Chatrium Riverside, which usually costs $130 and above. Anyway, great video!
Thanks!
There should indeed be a difference between 5-star and 5-star luxury. But the frontier in between all those 5-star hotels is complicated to draw. Even in these 5 hotels, the Chatrium is clearly above the JC Kevin in both quality of service, breakfast and amenities. I would compare it to hotels like the M Gallery Muse or the So'.
Then there are the super lux hotels like the 4 Seasons, Capella, St Regis, MO etc. The prices reflect that.
I'm going to review the Saint-Regis and Peninsula soon
Another excellent choice would be the Lancaster Bangkok. Convenient to Petubury, ARL and LaBelle massage. Excellent base room and service.
Good call!
I have to admit it's in a part of Bangkok, I go less often...
Chatrium is the best,stayed there twice,high floor river views are amazing.
Glad you share my opinion about Chatrium!
Just returned from the Chatrium, great hotel but not at the price you stated...actually 3 times your price for a river view std. room. When were you there??
Was there in June... Low season, cheaper prices, as I mentioned at the beginning of the video.
Cheaper prices are most of the times on Agoda, or Trip.
Chatrium is great and the Peninsular
Indeed, in this price category, the Chatrium riverside is a great hotel.
1st time viewer. Appreciate the thorough reviews. Question: How (by whom?) are these hotels rated, "5 Star"?
It's the Thailand Hotel Standard program. On which criterias? I don't know...
had stayed at the "JC Kevin" ages ago when it had just opened as the Radisson Sathorn - looks unchanged since then.
Radisson, then Heritage, then Anantara and finally JC Kevin: this hotel has been renamed quite often!
@@WanderlustReports I think Heritage was another hotel in the second of the two towers, but my memory might be wrong.
Non of these Hotels are under 130 $ per night in January/ February (High season)
I did mention these prices were low season prices...
True. I wanted to compare your price call with the main season. ❤
Sorry. I only made it to the 2nd hotel. The first two were clearly not 5 star hotels. Pleasant looking and great value, sure, but 3.5 - 4 star quality at best
In Europe, they'd be classified as 4 star I guess. But not in BANGKOK...
First isn't the best location, either. In Thailand we call nana District the red light District... full of scenes that you may not want your kids to see at dinner time
Nysa hotel is more than 15 minutes away from Nana Plaza... You could say the same for people going to the ultra luxury Rosewood or Park Hyatt, which are both closer to Nana Plaza!
@@WanderlustReports yep any hotel near that District is avoided by most locals. it's just what it is, lol. Tourists don't often know, so it doesn't really matter. Just as long as you're being safe.
I'm sorry but I did not see any 5 star hotels. I know about 20 hotels for 60$ or less with character, design, and ftage. These were over priced and about 3 star properties.
Interesting point of view.
They are officially 5-star hotels, though.
@@WanderlustReportshow?? The ratings you showed for the 2nd one didn't even show high 4s....
Review sites ratings are one thing, official classification is another one.
But in Thailand, they don't have a 5-star luxury or 6-star classification that would fit with hotels such as the Mandarin Oriental, the Capella, Peninsula or St Regis...
The last hotel at the pool when you’re approaching the pool, that is a really nice statue of Donald Trump doing a perfect dive!
Yes, he was said to have stayed 2 nights at this hotel for th sculptor to do his work!
Quit looking at stars. Just because it says it's five stars doesn't mean anything. You need to stay at some real 5 star properties so you know what one is, because you did not even come close to staying at one. You overpaid for all of them. There's so many with style and great services that put these to shame. They are at least$40 cheaper.
Which is exactly what I said in the video. These are five stars officially but they are just premium hotels. If you want to see a five-star luxury hotel in Bangkok, check my last video!
These are 4 star hotels at best. Definitely not luxury hotels.
Quite right, though they officially are 5-star hotels.
If you're going to show what you get for a certain price, it would be better to show the class of room you booked, not your upgrade. Not everyone is so lucky to get an upgrade.
Thanks for the comment...
You're true, that's an issue that came to my mind.
But who am I to refuse an upgrade when offered one😁
none of these hotels are 5 stars!
All of them are officially 5-star hotels in Thai classification.
For me they are more premium than luxury, but, factually, on the Thai listings, they are 5-star hotels.