Many of my regular readers, friends and colleagues know that I spend a lot of time in Thailand and since I had a business project in Thailand for the past 2 years, it meant a whole lot of time in Thailand (like almost 9 months!) The featured image of the sunset above is from the Le Meridien Khao Lak (I took it in Dec 2012).
I’m often asked for suggestions on which Starwood Hotels to stay in and so I thought I’d do a comparison since I’ve pretty much tried them all now. Here is an overview comparison (I’m awarding up to 5 points, 5 being perfect) and will provide detailed information below the chart. While there are tons of Thailand Hotels, my focus has been on Starwood.
Property Review:
Overall |
Service |
F&B |
Pool |
Spa |
Beach |
|
Aloft Bangkok – Sukhumvit 11 |
XX |
XXX |
XXX |
XXX |
n/a |
n/a |
Le Méridien Bangkok |
XXXX |
XXXXX |
XXX |
XXX |
XXX |
n/a |
Le Méridien Chiang Mai |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXX |
XXX |
XXX |
n/a |
Le Méridien Khao Lak |
XXX |
XX |
XX |
XXXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
Le Méridien Koh Samui |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXX |
Le Méridien Phuket |
XXX |
XXXX |
XXX |
XXXX |
XXX |
XXX |
Royal Orchid Sheraton |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXX |
n/a |
Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, Bangkok |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXX |
XXX |
n/a |
Sheraton Krabi |
XXX |
XXX |
XX |
XXXX |
XXX |
XXXX |
The St. Regis Bangkok |
XXXX |
XXXXX |
XXXXX |
XXX |
XXX |
n/a |
The Westin Grande Sukhumvit |
XXX |
XXX |
XXX |
XX |
X |
n/a |
The Westin Siray Bay |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXXX |
XXX |
XXX |
W Bangkok |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XX |
XXXX |
n/a |
|
W Retreat Koh Samui |
XXXX |
XXXXX |
XXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXX |
Naka Island (note: I have not stayed as aguest overnight,but visited and toured the facility) |
XXX |
XXXXX |
XXXX |
XXXXX |
Platinum Benefits
Platinum Benefits |
Breakfast |
Lounge |
My #of visits vs # of upgrades |
|
Aloft Bangkok – Sukhumvit 11 |
XX |
XX |
n/a |
1/1 |
Le Méridien Bangkok |
XXXX |
XXXX |
n/a |
4/4 |
Le Méridien Chiang Mai |
XXXX |
XXXX |
n/a |
1/1 |
Le Méridien Khao Lak |
XXXX |
XXXX |
n/a |
4/3 |
Le Méridien Koh Samui |
XXXX |
XXX |
n/a |
1/1used suite night award |
Le Méridien Phuket |
XXX |
XXXX |
n/a |
1/0 |
Royal Orchid Sheraton |
XXXX |
XXXX |
XXXX |
4/4 |
Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, Bangkok |
XXXX |
XXXXX |
XXXX |
1/1 |
Sheraton Krabi |
XXX |
XX |
XXX |
1/0 |
The St. Regis Bangkok |
XXX |
XXXXX |
n/a |
3/1used suite night award |
The Westin Grande Sukhumvit |
XX |
XX |
XX |
2/2 |
The Westin Siray Bay |
XXXX |
XXXX |
n/a |
3/3 |
W Bangkok |
XXXX |
XXXX |
n/a |
1/ n/a
|
W Retreat Koh Samui |
XXXX |
XXXX |
n/a |
1/0 |
Naka Island |
No overnight yet |
Costs and Who Should Go
Overall Value |
Price |
Who Should Visit |
|
Aloft Bangkok – Sukhumvit 11 |
XXXX |
Low |
Anyone |
Le Méridien Bangkok |
XXXXX |
Moderate |
Anyone, Business Travelers |
Le Méridien Chiang Mai |
XXXX |
Moderate |
Anyone |
Le Méridien Khao Lak |
XXXX |
Moderate |
Anyone |
Le Méridien Koh Samui |
XXX |
High |
Couples, Small Groups, Friends |
Le Méridien Phuket |
XXX |
High |
Anyone |
Royal Orchid Sheraton |
XXXX |
Moderate |
Anyone, Business Travelers |
Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, Bangkok |
XXX |
High |
Anyone |
Sheraton Krabi |
XXX |
Moderate |
Families, Groups |
The St. Regis Bangkok |
XX |
Very High |
Anyone who can afford it |
The Westin Grande Sukhumvit |
XX |
Moderate |
Anyone |
The Westin Siray Bay |
XXXX |
Moderate |
Anyone |
W Bangkok |
XXX |
Very High |
Anyone who wants a W experience |
W Retreat Koh Samui |
XX |
Very High |
Couples, Friends |
Naka Island |
Very High |
Couples |
My Recommendations
In Bangkok my recommendation is the Le Meridien Bangkok. It’s central, it’s very customer focused. There are plenty of suites and lots of upgrades. The staff is phenomenal.
In Phuket/Khao Lak my recommendation is the Westin Siray Bay if you’re not there for the beach or the Le Meridien Khao Lak if the beach is the most important part of the vacation. With the LM Khao Lak, just be aware that they’re going through transition and service can be hit or miss (as of December 2012.)
In Koh Samui, if money is not an object, then I would suggest the W, it’s a unique experience. Otherwise I suggest the Le Meridien Koh Samui unless you want to spend all your time on the beach, and then I suggest you don’t go to Koh Samui.
In Krabi the Sheraton Krabi is your only choice and it’s a good one if you’re looking for value or for a family vacation. Don’t go in high season and expect any platinum or gold benefits.
Again, if money is not an object, I’d go to Naka. It’s beautiful. The beach is by far the best Starwood property beach I’ve seen. You’re isolated – a boat ride is required to get anywhere – so this is not a great jumping off point is you’re on the go. Visit Naka for R&R.
Good list. Wife and I stayed at LM Chiang Mai, LM Khao Lak, and SGS in December. We enjoyed all 3 properties.
One correction for your list – LM Chiang Mai does have a lounge, and we really enjoyed it. Great breakfast, decent evening snacks/happy hour, and incredible views.
@Zach thanks for catching the LM Chiang Mai, I meant to note that it was closed while I was there and didn’t get to review it. Good to hear that you enjoyed it.