A Comparison of Starwood’s Thailand Hotels – updated

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 a

guest 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

1/1

used 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

3/1

used 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
(suite were not yet open when I visited)

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.

2 Comments on "A Comparison of Starwood’s Thailand Hotels – updated"

  1. 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.

  2. @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.

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