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 this year it meant a whole lot of time in Thailand (like almost 16 weeks!)
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. You can find my detailed reviews of most of these hotels here (the list is alphabetical by country)
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Service |
Restaurants |
Pool |
Spa |
Beach |
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Opens Feb 2013 |
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Platinum Benefits |
My #of visits vs # of upgrades |
Overall Value |
Price |
Who Should Visit |
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1/1 |
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Low |
Anyone |
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4/4 |
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Moderate |
Anyone, Business Travelers |
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1/1 |
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Moderate |
Anyone |
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4/3 |
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Moderate |
Anyone |
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1/1 used suite night award |
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High |
Couples, Small Groups, Friends |
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1/0 |
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High |
Anyone |
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4/4 |
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Moderate |
Anyone, Business Travelers |
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1/1 |
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High |
Anyone |
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1/0 |
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Moderate |
Families, Groups |
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3/1 used suite night award |
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Very High |
Anyone who can afford it |
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2/2 |
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Moderate |
Anyone |
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3/3 |
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Moderate |
Anyone |
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1/ n/a |
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Very High |
Anyone who wants a W experience |
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1/0 |
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Very High |
Couples, Friends |
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Summary |
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The Aloft is a value hotel in one of the more busy parts of Bangkok. While one of the nicer Alofts I’ve ever been too, it’s hard to compare it to other Starwood Properties in Bangkok because it offers so few Starwood Preferred Guest Perks. The price is the #1 factor for me in selecting this hotel. |
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The Le Meridien Bangkok is by far my favorite Starwood Hotel in Thailand. It has ever surpassed the St Regis in my opinion because the staff at the Le Meridien genuinely cares about all guests – not just the elite guests. |
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The Le Meridien Chiang Mai is a super value and probably one of the best hotels in Chiang Mail. The staff is knowledgeable and willing to help whenever possible. This is the only Starwood Property in Chiang Mai, so you don’t have a choice if you want a Starwood hotel – this is it – but you won’t be disappointed. |
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The Le Meredien Khao Lak has suffered over the last few years. There has been significant turnover in management and they’re still trying to get it right. The hotel has by far the best beach and beach amenities and has great pools. In low season SPG members are almost guaranteed an amazing upgrade, but they can be more hit or miss in high season. The other SPG benefits are excellent and among the best for Starwood hotels. With a little more investment from management, the hotel will be on top soon. Due to the rainforest surroundings, the number of bugs, wildlife and most dreaded, the mosquitoes is greater than any hotel I’ve ever been to. Combat that with lots of bug spray! |
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The Le Meridien Koh Samui has one of the best general managers I’ve ever met (current as of publishing) and she ensures her team maintains high standards. The property is new and in great shape. It’s a perfect hotel for honeymooners. One of the highlights of the hotel is the spa, it’s truly first class and significant investment was put into it when it was built. The pool and pool service is great, but the beach is not a nice as other Starwood Hotels. The hotel suffers from what other hotels in the area do, and that’s bugs and mosquitoes. |
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The Le Meridien Phuket is an older property but kept up nicely. It’s a huge property – perhaps one of the largest Starwood properties in the area, and it’s a great family vacation destination – which may make it a little less attractive to young couples or honeymooners. |
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The Royal Orchid Sheraton has been one of Starwood’s best kept secrets in Thailand. It offers an amazing value, great SPG benefits, a great number of restaurants to select from and is located right on the river. The hotel’s location is a plus in that it’s a little further away from the hustle and bustle, but it’s still easy to get to/from. This is a good value hotel and offers great specials for Starwood Starpoints redemptions. |
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The Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit is probably one of the best Sheraton hotels in the world – up there with the Sheraton in Sydney, Australia. The challenge for many will be the prices. They can be exceptionally high – I’ve seen them rival the rates at the St Regis Bagnkok. The service is exceptional and there are tons of amenities at the hotel. If you can find a good deal, this is a great hotel. |
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The Sheraton Krabi is a large resort property currently undergoing renovations. As of Jan 1, 2013 just over ½ of the guest rooms had been renovated. There are two beautiful pools, but they felt overcrowded and one seemed to attract the majority of families with young children. The beach is well maintained and could easily compete for the best beach at a Starwood property in Thailand. There are a variety of restaurant choices at the property, but they are expensive and service is quite slow – no matter how full or empty the restaurant is. During high season, platinum members should not expect upgrades. This is a good value hotel when using points or points and cash – if you can stand all the children! |
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The Westin Grande Sukhumvit has to be my least favorite of all the Starwood properties in Thailand. It’s a new, modern hotel but lacks character. It’s a large hotel in one of the busiest areas of Bangkok. The hotel’s pool is a saltwater pool – which can be a plus or minus depending on what you’re looking for in a pool. The restaurants are highly priced with average food. With all of the other choices in the city, this wouldn’t be the one I recommend. |
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The St Regis is by far the most luxurious Starwood Property in Thailand. It is opulent and lush and that comes with a price. The St Regis is one of the most expensive properties in Thailand as well – though you can find some good rates in low season. The hotel is in the heart of Bangkok’s shopping & luxury hotel district and provides plenty of opportunities to see and be seen. The service is top-notch, but more in the sense that the staff is there to ‘serve’ you as opposed to providing great service while traditional Thai hospitality. The SPG benefits are good, but certainly not the best in Thailand. Upgrades are almost unheard of, even when using Suite Night Awards unless you’re visiting in low season. |
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The Westin Siray Bay is, in my opinion, the most underrated Phuket property. I think when the hotel opened it had some challenges and many reviews were written at that time and have stuck in people’s minds. The hotel is a great vacation destination if you want some R&R. It’s about 15-20 minutes from downtown Phuket and about 45 from the airport. The hotel has the best pools of any Starwood Property in my opinion because service is exception, the pools are beautiful and there are several of them catering to different types of hotel guests. The beach is not the best, so if you’re only interested in the beach, I’d pick another property…but if you like the pool and want a peaceful retreat with great views, then you’ll love the Westin. |
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The W Bangkok opened in December of 2012. It’s brand new and off to a great start. The service at the W is spectacular and they do what the St Regis fails to do – provide top-notch service while making you feel at home. The hotel is modern and chic and will not appeal to all travelers. The location is busy and suffers from hectic traffic, but it’s proximity to the BTS makes it easy to get around. The pool at the W is one of the best pools in Bangkok (among Starwood Hotels) and they have and will have the best events and nightlife of any Starwood hotel in Thailand. The Spa opens in Feb 2013 along with the suites and Heritage Building which will feature suites, a restaurant and shops. |
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The W Retreat in Koh Samui is an urban chic retreat with spectacular views and absolute privacy. This is a great retreat if you can afford the astronomically high rates. There are deals to be had in the low, rainy season if you can put up with the daily rains. The drawback to that is it also brings out the mosquitoes. The W is a great place to refresh yourself and is one of the most tranquil places that I’ve ever been too. |
My Recommendations
In Bangkok my recommendation is the Le Meridien Bangkok
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 understand 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.
[...] A Comparison of Starwood’s Thailand Hotels – Updated [...]
Thanks for this. I took your advice from your previous email and booked the Le Meridien Bangkok. Will be there Jan. 30th for 3 nights. Happy New Year!
Actually, Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit is a Luxury Collection hotel, not a Sheraton brand.
When is the low season in Bangkok to find good rates?
Wow, you rated plat benefits at SGS lower than LE M Bangkok?
How did you get there?
Breakfast at the restaurant or La Sala at the pool, room upgrades, afternoon cocktails, etc, etc. How is that less than Le M?
I hated Le M. Pretty much everything about it, but mostly its location and the attitude of the staff.
Also SGS is pretty much always available for c&p.
-David
It’s funny how two people can have opp. opinions about the same hotels. I hated Le M because of the attitude of the staff. You point out how great the staff treats everybody in your review.
You rated SGS plat benefits lower than the other properties, esp. Le M. That’s absolutely incredible.
Maybe your 1 stay at SGS was like my 1 stay at Le M. I won’t ever go back there.
-David
@LIH Prem – I totally agree, two people can have two totally different experiences at the same hotel! So much depends on time of year, occupancy, your personal tastes, etc…
@Suzy, happy new year! Enjoy the LMBKK!
YOU are my SPG Thailand Ambassador.
Just over 2 weeks until our adventure starts!
Le Meridien Bangkok is fantastic. Two business stays there last year, and everything was A+
Great reviews. We have reserved at the Plaza Athenee Bangkok,a Royal Meridien hotel and are wondering how it rates against the Le Meridien Bangkok? We are also looking forward to our bookings at the Le Meridien Chiang Mai and the Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort.
I would like your comments on the Plaza Athenee Bangkok, a Royal Meridien.
@Peggi – I’ve only stayed at the Plaza Athenee 1 time. It was very nice! The reason I rated it lower for Platinum Benefits was because I didn’t get upgraded. The hotel is a bit older, but still very well kept up. I personally prefer the area around the Le Meredien Bangkok because there are great restaurants nearby, a lot of nightlife (some a bit on the sleazy side…but that doesn’t bother me as I avoid it) the night market is literally across the street. One of my all time favorite restaurants, Mango Tree is about 3 blocks away (make reservations if you go at night). I think it’s a matter of personal taste and location.
How long are you in Bangkok? What are you looking to do?
We are in Bangkok for 5 nights mid-February and 2 nights mid-March. Any recommendations or must-dos?
[...] headed to Hong Kong and Thailand. Thailand hotels are booked with SPG (Thank you Stacy for the detailed analysis of Starwood Properties in Thailand) and in Hong Kong we’re staying at the Ritz (Thanks [...]
Thank you for all the information. As an SPG Platinum and bound for Thailand later this year, your insight is so very much appreciated.