Located in the heart of one the busiest cities in the world at the hectic Sukhumvit subway and the Asoke BTS intersection, the 5* Hotel Westin Sukhumvit Bangkok is remarkably quiet and serene. Perhaps it’s because the reception – a sprawling marbled space with high ceilings, modern furniture, and plenty of light – is on the seventh floor of this 362-room skyrise building.
Who For
Conference facilities, meeting rooms, business centre, and executive rooms, are available for the business traveller. Then again, the location, the spa and rooftop pool also makes it ideal for the leisure traveller.
Accommodation
Each of the 362 guest rooms and 31 suites have a Heavenly® Bed and a bathroom with glass-enclosed shower and bathtub, high speed internet, LCD TV with English-speaking channels and city views.
We stayed in Double Executive Deluxe Room. Large bay windows bring in plenty of natural light and the view from the 22nd floor is remarkable. Upon arrival, we were greeted with complimentary bottles of water and a basket of tropical fruit. Executive rooms also have free access to the Westin Executive Club Lounge with complimentary tea, coffee, non-alcoholic refreshments and snacks.
Food
While no visit to Bangkok would be complete without sampling the delicious street food, we found Westin’s two restaurants – the gastronomic Kisso Japanese Restaurant and Seasonal Tastes Restaurant serving the health conscious visitor – to be exceptionally good value.
Kisso is overseen by the award-winning Chef Shinsuke Yonekawa. The menu changes in accordance with the Japanese culinary calendar, incorporating fresh seasonal ingredients imported directly from Japan. We sampled the 21st Anniversary Course Menu (2100 THB) and each course (there are 7 in total) was a delicious surprise, such as suimono (prawn, mushroom, chicken and gingko nut soup), or ishi yaki (australian wagy beef grilled on hot stone – see video).
While Seasonal Tastes offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, our highlight was the breakfast. Over 20 staff are catering for almost any international taste: there was a selection of breads, pastry, jams, yoghurts, salami, cheeses, pancakes, and waffles for the European/American customer, stir fried dishes, noodle soups and sashimi for the Asian customer; and a choice of cakes, fresh fruit and ice cream to top it all.
Tip: Sign up to Starwood Preferred Guests (it’s free) and get 50% off dinner buffet at Seasonal Tastes.
Zest Bar, next to the Seasonal Tastes Restaurant, has a buy-one-get-one-free Happy Hour from 4pm-7pm and you are treated to a complimentary head massage weekdays 5:30pm-7:30pm. There is live music in the evenings and Bangkok by night can be best enjoyed from the bar’s terrace.
Facilities
Head to the 8th floor for a refreshing dip in a 227m² outdoor seawater pool, overlooking the Bangkok skyline. Perfect spot for a sunset drink.
Next to the pool is the 405m² gym, with all the state-of-the-art cardio and weight equipment you would expect from a 5* star hotel. Every evening on weekdays, there are also fitness classes, ranging from Latino dancing to Hatha yoga and Thai Boxing. The hotel also rents gym clothes and running shoes (150 THB) so you don’t have to worry about forgetting your own.
Tip: if you prefer the outdoors, download this map of 3 mile or 5 mile running routes close to the hotel.
The hotel features a 380m² Vareena (Thai word for “water”) Spa. Treatments range from Aroma Spa Therapy Facial to Foot Reflexology, Four Hands Massage, and Thai Herbal Massage. There are 10 treatment rooms, catering for single travellers, couples, and there is even a VIP suite, with its own whirlpool, Vichy Shower, steam room, and restroom.
WiFi available
Yes, available in all guestrooms. It costs THB 215 for the standard speed at 5 Mbps or THB 470 for the premium speed at 20 Mbps). The fee is per stay.
What’s Nearby
Located in the modern Sukhumvit district, Westin is close to large commercial centres for those looking for a spot of shopping (Terminal 21 shopping mall is literally across the road); there are several bars, restaurants and nightclubs in the neighbourhood for those wishing to explore Bangkok night life; and is adjacent to both the overground (BTS Station: Asok) and the underground metro (MRT Station: Sukhumvit) for those wishing to explore further afield.
Prices
Deluxe Room from THB 4000 (based on promotional rates all year round). Upgrade to Executive Club Room THB 1500. Buffet breakfast is extra at THB 700 per person.
Value for Money
Westin Bangkok does not come cheap, but considering the location, comfort, service, and the quality of food, it represents excellent value for money. Westin is the perfect (luxury) introduction to Bangkok and Thailand.
How to get there
The hotel can organise a limousine (Mercedes Benz E250 CDI) transfer, costing THB 2200 per car per trip, or THB 4000 per car per round trip.
Alternatively, catch the BTS Skytrain from Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport to Makkasan station, from where you can catch the MRT Blue Line (metro) to Sukhumvit (one stop).
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