Not a BAD place ... (Bangkok Palace Hotel)

Member Name: doctordarke2389

Product:	Bangkok Palace Hotel
Date:	23/07/09 (5 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Nice bar and friendly staff

Disadvantages: Out of the way a bit

My views of the Bangkok Palace Hotel are a bit mixed, quite frankly. I have stayed there twice - a necessity, given the state of Bangkok early-morning traffic and the fact that the conferences I attended were hosted there.

First, the staff; typical Thais - friendly, welcoming, and eager to please. Some Westerners chided them from time to time for no real reason, but what the hell, they're just trying to do their jobs. The foyer is a kind of mock-Oriental facade with Buddha edifices located centrally, but the bar, which is not well used, is wondrous with a big TV screen and a band usually playing musak most nights. You order a drink they supply free nibbles, too.

The food and restaurant are okayish, and there are certainly much worse places to stay in Bangkok, that's for sure. The service at diner/lunch/breakfast is generally good, and the staff are not averse to a laugh and a joke with guests. it's genuine, too.

On the doiwnside, we found that the level of technical competence for running conferences is woeful. Trying to do Powerpoint presentations as fraught with problems from the outset. In the end, the conference organisers decided to host subsequent events elsewhere, in the Ramada D'Ma next door (more on this place later)

Finally, a word to the wise about bringing 'guests' back to the hotel for a 'nightcap', and bearing in mind this IS Bangkok. I'm not going to sit in judgement on my fellow man if they decide to drag a willing bar girl back for some horizontal jogging in their hotel rooms. Whether you question the morality of it or not, be hereby notified that the hotel levies a THB 700 (about £14/15) 'guest charge' for 'security' reasons'. If you stay there, you will note a number of crisply suited male employees hovering round the lifts, watching everyone who goes in them. When I was first there, a young married couple were apparently escorted by these goons to the reception to pay up - even thought they were on their honeymoon, and had booked in advance! you have been warned .. this story is not apocryphal as the couple in question published their story On tripAdvisor, too.

Summary: Good for the price