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Skip
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Ladies and Gents!!
Having spent two weeks in town and passed thru already 4 different properties looking for that 'killer deal' in price/value hotel combinations I think I have now hit the jackpot with this property. In my own case the 1000-1400 baht price point is my target with 1200 baht/night being the sweet spot. As many of you may know I was in the past quite enamored by the Tai-Pan Hotel on soi 23 for it's outstanding food and subdued air of boutique hotel ambiance. Unfortunately their guest policy is, to put it simply, vague, ambiguous and not at all condusive to consistency, or so it seems.
This time around I tried four day stays at the Jade Pavillion and Regency Park Hotels. Both are on soi 22 and very close to the enchanting soi 33 bars as well as Emporioum Shopping Center. Also started out with a stay at the Park Hotel who's entrance is nearly opposite of the soi 7 beer garden. Any one interested in my thoughts on these express same and I'll post somewhere's else (given enough interest).
Back to the Zenith Sukhumvit. This place is 19 floors of posh elegance and grace. Richly appointed with inlaid marbles, richly varied and highly detailed wood panels, plush carpets with inlaid patterns sporadically placed in hallways, a rooftop (19th floor) outdoor infinity pool complete with waterfall cascades from the higher level and nicely juxtasposed jacuzzi in the upper level. I kid you not, the staff is near to begging you to ask for their assistance, congenial, efficient and a wee bit too bored. This place is suffering from a very low occupancy, but for what reasons I am not sure. As in my mind it is clearly worthy of rates at 3000+/day.
Rooms are spacious, spacious, spacious! Bathrooms are marble, tiles, deep tubs (in case you like to soak) with shelf for bath amenities on the far end. Black marble counters, dual lights on seperate switches and a combo electrical outlet in the bath will facilitate both 110 and 220 volt appliances.
King beds are done with european style sheets with king sized pillows. Very nice mattresses and builtin luggage cabinets opposite the beds. 19inch cable TV (good reception). Minibar, built-in safe, basket for over night shoe shine provided (wow!).
Guest fees: have been a sore spot and proved highly variable this trip. In this hotels' case the bellman did say their policy is to charge extra 500 baht for lady (even when you've booked dbls) after 10PM (or was that 9?) and until 5 am, but they actually were kinda lax about it he said. In my case, so far no one has checked and my steady honey who I've been entertaining whilst here invited her GF over at 3:30am this morning with no troubles at all. Also note, from street level you have to walk up a flight of stairs that enters a bell desk landing area (very little utility here) which really just accesses the ellevator banks for you. So these bellmen here would be the ones to charge you but I suspect a 100baht tip would take care of things in a pinch, were problems to arise. Yet, there would be an easy way around this as well, since the garage is accessed on either side of the steps and is a short walk down a ramp where another elevator vestibule would jet you right past all the bell desks and reception areas easily. Plus there seems to be now physical presence on this garage areas floor anyway.
Food: Only one breakfast so far was good food with decent variety only. Lunch was average. Ambiance of restaurant is really nice however with 20 foot windows on either side and lanscaping outside which creates a nice atrium feel.
Pool: Wow!! Talk about perks! This 19th floor has resort written all over it. Great views abound! Nice size for swimming, attendant present continually. Hours- 0700-2000hrs daily. Fitness room has full free weight rack, stationary machines but non-working exer-bikes and walking machines.
Location: Awesome! Bamboo bar is same side of road and a stones throw distant. Which means...yes!, that's right, our beloved Grace Hotel Coffee Shop is nearly directly accross the street. How nice!!!! Bumrungrad Hospital is right around the corner and Nana Plaza and hotels are thus a long blocks journey away. Cool!
Rates: When I walked up to the front desk I was given a 2400baht rate (dbl.) and told this was after a large promo discount. I found several sites on the web at 1440 baht per night double rooms.
Conclusion: This property was formerly known as the Hampton Inn, and, though not knowing who has the mgmt. contract on this place, I don't know if there is a frustrated owner in the equation, or what. But I will say this: 1- at present the occupancy rate is terrible and the staff's morale is sad as a result, Yet service remains good and is very competent. 2- This hotel's ambiance, fixtures, amenities and service levels would, and should, justify a daily room pricing of (less discounting) 3000 baht+ per night easily IMO. Finally, 3- At 1440 baht/night this ideally apointed, well situated hotel is a bargain shoppers find of the decade.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 8:46 am on June 25, 2003
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bkktg
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Nice report. I have avoided this property as I thought that it is very un-friendly.
Pricewise, an even bigger bargain is the Marriott Resort - I got it for B 1255+tax this week. ABsolutely superb hotel and no problems with girls, however location doesn't work at all if you want ST.
Another bargain that i booked was the JW Marriott at B 1600+tax.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 11:45 am on June 25, 2003
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BossInLOS
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Another bargain that i booked was the JW Marriott at B 1600+tax.
bkktg, Are you sure about this rate? I've been searching the internet for weeks trying to come up with a rate for less than $100 for the JW...and no luck. I'm making my first trip to BKK in Sept. and I'm thinking the Marriott is a safe bet. How did you get such a great deal?
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 8:23 pm on June 25, 2003
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bkktg
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Yes, I did indeed get that rate for an upcoming trip for 7 nights. I bid GBP 23 via priceline.co.uk using the GBP 10 bonus link (see Westin thread) and it was accepted at the JW Marriott. Translates to about B 1600. You can't be sure whether you'll get the JW or Westin though - guess I lucked out. It seemed to work for quite many days though.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Sexy Bangkok Girls
Posted on: 3:15 am on June 26, 2003
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ThaidUp
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The JW is by far the best for BG/TG friendly. No joiner fees at all. No ID hassles. If you can get that good rate go for it.
While I agree with Skip's report on the hotel facilities. I went in tow with two BG's and thought I pulled a sly one making it to the elevator unabated. But to my demise there was a knock at the door with a guy with his little joiner fee receipt book. Cost me 500 badht per girl (1000 THB). Sure blows the rate out the window. I hate this scam. This was pre-SARS, maybe they have changed their tune on joiner fees.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 3:54 am on June 26, 2003
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Skip
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Thaidup Thanks for adding your experience. Yes I put it to the test as well when I by chance happened upon an old fav. massage girl (who used to work at a place right around the corner from Thermae) last night. Still works there as it turns out and I know of at least one brother here (had to change his name) who enjoyed her horny manners too. She came over at 4am to do an inroom massage and they called up and then escorted her and had me sign their recpt. book too.
I reckon the bellmen is right on and maybe the 10pm witching hour is something to plan ahead for.
I plan on asking for a late check out tommorrow, purely for reporting purposes on BKKtonight.com mind you. 
Also, another update: at the early morning hours I noticed some Bankok Post papers under the doors of other rooms and made an inquiry at the front desk. Mine was waiting for me when I awoke. Also, the maids are real easy about extra towels offering as many as you like.
Irons/Ironing: They have had some trouble in the past with guests burning furniture thus they hesitate to hand em out but they do have iroons and boards they'll bring to your room on request. Do your part should you avail and set the iron to rest on the metal rack that slides out from underneath.
bkktg!! Bro! Did you ever score! Congrats! I still find it hard to believe but will for sure check out your URL. Thanks!
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Bangkok Women : Meet Beautiful Thai Girls
Posted on: 10:14 am on June 26, 2003
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BossInLOS
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bkktg,
Thanks for the info Bro', I owe you big time! I just booked JW for 5 nights at $60 per on Priceline (US). I tried $50 but they wouldn't accept it. Couldn't book on the UK site because I'm using Visa. I went back and tried to book the rest of my stay for the same rate but they gave me the Westin Grand instead. Oh well, I'll get to see 2 hotels and still saved hundreds of dollars for the entire trip...and that will pay for a lot of massages and bf's. Thanks again for the tip.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 5:35 pm on June 26, 2003
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bkktg
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BossInLOS, no problems, happy to be of some help.
Do you mind me asking if your stay is in the near future or further away? I used to get the Westin with short notice and JW Marriott when booking in advance - just trying to figure out if this holds any truth. Both are very nice hotels but I like the JW staff better personally. Enjoy your stays.
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Thai Girls : Meet Active Thai Girls
Posted on: 6:59 pm on June 26, 2003
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BossInLOS
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bkktg,
I'm going to be in bkk Sept. 1 to Sept. 13. So it would seem to not matter. If you are in town at that time, let me know and I'll but you a drink or two. It's the least I can do.
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 8:01 pm on June 26, 2003
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Skip
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Well well well, lemme serve up a bit of whine today. Gimme back my thread bros!!! LOL! Just kidding. Good info from you both regarding this hotel 'steal' in LOS.
But I would invite you gentlemen to follow up with a new thread once your set up there.
As far as Zenith, couple of more pointers. One of the brothers who has a penchant for mini-suites and multiple simultaneous honeys (could we then call him a serial monger I wonder?) inquired about the joiner fees for a mini-suite. Wow! Had a chat up with the front desk mrg. about the fees and he actually stated and later verified that the mini-suites booked as dbl. would exempt guests from the 500 baht fees accessed the other rooms past 9pm His walk-in price for the mini-suite was 3800baht. I took some pics of it and liked it a LOT. Comes with 2 full baths (1 Sumo-sized) a nice living area, 2 full size TV's etc.
Also today the late checkout was accomodated with ease.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 4:18 am on June 27, 2003
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