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BlueNote
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While in Bangkok recently, I have stayed at Majestic Suites, Nana Hotel, and Swiss Park Hotel. I am a bit surprised that there are so many discussions about the first two hotels and not about the last one. In fact, the last post on this hotel was 2002. Anyway, below is my lengthy description about my stay at these three guest-friendly and no joiner-fee hotels. If I were to visit Bangkok, then Swiss Park Hotel is definitely my choice out of these three.
Majestic Suites
The reservation was booked via e-mail for a double superior room at 1,500 THB/night. It was my understanding that I would receive two ABF/day, but I did not mind getting only one because the meal was very small portion. I even went over to Nana Hotel for breakfast at 160 THB/person. The check-in and check-out were fast; the room was nice and clean; the bed was big; the bathroom was very modern and had a nice big bathtub; the safe was big enough to hold my camcorder bag; and there was a standard North American phone jack. My room was facing NEP, but I could only see one go-go bar.
What I liked best about this place was the staff's friendly service. On one day, I had several people visiting me at 5 AM, and they had no trouble coming up to see me. I did not even receive a phone call requesting me to go to the lobby.
What I liked least about this place were the ants. I could not leave empty used glasses or dishes around because they would be covered with ants. I must have killed over a hundred of them. It got to the point that I was making the killing a game. Also, it would be nice if the room had more than one chair and the TV had better programming.
Other notes... Although the hotel does not have any room with two single beds, it is possible to request for an extra bed to be brought in. I was not charged for certain local call, but this might be area code specific. Also, in case guests wanted souvenir of the hotel, there was a price list of room items; if the TV were removed, 20,000 THB would be applied to the bill.
Nana Hotel
My reservation with this hotel has always been made at the counter. Thus, I would be charged 1,070 THB/night regardless of one or two people. This time I had a large room with two connecting twin beds. I would not recommend connecting beds because the mattresses kept separating in the middle of my fun. As usual, the bathroom was outdated. My room faced the new swimming pool, and I had a nice view of the sky trains oing by. Unfortunately, it was also facing the area being constructed, and thus every earlier morning before 7 AM, I would be awakened by jackhammers, and the noise would go on until dust or until there was a heavy rain. BTW, several times the security guards wanted my guests' ID cards, but when I objected the guards still allowed the guests to pass... that's nice.
Swiss Park Hotel (at Sukhumvit Soi 11)
This was my first stay at this hotel. A travel agency in Pattaya made the reservation for me. I paid 1,550 THB/night for a twin/double room and two ABF/day. I suspect it's possible to receive a lower price, but I did not care because the agent was having difficulties finding accommodations for me. The check-in process was a nuisance. I know it's standard practice to ask for passport information, but I was annoyed when they wanted to see my travel itinerary. I told them my airline ticket was in the luggage and basically that I was not in the mood to pull it out just to please them. The check-out process was much better, but they short changed me 9 THB when I paid for the mini bar. If I were a dishonest person, I would not have even told them because they did not have my credit card information. The amount was very small. I normally tip in bigger amounts, but it's the principle.
As for the room itself, I had a nice big room with two twin beds. The furniture was old but in better shape than that at Nana Hotel. The bathroom was nice and clean but required minor repairs, and it was smaller when compared to Majestic Suites. The TV had similar programming than Nana Hotel, but the signal was fuzzy. The view was great; I could see the public market area at Soi 13, and at nights I could hear the live band music. There was also a safe, and I believe there was a North American phone jack. Alas, the clock was fast by an hour, and this made me think one of my guests had overstayed.
Other notes... IMO, the food was better than the other two hotels; with the exception of the receptionists, the hotel personnel were quite friendly and polite; and the location was quiet, as there were little traffic and fewer people around. Also, unlike some hotels, including Nana Hotel, to use a metered taxi, I had to walk to the road to hail down one. At Swiss Park, this was not the case. The doorman would whistle for a waiting metered taxi to pull up to the door. Never once was I asked if I wanted a private taxi.
As for bringing guests, like many hotels, guests were required to leave their ID cards. In one incident, I had to go down to the lobby to meet my guest because she had forgotten my registration name and had no ID card. She was required to write down her name and telephone number, and I was required to signiture for her visit. I felt a little bad for my guest because all the hotel personnel were looking at her. Did I mention that the annoying receptionists were young females?
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 6:50 am on Oct. 4, 2003
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thaiaficionado
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I stayed at Majestic Suites last month and there were no ants in my room. If it weren't for the ants, would you still prefer Swiss Park? I know the breakfasts at Majestic are minimal, but how much to you need in the morning? The rooms were small, but nicely furnished for the price IMHO. I thought Nana was a dump, bed too small for me, TV selections the best thing (not a high priority, except for football). Much prefered Majestic, felt fortunate to only spend one night at Nana.
Never stayed @ Swiss Park
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Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 10:06 am on Oct. 4, 2003
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fastmover
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Sure Nana Hotel is a dump, but I love to stay there once in a while. It's got that atmosphere that is wall to wall NEP.
Now new pool is great, with jacuzzi to be finished 'soon'. I always book double and ask, and get, a king size bed.
Bathrooms ARE like 1960's!
I think breakfasts are a little overated by some.
What I find amazing is the number of little kids, Thai, Western, whatever, that I see at breakfast. The restaurant staff, and hotel staff never seems to change much so when ever you go there, they know you, and thats over a number of years.
But, sadly.....it is the Nana Hotel in the end.
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 10:28 am on Oct. 4, 2003
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thaiaficionado
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FM,
Yeah, the Nana breakfasts aren't that good, but the breakfast 'scene' is great. İLike a natural continuation/progression from the parking lot at bar time. İCan't say I share your enthusiasm for the bathrooms, best I can say is I didn't have to squat.
Next time, think I'll follow BlueNote's stragegy: İStay at Majestic and have breakfast at Nana.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Sexy Bangkok Girls
Posted on: 1:48 pm on Oct. 4, 2003
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SoCalifJON
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Does the Swiss Park have a swimming pool?.....
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 8:54 pm on Oct. 4, 2003
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fastmover
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Mr. thaiaficionado........well I don't have enthusiasm for the Nana Hotel bathrooms either. To me the 60,s look means old, real old. That suck's.
The breakfast scene as you say in real interesting with the BG's looking just a little less 'up' than the night before. Well past their 'sell by' dates.
But there are not as many examples of that as you might expect. Most girls just head out the front door. I suspect the clear light of day shines too revealing a light on the guys selection, to face parading with her in public.
I hope it is not the extra 160baht the guy will have to shell out for an extra breakfast.
The Majestic is cool, except for one thing, the lobby. A hotel should have a good size lobby. Like at the Grace Hotel, which has a lobby the size of a football field.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Beautiful Thai Girls
Posted on: 9:31 pm on Oct. 4, 2003
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BlueNote
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thaiaficionado:
Forgetting about the ants, I would still choose Swiss Park Hotel over Majestic Suites because the room is bigger. Also, if I have to tell my family and friends where I am staying in BKK, I would rather tell them this hotel. It is a bit more discreet.
SoCalifJON:
According to the brochure, there is an outdoor swimming pool on the 7th floor, but I did not check.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 11:06 pm on Oct. 4, 2003
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maddogck1
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During my last stay in Majestic, I was over in Nana Hotel alot and was able to soak up a lot of the atmosphere without having to stay there. Personally, I like it that way myself. I don't eat too much breakfast anyway, but am a bit disappointed that the Thai breakfast rice soap with prawn isn't very good there. American breakfast is the safe bet there. Never had any ants problem in Majestic but did see many roaches running around like they own the place in Nana Hotel rooms in previous stay. Having said that, staying in Nana Hotel is an experience that everyone have to try at least once. For a decent size room, you can also try Grand Inn on Soi 3. They remodeled recently and have pretty good rice soap with prawn.
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Thai Girls : Meet Active Thai Girls
Posted on: 12:15 pm on Oct. 6, 2003
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fastmover
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Thanks Mr Maddogck1, I forgot to mention the roaches.
Seems like a lot of them last time I stayed in September.
Must be attracted by those guys who have breakfast in bed.
"...try Grand Inn on Soi 3. They remodeled recently and have pretty good rice soap with prawn."
I bet thats a whole different bathing experience. I gotta try it.
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 12:22 pm on Oct. 6, 2003
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Kaymanx
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Damn, I always read about the roaches in Nana but never ever got to see them. Where are they ? Probably if you leave the windows open at night they come in ?
The last time I stayed there (which was last month) a panel from the false ceiling came crashing down near the elevator. When I peered up, I saw a pre-fab block had given way bringing the panel down. I asked the repair guy if it was bad. He made a face as if to say somebody could have had his skull broken.
I wonder if the Nana structure is getting too old.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 12:32 pm on Oct. 6, 2003
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