Bangkok's cheapest rooftop pool: an Aloft by Marriott review
This was my first stay in a hotel under the Aloft banner, a brand that belongs to the Marriott chain, although [...]
Thailand
Marriott
This was my first stay in a hotel under the Aloft banner., a brand that belongs to the Marriott chain, although then for editorial reasons I published first the review of the Ginza hotel in Tokyo. In fact, this review has been gathering dust a tad too long, since it is from February 22.
In this article:
This sign is the low-cost version of the W brand, one of Marriott's luxury brands that here in Bangkok. Is present with a beautiful structure.
It's probably the way to attract a larger audience by having them discover a design and nonconformist approach, although I have to say in this Bangkok Aloft I don't feel the experiment is very successful.
Reservation
The price of this room was really ridiculous: 39€ per night. Of course in BKK you can find sleeping accommodations even for 5 or 10€ a night, but if you want the security that an international chain offers, in a facility that would be listed as 4 stars in Italy anyway, this is the perfect solution.
Thanks to the promotion at the beginning of the year, I was able to accumulate double nights and 1000 bonus points. Not bad considering the expense of 120€ for the three nights.
The location
We are in Sukhumvit's Soi 11., the nightlife district of Bangkok. The BTS station is at the end of the street. From here you can walk to Soi Cowboy as well as to Siam Paragon and all the other huge shopping malls in the area.
Please note it is not a red light district. If you've never been to the capital of Thailand, sure, it's full of clubs here, Gogo's, bier gardens and the like, but you can safely walk around, go for a beer even with kids, there's no weirdness around.
Being a side street, Sukhumvit Road is definitely quieter and less noisy.
There are well-known pubs here and also one of the city's most famous nightclubs. In short, Is the nighttime navel of Bangkok..
Check-in and the room
I arrived just before 2 p.m. I hoped the room would be ready, but thanks to status I was given an upgrade to a higher level. A higher floor and especially a view of the city. So I was happy to wait an hour or so.
Around the hotel there is everything you need: from Starbucks to local street food, from late-night hangouts to restaurants and places to relax. The room was on the 19th floor, out of 30, the double window overlooking the city gives a beautiful view.
The bed is king and very comfortable. I must say that it is hard to be disappointed with these mattresses and related toppers that are offered by the various Marriott insignia.
The room is distantly reminiscent of the W's proposal. As well as the personal hygiene products in the bathroom are all branded W.
For such a cheaply priced room, it is large and comfortable. There is a small sofa under the window and a desk on the opposite side where you can work quietly.
Services
There is a small gymnasium overlooking the outside of the facility.
And an equally small pool, open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. È small but it is very scenic since it faces the street. It is not cantilevered but the effect is certainly pleasing.
Even more so is the fact that there is a tiny bit of vegetation to shade the area. It is perfect for taking a dip after returning from a busy day around Bangkok and cooling off before getting ready for the night out.
On the ground floor is the space dedicated to breakfast. It is not a classic restaurant room: it is a more easy offering, a self-service where you can take what you want to eat on the spot, in your room or while you are on an excursion somewhere.
There is also a space with an ever-present pool table. There are probably more in Thailand than anywhere else in the world.
There is then a restaurant on the 8* floor, but it was not open on the days I stayed at this hotel. The city was still traveling at a reduced pace.
Food & Beverage
The restaurant I was not able to try and I must admit I did not have breakfast because, like the Moxy, there is no real breakfast. It is a small self-service and since you can eat anything and everything at all hours in Bangkok I preferred to go elsewhere.
In conclusion
If you are looking for a facility that allows you to accumulate/spend points, strategically located and at a negligible price, or close to it, this is perfect. It guarantees Marriott, indeed it guarantees W by Marriott.
Pro
- The swimming pool
- The position
- The price
Against
- I did not find any downside