Bangkok apartments and Tsm Discounts

Serviced Apartment Roundup and Tsm Discounts

As fate would have it, I spent most of my first day looking for a place to hang my hat. I originally booked a room, for the first few days, at the Novotel Lotus on Soi 33 through Planet Holiday for 1650/night, ABF included. Rack rate is somewhere around 5000. Why the Novotel? Well, I like the location quite a bit. It's my favorite area of town - not too many tourist, few touts, many of my favorite restaurants nearby, yada yada yada - you've heard it before. At any rate, I wasn't too happy with the Novotel and so decided to check out in the morning and stay at my old stand-by, President Park. Problem was, they had no deluxe studios available and I wasn't prepared to pay for a suite. I suppose I could have settled for a known quantity such as the GP, but for whatever reason, I decided to get my jet-lagged ass up early and see what other accommodations my favorite city had to offer. I ended up visiting several Serviced Apts. in east central Bkk, finally deciding on Center Point, Petchburi of the 6 I visited. I even took notes and had my camera handy. I actually toured 3 of the 4 Centere Point locations (Sukhumvit, Petchburi, Silom) and have included individual reviews for each as well as the other locations I visited.

As is my custom these days, if I really like the place, and it doesn't shape up as too much of a hassle, I'll make an inquiry as to the potential for TSM discounts to give you, my fellow BKKers, other options that you might not otherwise consider. In this case, all that was required was an Email to the Sales Co-ordinator whom I'd met while touring the Silom facility. My original inquiry was regarding the Petchburi location. As an added bonus, she through in discounts for the other Centre Point locations as well:

Dear Mr. McNasty,
Thank you very much for your kind interest in Centre Point Executive Apartment, we are pleased to inform you our special rate for your members, XXX XXX XXX, as follows:

Location

Room Type

Size

Published
Promo Rate

Walk-in Rate
(Weekly)
TSM Rate

Sukhumvit
Soi 10 Single
Single Del
2 Bedroom
2 Bedroom Del
3 Bedrooms
73 Sqm
89 Sqm
94 Sqm
121 Sqm
121 Sqm

2800
3000
3400
3500
4000

---
1900
---
---
---

2300
2500
---
---
---

Petchburi
Soi 15 Studio
Suite
Penthouse
47 Sqm
94 Sqm
135+ Sqm

1800
2800
---

1300
2200
3100

900
1900
---

Silom
Charoenkrung Rd Studio A
Studio B
1 Bedroom
2 Bedroom
45 Sqm
65 Sqm
90 Sqm
183 Sqm

2200
2500
3200
4200

1900
---
2800
---

1700
---
2500
---

Langsun
Soi 1 Studio A
Studio B
1 Bedroom
2 Bedroom
40 Sqm
40 Sqm
85 Sqm
106 Sqm

2200
2200
3800
4000

---
---
---
---

1600
1700
3100
---

**Remark : For Centre Point Petchburi, The above prices are promotion price and this prices will be valid from June 1-August 31, 2000 Thank you once again Mr. McNasty, any further inquiry, please do not hesitate to contact us at email address : cpsales@centre.com, fax no. 630-6354 or tel no. 266-0521-49.
Pimporn Opapirom (Ms.)
Sales Co-ordinator

Keep in mind that the operative phrase here is "XXX XXX XXX" and not TSM. Cranking TSM through a serach engine gets more hits than an Adelita Bar hooker on a Saturday night, so I figured a little descretion was the best way to go here. As you can see, I was only given a partial listing, so if you're interested in one of the other configurations, just make an inquiry. Not sure why I was quoted a walk-in rate at Sukhumvit a lot lower than the discount though. They must be really hurtin. Also, the Centre Point web site doesn't have floor plan diagrams (or even a rate list) so I took pics (not very good ones) of the brochure and put them here. For rate comparisons with the above chart, check out Asia Travel.

Ok, on with the reviews. I've adopted a 5-star rating system in 6 categories for this exercise. Categories are weighted from left to right for assigning overall value. Oh yeah, as a point of reference, I consider the GP as having 3-stars across the board.

Novotel Lotus - Sukhumvit, Soi 33

Reviewed by: Shasta
Date: 06/10/00

Rooms:

Rates:

Location:

Service:

Facilities:

Value:

The pic featured on the left (superior room) is the one associated with the Planet Holiday promotion, but the actual room is the standard room, which is considerably smaller. I checked other booking sites and they all featured the same pic but with rates that ranged between 200 and 500 Baht more than Planet Holiday. I attempted to rectify the situation with management, but the best they were willing to do was an upgrade for an additional 900 Baht per night - unacceptable. I booked for 4 nights. I only stayed 2. Guest policy is hit & miss - first night, no problems; second night, they called up to my room and wanted to charge a joiner fee. I merely dropped the receiver back on the cradle. A shame since I really like the location. But for my money, the hotel with the best location in town is the Tai Pan on Soi 23. Just another non-descript, overpriced tourist-class joint though.

Omni Towers - Sukhumvit, Soi 4

Reviewed by: Shasta
Date: 06/11/00

Rooms:

Rates:

Location:

Facilities:

Value:

Of all the locations I visited, Omni Towers is perhaps the best known among TSMers so I won't spend a lot of time on it. The location isn't half bad - far enough away from the hustle and bustle further down the Soi so that touts and other unsavory effluvia (expanding one's vocabulary is only one of the benefits of TSM) that dot the landscape aren't too much of a concern. But then I guess you have to run the gauntlet sooner or later. I was quoted 1300 for a standard studio and 1900 for a 1-bedroom superior. They also have a deluxe studio billed at around 60 Sqm that I would like to have seen, but they were all booked. The studio was pretty small, about the same size as a Topaz studio at the GP. The suite, at least given the rates I was quoted, seems to be the much better value of the 2. All in all, not bad, but it just really didn't do it for me. For one thing, I really didn't like the floor plan much. Just a couple of rectangular rooms without much in the way of extras such as mirrors, built-ins, ect. And what's with this furniture? Seems more appropriate for, say, a sitting room than a monger's lair. A place where you might retire to during the late afternoon for a spot of tea - in other words, too formal. But given the attractive rates, I'd say a bit better than the GP in overall value.

Lake Point - Sukhumvit, Soi 16

Reviewed by: Shasta
Date: 06/11/00

Rooms:

Rates:

Location:

Facilities:

Value:

This review is based on the deluxe studio.

Accommodations:
Lake Point is a brand spanking new facility that's only been in operation for around 8 months. I liked it. Quite a bit, actually. The pics feature the deluxe studio, listed at around 50 sqm. They also have 1 and 2 bedroom suites, and though nicely appointed, I found them to be a bit claustrophobic. A little on the pricey side too. 1-bedroom superior at 55 Sqm and the 1-bedroom deluxe at 60 Sqm. The weekly on the studio is 13000 that I was able to negotiate down to 11000 with only a little wrangling. Daily rates are listed at 2000. Current promotional rate for the superior studio (40 Sqm) is 1550.
Let's see - balconies, 25 inch TV, washer/dryer combo, richly appointed bathrooms with tub and glassed-in shower. All in all, quite nice.
Facilities:
I would rate the facilities a bit better than average, a nice pool with built-in Jacuzzi surrounded by shaded overhangs. Average workout facilities. No voice mail.

Location:
Hmm, this is the category that prevents me from giving Lake Point an overall 4-star rating, but just barely. Soi 16 is largely a residential Soi with no commercial infrastructure whatsoever. No convienance marts. No Internet cafes. No ATMs. No restaurants. No nothing. And the only taxis you'll see are the ones dropping people off. Lake Point is several hundred meters into the Soi (behind the Rembrant on Soi 18) and takes about 15 minutes to walk to the BTS Asok station. You'll need to cross a pretty busy intersection at Asok. If this wouldn't bother you much, then Lake Point might just be your cup of tea.

Royal President - Sukhumvit, Soi 15

Reviewed by: Shasta
Date: 06/11/00

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Location:

Facilities:

Value:

Royal President is positioned both geographically and rate-wise in between it's two sister facilities, Grand President and President Park. This hotel has seen better days (about 20 or 30 years ago) and is showing considerable wear & tear. I was shown a deluxe studio and a 1-bedroom suite. There was only one suite available of the configuration I was interested in, and it was located on a floor that had some severe sewage problems. A rather odiferous stench that is distinctly Bangkok permeated the floor. I'm not gonna waste any more time talking about it. Just take my advice - AVOID IT!

Centre Point - Sukhumvit, Soi 10

Reviewed by: Shasta
Date: 06/11/00

Rooms:

Rates:

Location:

Facilities:

Value:

This was the first of the Center Point locations I visited. About 200 meters up a very narrow and quiet Soi. I was quoted 1900 for the Single Deluxe (weekly rate), which is around 1000 Baht off the Asia Travel rate. This place doesn't have any studios. Large rooms, well appointed. Two bathrooms. My flash card was full so I took pics of the brochure which I know to accurately represent the room I was shown. Large galley kitchen. Two full sized couches, one of which is a sofa bed in an area with an accordion partition. Balconies, washer/dryer combo in the galley. If I didn't have two of the other Center Point locations on the agenda, this one would have done quite nicely.

Centre Point - Silom, Charoenkrung Rd

Reviewed by: Shasta
Date: 06/12/00

Rooms:

Rates:

Location:

Facilities:

Value:

This is Centre Point's flagship operation. It occupies the same piece of real estate as the Shangri-La (virtually next door) and other hi-falutin 5-star establishments. But don't expect to have to fork over anywhere near 5-star prices though. I'm not that familiar with the area but Charoenkrung road is narrow and extremely congested. But fortunately, Centre Point is only a two-minute walk to the BTS - second to the last stop on the Silom line. For that reason, I'm giving it a solid 3-stars for location. The hotel is surrounded on 2 sides (maybe 3) by a Robinson's department store. I was quoted 1900 for a Studio-A (45 Sqm) and 2800 for the 1-bedroom (90 Sqm) - quite reasonable given how well appointed they are. The pic (left) is from the brochure and accurately reflects the bedroom in the suite I was shown. Well, except for maybe the fern. The following comments are regarding the suite:
A large, richly appointed bathroom with tub and glassed-in shower. Lots of glass, mirrors, and built-ins throughout. Washer/dryer combo, balconies, and unlike the other two Centre Point locations, these rooms have knick-knacks on the shelves that give it that extra homey touch. I didn't see the huge 2-bedroom suite (183 Sqm) that's listed for 4200 per night but the pic featured at right is from the Center Point web site and is supposedly representative of what you'll find in that department. All in all, a very nice facility at reasonable rates. The TSM discounts should make it even more so.

Centre Point - Petchburi, Soi 15

Reviewed by: Shasta
Date: 06/12/00

Rooms:

Rates:

Location:

Service:

Facilities:

Value:

Location:
I was quite impressed with Centre Point, Petchburi. Soi 15 is located directly across the street from Pantip Plaza. The building itself is about 50 meters up the Soi. It's also within 10 min or so (by foot) to World Trade Center and about a 5-minute walk to the BTS on PhayaThai - the Ratchthewi station. On average, taxi to the lower Sukhumvit is about 15 min and around 45 Baht. 2 7-Elevens around the corner, 2 Internet cafes - one adjacent and one across the Soi at local rates - 40 Baht and 60 Baht per hour. The one at 60 Baht serves fresh ground coffee. If you bring your laptop, all rooms are currently being outfitted with dedicated Internet. Should be complete by month's end.

Accommodations:
The pics tell much of the story - lots of beveled glass, mirrors, and built-ins throughout. Panels are done in a native burled veneer reminiscent of mottled Sapele. Plenty of room, and I do mean plenty. I had a corner suite but the studios (47 Sqm) are similarly appointed, and at 900/night, represent the best value for under a grand you'll find anywhere. Suites have 2 balconies (1 off the bedroom and 1 off the living area) and the studios have 1.
Lets see - lobby cam, in-room safe, 9 ft ceilings, 3 phones, 21 inch TV's, no central control console (not sure if the studios have this feature or not), mail boxes ect ect ect. No washer/dryer like the Silom and Sukhumvit locations and the shelves didn't feature any knick-knacks to give it that homey touch like at Centre Point, Silom. Now for the nit-picking: I think the floor plan for the suites would have been better served with 1 large bathroom with a glassed-in shower instead of 2 bathrooms with only a tub each. And the living area is more than large enough to accommodate a couch plus loveseat as opposed to the loveseat and chair configuration that is currently featured. But other than that...like I said, quite impressed.

Facilities:
The facilities at all Center Point locations are average at best. None have Jacuzzis, the pools are on the smallish side, and the on-site restaurants aren't worth mentioning. The Silom facility does have a snooker room. You will find Saunas and all 3 locations that I visited have a Business Center that guest can make use of.

Service:
Service is top notch. I tend to get a sense of the type of service to expect as soon as I walk in the door. If the door-guy is wearing a military style dress uniform, and delivers a smart salute when you enter, then chances are you won't be disappointed with the service. Unless, of course, you're of the anal retentive persuasion, in which case all bets are off. Maid service was timely. Rates are inclusive of all service charges and don't have a surcharge for credit card use - how refreshing.

Penthouse Suites:
Lastly, a few words about the Penthouse suites.There are eight of them, occupying the top 2 floors - one on each corner. They're 1-bedroom, quite a bit plusher than the regular suites, and as big as a small house. Full kitchen, an extra large bathroom featuring an oversized tub and a glassed-in shower - now we're talkin. Lots of furniture and upholstery. 31 inch TV. 2 balconies. Uh...sorry, did I say balconies? I meant patios, about 5 or so meters square, complete with plastic patio furniture. A bit more than I was prepared to deal with on this last trip, but the next time...hmm. What more can I say - 5-star all the way. If your looking for the best, at about 25% less the cost of a standard room at the JW (can't guarantee you'll get the same 3100 Baht rate I was quoted after a week in residence), then you needn't look any further. Well, unless they're all booked up. There was only one available when I was there. Traveling with friends, say for TurkeyDay perhaps? Then why not reserve a whole floor. But save one for me, will ya:)

I'm including my December '99 review of the PP here for completeness. I've gotten a couple of Emails from the resident manager over the last few months. Seems the PP is more popular among TSMers and Sanukers than I thought it might be. Toward the end of the year, I'll see what I can do to get deeper discounts for the coming year.

President Park - Sukhumvit, Soi 24

Reviewed by: Shasta
Date: 12/7/99

Rooms:

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Location:

Service:

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Value:

Had occasion to stay at the President Park (PP) serviced Apartments on Soi 24 this trip. I liked it. So much so I thought I'd give a brief rundown on the hotel and facilities for those who may be interested in such things. The PP is perhaps the flagship operation (but only marginally so) of the trio of hotels managed by the Park Group. The GP and the RP are the other two. The hotel consist of the Maple Tower (where most of the suites are located) and the Mayflower Wing (a 7 or 8 story addition across the street that houses most of the studios). If memory serves, the tower was completed in '94 and the wing in '96. I stayed in the newer wing, in one of the deluxe studios with a weekly rate of about 13000 Baht. The deluxe studio is close to 400sqft, approximately 70 or so sqft more than the most comparable studio at the GP or RP. I liked the roominess.
The room amenities are comparable to what's available at the GP down to the same make and models of appliances and electronics. One of the nicer features with respect to the larger studios is the extra large glassed in shower that can easily accommodate a party of three. There's also a little bench seat in the corner of the shower where your sweetie can sit whilst she pays attention to some of your ...uh...less hygienic needs. The suites have a regular sized shower since they also feature a tub. Room configurations can be found on their web site at http://www.presidentpark.com. As also can be noted from the pic, the far wall is all windows. Also, the beds seem to be several inches wider than those at the GP. I think they're full king size and can accommodate 3somes without any problem. The PP is not close to the action in the lower Sukhumvit area. Some may consider this a drawback. I don't. The EL (I think it's supposed to be in operation by now) ought to shorten these distances quite a bit, as there's a stop at the head of the Soi. The PP is primarily a corporate hotel so expect service to be a notch or two above what you'd expect at the GP or other comparable tourist hotels. It didn't take long for the maid on my floor to sync up with my afternoon routine. After the 2^nd day or so, my room was always finished by the time I got back from lunch or wherever.
In addition, the place is TSM friendly to a fault. The guy on duty does both security and doorman duty. As you make your way up the steps with your lady friend, expect to have the door opened for you, accompanied by a smart salute (US style) and a knowing "sawadee kup," as you head toward the elevator bank. The furniture is pretty basic (I actually prefer the glass and white Formica furniture of the studios at the GP a little more) and the rooms don't feature as many mirrors as the studios at the GP. But if you ask me, the shower possibilities more than make up for itJ There is aslo a mult-level parking garage that adjoins the hotel for those brave enough to negotiate Bkk traffic with your rental.

The Capitol Club

Up to this point I really haven't described much that sets the PP apart from the dozens of other similar hotels in the area, and I suppose that's where the Capitol Club comes in. Though not officially part of the PP (the hotel pays membership cost for all guests), the CC adjoins the hotel and is a four-story complex topped with a free-form translucent dome (hence the name) with just about every conceivable amenity you can imagine. A 3-star hotel with 5-star facilities.

The CC features just about every facility you can think of, from a complete fitness center to pools, tennis courts, squash courts, golf simulator, saunas, Jacuzzis, steam rooms, climbing wall, massage, restaurants, health bars, ect, ect... They even have a driving range somewhere on a nearby Soi. You can find out more via their URL at http://www.presidentpark.com/capitol.html. It's a pretty big place so you'll probably spend a little time, like I did, wandering around and getting a feel for the overall layout. They didn't have any comprehensive maps with syllabus when I was there. During the week that I stayed at the PP, I probably spent about 15 hrs here altogether.

President Park is actualy a community unto itself. Aside from the hotel, the complex includes three high-rise condominiums whose principle tenants are foreign national corporate types (and their families) working in Bkk. Mostly Westerners but some Asians as well. Anyway, in addition to the above facilities, you'll find a dentist office across the street and a doctor on call 24/7, as well as markets of various types.
Oh and lastly, a word of caution - this is NOT a tourist area. Consequently, it won't be for everyone. If your idea of the ultimate Tsm holiday includes being surrounded by a network of ex-pats and like-minded "tourist", then you'll most likely be disappointed. I think I may have seen ONE other guy during my entire stay who I thought might me a fellow monger. Since there's no secret handshake or anything like that, it was kinda hard to tell. Course that's not to say that you won't find suitable surroundings nearby - namely Soi 33 and Washington Square areas.
So if the facilities at the CC or the PP appeal to you, or you'd just like to be in an area where you can take a leisurely stroll along an upscale Soi without having to worry about running the gauntlet of an endless procession of touts, then this might be what your looking for.

TSM Discounts

On a final note, I had lunch with the resident manager to discuss discounts for TSM members (I used the situation we have at the GP for leverage) and he was more than agreeable. Anyway here's the email he sent outlining the 20% discount for TSM members. I recommend the larger studios.

Dear Mr. McNasty
Based on our recent discussions, I take pleasure in offering all TSM Travel Club Members discounts our Daily and Weekly rates for 2000 AD. The discount is approximately 20% off our Published Rates but are rounded off for our mutual convenience.

President Park Published Rate Tsm Rate

Tsm Discounts - 20% Daily Weekly Daily Weekly

Executive Studio (36 sq.m.) 1980 13070 1550 10500

Deluxe Studio (43 sq.m.) 2200 14115 1750 11250

Tulip Suite (57 sq.m.) 2825 16725 2250 13250

Dynasty Suite (80 sq.m.) 3250 22000 2600 17000

Terms and conditions :- The above rates are valid from 01st December '99 to 31st December '00.- The rates include current Government Taxes and are subject to change without notice in case of any tax increases.- The rates are non-commissionable.- The rates are valid for Single or Double Occupancy.- Current exchange rates are approximately 1 USD : 40 THB Reservations :- E-mail is most convenient and the address is"ppesa@presidentpark.com". - Our URL, <www.presidentpark.com/park_residence.html> has a reservation Form on a secure server.- Please mention "TSM Travel Club Rate" when reserving.Facilities : - Kitchenette with Crockery, Cutlery & Glassware.- Full-size Refrigerator, Microwave Oven, Electric Hotplate.- Video Player, Stereo System, Electronic Safe, Television.- UBC, CNN, BBC, CNBC, ESPN, Deutsche Welle, Australian TV and two channels of In-house movies. - Maid and Linen Service, Toiletries, Laundry/ Dry cleaning. - International Direct Dialing.- Restaurants : Thai/ Continental, Japanese, Italian, Chinese, German Microbrewery, Pool side and a Bar.- Business Center with Meeting Rooms, Seminar Facilities, Private Rental Offices,Internet & E-Mail.- Doctor on call, Travel desk, Mini Mart, Room Service & Take out Menus, F&B discounts. Kindergarten.- 24-hour Maintenance, Concierge, Security.Capitol Club : - Temporary Membership for all Residents: SwimmingPools with Kiddy Pool, Health Club, Aerobics, Climbing Wall, Sauna/Steam, Massage,Jacuzzi, Barber Shop,Beauty Salon, Billiards/Snooker, Tennis Courts,Squash Courts,Childrens Playground etc. Thank you for your interest and we look forward to welcoming you andyour fellow members to the President Park Executive Serviced Apartments.

Yours sincerely,M.N.Apaya,Resident Manager,President Park Exec.Svcd.Apartments,95,Sukhumvit Soi 24,Bangkok 10110 THAILAND
website - htpp://www.presidentpark.com
E-Mail:ppesa@presidentpark.com apaya@presidentpark.com
Tel:(66-2)661 1000Fax:(66-2)661 1070Mobile:(66-1)647 613

Location	Room Type	Size	Published Promo Rate	Walk-in Rate (Weekly)	TSM Rate
Sukhumvit Soi 10	Single Single Del 2 Bedroom 2 Bedroom Del 3 Bedrooms	73 Sqm 89 Sqm 94 Sqm 121 Sqm 121 Sqm	2800 3000 3400 3500 4000	--- 1900 --- --- ---	2300 2500 --- --- ---
Petchburi Soi 15	Studio Suite Penthouse	47 Sqm 94 Sqm 135+ Sqm	1800 2800 ---	1300 2200 3100	900 1900 ---
Silom Charoenkrung Rd	Studio A Studio B 1 Bedroom 2 Bedroom	45 Sqm 65 Sqm 90 Sqm 183 Sqm	2200 2500 3200 4200	1900 --- 2800 ---	1700 --- 2500 ---
Langsun Soi 1	Studio A Studio B 1 Bedroom 2 Bedroom	40 Sqm 40 Sqm 85 Sqm 106 Sqm	2200 2200 3800 4000	--- --- --- ---	1600 1700 3100 ---

Novotel Lotus - Sukhumvit, Soi 33
Reviewed by: Shasta	Date: 06/10/00
Rooms:	Rates:	Location:	Service:	Facilities:	Value:
The pic featured on the left (superior room) is the one associated with the Planet Holiday promotion, but the actual room is the standard room, which is considerably smaller. I checked other booking sites and they all featured the same pic but with rates that ranged between 200 and 500 Baht more than Planet Holiday. I attempted to rectify the situation with management, but the best they were willing to do was an upgrade for an additional 900 Baht per night - unacceptable. I booked for 4 nights. I only stayed 2. Guest policy is hit & miss - first night, no problems; second night, they called up to my room and wanted to charge a joiner fee. I merely dropped the receiver back on the cradle. A shame since I really like the location. But for my money, the hotel with the best location in town is the Tai Pan on Soi 23. Just another non-descript, overpriced tourist-class joint though.

Omni Towers - Sukhumvit, Soi 4
Reviewed by: Shasta	Date: 06/11/00
Rooms:	Rates:	Location:	Facilities:	Value:
Of all the locations I visited, Omni Towers is perhaps the best known among TSMers so I won't spend a lot of time on it. The location isn't half bad - far enough away from the hustle and bustle further down the Soi so that touts and other unsavory effluvia (expanding one's vocabulary is only one of the benefits of TSM) that dot the landscape aren't too much of a concern. But then I guess you have to run the gauntlet sooner or later. I was quoted 1300 for a standard studio and 1900 for a 1-bedroom superior. They also have a deluxe studio billed at around 60 Sqm that I would like to have seen, but they were all booked. The studio was pretty small, about the same size as a Topaz studio at the GP. The suite, at least given the rates I was quoted, seems to be the much better value of the 2. All in all, not bad, but it just really didn't do it for me. For one thing, I really didn't like the floor plan much. Just a couple of rectangular rooms without much in the way of extras such as mirrors, built-ins, ect. And what's with this furniture? Seems more appropriate for, say, a sitting room than a monger's lair. A place where you might retire to during the late afternoon for a spot of tea - in other words, too formal. But given the attractive rates, I'd say a bit better than the GP in overall value.

Lake Point - Sukhumvit, Soi 16
Reviewed by: Shasta	Date: 06/11/00
Rooms:	Rates:	Location:	Facilities:	Value:
This review is based on the deluxe studio. Accommodations: Lake Point is a brand spanking new facility that's only been in operation for around 8 months. I liked it. Quite a bit, actually. The pics feature the deluxe studio, listed at around 50 sqm. They also have 1 and 2 bedroom suites, and though nicely appointed, I found them to be a bit claustrophobic. A little on the pricey side too. 1-bedroom superior at 55 Sqm and the 1-bedroom deluxe at 60 Sqm. The weekly on the studio is 13000 that I was able to negotiate down to 11000 with only a little wrangling. Daily rates are listed at 2000. Current promotional rate for the superior studio (40 Sqm) is 1550. Let's see - balconies, 25 inch TV, washer/dryer combo, richly appointed bathrooms with tub and glassed-in shower. All in all, quite nice. Facilities: I would rate the facilities a bit better than average, a nice pool with built-in Jacuzzi surrounded by shaded overhangs. Average workout facilities. No voice mail. Location: Hmm, this is the category that prevents me from giving Lake Point an overall 4-star rating, but just barely. Soi 16 is largely a residential Soi with no commercial infrastructure whatsoever. No convienance marts. No Internet cafes. No ATMs. No restaurants. No nothing. And the only taxis you'll see are the ones dropping people off. Lake Point is several hundred meters into the Soi (behind the Rembrant on Soi 18) and takes about 15 minutes to walk to the BTS Asok station. You'll need to cross a pretty busy intersection at Asok. If this wouldn't bother you much, then Lake Point might just be your cup of tea.

Royal President - Sukhumvit, Soi 15
Reviewed by: Shasta	Date: 06/11/00
Rooms:	Rates:	Location:	Facilities:	Value:
Royal President is positioned both geographically and rate-wise in between it's two sister facilities, Grand President and President Park. This hotel has seen better days (about 20 or 30 years ago) and is showing considerable wear & tear. I was shown a deluxe studio and a 1-bedroom suite. There was only one suite available of the configuration I was interested in, and it was located on a floor that had some severe sewage problems. A rather odiferous stench that is distinctly Bangkok permeated the floor. I'm not gonna waste any more time talking about it. Just take my advice - AVOID IT!

Centre Point - Sukhumvit, Soi 10
Reviewed by: Shasta	Date: 06/11/00
Rooms:	Rates:	Location:	Facilities:	Value:
This was the first of the Center Point locations I visited. About 200 meters up a very narrow and quiet Soi. I was quoted 1900 for the Single Deluxe (weekly rate), which is around 1000 Baht off the Asia Travel rate. This place doesn't have any studios. Large rooms, well appointed. Two bathrooms. My flash card was full so I took pics of the brochure which I know to accurately represent the room I was shown. Large galley kitchen. Two full sized couches, one of which is a sofa bed in an area with an accordion partition. Balconies, washer/dryer combo in the galley. If I didn't have two of the other Center Point locations on the agenda, this one would have done quite nicely.

Centre Point - Silom, Charoenkrung Rd
Reviewed by: Shasta	Date: 06/12/00
Rooms:	Rates:	Location:	Facilities:	Value:
This is Centre Point's flagship operation. It occupies the same piece of real estate as the Shangri-La (virtually next door) and other hi-falutin 5-star establishments. But don't expect to have to fork over anywhere near 5-star prices though. I'm not that familiar with the area but Charoenkrung road is narrow and extremely congested. But fortunately, Centre Point is only a two-minute walk to the BTS - second to the last stop on the Silom line. For that reason, I'm giving it a solid 3-stars for location. The hotel is surrounded on 2 sides (maybe 3) by a Robinson's department store. I was quoted 1900 for a Studio-A (45 Sqm) and 2800 for the 1-bedroom (90 Sqm) - quite reasonable given how well appointed they are. The pic (left) is from the brochure and accurately reflects the bedroom in the suite I was shown. Well, except for maybe the fern. The following comments are regarding the suite: A large, richly appointed bathroom with tub and glassed-in shower. Lots of glass, mirrors, and built-ins throughout. Washer/dryer combo, balconies, and unlike the other two Centre Point locations, these rooms have knick-knacks on the shelves that give it that extra homey touch. I didn't see the huge 2-bedroom suite (183 Sqm) that's listed for 4200 per night but the pic featured at right is from the Center Point web site and is supposedly representative of what you'll find in that department. All in all, a very nice facility at reasonable rates. The TSM discounts should make it even more so.

Centre Point - Petchburi, Soi 15
Reviewed by: Shasta	Date: 06/12/00
Rooms:	Rates:	Location:	Service:	Facilities:	Value:
Location: I was quite impressed with Centre Point, Petchburi. Soi 15 is located directly across the street from Pantip Plaza. The building itself is about 50 meters up the Soi. It's also within 10 min or so (by foot) to World Trade Center and about a 5-minute walk to the BTS on PhayaThai - the Ratchthewi station. On average, taxi to the lower Sukhumvit is about 15 min and around 45 Baht. 2 7-Elevens around the corner, 2 Internet cafes - one adjacent and one across the Soi at local rates - 40 Baht and 60 Baht per hour. The one at 60 Baht serves fresh ground coffee. If you bring your laptop, all rooms are currently being outfitted with dedicated Internet. Should be complete by month's end. Accommodations: The pics tell much of the story - lots of beveled glass, mirrors, and built-ins throughout. Panels are done in a native burled veneer reminiscent of mottled Sapele. Plenty of room, and I do mean plenty. I had a corner suite but the studios (47 Sqm) are similarly appointed, and at 900/night, represent the best value for under a grand you'll find anywhere. Suites have 2 balconies (1 off the bedroom and 1 off the living area) and the studios have 1. Lets see - lobby cam, in-room safe, 9 ft ceilings, 3 phones, 21 inch TV's, no central control console (not sure if the studios have this feature or not), mail boxes ect ect ect. No washer/dryer like the Silom and Sukhumvit locations and the shelves didn't feature any knick-knacks to give it that homey touch like at Centre Point, Silom. Now for the nit-picking: I think the floor plan for the suites would have been better served with 1 large bathroom with a glassed-in shower instead of 2 bathrooms with only a tub each. And the living area is more than large enough to accommodate a couch plus loveseat as opposed to the loveseat and chair configuration that is currently featured. But other than that...like I said, quite impressed. Facilities: The facilities at all Center Point locations are average at best. None have Jacuzzis, the pools are on the smallish side, and the on-site restaurants aren't worth mentioning. The Silom facility does have a snooker room. You will find Saunas and all 3 locations that I visited have a Business Center that guest can make use of. Service: Service is top notch. I tend to get a sense of the type of service to expect as soon as I walk in the door. If the door-guy is wearing a military style dress uniform, and delivers a smart salute when you enter, then chances are you won't be disappointed with the service. Unless, of course, you're of the anal retentive persuasion, in which case all bets are off. Maid service was timely. Rates are inclusive of all service charges and don't have a surcharge for credit card use - how refreshing. Penthouse Suites: Lastly, a few words about the Penthouse suites.There are eight of them, occupying the top 2 floors - one on each corner. They're 1-bedroom, quite a bit plusher than the regular suites, and as big as a small house. Full kitchen, an extra large bathroom featuring an oversized tub and a glassed-in shower - now we're talkin. Lots of furniture and upholstery. 31 inch TV. 2 balconies. Uh...sorry, did I say balconies? I meant patios, about 5 or so meters square, complete with plastic patio furniture. A bit more than I was prepared to deal with on this last trip, but the next time...hmm. What more can I say - 5-star all the way. If your looking for the best, at about 25% less the cost of a standard room at the JW (can't guarantee you'll get the same 3100 Baht rate I was quoted after a week in residence), then you needn't look any further. Well, unless they're all booked up. There was only one available when I was there. Traveling with friends, say for TurkeyDay perhaps? Then why not reserve a whole floor. But save one for me, will ya:)