The JW Marriott Bangkok, Thailand provides a premium guest experience perfectly located in the Big Mango.
Location
Sukhumvit is perhaps the defining road of Bangkok, the JW Marriott sits at the beginning of the road close to just about everything including the highway from the airport. Situated on the corner of soi 2 (sois in Thailand are streets and, in the case of Bangkok, branch off the main roads) – shops, restaurants and the BTS (elevated Metro) are all right outside the hotel doors.
Address: 4 Sukhumvit Rd, Khwaeng Khlong Toei, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
Phone: +66 2 656 7700
Be sure to read – Everything You Wanted To Know About Marriott Bonvoy.
Lobby and Reception
Two-story glass windows run the length of the lobby. Pillars outside and inside divide the space while tables and chairs await guests of the hotel and their visitors. Drinks are available and reception is off to the back corner. Fresh flowers fill the room along with cold air conditioning, a welcome greeting from the hot Thai sun.
The property is older than some of the others in the city and as such, some charms remain that have been replaced elsewhere. The large lobby is one of those charms, however, room design and technology show its age somewhat.
Suite
I was upgraded to a suite at check-in due to my Titanium status with the Marriott Bonvoy program. It was broken into four segments: the living room, the guest bathroom, the master bathroom, and the bedroom.
Living Room
The suite had views over the nearby buildings of Bangkok and ample seating for four. The real feature of the living room was not the in-room Nespresso machine, the TV, nor the guest bathroom but rather the desk. I was in Bangkok for a short period and often travel with many electronics, being able to utilize a stand-alone desk is important and this one was the centerpiece of the room. It felt more like an executive office than what is normally found in hotels.
Guest Bathroom
Many premium hotels across Asia focus attention (at least in suites) on separating spaces. That includes keeping personal spaces away from visitors and one way this is accomplished is the use of guest bathrooms. This one is little more than a water closet, but it helps keep visitors from accessing the master bathroom in the bedroom. It’s a welcome feature.
Bedroom
The master bedroom felt premium throughout. Light, but tasteful aesthetics, high thread count sheets, made the room very comfortable. In terms of size, the bedroom, like the living room, was ample.
One thing that dates the hotel is technology throughout the room. Cutting age for its time, centralized controls for seemingly everything in the room at the bedside, now depreciates the experience rather than enhances it.
Master Bathroom Suite
The master bathroom suite is spacious and offers both a stand-alone shower and a separate bathtub. The vanity was smaller than expected but adequate for my short stay. The toiletries offered were premium but one small disappointment was the lack of a Japanese toilet seat as is common throughout Southeast Asia.
Marriott Bonvoy’s Service and Benefits
Titanium and Ambassador elite guests enjoy a number of benefits at the JW Marriott Bangkok to enhance a guest’s stay. One of those benefits is breakfast in the lounge. Inside the executive lounge, I was able to utilize the business center to print boarding passes. For those wanting to enjoy the tropical climate Bangkok offers, seating is available outside. This is also beneficial for smokers.
The lounge utilizes an open kitchen design. I like being able to interact with the chefs and their command of English was strong (which is good because my Thai is not very good.) I was able to order custom eggs and sample both western and eastern cuisine(not all pictured.) The food was very good and I enjoyed the intimate nature of the lounge.
In addition to the upgrade to a Suite, breakfast and late checkout, I also found some welcome amenities including dessert and fresh fruit on the living room table upon my arrival. The rambutan (red fruit in the middle) are an exceptional treat and one of my favorite things to eat in Bangkok.
For more information on the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, see this post.
Value
The JW Marriott Bangkok is a good value for money. The location is excellent, the treatment of elites is phenomenal, and the service and room appointments are superb. Cash rates range from $170-200/nt for a standard room. For guests from Western countries, the cost is a little high for the city but cheap for the rest of the world.
For Marriott Bonvoy members, prices start at 80,000/nt for a standard room. This provides a value of 0.2¢ to 0.2.5¢/point, under or at Suite and Lobbies valuation of 0.45¢/point. Given that 80,000 points are worth up to $360, Suites & Lobbies recommended Bonvoy members to pay cash for stays as it is an exceptional value. For those considering other Marriott properties in Bangkok, there are many options, some of which present a greater value for money.
Accumulate points even faster with a rewards credit card. See Why The Marriott Bonvoy Credit Card May Be The Best For Travelers.
What do you think? Have you stayed at the JW Marriott Bangkok? How was your experience?
