Picking a 5* close to Nana

[John Irving]

Hello all,

First time in Bangkok (not counting the backpacking days) and looking to stay for a week at the end of January. Would like a 5* hotel, because I have gotten too old to do budget. However, if possible at all I'd rather spend a bit local company than on accommodation.

What's important to me is privacy and guest-friendly and comfortable rooms. Ideally also a bar with nice cocktails, but that's not a must-have.

Options thus far are:
- Maison Hotel
- The Landmark
- Marriot
- Hyatt Regency

Note that the first two are significantly cheaper, so if any of those work that'd be great. If not, let me know what I got wrong!

[JVHyatt]

responded in the other thread.  Maison is not a five star.  period.  I dont give a fuck what their website says.

And when you say “Marriott” not sure which you mean as there are several, I assume JW.  Nice but small rooms and strangely no direct Soi 4 access, although it’s just around the corner on Soi 2.

Add Sheraton Grande.  At Asok but easily walkable to NEP (and Phrom Phong, which you’ll want to visit) and direct BTS access, great pool area and large entry level rooms.  There are many, many other five stars near or outside the Sukhumvit corridor like Park Hyatt, Intercontinental, Grand Hyatt, et al. as well but first time you should stay in Lower Sukhumvit.

Also the Sofitel, but the direct bts access is to the Asok stop and a bit of a walk (covered).  Nice hotel but not cheap.  Great pool tho.

Hyatt Regency is probably the best imho all in, but depends on what is important to you and as for hotel bars, you dont have to stay at a hotel to use the bar so less of a concern from my perspective.

Edited September 8, 2025 by JVHyatt

[John Irving]

Thanks! That explains why it's a third of the price.

Will probably go with a corner room at The Landmark, always nice to have a bit of additional surface area to enjoy with company.

[little_me]

The Hyatt is much newer, if that matters. 

I've stayed at the Marriot (JW) and Landmark in the past and am aware they've been remodeled since. The Hyatt wasn't there back then.

There's also a Westin across from the Sheraton that no one ever mentions. It's odd, lobby on a higher floor, same building as Robinsons I think.

Marriot is probably closest to Nana, at least the least annoying walk.

And I never ate at the Marriot, would assume the food is at least good, but, it was over 10 year back, but the food at the Landmark was phenomenal, except the upper floor fancy restaurant, the pub in the basement and ground floor cafe were impressed me (not that hard, but hey, I don't usually get too excited over food).

I've only just walked by the Hyatt, more than a few times though. Looked nice from the street. I remember there seemed to be a flashy night club that looked interesting, but never any crowd or signs anyone was there, as far as I could tell walking by.

And a little further down the street is I think the Radison Blu, can only comment on the roof top bar which was nice. Probably pretty mediocre on the scale of roof top bars in Bangkok, but it was close and nice enough, easy enough to walk in and get a seat. Hotel lobby was pretty classy, but very empty, bar with piano there, but no one around.

And the Radison is about 200-300 meters further than the Sheraton which is 200-300 meters further than the Hyatt which is 200-300 meters further than the Landmark. It adds up.

[JVHyatt]

No one mentions the Westin bc it’s sub five star imho.  rooms old and the lobby and entry situation is weird.  Also no direct covered BTS access although it’s right next to it.  Good pool though.

Radisson Blu also good I agree, but first timers probably want to stay in the prime Soi 2 to Asok corridor.  There’s also other great hotels on Soi 22-24 like Hilton, Marriott Marquis, Hilton Doubletree, Skyview, et al. which are far better values overall imho.

Also down Soi 11 you have Aira, a baby five star (more four that five really), and some other three to four stars, but I detest Soi 11.

Again, imho Hyatt Regency is the best of the prime Lower Sukh bunch, but prices now reflect that.  Second I would say is Sheraton Grande (rooms a bit old but more classic than dated).  Third, Sofitel (only third bc of the high prices and shitty points program for Accor). Fourth JW as pool sucks although was recently remodeled, not sure to what extent, but has best executive lounge on the corridor.  

 

[John Irving]

On 9/9/2025 at 12:06 PM, JVHyatt said:

Again, imho Hyatt Regency is the best of the prime Lower Sukh bunch, but prices now reflect that.  Second I would say is Sheraton Grande (rooms a bit old but more classic than dated).  Third, Sofitel (only third bc of the high prices and shitty points program for Accor). Fourth JW as pool sucks although was recently remodeled, not sure to what extent, but has best executive lounge on the corridor.  

 

Yeah, the price for Hyatt was almost 2.5x and others close to 2x when compared with The Landmark, even when getting a bigger corner room. I am not necessarily a budget traveler, but that's a steep premium for a smaller room.

In the end I don't think I'll remember how nice the hotel was, rather who I brought back to it.

[TB2]

I think Landmark is a good choice for the location, price for a 5 star hotel and generally nice amenities (e.g., the Gym is really nice if that matters to you). 

The downsides are when I went in January this year, they hadn't finished the renovations on the basement level restaurants and shops (not sure if they are now complete) and the rooms felt a bit dated compared to newer hotels like the Hyatt. 

Since you mentioned privacy, the entrance isn't really discreet if that matters to you (it shouldn't since the staff doesn't care). 

[John Irving]

1 hour ago, TB2 said:

I think Landmark is a good choice for the location, price for a 5 star hotel and generally nice amenities (e.g., the Gym is really nice if that matters to you). 

I might check out the gym, usually go running to clear my head but Bangkok temps and pollution might disagree with that.

1 hour ago, TB2 said:

Since you mentioned privacy, the entrance isn't really discreet if that matters to you (it shouldn't since the staff doesn't care). 

When I wrote that I had my backpacking years in mind. Shared dorms and every single event being broadcasted on socials wasn't really conducive to a great mongering experience. Don't really care about the staff and don't think they care about me.

[little_me]

On 9/9/2025 at 3:06 AM, JVHyatt said:

JW as pool sucks

Actually swimming for exercise, not just some water decor to lay out on a chair and bake next to, I thought it was great. But that's off, probably 20 year old memory.  It was larger than most, maybe even close to a full 25 yards, and easily wide enough for several people to swim lap with kids playing if they stick to a side (big if there).

7 hours ago, John Irving said:

I might check out the gym, usually go running to clear my head but Bangkok temps and pollution might disagree with that.

Using the swimming pool for actual swimming, laps, for exercise? Back in the days with a 2:00 am closing, if not in bed by then, good time for a run. But with 3:00 am closing, a late barfine and short time, you start pushing 5:00 am, and no one should be out running then...

[JVHyatt]

On 9/11/2025 at 2:16 PM, John Irving said:

Yeah, the price for Hyatt was almost 2.5x and others close to 2x when compared with The Landmark, even when getting a bigger corner room. I am not necessarily a budget traveler, but that's a steep premium for a smaller room.

In the end I don't think I'll remember how nice the hotel was, rather who I brought back to it.

actually the opposite.  you’ll see.

[John Irving]

11 hours ago, JVHyatt said:

actually the opposite.  you’ll see.

Haha, that's why all trip reports have such detailed reviews of the room amenities :)

[JVHyatt]

at my age I tend to remember bullshitting with the lounge chef more than most of the girls.