“Where to stay in Surawong, Bangkok - sweet & bitter memories at Red Planet”
[This is a rather long review] I have initially booked the hotel in December 2017. Unfortunately, one of my family members pass away and I have to amend the dates to my recent stay in August (after getting help from the online travel agent and the hotel helpline [confirmation on change dates in emails].
Here are my two cents of my experience (sweet & bitter) staying with this hotel:- What’s best about this hotel A car park with sufficient places to park your car and this is a plus point if you decided to drive in Bangkok. Clean - the hotel, the room and the surrounding Very satisfy for the power shower Good and reliable internet I am very glad & happy with the international electrical plugs/socket. What's more, thanks for having two (2) USB port for us to charge our mobile devices [Not many hotels will do this]. Your house-keeping ladies were very nice.
Unfortunately, my suppose [desirable] happy holiday mood doesn't last long and the main reason is the staff. I believe it is due to miscommunication or mishandling between the hotel and the online travel agent (which is very famous, btw) and the hotel yet to receive the payment voucher. The hotel demanded me to contact the travel agent to ask them to pay. Not only that, I was given an indication that I must pay a huge deposit (THB 5000) because of this (or else ...). Problem is, it happened on my last night of my 5 days stay and it was maybe around 11 pm, and it is really between the hotel and the online travel agency. When I pay the deposit [fearful of my credit card information, which I found an ATM nearby and paid by cash], there was not even a receipt given! Is this the practice? If it is, I would want to know and see the SOP (standard operating procedure) of having customer responsible to contact the online travel agency and collecting deposit without a receipt.
Though it was successfully solved before I check out, I have spent a huge amount of energy [and maybe money] of calling both travel agency and the Red Planet HQ [Thanks Arm for helping!} to solve this. The deposit was return to me but there was no comfort / sorry for the inconvenience from the staff [blank face, seriously?]. Nevertheless, Susie from the hotel did email but it was brief saying regret this happened.
Room for improvement:- Your staff really need to re-train for customer service and more specifically, crisis management [seriously you are a chain hotel and going to make further expansion in coming years]. Except one or two which I encounter is ok and cheerful, others may feel that this is another day, another task attitude and there is utterly "no trust" to your customer [as if I will be running away in the midnight] Maintenance for your air conditioner? In the third night, the air-condition in my room was dripping water [but your team solve it quickly]
Hotel location and surrounding Attached to a western restaurant and 7-11 (yeah! who don't like it when in Thailand) Quite a few attractions, not too far away, i.e. Mahamariamman Temple, Wat Hua Lam Phong, shopping complex, night markets [Patpong & Silom]. It's a bit dark in that area after 11 pm and safety might be a concern for ladies. Not exactly near to MRT or BTS. For elderly, unless you are taking taxi/tuk-tuk, the walking distance can be quite tiring and quite dark after 11pm. I have walked to both MRT and BTS, both routes were dark at night. The nearest MRT is Sam Yan or Si Lom and BTS is Sala Daeng or Chong Nonsi, which about 600m away each.
Overall, with the mixture sweet and bitter, I am not sure should it should be categorized as a three (3) star hotel but I think it is still a nice hotel to stay at Surawong yet with lots of improvement in customer service/ attitude from staff [which a 3 Star hotel suppose to have, otherwise, it...
Read moreMy recent stay at the Red Planet Bangkok Surawong was a pleasant surprise. Situated in the heart of Bangkok, this hotel offers a perfect blend of affordability and comfort, making it an ideal choice for travelers seeking value without compromising on quality.From the moment I arrived, the staff were friendly and efficient. Check-in was quick, and they provided a detailed overview of the hotel’s amenities and nearby attractions. The lobby is modern and welcoming, with a cozy seating area where guests can relax or catch up on emails using the free Wi-Fi.My room was clean and well-maintained, with a comfortable bed and crisp linens. The bathroom was spotless, featuring a hot shower and all the essentials like towels and toiletries. I appreciated the small yet thoughtful details, such as the mini-fridge (which was restocked daily with water and snacks) and the blackout curtains that ensured a peaceful night’s sleep.The location of Red Planet Bangkok Surawong is another major plus. It’s centrally located in the Surawong area, which puts you within walking distance of popular landmarks like Lumpini Park, BTS stations, and shopping centers. The hotel’s proximity to public transportation makes exploring Bangkok effortless, whether by subway or taxi.One of the standout features of this hotel is its rooftop terrace. A great spot to unwind after a day of exploring, it offers stunning views of the city skyline. I enjoyed sitting there with a drink from the bar, soaking in the vibrant energy of Bangkok.The breakfast buffet was another highlight. Served daily in the hotel’s restaurant, it featured a variety of both Western and Asian options, including fresh fruits, pastries, bread, and even street food-inspired dishes like pad Thai and tom yum soup. It was filling and delicious, setting a great start to each day.I also appreciated the convenience of having an on-site便利店 (convenience store) and a 24-hour security desk, which adds a sense of safety and ease for solo travelers like myself.While no stay is perfect, there were a couple of minor drawbacks. The corridor leading to my room could have been cleaner, and there was some noise from the street outside during peak hours. However, these are relatively small issues that didn’t detract significantly from my overall experience.In conclusion, Red Planet Bangkok Surawong offers great value for its price point, with a central location, comfortable rooms, and excellent service. It’s a fantastic option for travelers looking to explore Bangkok without breaking the bank. I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone visiting Thailand’s vibrant...
Read moreRed Planet Bangkok Surawong is the best there is for a boutique hotel right in the heart of Bangkok, and about 700 metres to the Patpong Night Market. Patrons, hôteliers, taxi drivers, and enthusiasts may not know where's Surawong? Well, Surawong is nestled in a surprising quiet and vibrant neighbourhood in Silom. Telling taxi or Grab drivers where's Surawong is like describing a needle in a haystack. They pretty much where's Thanon Surawong or Surawong Road. But tell them it's in Silom close to Sala Daeng or Chong Nonsi 'sky train' stations, and they know the area.||Red Planet is a fantastic boutique hotel in realm of mid range hotels like Ibis, Holiday Inn, Travelodge, Mercure, etc. But it gives the competition a run for the money because it's an upgrade for a single budget room with an attached bathroom. Most midrange may not have that sort of pricing, hence, it gives Red Planet, the edge when it comes to budget. ||Like most travellers I don't prefer the luxury because, a day's or night's rest after a long travel is more important. Now, if you're or want amenities to pamper your lifestyle, this isn't your hotel. I suggest the more upend boutiques like the Accor range. They're indeed great in that sense.||However, I have a suggestion for Red Planet. Have flexible shower heads, instead of the attached and elongated shower head extended from the piping system. Sometimes when we go out we just want to use the flexible shower head to relax and clean our bodies a little bit more. Those nitty gritty difficult wash areas, the fkexble shower heads can get to them.||Nevertheless, Red Planet Hotels are indeed the best for any sort of travellers. Just download the app from the Playstore and you're off to your wonderful experience. Moreover, by using the app, patrons do get great discounts for their stay.||As usual, be nice, and you can a wondrous experience in...
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