Hotel Review: InterContinental Bangkok (Executive Deluxe Room) - Adjacent to Chit Lom BTS Station
When I visited Bangkok back in February (yes this stay was almost 8 months back), the hotel rates were through the roof for some reason on that weekend that I was there. As such, I decided to redeem some of my IHG Rewards Club points for a stay at the InterContinental Bangkok. I flew in from Haneda to Bangkok on Japan Airlines Business Class and was pleasantly impressed by the overall experience - the food (both in terms of taste and presentation) was great and the on-board service was truly memorable. Even though I was given a premium lane pass, I decided to use the automated gates instead since the queue there was even shorter.
Click HERE to read about my flight from Haneda to Bangkok on Japan Airlines!
The best way to get from the Suvarnabhumi Airport to theInterContinental Bangkok is via a private transfer and I usually do so using Klook since it costs less than what a taxi would typically cost. Now the only catch is that the drivers are usually nice enough to wait but if your flight is seriously delayed, you should definitely consider offering some additional tip to compensate them for the lost time. If you do not already have a Klook account, using my sign-up link will give you S$4.40 off your first eligible booking. The ride from the airport took approximately 45 minutes since there was some traffic but as soon as I got in to the InterContinental Bangkok, my bags were quickly taken care of and I was ushered to the check-in area of the lobby.
Despite this being a Reward Night (which I paid just 40,000 IHG Rewards Club Points for), I was recognised as an InterContinental Ambassador member and to my surprise, I was told that I have been given a one-level upgrade to an Executive Deluxe Room. In fact, I was also being assigned a corner room so in reality it was larger than most rooms of the same category. For some reason, they have also accorded me with complimentary breakfast for two (even though it's not a benefit that is advertised?) which was very useful since I actually wanted to sleep in a bit more the next day.
The Executive Deluxe rooms here in the InterContinental Bangkok are similar to the Grande Deluxe rooms (lead-in room category) but it comes with a number of enhanced benefits like complimentary laundering for two clothing articles per stay as well as 15% discount off all other laundry needs and Business Center services. As I have mentioned earlier, complimentary breakfast is not something that comes with the room so I am not sure why I was given that but hey I will take it. The Executive Deluxe rooms are typically 45 sqm in size but since mine was a corner room, it felt (and probably is) a lot larger.
Located on higher floors, the Executive Deluxe rooms have a panoramic city view and my room actually looked out to the relatively-new Park Hyatt Bangkok (which I have been meaning to check out). If you are planning to stay at the Park Hyatt Bangkok, you should consider booking an FHR rate for some guaranteed benefits (especially if you do not have meaningful World of Hyatt status) - these benefits include things like daily breakfast for two, 4:00PM late check-out as well as a complimentary lunch or dinner for two. The InterContinental Bangkok is conveniently located next to Chit Lom BTS Station so it is super convenient to get around. While taxis are typically quite affordable in Bangkok (as long as you do not pay fixed rates for your rides), the traffic condition around the hotel is quite bad and if you are heading in and out of Siam, it is actually a lot faster if you take the BTS.
Consistent to my InterContinental Ambassador benefits, I was given a bowl of fresh fruits as one of my welcome amenities. What is more impressive however is the fact that these fruits were covered using a plastic wrap at turndown since I have not touched them yet. Now this may not be the most impressive fruit bowl that I have gotten over the years (you should check out my welcome amenity in Rydges Auckland for that!) but it is always nice when a property adheres to brand standards.
One of the things that I look forward to with every stay at an InterContinental property is the Ambassador Gift - I have gotten things like symbolic plush toys, teas, key-chains to even more ridiculous things like letter openers (who uses them these days?!). When I stayed at the InterContinental Bangkok, I was given an aromatic herbal tea elephant doll that smells of well, herbal tea. I love these gifts since they are great for re-gifting and if you are ever stuck on a plane with a crying baby, they come in very handy as well - just make sure they are safe to be given away!
The bed here at the InterContinental Bangkok is dreamy and I do not say this a lot - the sheets are incredibly smooth (seriously, how is that possible?!) and they remind me of the ones that I truly love from Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas. The Executive Deluxe rooms come with either a king-size bed of twin bed configuration so make sure you let the property know your preference prior to arrival (especially if you are booking it on points!).
WiFi is complimentary here for hotel guests and I do believe that all IHG Rewards Club members get free internet all around the world at participating properties. To charge for internet access in a city is quite blasphemous in this day and age. There is a sizeable work desk here at the InterContinental Bangkok and this property is often regarded as a business hotel due to its proximity to various international offices in the vicinity.
The room that I stayed in had a connecting door which is great if you are traveling with friends or family and it also has a decent selection of channels on the flat screen TV. You will also find a pair of lounge chairs with a coffee table by the side situated directly in front of the bed - this addition probably makes more sense in a regular room since the position is kind of awkward in my opinion.
There is both a bathtub as well as a shower here in the Executive Deluxe room but the bathroom is probably where the property reveals most about its age. The InterContinental Bangkok was built back in 1998 and even though it was only renovated in 2009, the decor is starting to look dated and the age of this property is certainly starting to show.
Like all the InterContinental hotels that I have been to, bath amenities here are provided by Agraria (which smell like dish-washing liquid in my opinion) so I always make it a point to travel with my own amenities if I am staying at an InterContinental property.
Buffet breakfast is served at Espresso from 6:00AM to 10:30AM every day and if your room rate does not come with breakfast, it is made available at THB 795++ (approximately S$34++) per person. It is also probably worth inquiring about a discounted breakfast rate at check-in if you know beforehand that you will require this the next morning. There are a number of live food stations and your orders will be brought to you - just make sure you pick up one of the small table number tags so they can easily deliver your food to you.
While I did not spend much time at the InterContinental Bangkok (which is the main reason why I have put off this hotel review for so long), it is seriously quite a good property. I did not expect to be won over but the service that I have experienced here has been genuine, the beds are amazing to sleep in and the location of this property is really quite ideal if you are planning on staying around the city - it is also very easy to get by on the BTS. I will probably not spend 40,000 IHG Rewards Club points here again since there are so many great properties to stay in in Bangkok but I will most certainly consider staying here again if I am heading to the City of Angels.
InterContinental Bangkok
973 Phloen Chit Rd, Khwaeng Lumphini, Khet Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand
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Used one of my Nightly Upgrade Awards (NUAs) at the W Osaka to secure a beautiful Marvelous Suite. The hotel is located on Midosuki Boulevard and within walking distance to Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori.