What's it like? This former Le Meridien property is now the Intercontinental Bangkok, a high-rise hotel with fabulous views and outstanding service.
Where is it? In a busy commercial and shopping intersection, surrounded by malls and good shopping. The Grand Hyatt Erawan is only a few minutes' walk away.
How many rooms? 381 deluxe guest rooms, including 49 Club Intercontinental rooms and 39 suites.
Room facilities All the rooms have outstanding views. The 45sqm deluxe rooms have a king-size bed and twin beds, blackout curtains, cable and satellite TV with
pay-movies, alarm clock, voice mail, private direct telephone line suitable for computer communication, desk, sofa, safe, tea and coffee making facilities, minibar, hairdryer and a large bathroom with a separate shower cabin. Bathrooms are decorated in Italian marble, with spacious bathtubs, separate, glass-enclosed shower units and luxury bathroom amenities.
At this five-star end it's the little details that matter. The newly refurbished Club Intercontinental Lounge on the 32nd floor (daily surcharge of US$58.50/£34 including taxes) has a complimentary meeting room, which we used for a business meeting, as well as free drinks and internet facilities. The staff made dinner reservations for us outside the hotel, and after checking with housekeeping, my suit was pressed and returned ready for the next day. Having worked through the night I went to bed at 5am and asked for a wake-up call at 9.30am. I was left undisturbed to sleep until then, and woken on time. Arriving late for breakfast at the Executive Lounge, the staff quickly fetched back some breakfast for me.
Restaurants and Bars Summer Palace serves Cantonese food, or there's Shin Daikoku for Japanese, Espresso for all-day dining combining Eastern and Western cuisine and either à la carte or buffet for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The Oasis Bar, a rooftop pool snack bar serves cool cocktails and light snacks.
Business and meeting facilities The 24-hour business centre has a boardroom, private office space and full secretarial services including shorthand, typing, word processing, translation, fax, cable, photocopying and printing of business cards. Complimentary fax machines are available upon request and video players and mobile telephones can be hired. Meetings of between 10 and 2,000 guests can be held in 14 rooms, with individual capacities of up to 750 for dinner or 1,500 for cocktails. Technical capabilities include ISDN lines, satellite and videoconference linkage.
Leisure facilities As well as the swimming pool and sun terrace on the rooftop (open 6am-10pm daily), the large fitness centre has a spa with 13 private rooms. Treatments include the Hydro Aromatic Bath and the "Warm Your Spirit" hot stone healing therapy.
Price Full rate for a standard (king bed deluxe) room is $181 (£105). Advance purchase internet rate for a midweek stay in early December was $145 (£84). The rate is non-refundable.
Verdict One of Bangkok's top hotels, with faultless service.
Contact Intercontinental Bangkok, 973 Ploenchit Road, Bangkok 10330, tel +66 2 656 0444, bangkok.intercontinental.com.
Tom Otley
