Is there any city in the world that can match Bangkok for its range of quality, great value hotel venues? Accor director of sales – business events, Jenifer Dwyer Slee, took some PCOs along to find out.
BY JENIFER DWYER SLEE
Our small group of conference organisers recently flew from Australia to the Thai capital to see some of the city’s newest venues. And we certainly weren’t disappointed.
The educational started in style at the Qantas First Class Lounge in Sydney, which set the tone for a tour of indulgence that didn’t end till the Qantas jet touched down back in Sydney almost a week later.
Bangkok is such a dynamic city at the moment that Accor has opened 10 new four and five-star hotels over the past two years, all with significant meeting and event facilities.
The first port of call was Sofitel Sukhumvit, located on one of the city’s liveliest streets. This stunning luxury hotel boasts 345 exquisite rooms and suites and tremendous city views, which are best enjoyed from the Sofitel’s stunning rooftop venue L’Appart. Ideal for entertaining, the venue has a Parisian Haussmann-style feel to it and features a luxurious lounge, library, a state-of-the-art open kitchen and an outdoor terrace which is at its best at night time.
The spa facilities at Sofitel’s Le Club ensured the group was fully de-stressed for its move across town to Pullman King Power, the very first Pullman to open in the world. A very sleek hotel and hugely popular for meetings, the vast swimming pool, gym and spa and King Power Duty Free store next door showed that it wasn’t all about business.
A second Pullman opened recently in famous Silom Road called Pullman Bangkok G, close to the shopping and entertainment districts around Patpong Road. We were extremely impressed with the “white rooms” that were fresh and stylish, with the floor to ceiling windows making the most of the city landscape. The hotel has 12 meeting rooms and excellent restaurants and bars.
Another Accor brand that has made a major impact in Bangkok is MGallery. Vie Hotel was the first to open and earlier this year was joined by the very exciting Hotel Muse. The hotel is quite different from most other luxury hotels in the city with a style reminiscent of style-driven boutique hotels in Paris and New York. The top-floor Speakeasy restaurant and bar is a popular nightspot with the food, wine and entertainment matching the sparkling city lights.
Sofitel So Bangkok has been acclaimed as Bangkok’s most sophisticated new hotel in decades, which is hardly surprising given that it is a result of an incredible fusion between some of Thailand’s best designers and legendary French designer, Christian Lacroix. “Jaw-droppingly beautiful,” declared one of the group. It certainly makes a remarkable statement, which is carried through to the restaurants and bars, the four styles of rooms and the eye-catching spa. The Lumpini Park location is another asset.
Our final port of call was Novotel Platinum, on top of the Platinum Mall, the hub of Bangkok’s fashion centre. Blending comfort and technology, the hotel is perfect for small meetings, especially for those delegates who like quality shopping.
There really is no better time to book a venue in Bangkok.