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Originally, I had made a reservation at Hotel Muse, which was another property affiliated with ALL (Accor). However, I became aware that it was undergoing a brand change, and shortly thereafter, I received an email notifying me that the brand change was indeed taking place. Consequently, all Accor programs and discounts would no longer be applicable. Nonetheless, I was provided with the same rate as my original booking.

As one of my nights was covered through the Stay Plus benefit (a complimentary night as an Accor Plus member), that advantage can no longer be utilized, resulting in my paying the original rate for both nights. Thus, instead of paying for one night, I will be paying for two.

In the past year, more than six hotels have rebranded away from ALL. There has been no clarification regarding this sudden exodus, which is concerning, especially for Accor Plus members like myself who depend on membership benefits to enjoy valuable stays and meals at their properties.

UPGRADE

A week or two prior to my arrival, I received an email from Sofitel presenting options for an upgrade. This offer appears to be part of a “special rate,” wherein the upgrade to a Magnifique room is available for THB400 (approximately NZ$21) per night. While this rate is reasonable, it is comparable to their standard pricing, with only a slight difference.

Due to my Gold status, I was upgraded to this room without additional charges, thereby maximizing the benefits of my membership.

For guests planning a longer stay and intending to dine at the hotel or utilize the rooftop bar, the food and beverage credit may prove to be advantageous. I personally visited the rooftop bar once, taking advantage of my complimentary drink voucher along with an order of fries. However, I found it impractical to fully utilize the entire credit, unless I were to dine in the on-site restaurants as well.

For those considering a more luxurious experience, one may opt to upgrade to one of their suites. The Prestige Suite is available at a discounted rate, which could be beneficial if there are significant savings compared to their standard market rate. For an extravagant experience, the Legendary Suite appears to be among the finest accommodations in the hotel, offered at THB22000 (approximately NZ$1150) per night. This rate can be considered quite reasonable, particularly when compared to similar offerings in Western countries, where even standard suite rooms often command such prices per night.

CHECK IN

Upon arriving at the reception for check-in, I was pleased to find no queue, allowing for immediate processing. Although I was running late for my dental appointment, I remained optimistic about having ample time. However, an error occurred regarding the amount charged; I initially questioned my own memory regarding the figure. After completing the payment, I consulted the ALL app and discovered that I had been overcharged significantly. I promptly brought this to the attention of the staff, who rectified the situation without delay. Fortunately, the transaction was canceled, and the funds were swiftly returned to my account, enabling me to make another payment, which took an additional 5-10 minutes to resolve. While I do not attribute any blame to the staff for the oversight, as they process charges based on their system’s information, the situation was far from ideal given my time constraints for the appointment.

LOCATION

Sofitel is strategically situated in proximity to several Accor hotels in the vicinity. Conveniently located adjacent to the main thoroughfare, thereby enhancing accessibility to public transportation and shopping malls, which are merely a few minutes away. Nana station is accessible within a span of 6 to 8 minutes, while Terminal 21 shopping mall and Asok station can be reached in approximately 5 minutes. Furthermore, the MRT station at Sukhumvit, located next to Terminal 21, offers connections to numerous other malls within a few stops via the sky train. For those utilizing the airport rail link, Makkasan station is merely a short drive away, rendering this hotel an excellent choice for travelers seeking a central location for their stay.

In the evening, directly outside the hotel, one encounters a rather contrasting scene. The establishment is situated near a red-light district, making it a popular location for individuals engaged in sex work to occupy spots both directly outside the hotel and throughout the surrounding area. For families with children who wish to avoid exposure to this environment, it is advisable to utilize the sky train to Asok and return via the sky bridge that connects to the hotel, thereby circumventing street-level interactions and crowds. Should one be interested in exploring that sector of Bangkok, numerous street vendors are located nearby, offering a variety of interesting items, predominantly counterfeit goods, including women’s lingerie and poppers. However, it is not recommended to purchase poppers from street vendors, as the integrity of such products cannot be verified. Given the nature of inhalation, one would prefer assurance that the product is unadulterated and authentic, both of which are challenging to ascertain. It has been noted on Reddit that alternative sources for acquiring such products may exist; however, I shall leave that investigation to you.

ROOM

My initial booking was for a luxury room; however, as a Gold ALL member, I was graciously upgraded by one tier to the Magnifique room. While this accommodation is largely similar to the luxury room, it is slightly more spacious, and a premium is charged for it. I was assigned a room on the 10th floor out of a total of 32 floors. Although this is not a particularly high floor, I understand this may be due to the more economical rate at which I made my reservation, resulting in placement on a lower floor.

I was assigned to a corner room, which featured a lengthy hallway leading into it. On the right side, there was a sizable mirror, while on the left, I encountered a panel that protruded slightly. Upon opening the panel, I discovered a collection of pipes concealed behind it. Although there was a lock for the panel, it appeared that it had not been secured adequately.

Further along on the left side, one will find the bathroom, which features a bathtub on the right, a single sink, and two stalls—designated for the toilet and the shower—on the left. Proceeding further down the hallway, prior to entering the main room, there is also a closet room that houses the safe, slippers, and robes.

In the main area of the room, one will find a substantial king-sized bed positioned to the left, accompanied by two nightstands on each side, which, however, bear various items. One nightstand features a “premium” bottled water for which a charge of 290 baht is applied, while the other is equipped with an iPad and a phone. Further details regarding the iPad will be provided later.

Opposite the bed, there is a cabinet that houses the mini fridge, mini bar, and various cups and utensils. The fridge and bar are fully stocked with beverages; however, all items are chargeable, catering primarily to those who can afford the premium pricing. Additionally, a large television is positioned directly above the cabinet. Toward the end of the room, there is a generously-sized working desk accompanied by a comfortable single seat.

Upon entering the room, I noticed that the television was loudly broadcasting commercials on the welcome screen. In my search for the remote control, I discovered that it was not present. Instead, I turned to the iPad, which revealed that the entire room’s functionalities, including the television controls, were integrated with this device. While I appreciate the technological advancement of having a fully digital room, with control over every light zone, do not disturb settings, housekeeping requests, and air conditioning, it is regrettable that the iPad does not allow for adjustments to the screen brightness. This limitation is particularly concerning when one is preparing for sleep or navigating the room during the night. The full brightness of the screen can disrupt sleep, as extensive research indicates. Personally, I ensure that my devices are set to the lowest brightness with a night tint feature for these reasons.

One aspect that has particularly intrigued me is the capacity to request somewhat unconventional services, such as having housekeeping prepare a bath for you, with the option of selecting either a bubble bath or a relaxation bath. This is a first-time experience for me, so for the sake of novelty, I decided to request a bubble bath while also availing myself of the turn down service and requesting an eye mask, which is offered by the establishment. Upon returning to my room, I found that I had indeed received the eye mask and that the turn down service had been performed. However, I was disappointed to discover that the bathtub had not been filled. I wonder whether this oversight was due to a lapse in memory or if my request did not reach them.

The turndown service also included closing the blinds; however, the design of the blinds in my room does not adequately eliminate all light. As a light sleeper, even a small amount of light is sufficient to disturb my rest, which is far from ideal. Some hotels feature overlapping blinds that help mitigate light leakage, yet I have previously encountered establishments where light still penetrated from the edges.

On a positive note, I observed that the noise insulation within the room is commendably effective. While I could discern the sound of the sky train passing by, it was not overly intrusive. Apart from that, there was little to no noise from vehicles outside. Given that my room is situated on the 10th floor and along a main thoroughfare where cars were queued in abundance, it is commendable that the noise insulation proved to be effective in minimizing any potential disturbances.

While it is common for all hotels to provide Wi-Fi, Sofitel includes a feature I have not encountered in my various hotel stays in Thailand or Cambodia: a paywall for “premium internet,” which allows access to a high-speed connection for THB 390 (NZ$20) per 24 hours. At a speed of 30 Mbps, this rate is not particularly impressive; I can achieve 26 Mbps even at my extended family’s apartment with a basic internet connection. In New Zealand, where I reside, I regularly attain speeds exceeding 80 Mbps for approximately $100 per month. It appears unreasonable to charge such an amount for what I would classify as “normal speed” internet. I am also uncertain about the term “unlimited download”; does the complimentary Wi-Fi have a usage limit? It is challenging to understand why Sofitel has adopted this pricing strategy, particularly given their already elevated room rates. I believe they could easily afford to offer the “premium” internet option at no additional charge. Additionally, it may be more costly to implement a system that differentiates between complimentary and premium networks.

AMENITIES

The property features several restaurants and a splendid rooftop bar, and I even noticed a bridal boutique on the premises. Additionally, there is a swimming pool, gym, and spa; however, during my visit to the pool, it had already closed, resulting in a rather dim photograph. The gym was accessible at that time, allowing me to take a brief tour; it is situated indoors, adjacent to the spa, which may pose some confusion for those unfamiliar with its location.

As a Gold member with a complimentary drink voucher, I proceeded to the rooftop bar to inquire about its use. I was informed that it was indeed applicable; however, there was no outdoor seating available at that time. Consequently, I was seated inside until a table became available, although I did not mind this arrangement, as I am not particularly enthusiastic about the view from the 32nd floor of a building. The bar exudes an ambiance reminiscent of an old English pub, enhanced by a touch of sophistication. There was also a DJ performing until approximately 11:30 PM, which was surprisingly early, considering that patrons began to depart by midnight. I received my complimentary mojito, which was notably strong, and in a moment of indulgence, I ordered their gourmet fries as well, which I believe were priced at over $10.

COST

As previously indicated, I booked Hotel Muse utilizing my Stay Plus benefit, which I have also applied to this reservation, considering that Sofitel is a particularly high-end property where such benefits are advantageous. For a one-night stay with a promotional discount of 25%, the total amounts to THB 6,197 (NZD $312). For a two-night stay, this represents a remarkable value for such a prestigious establishment. However, even for a single night, this rate is not the most exorbitant one available, given that Thailand is generally a cost-effective travel destination. In another country, one could expect to pay upwards of $400-$500 for the same property.

If you are not an Accor Plus member, I recommend monitoring their promotions periodically, as there may be opportunities to secure advantageous rates. Should you possess a Stay Plus voucher, utilizing it at this property may be optimal, as it is among the highest-priced accommodations on the ALL Accor platform, particularly within the Bangkok city center.

ALL GOLD ELITE BENEFIT

As a Gold member, I was entitled to utilize the priority check-in counter, discreetly located in a corner not typically noticed when approaching the check-in area. Regrettably, I overlooked this counter until the following day when I needed to make an inquiry, at which point I had to wait and consequently observed it. The counter appeared underutilized and was not staffed at all times, suggesting that only those familiar with it would be inclined to seek it out. To enhance the guest experience and demonstrate appreciation for loyalty, it would have been beneficial for the staff to direct me to this check-in desk upon recognizing my Gold status. However, I am uncertain whether there was dedicated personnel assigned to this section, which may have hindered its effective utilization.

I was upgraded to the next room category; however, the additional value of that room was only approximately $30 more than my original booking. I also received a “welcome amenity” consisting of four uncut fruits and some nuts. I observed staff delivering a plate of chopped fruits to another guest, which led me to wonder if it was intended for a higher-tier elite member or someone who had made a purchase. Eating uncut fruits was somewhat inconvenient, despite being provided with a fork and knife, as it was unclear how they expected me to cut the fruit with those utensils. During check-in, I requested that the amenity be delivered to my room due to my late arrival for an appointment; however, upon my return later that evening, it had not been delivered. Consequently, I was required to approach the reception again for clarification. It reflects poorly on the establishment that I had to make this request twice, especially since it should have been addressed adequately after my check-in.

CONCLUSION

Sofitel stands out as one of the premier luxury establishments within the ALL portfolio. While there were a few shortcomings, most notably regarding billing, these issues were promptly rectified.

The hotel’s location is both convenient and accessible, being in proximity to numerous shopping malls, the sky train, and MRT. Additionally, the airport rail link station is only a short drive away, provided traffic conditions permit. It is worth mentioning that the hotel is situated near a well-known red light district, which may be a consideration for families due to the presence of working individuals in the vicinity.

The accommodations exuded luxury and the craftsmanship was commendable; however, it was noted that one of the room’s wall panels was left unsecured, which I initially mistook for a closet but was intended for maintenance access to plumbing. Furthermore, the blackout blinds did not fully seal, allowing some light to penetrate, necessitating “creative” solutions for complete darkness, which is less than ideal.

I did not have the opportunity to view the pool during the day, hence I cannot provide commentary on it, but the gym appeared to be notably spacious and well-equipped, surpassing the facilities found in many other hotel gyms I have encountered.

The King-sized bed felt larger than the standard, though I am uncertain if this is attributable to the duvet used or the combination of two beds. Regardless, the bed was extraordinarily comfortable and the pillows were remarkable; I wished that other hotels offered similar pillows and would consider purchasing one for personal use.

One concern I have pertains to the internet paywall established by the hotel. While I did not upload any videos to assess the speed, the normal download speed provided by the complimentary package seemed adequate for general use. Therefore, additional payment may be unnecessary unless one intends to stream or upload content that exceeds the normal network’s capability or reaches the prescribed limits.

Furthermore, housekeeping could benefit from enhancing their attention to guest requests. Despite submitting multiple requests simultaneously for efficiency, it was disappointing that my request for a bubble bath was overlooked, necessitating an additional delay of 15 to 20 minutes for resolution.

In conclusion, while I am generally satisfied with the room and service, there remains significant room for improvement. The absence of the welcome amenity and the incomplete fulfillment of housekeeping requests fall short of the expectations associated with their price point and esteemed reputation as a five-star establishment.

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