333, Choet Wutthakat Road, Don Mueang, Don Mueang, Bangkok, Thailand | (888) 551-4925
Reasonable rates, and a location right by the airport
Spacious, modern rooms with good soundproofing
Free Wi-Fi
Turndown service in all the rooms
Free shuttle service to the train station
Two restaurants on-site with buffet options
Large, well-maintained swimming pool and adequate fitness center
Worn decor throughout the hotel; old carpets in rooms need replacement
No room service
Far from central Bangkok with no direct mass transport
This sprawling mid-range hotel provides a convenient resting place for those arriving at or departing from Don Muang Airport, which is connected to the hotel by a covered walkway. The common areas and guest rooms are showing wear, but overall the hotel is comfortable enough. Rooms have attractive, modern, Asian-influenced decor. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, a business center, and a fitness center and outdoor swimming pool that are never too crowded. There are two restaurants, and breakfast and lunch buffets. Just note that the hotel sometimes hosts noisy tour groups.
Scene
A once-bustling hub for travelers that is now underutilized
Like the airport that it serves, this Amari hotel (one of several in Bangkok) now receives far fewer visitors than it once did. There's a sense of faded grandeur about the place: The large common areas like the restaurant and pool, while perfectly functional, are often nearly practically empty. The wood paneling and beige furniture in the lobby maybe looked edgy in the 1980s, but today it just looks dated. The atmosphere of the hotel can change dramatically depending on who is staying, and sometimes noisy tour groups can be disruptive to other travelers. The hotel draws all types of guests looking for a quick stopover, as its main draw is its airport proximity.
Location
Unbeatable for those using Don Muang Airport, but far from the city
Passengers arriving at Don Muang don't even have to step into the Bangkok humidity to reach the Amari: There is an air-conditioned walkway connecting the airport to the hotel. This walkway is also home to a number of food stalls and a 7/11. From the hotel, the drive to Bankgok's other airport, Suvarnabhumi, takes about 45 minutes in good traffic. Bangkok's city center is a 30-minute drive away in good traffic but can take twice as long if the roads are congested. The hotel also offers a free shuttle bus to the Mo Chit MRT subway and BTS Skytrain, which connect to central Bangkok. From the hotel, the shuttle takes about 25 minutes to reach Mo Chit, and the trains take about 15 minutes to reach the city center.
Rooms
Spacious rooms with modern but slightly worn decor
The 429 guest rooms and suites at the Amari come in various configurations, but even the Standard Room is spacious at 345 square feet. Deluxe Family Rooms are twice the size, and suites are even bigger. The rooms are all decorated in the same way: Thick red-and-orange carpets on the floors, heavy brown curtains, and streamlined wooden furniture. The white walls and bedding provide a welcome dose of brightness. Asian influences are visible in the artwork and some of the accent fabrics. Standard amenities include free (if patchy) Wi-Fi, cable TVs, minibars, and a turndown service. Bathrooms are clean and generously proportioned, with showers over tubs. Soundproofing in the rooms is good.Although the overall standard of maintenance in the rooms is high, the carpets could use a clean. Some guests have reported cockroaches in their rooms, although no insects were observed by Oyster.
Features
Good work options for professionals and adequate fitness facilities
The Amari makes a point of its conference facilities, which are indeed extensive, and its business center, which is modern and – like so many other features at the hotel – barely used by other guests. There is a large outdoor swimming pool, which is kept clean and temperate, and a fitness center, which, while not state of the art, is adequate for a standard workout. There are two restaurants: Zeppelin, which serves an a la carte menu as well asa buffet breakfast every day, and a buffet lunch during the week; and Henry J. Bean’s Bar & Grill, which serves classic American fare. While the food at both venues is fresh, it's not particularly exciting or good value.