Arnoma Grand Bangkok

Guests at the Arnoma Grand are greeted by an impressive, high-ceilinged lobby with gleaming, marble floors. A hanging chandelier is styled to look like falling rain, while the front desk features a vibrant, backlit marble panel. The large, open-plan lobby is also home to a tea lounge, furnished with plush sofas and cushioned chairs, as well as the elegant international buffet restaurant, which has large glass windows overlooking the street and neighboring CentralWorld, one of the world's largest malls. The hotel's common spaces have a large-scale, almost corporate feeling to them, and some of the more dated aspects of the hotel show in the hallways, which are lined with patterned carpets. There are a wide array of facilities for both tourists and business travelers, so the hotel attracts a wide range of guests, and the lobby area is always crowded and bustling. 

The hotel is located right in the heart of Bangkok's central shopping district, across the street from the CentralWorld, one of the world's largest shopping malls. Gaysorn Plaza, a luxury goods mall, is next door as well. Bangkok is crazy about shopping malls, and the hotel's up-market Chitlom location is filled with plenty of them, should travelers need to escape the city's punishing heat and humidity. The location means that there are lots of restaurants, bars, cafes, and shops around, but there is heavy traffic which comes to virtual standstill during rush hour, and at this time, traveling by road is inconvenient. It's a seven-minute walk around the corner to the skytrain station at Chit Lom, which gives easy access to sights throughout the city. Siam Paragon and Siam Square are about a 10- to 15-minute walk via the Skywalk, while Pratunam Market can be reached in about 10 minutes. There's plenty of nightlife along Sukhumvit Road, which is a 20-minute walk east, or one stop on the skytrain -- a taxi can make the trip in five minutes without traffic. Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang Airports are technically a 25-minute drive from the hotel, though both can take up to an hour to reach depending on traffic.

There are 369 rooms in the Arnoma Grand, and all are spacious and feature Thai-inspired decor, carpeted floors, and dark wood veneer furniture. The look would have been elegant a couple decades earlier, but the bland color palette, uninspired wall art, and heavy textiles don't feel fresh, especially when compared to the many sleek and chic design hotels in the city. Modern amenities include flat-screen TVs, minibars, safes, electric hot water kettles, and free Wi-Fi. Superior Rooms start at 25 square meters of space (269 square feet), and Deluxe Rooms are a bit larger and have sofas. Junior Suites are even bigger and add DVD players. Club Floor Rooms reside on higher floors and guests receive access to the Club Lounge. Decor in these rooms is a bit brighter, but the style is essentially the same as lower category rooms. Not all rooms enjoy great views -- some look onto the mall across the street while others have decent views of Bangkok's cityscape. Bathrooms have both showers and bathtubs in most rooms, though only shower/tub combos in Superior Rooms. They are decked out in marble tile, giving them a dash of sophistication. Noise from neighboring guests and hallways can be an issue in some rooms. 

The Arnoma Grand Bangkok offers an array of facilities that include a small outdoor swimming pool situated under a covered roof, as well as a hot tub and kids' pool, plus there's a poolside bar. There are some sun loungers here, but not many, and very little open sunny space for those who want to soak up the rays. Next to the pool is a fitness center with a reasonable selection of dated weight machines and limited cardio options, along with men's and women's saunas. The hotel is also home to extensive events facilities, with a large ballroom and several meeting rooms for seminars, weddings, and other group events. For dining, the hotel's spacious Mango 99 restaurant serves buffet breakfasts along with great value international lunch buffets, a la carte dinners, and a menu featuring both Thai and international dishes. Breakfast is not included with room rates. The Camelot Wine Pub is a traditional English pub, and there's also a tea lounge in the lobby. A terrace bar is open during the day and evening, with a bakery and outdoor tables shaded by umbrellas.Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, and everything from babysitting to laundry services and car bookings can be arranged for a fee.