Grand President Bangkok

From the outside, the smallest tower at the front looks the most attractive, and guests can see the fronds of tropical plants poking out from the rooftop (where one of the three pools is located). On first impressions, the hotel appears to be more luxurious than it actually is, and this becomes apparent when guests step inside and realize that the decor within the building doesn't live up to the standard the hotel sets from the street. The lobby has low ceilings, dim lighting; it looks like an airport terminal and its furniture is tired looking. The Grand President Bangkok lacks the jazzy decor that guests might find in a boutique hotel, or the homely vibe found in backpacker hostels. Nothing stands out and wows, and it resembles a mostly homogenized chain hotel throughout. The staff are friendly and will remember your name if you're a repeat visitor. The hotel is popular with an array of travelers who flock here for the low rates and excellent location, from solo guests to business people and families.

After guests have gaped at the seedy, red-light Nana neighborhood, they can explore the trendy street where this property is located, to get away from the working girls and persistent hawkers of pirated DVDs.  Sukhumvit Soi 11 is a beacon for an astonishing range of people who are attracted by the bars, restaurants and clubs that line the street on either side. The variety of evening entertainment in Sukhumvit Soi 11 is excellent. Restaurants are found towards the beginning of the soi, which then give way to fun-time bars, dance clubs, and pop-up Voltzwagen camper van bars selling cocktails in buckets (popular with the gap year crowd). There's tourists, expats and locals, all out and about, having a good time. There are also a few "working" ladies that hang out close to the Ambassador Hotel offering massage. If you want to see the many faces of Bangkok, Sukhumvit Soi 11 has them all. Soi Cowboy, a street that roars with the noise of rowdy go-go bars is a 15-minute walk from the hotel, and is the place to go for eye-popping late night entertainment.

Nearby is Terminal 21, a sprawling shopping mall that has a range of different restaurants and retail outlets. For culture vultures, the Grand Palace is a must-see, and is about a 30-minute bus ride. It's an architectural delight that contains old palaces that date back to the reign of King Rama I, and are covered in gold mosaics that glitter in the sun. One of the most famous night markets in the whole of Bangkok -- located on Sukhumvit Soi 38 -- is a 30-minute bus ride away, where travelers can sample the whole shebang when it comes to Thai street food.

The hotel is a 10-minute walk from Sukhumvit MRT Station which has metro stops all over the capital. It is an hour’s drive from Suvarnabhumi International Airport, but it's cheaper to get there via the sky train and metro lines.

The good points about the rooms at the Grand President Bangkok are the cool marble flooring that is more welcome underfoot than wall-to-wall carpeting in the stickier months, and bathrooms that have bathtubs as well as showers. Guests will find the usual amenities like flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning and comfortable -- yet firm -- beds that have smart white linens and soft headboards. The bad points are the dark furniture that looks very 1980s, and some of the bathrooms suffer from mildew and cracked tiles. Although the rooms all have kitchenettes, some guests have complained that the appliances don't work and that they could do with a thorough cleaning. Non-smoking rooms often smell stale, and it is clear that guests bend the rules when it comes to lighting up inside. Tower One's rooms are the most recently renovated, while Tower Three has rooms with the lowest rates. Toiletries are provided and the bath towels are mostly fluffy and fresh. The best views are higher up in the building, where guests look out onto the skyscrapers and rooftops of the city, which become spectacular when lit up at night.

The hotel has three outdoor swimming pools that are located up on the rooftops, and are generally not crowded. The pools are well maintained and have mature plants to soften up the surroundings and make it appear more like a green oasis. The Grand President Bangkok's restaurant serves Indian food, and the breakfasts are generally well received. In particular, guests are positive about the way that the eggs are cooked. A bar/lounge, and a coffee shop/cafe are found on-site and the hotel has a sauna, steam room, and fitness center that's well-stocked with a good range of cardiovascular machines and free weights. The business center is small -- with only two computers -- and the gigantic fax machine is an out-of-date relic.