Pinnacle Lumpinee Park Hotel

The mid-range Pinnacle Lumpinee Park Hotel greets guests in a most unusual way, with a pair of small parrots on perches at the front door -- it's a nice hello to what is in many ways a pleasant, if nondescript hotel. Thai flourishes abound, in spite of the corporate vibe of the hotel's modern interiors. The lobby has a marble floor with a multi-colored carpeting that leads to the reception desk. There's plenty of space that's been separated into several sitting areas with comfortable sofas and chairs, plus a more inviting and open area somewhat hidden behind several large pillars. There are large Thai art pieces everywhere, from giant paintings of ethnic hill tribes in traditional dress to a set of patterned brass gongs hanging from the ceiling. A large aquarium is set at one end of the lobby, which has a few dining tables, and is actually part of one of the hotel's restaurants. The hotel attracts guests from across the spectrum, but some of the seams are showing on the age here, and the vibe can be a bit budget overall.

The Pinnacle Lumpinee Park Hotel is located slightly off the main tourist track in central Bangkok. The hotel is one metro stop from Silom Road, the heart of lots of nightlife and dining (it's a 20 minute walk to the same area). The hotel is right near Lumpini Park, which is central Bangkok's largest public green space, with jogging paths, a lake, boat rides, and free symphony concerts in the dry season. It's just a 10-minute walk to the park's entrance, where the metro station of the same name is located and can connect guests to the rest of the city and skytrain. The hotel itself sits on a side street just off of very busy Rama IV Road. The hotel's street is heavily trafficked and full of cars and motorcycles throughout the day. Fortunately, the hotel sits back from the street, which insulates it from any noise. One plus of staying here is that guests are isolated from the tourist hassles that plague other hotels in Bangkok's more tourist-heavy zones, however, there aren't too many choices for food and drink in the immediate area.

There are 175 rooms to choose from at the Pinnacle Lumpinee Park, including a mixture of rooms and suites. The style is a bit outdated, with old school wood veneer furniture, bland color schemes, and a good deal of wear on everything from furniture to doors and walls in many rooms. While most rooms have the same basic look and style, there are a few differences. The entry level choice is the Superior Room, which comes with a writing desk, table and chairs, plus modern amenities such as a flat-screen TV, a minibar, a safe, an electric kettle for tea and coffee, and free Wi-Fi (these are standard features across all rooms). Deluxe Rooms, the next category up, have a nicer table-and-chairs set, plus a rainfall shower in the bathroom. Both Superior and Deluxe Rooms have single shower/tub combos or more modern shower-only units. The Pinnacle Rooms are more polished, as they have wood instead of tile floors, come with a DVD player, a large easy chair, and are on a higher floor that provides better city views. While none of the rooms at the Pinnacle have balconies or any kind of open terrace, they all have large windows and look straight out on the central Bangkok cityscape, with all of the downtown skyscrapers on display in the distance. There are also several categories of suites in the hotel, also on higher floors, and have the added benefit of a separate living area, as well as a bedroom, plus a lot more square footage.

Though the vibe here is budget-friendly, the hotel has a good amount of on-site features. The hotel's main restaurant, Gallery Cuisine, is in the lobby. The restaurant has a few tables set up in the lobby next to a massive aquarium, as well as lots of seating inside its main dining area, set under Impressionist-style paintings. They serve buffet breakfasts here, as well as both international and Thai food for lunch and dinner. Breakfast is only included with certain room rates, so check ahead. The hotel's other restaurant, The View, is more attractive and located on the rooftop, with tables overlooking central Bangkok's skyscrapers. They also do a mix of both Thai and western food here, plus drinks (this restaurant also provides drinks to guests relaxing by the rooftop pool). Room service is available around the clock.The swimming pool at the Pinnacle is small, with a narrow deck that holds a few lounge chairs. There is a good-size whirlpool tub adjacent, though it isn't heated. Next to the pools is the hotel's fitness center, which has a few weight and cardio machines. Other hotel facilities include conference rooms for meetings and functions, plus a small business center downstairs, which is really more of a travel agency desk along with three public computers for guests to surf the internet. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.