The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam

The reason this hotel looks like many of the mega-malls scattered throughout Bangkok is that it is, in fact, attached to the Palladium Shopping Mall. Interiors are grand and classic, with towering ceilings, marble floors, sweeping and ornate staircases, and glittering chandeliers; styles range from sober minimalism to impressive grandiosity. Rooms are divided into two towers, and the North Tower can feel removed from the rest of the hotel. There are several lively on-site drinking and dining options, including Oak Bar, a contemporary twist on a pub, and the elegant, ballroom-like atmosphere of the Berkeley Dining Room and the Berkeley Lounge. Tour groups are a staple here and common areas can be hectic, though couples and families are also welcome, and the hotel’s proximity to Bangkok’s commercial core makes it a good choice for business travelers too.

In mall and market-mad Bangkok, it’s maybe no surprise that this mega-hotel is in fact attached to a mall, though the Palladium isn’t Bangkok’s best. However, Central World, one of the world’s largest shopping malls, is a six-minute walk from the hotel and the upscale Siam Paragon is only 10 minutes away on foot. This is central Bangkok, making tuk-tuks and taxis easy to find, while the street food and bargain-packed Pratunam Night Market starts just around the corner from the hotel. The Chit Lom Skytrain station is a 15-minute walk away and the Pratunam Canal Ferry pier is just outside the hotel’s front door, which can be helpful for reaching the historic temples of Old Bangkok. The hotel is extremely convenient for catching the Airport Rail Link, a cheap, fast, and clean way to reach Suvarnabhumi Airport in less than an hour. Don Mueang Airport takes about 30 minutes to reach by cab.

The hotel has two classes of rooms in two separate towers, but all are spacious, with the smallest -- Premier Rooms in the North Tower -- starting at 32 square meters, or 344 square feet. Contemporary rooms are awash in neutral hues, with gray or brown striped carpets, matching walls and drapes, and modern light wood veneer furniture. Premier Rooms feature fresh and cool color schemes complemented by bright wall art, silver bed runners, and throw pillows on the duvet-covered beds. Luxury Rooms may have nice city views and are larger, but the tan-and-red color scheme somehow feels a little old-school and dated, though beds are similarly appointed in corresponding colors to match the rooms. That being said, Luxury Rooms have far nicer bathrooms, with separate walk-in showers and soaking tubs. Bathrooms across all room categories are attractive, with large marble vanities, a complete line of toiletries, tiled floors and walls, and a light brown motif. We did notice some discolored grout in some of the bathrooms we visited, but overall they are clean and well kept. All rooms have desks, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, electronic safes, bathrobes, individually controlled air-conditioning, and tea- and coffee-making facilities. Executive Rooms are entitled to more on-site perks, and though these rooms are large, they are less attractive with purple chairs that clash with outdated, mottled paneling. Suites and family rooms are also available for guests who need extra space. Guests have also reported issues with non-smoking rooms being previously used by smokers or picking up smoke from elsewhere in the hotel.

The Berkeley has most of the features expected at a four-pearl Bangkok property, and many live up to expectations, including two outdoor pools, both with hot tubs and surrounded by terraces with plenty of lounge chairs. The pool area attached to the fitness center is more austere, while the main pool is a bit livelier and has a poolside bar. The hotel’s fitness center gets plenty of natural light and has several cardio machines as well as a set of free weights and two cable machines. Natural Retreat, the hotel’s on-site spa, is lined with elegant marble and stocked with comfortable furniture, making it a lovely place for a relaxing massage or wellness treatment.

The hotel offers several drinking and dining destinations. The daily breakfast buffet is decent and the selection includes hand-made crepes, but it is not free and can be extremely busy. The hotel’s main restaurant -- The Berkeley Dining Room -- offers a blend of Thai, Asian, and international fare in a glam, ballroom setting, while a similarly devised menu is on offer at Mulberry Restaurant, a more contemporary space. The Oak Bar caters to the hotel’s international clientele, with sports broadcasts from around the world and comfortable seating in an upscale pub setting. Drinks are also available at the Berkeley Lounge, which has live piano music on occasion and a grand atmosphere.

Executive Rooms are entitled to free non-alcoholic arrival drinks in the Berkeley Lounge. The 24-hour front desk can arrange private car services for all guests. The hotel has meeting rooms and conference space that can hold up to 3000 guests and there is a comfortable business center on-site with plush armchairs and several computers. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, while concierge and laundry services are also available, and the hotel has on-site parking for guests with cars.