The Westin Grande Sukhumvit, Bangkok

The high-rise Westin Grande Sukhumvit is an established chain hotel, and as such draws a steady stream of loyal travelers. Its elevated setting -- above a department store and supermarket -- offers respite from the 24-hour street life on Sukhumvit Road below. On arrival, guests will be whisked up to the large, light-filled marble lobby on the seventh floor. Wood features heavily and the decor is largely traditional, with a few exceptions like the modern buffet restaurant. The hotel’s prime location and good all-round facilities attracts all types of guests, with a lot of business travelers alongside couples, groups, families, and solo travelers. Expect to see lots of coming and going all day long, though the hotel sidesteps some of the seedier goings on found at other properties in the area, which is a blessing for many travelers. 

The Westin Grande Sukhumvit is along happening Sukhumvit Road, with some of Bangkok's best eating, drinking, and nightlife hotspots essentially at its doorstep. The hotel is attached to the Robinson department store on one of the most chaotic parts of Sukhumvit Road, adjacent to the large Terminal 21 shopping mall. There are hundreds of choices for eating and drinking around Sukhumvit Road. However, the hotel sits between Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy, two of the largest red light areas in town, so the seedy vibe at night may be off-putting to some. Even so, the night market that sprawls along Sukhumvit means cheap eats, souvenirs, and the occasional off-brand pharmaceutical (we don't recommend trying the latter). There’s easy access to public transport, with the Asok skytrain and Sukhumvit metro stations both just a minute’s walk away. It takes around half an hour to reach The Grand Palace by taxi, though traffic can push that to an hour (at least). Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang International Airports can both be reached in around a half-hour drive without traffic, but budget at least an hour to be safe.

The Westin gets the basics right, with spacious and clean rooms, comfy Westin Heavenly beds, and views over Bangkok’s skyline. The downside is that of many upscale city hotels; the decor is just a little uninspiring. You'll see patterned carpets, blond wood furniture, and an abundance of warm neutral tones. All rooms have air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, coffee- and tea-making facilities, free bottled water, and minibars. Disappointingly, unless you’re a Starwood Preferred Guest, Wi-Fi costs extra. Dated bathrooms have bold tiled feature walls and many rooms have a separate bathtub and walk-in shower. Hairdryers and toiletries are provided. Room sizes start at 430 square feet (40 square meters) and can all sleep a third guest on a rollaway bed (at a fee). Interconnecting rooms are available. Executive Club Rooms are set over higher floors (22 through 24) and have free Wi-Fi and access to the Club Lounge. Suites start at 750 square feet (70 square meters) and include Breezy Smoking Suites, which accommodate smokers.

The Westin has all of the expected perks of a sky-high hotel in Bangkok. On the eighth floor, the rooftop saltwater pool has views of the city skyline and is a real highlight. Sun loungers and hooded daybeds provide spots for lounging until the evening. For dining, Seasonal Tastes is the main buffet restaurant, with a modern decor and funky centerpieces. There’s a huge breakfast selection here (free for some -- but not all -- rooms). Evening buffets include live cooking stations from fresh pizza to Asian wok cooked dishes, plus a dedicated sushi section and a carvery. The signature Japanese restaurant, Kisso, serves up seasonal Japanese specialties -- many imported from Japan -- in a traditional setting. For drinks, head to the pool bar early evening to see dusk fall over the city. A 24-hour fitness studio has free weights and state-of-the-art cardio machines complete with touch screens that can take you on a virtual run or bike ride around the world. Free fitness classes range from Latin dance to yoga to Muay Thai boxing -- just be sure to book in advance. Don’t have your gear with you? The hotel has teamed up with a sportswear brand to rent out clean gym clothes and shoes. For guests who prefer their exercise outdoors, the hotel can provide pocket-sized maps marked up with jogging trails around the local sights (though jogging in Bangkok will be challenging to say the least). For guests who have a more indulgent view on wellbeing, Vareena Spa has seven treatment rooms, a hydrotherapy room, and a steam room. The simple Westin Executive Club Lounge -- for higher category bookings -- offers free breakfast, all-day soft drinks and snacks, evening cocktails and canapes, and free Wi-Fi in the lounge, as well as two hours use of the business center’s meeting room for corporate guests. Previous business guests praise the boardrooms and ballroom spaces. Unless you’re a Starwood Preferred Guest, Wi-Fi comes at a one-off fee. There’s plenty of free underground parking.