Windsor Suites Hotel Bangkok

The Windsor Suites Hotel is a large hotel that doesn't stand out much on the Bangkok hotel scene, with its mixture of modern and traditional styles. Its towering conservatory-style lobby is a pleasant space, with glass on three sides and a skylight flooding the area with light. In contrast, artificial light is provided by traditional Victorian-style lamp posts -- a precursor to some of the more dated aspects of the hotel. The lobby houses a bar and a cafe with several different types of seating including comfy sofas and tables, arranged around a central reception desk. Outside, a terrace spreads over the yard the hotel's pizza restaurant has a modern finish with dark wood booths and bar seating. The main corridors have a more old-school feel, with deep blue carpets and wood doors, something which is continued and amplified in the Golden Palace restaurant, with rich red and gold colors and upholstered chairs. Due to its central location, the hotel draws a wide mix of guests from across the world from solo travelers to couples and family groups, though the sometimes drab decor can be a bummer. 

The Windsor Suites Hotel is just off Sukhumvit Road, right in the heart of Bangkok's commercial shopping and dining district. Street-food vendors, boutiques and restaurants line the street outside, plus a 7-Eleven, while the city's largest malls are spread along the main road. The hotel offers a twice-daily free shuttle to the vast MBK shopping center, which has over 2,000 stores, while Terminal 21 and Emquartier shopping malls are each a 10-minute walk away. Public transport is within easy reach, with the Asok Skytrain stop an eight-minute walk opposite Terminal 21, and Sukhumvit Metro station 10 minutes away on foot. You'll need to use both of these to get to the airport in around 45 minutes, or else you should budget up to an hour by taxi, as the city's traffic is a beast. Getting across the city to the Grand Palace and other temples is tricky, though can be done by car in around 30 minutes, though again, this varies depending on the time of day. Budget around 30 minutes to reach the buzzing Silom area and notorious Patpong Night Market by metro.

The mix of modern and traditional styles is even more apparent in the hotel's 347 suites -- and the effects are similarly mixed. Standard Windsor Suites on the lower floors have a dated decor with chintzy pale pink curtains alongside wood furnishings and old-fashioned paintings, while the use of white wood furniture and striped sofas in the Penthouse Suites give them a brighter, more modern feel. You're best off opting for the most recently renovated (2015) Neo Suites, which are contemporary and feature pops of bright colors in the soft furnishings and wallpaper, as well as trendy glass-walled bathrooms. All rooms have separate living rooms, flat-screen TVs, minibars, safes, and air-conditioning plus tea/coffee facilities and free Wi-Fi. Unfortunately, the Wi-Fi is spotty, especially in the bedrooms. Both Family and Resident Suites include kitchenettes with microwaves, mini-fridges, and tableware. The Resident Suites add a washer/dryer, while Neo Suites have Nespresso machines. Bathrooms at the lower end are -- not surprisingly -- dated, with brown and gray marble making them dark. All include shower/tub combos. The Penthouse Suites have the same set-up, but again the white wood does lift and brighten a little. Neo bathrooms have walk-in rainfall showers and glass basins. Something to note is they are glass-walled -- which, while very stylish perhaps, lacks privacy for some. 

The size of the Windsor Suites Hotel means there are a good range of places to eat, from the excellent range of dishes throughout the day at the buffet-style Windsor Cafe in the lobby, to the laid-back Windsor Terrace with its outdoor seating and the Western-style Pizza Connection. The Grand Palace Chinese restaurant serves a Dim Sum buffet with dishes on the menu also available, while the Windsor Bakery has a good selection of breads and cakes to eat in or take away and a selection of beautifully presented patisserie-style desserts. Penthouse Suites have access to the Executive Lounge, with free breakfast and evening drinks.The hotel has a spa with a whirlpool and sauna, and a small gym with cardio equipment, but perhaps most notable is the outdoor pool area. On the 14th floor, the large space has nice views across the city skyline -- although there are hotels towering around some sides. It's well-landscaped with palm trees and shrubs. There are plenty of loungers poolside, as well as a bar. A left-luggage office, laundry, and self-service laundry is available, the latter of which is free for Resident Suite guests. There are nine meeting/event spaces, but no business center. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel, though not always reliable.