Sofitel Vs Hyatt Regency

[Manjo18 1]

I’m going to be in Bangkok during the rainy season. Which hotel should I stay at? Bear for accessing BTS, terminal 21 and all the ladyboy bars.

 

also want a hotel that has good restaurants inside in case it is raining and I just want to stay at the hotel. 
 

thanks 

[sydney69er 2,125]

I've not stayed at Sofitel but have stayed at Hyatt Regency many times. It is my preferred hotel in Bangkok. I am a loyal Hyatt member so prefer to stay at a Hyatt (there are now 5 Hyatt's in Bangkok - 2 Hyatt Places Soi 1 and Soi 24, Grand Hyatt near Chit Lom BTS, a Park Hyatt near Ploen Chit BTS and the Hyatt Regency) I've stayed at them all except for the new Hyatt Place on Soi 1. Hyatt Regency is my pick. Probably comparable prices to the Sofitel which is only 100 meters away. Both Hyatt Regency and Sofitel excellent location for access to the LB Triangle - 270 meters to CIB, 500 meters to Cindys (take the short cut down Soi 13 and thru Ambassador Hotel to get to Soi 11) and 650 meters to Why Not (take short cut through Soi 8 - Soi 6 then onto Soi 4).

I've had the buffet breakfast at Hyatt Regency which is excellent but I've not tried lunch or dinner in that restaurant (have heard good things) but there are some excellent restaurants right next to the Hyatt - highly rated Korean BBQ within the Hyatt complex - undercover to get there, Margeritta Storm right next door (open 24 hours) and plenty more walking distance in Soi 13 and Soi 11.  Room service food is very good and is delivered in under 30 minutes.

There is also the very cool rooftop bar at Hyatt - Spectrum Lounge with awesome views which you pay for in the drinks and food. I highly recommend paying for the Club Lounge if you don't get it as part of your membership. I prefer breakfast there, coffee/tea, snacks all day long and evening canapes (drinks and snacks) make up for the price of access. The food is very good, enough to make a meal of it! The staff don't hold back in serving drinks.They know me well and bring me my next beer before I finished my last and right at end of the happy hour at 7.30pm they bring me 2 beers.

From Hyatt you can walk undercover to get to Nana BTS. There are escalators at Hyatt which takes you up to the skybridge to get to Nana BTS. 

And most importantly, very much guest friendly. Very easy to glide through the reception area to get to the elevators to get to the lifts with your guest/s. I've never been stopped to ask for ID for my 'friend'.

I've stayed a few times in rainy season and I always grab there large umbrellas from reception area incase it rains, most of which I leave at Cindy's or CIB if not raining when I leave.

[Manjo18 1]

4 minutes ago, sydney69er said:

I've not stayed at Sofitel but have stayed at Hyatt Regency many times. It is my preferred hotel in Bangkok. I am a loyal Hyatt member so prefer to stay at a Hyatt (there are now 5 Hyatt's in Bangkok - 2 Hyatt Places Soi 1 and Soi 24, Grand Hyatt near Chit Lom BTS, a Park Hyatt near Ploen Chit BTS and the Hyatt Regency) I've stayed at them all except for the new Hyatt Place on Soi 1. Hyatt Regency is my pick. Probably comparable prices to the Sofitel which is only 100 meters away. Both Hyatt Regency and Sofitel excellent location for access to the LB Triangle - 270 meters to CIB, 500 meters to Cindys (take the short cut down Soi 13 and thru Ambassador Hotel to get to Soi 11) and 650 meters to Why Not (take short cut through Soi 8 - Soi 6 then onto Soi 4).

I've had the buffet breakfast at Hyatt Regency which is excellent but I've not tried lunch or dinner in that restaurant (have heard good things) but there are some excellent restaurants right next to the Hyatt - highly rated Korean BBQ within the Hyatt complex - undercover to get there, Margeritta Storm right next door (open 24 hours) and plenty more walking distance in Soi 13 and Soi 11.  Room service food is very good and is delivered in under 30 minutes.

There is also the very cool rooftop bar at Hyatt - Spectrum Lounge with awesome views which you pay for in the drinks and food. I highly recommend paying for the Club Lounge if you don't get it as part of your membership. I prefer breakfast there, coffee/tea, snacks all day long and evening canapes (drinks and snacks) make up for the price of access. The food is very good, enough to make a meal of it! The staff don't hold back in serving drinks.They know me well and bring me my next beer before I finished my last and right at end of the happy hour at 7.30pm they bring me 2 beers.

From Hyatt you can walk undercover to get to Nana BTS. There are escalators at Hyatt which takes you up to the skybridge to get to Nana BTS. 

And most importantly, very much guest friendly. Very easy to glide through the reception area to get to the elevators to get to the lifts with your guest/s. I've never been stopped to ask for ID for my 'friend'.

I've stayed a few times in rainy season and I always grab there large umbrellas from reception area incase it rains, most of which I leave at Cindy's or CIB if not raining when I leave.

What is included with the club lounge? You have me sold. I’m gonna book the Hyatt 

[sydney69er 2,125]

Just now, Manjo18 said:

What is included with the club lounge?

Breakfast, tea/coffee/soft drinks/snacks all day, 2 hours evening canapes 5.30pm - 7.30pm (beer/wine/spirits). Located on Level 27 with awesome view over Nana BTS and down to Soi 11. Outdoor balcony if you are a smoker but some reason they don't let you smoke weed there 

View from the Club Lounge Balcony - good sunset views.

[Denbosch1971 9,053]

I would suggest a big umbrella, 720 THB at Robinson, and every hotel you choose is fine 

[gainsbarre 3,339]

Sofitel is very OK, but a bit expensive for Bangkok standards, there is cheaper with same quality, especially if you have to pay extra for the club lounge

Location if of course perfect, maybe prices in low season are better, but I find 160-180€ a night too much

I stay in the sofitels in HCM, Manila and KL at prices around 100€ 

[Unavowed 2,127]

With my frequent visits to Thailand to see the temples and eat street food (*cough*) it has made sense for me to sign up to the Accor+ program as it more than pays for itself. One of the main benefits is the free nights offer and I used this recently to stay at the Sofitel.

I usually stay in mid-level hotels like the Mercure on Soi 11 and the Holiday Inn Express in Pattaya but often like a nicer hotel to finish my trip when the rates are good in the off-season. My usual go-to is the Hyatt Regency which I very much like, and this was my first time at the Sofitel where I spent 4-nights. I booked a 'luxury' room with club access so I could compare it to the Hyatt, but I was upgraded to a junior suite which makes it an unfair to compare rooms.

What I will say is that the size of the bed, its comfort and the quality of the bedding is on par with the Hyatt. The bathroom amenities are similar as is the quality and responsiveness of the cleaning services. The main difference was the rooftop bar area, lounge, gym, and overall quality of service.

• Spectrum at the Hyatt is a more 'showy' place, it's got spectacular views and its where tourist like to visit for the skyline and the vibe. Belga at the Sofitel is really an outside terrace and lower key with a discreet service sort of vibe. I've taken LB guests to both and they enjoyed it and the staff treated them with respect. Also, you can get a 30% discount on food and drink at Sofitel with Accor+ which is a good benefit. I have been given a couple of free drink vouchers at the Hyatt but not always.
• The lounge at the Hyatt is small and can get busy, but the lounge at the Sofitel is one can get lost in and takes up an entire floor, but most people congregate near the food area. Food and drink offerings are broadly on par, maybe the wine is better at the Sofitel
• The gym at both hotels are good, but the Sofitel is far better for my needs. Unfortunately the pool at the Sofitel was closed for refurbishment so can't compare those.
• Service standards are very good at both hotels, but I would put Sofitel ahead here. Its just that bit more attentive and personalised.
• You can also walk direct from Nana BTS to the Hyatt under the covered skywalk, and from Asok to the Sofitel using the footbridge but the Sofitel access is covered all the way so you won't get caught out if its raining (although not sure if that access is 24/7).

I will still be using Hyatt as part of my points collection strategy and to maintain my current status but the main driver when deciding between either will be the cost, including club access. Hyatt is usually cheaper but using Accor+ benefits and reward points can balance this out.  Overall, both are very good hotels that you can spend all day in especially if you have lounge access, and of course its very guest friendly! It's a case of give each one a try and see which one gives you the best value. Either way I don't think you will go to far wrong if you want a better standard of accommodation near the action.

[Ted135792468 54]

The BTS covered walkways close around +/- 1 hour around midnight. I can't remember the exact time.
For hotels and amenities, sometimes your home country can give you an advantage. In North America, many of our hotel credit cards give us loyalty status upgrades as part of holding the card. I get Marriott Platinum status from one (free lounges), Hilton Gold from another (there is one card out there I don't have with diamond/lounge access), and a third with IHG Platinum. I will be using my Marriott Platinum perks at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit in May.
All those cards have annual fees. But if travel, they will pay for themselves very quickly.

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[Rodrigo 1,197]

How much do you guys pay for these 5 star hotels? I am a cheap Charlie where hotels are concerned as it’s only the place for me to sleep. So out in the morning and late night back. 

[Unavowed 2,127]

Hotel rates will depend on the season. In Bangkok I will spend most of my stay at the Mecure on Soi 11 and rates have varied between AUD$140 in the low season to $210 over New Year. The Hyatt Regency and Sofitel seem to be anywhere from AUD$240 to $300+ for a basic room (more if you want lounge access). In Pattaya I'm more than happy with the Holiday Inn Express which can range between AUD$65 to $85 a night. Personally, I do like the extra luxury at the end of a trip, but as a minimum I do want a modern, quiet and clean room with decent bedding, towels, good cleaning service and air conditioning -  and all in a good location too. A good gym and pool is nice too.

I won't compromise much as I'm past the age where I'm out all night and day and being able to have a comfortable space to rest and relax is important to me. But everyone has their own priorities and budgets.

[Rodrigo 1,197]

11 hours ago, Unavowed said:

Hotel rates will depend on the season. In Bangkok I will spend most of my stay at the Mecure on Soi 11 and rates have varied between AUD$140 in the low season to $210 over New Year. The Hyatt Regency and Sofitel seem to be anywhere from AUD$240 to $300+ for a basic room (more if you want lounge access). In Pattaya I'm more than happy with the Holiday Inn Express which can range between AUD$65 to $85 a night. Personally, I do like the extra luxury at the end of a trip, but as a minimum I do want a modern, quiet and clean room with decent bedding, towels, good cleaning service and air conditioning -  and all in a good location too. A good gym and pool is nice too.

I won't compromise much as I'm past the age where I'm out all night and day and being able to have a comfortable space to rest and relax is important to me. But everyone has their own priorities and budgets.

Thank you very much. I stay a lot in soi 22 and it’s an Indian hotel but they do have a swimming pool and the rooms are huge. The service is good too. Just off the Emsphere and cross the road. 
Yes I go too often to pay for 5 star hotels every time though I have occasionally stayed at the Hilton and the Westin. Mercure is a hotel I have kept an eye on but never got a decent rate when I am looking for. What I like are large rooms and big bathroom. At my age now a shower is what I prefer. 

[hock19 1,393]

I used to stay in both Hyatt Regency and Sofitel, including JW Marriott when I used to frequent NPL more frequently some years back. I just book a normal room. I like both Hyatt and Sofitel. Sofitel used to be crap until they refurbishment the rooms 2 years back. Sofitel is also good as on the second level, you can head straight out onto the raised walkway to Terminal 22. Or if you are taking a girl from CIB11, you just walk direct to Sofitel from the overpass without going through the lobby.  But Personally I prefer Hyatt. Both are LB friendly. In fact, I had a 4some at the Sofitel once.

However, I now usually stay at Mercure at Soi 11 or the Adelphi Suites in Soi 8. Mainly to do with price. The rooms at Hyatt/Sofitel are twice what I pay at Mercure!!  And there is nothing wrong with Mercure!!  Though I think the showers needs refurbishing!!

 

Edited May 1 by hock19