Kempinski Bangkok...

Hi all,
We are coming from London to spend 4 nights in Bangkok at the end of March for the easter holidays.

I did a bit research and I am liking the cabana room or the duplex garden suite with direct access to the swiming pool... but I ahve a few questions-

1. Will there ne issues with privacy?
2. Will there be kids making a lot of noice and swimming outside my doorsteps?
3. Will I find strangers using my deck charis outside the room?
4. Is the pool sufficiently deep enough for swimming - as it does not look like a proper pool from the photos - more like a kiddie pool.

For example....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/laperlenoire/6358379507/

My idea is to be able to have a quick swim in the morning when I wake up or after shopping.

Appreciate any guidance.

Maybe you've already tried it but if not I'm guessing Tripadvisor may be a better site to get the detailed info you're looking for perhaps?

[Beachlover]

I did a bit research and I am liking the cabana room or the duplex garden suite with direct access to the swiming pool... but I ahve a few questions-

1. Will there ne issues with privacy?
2. Will there be kids making a lot of noice and swimming outside my doorsteps?
3. Will I find strangers using my deck charis outside the room?
4. Is the pool sufficiently deep enough for swimming - as it does not look like a proper pool from the photos - more like a kiddie pool.
I've stayed in a few of their deluxe rooms. Haven't tried one of the Cabana or other pool access rooms yet but have spent plenty of time in the pool...

1. What privacy issues, specifically? There's trees and shrubs all around the pool, blocking the view into the pool access rooms from afar but I was able to see into them when I swam past them up close. I'd close the curtains if having sex on the ground floor!

2. Not too many kids in this hotel. I've spent 2-3 weeks total there and only saw kids a few times. It comes down to luck but I'd say the chances are you won't have any issues. Worse case scenario is you just go to the other side of the area... it's huge and there's multiple pools to choose from!

3. You can only access the chairs outside the pool access rooms through the rooms themselves or by swimming up to them... so I'd say, no.

4. It's a proper pool alright. There are a few shallow areas but most of it is normal depth. It's probably the biggest pool out of any hotel in Bangkok.

[Beachlover]

Let us know how you go with the pool access room/suite. I'm thinking about getting one of these next time. Only thing, which puts me off is these are on the ground floor so they're likely to get less natural light, have a poor view and are probably a bit dark.

I posted a review on this hotel on another thread a while back: siam-kempinski-hotel-opens-bangkok-t20535-15.html (http://www.sawatdee-gay-thailand.com/forum/siam-kempinski-hotel-opens-bangkok-t20535-15.html)

Copied below for convenience...

=============================================
Not sure if I should start a new thread or just add it to this old thread...

So I ended up staying here for a week last year and it was so good I went back again this year. ItтАЩs a winner тАУ fantastic all round!

The hotel's located at Siam Square, right behind Siam Paragon. If you can imagine being in the busiest part of Bangkok and then stepping into this peaceful, elegant oasis of serenity with an expansive pool and garden lounge area... thatтАЩs the Siam Kempinski.

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g419/beachloversphotos/Misc%20Posts/Siam%20Kempinksi/Lobby.jpg

ROOM

Loved the room design... simple but elegant and relaxed. The colour tones and patterns in the timber, marble, carpets and fabrics are gorgeous. I paid between 7,000-8,000 baht/night (USD$230-$260) for the deluxe room each time. Think I might try one of the cabana rooms with pool access next time.

Mini bar soft drinks and beers are free and thereтАЩs a Lavazza (not Nespresso?!) capsule coffee machine in the room.

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g419/beachloversphotos/Misc%20Posts/Siam%20Kempinksi/Room.jpg

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g419/beachloversphotos/Misc%20Posts/Siam%20Kempinksi/Bath.jpg
Bath tub looks small here but is actually quite big... wide enough for two to sit side by side while making out. :happy7:

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g419/beachloversphotos/Misc%20Posts/Siam%20Kempinksi/Balcony.jpg
Balcony overlooking the tranquil garden is a sweet spot for that first kiss...

POOL

Massive pool and garden lounge area тАУ definitely the sweetest part of the hotel. You get multiple swimming pools (largest is big enough for 50-metre laps) in this beautiful, tranquil setting sheltered by trees. One of the smaller half-hidden away pools is a nice spot for making out.

The pool is a gorgeous area to lounge around sipping martinis and munching on fresh fruit and som tam salad all day... my BF joined me when he wasnтАЩt working. Poolside service is fantastic. ThereтАЩs a cool pagoda poolside bar/cafe thing on one side.

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g419/beachloversphotos/Misc%20Posts/Siam%20Kempinksi/Pool1.jpg

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g419/beachloversphotos/Misc%20Posts/Siam%20Kempinksi/Garden.jpg

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g419/beachloversphotos/Misc%20Posts/Siam%20Kempinksi/Pool2.jpg
Bottom right: You can see the al fresco breakfast area

BREAKFAST

Got to be one of the nicest and best-value breakfasts in town... For 800 baht, you get a champagne breakfast in this beautiful al fresco setting in the garden. Hard to describe how nice and relaxed this spot is. My boyfriend joined me most mornings before work and loved it.

You get the usual buffet of breakfast food, fresh fruit and freshly squeezed fruit juice cocktails plus an a la carte menu to get omelettes, eggs Benedict and that sort of thing cooked and served to you on demand. Great coffee and free flowing champagne tops it off.

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g419/beachloversphotos/Misc%20Posts/Siam%20Kempinksi/Breakfast1.jpg

http://i1100.photobucket.com/albums/g419/beachloversphotos/Misc%20Posts/Siam%20Kempinksi/Breakfast2.jpg

SPA

The Kempinski Spa is fantastic. I had the тАЬseasonal massageтАЭ each time I arrived тАУ 3,600 baht for 90 mins. The therapist is the most skilled IтАЩve come across anywhere. The treatment rooms have en suite bathrooms and are nicely fitted out. The gym is well equipped.

DOWNSIDES

The entrance is a bit of a distance from the main road but that was fine for me as my BF picked me up most times we went out. Siam Paragon is next door and has a great food court with lots of quality eateries, shops and amenities. It can be a pain getting cabs late at night but staff are really helpful.

Internet is free at 256kpbs but you have to pay (400 baht/day, I think it was) for 512kbps high-speed internet, which I need as I do a lot of phone and conference calls over the net... unnecessarily annoying.

OVERALL

So yeah... awesome place to relax and slow down in Bangkok. Definitely my тАЬgo toтАЭ hotel there until something better comes along.

I also found the Siam Square area much nicer than Silom, which is where I used to stay. Forget staying in Silom from now on!

If you donтАЩt stay in the hotel, visit for the al fresco champagne breakfast when the weatherтАЩs good!

[krobbie]

I have to say that this hotel looks beautiful but unfortunately my budget is considerably smaller and I shan't be staying there until I win the lottery. However good luck to you Dee&Jay and I hope you have a ball.

http://www.agoda.co.nz/asia/thailand/ba ... ngkok.html (http://www.agoda.co.nz/asia/thailand/bangkok/siam_kempinski_hotel_bangkok.html)

Thank you so much. I did look at trip advisor, but no one said anything about the cabana rooms.

And thanks beachlover, I did read your postings about the hotel, and partly the reason why its on the top of my list. I am only there for 4 nights though, and as I have never been to BKK before, I am not sure how much time I will be spending in the Hotel but the idea of being able to jump into the pool from my front door interests me a lot.

Beachy, you really out to write a deluxe hotel guide - there doesn't seem to be any you haven't stayed in.

Just an observation dear.

:occasion9:

[Neal]

Martin, if you are looking for an all out place, I can't steal some pics for you right now but i can tel you that the SHANGRI-LA is my all out favorite in Bangkok. the buffets are extraordinary and not for the amount of food you can take which is unlimited, but the vast variety of delicacies available.
There are several restaurants inside including Shang Palace for Chinese food including their specialty Beijing or Hong Kong style duck. They have a real upper class Thai Restaurant and an Italian Restaurant. Finally a buffet and 24 hour standard place to eat as well as a chocolate delicacy corner and tea room.

I think the pool is large and well made, lots of room and the rooms are more than comfortable with huge views of the river and or city. They allow guests and their are no joiners fees as long as you do not bring dirty urchins in. Did you know that when His Royalty the King and Queen of Thailand had meetings and functions, many times they stayed at the Royal Suite inside the Shangri la?

I have stayed there on and off for 10 years. I know most of the staff and they know me.
I know many people like to stay in nice places near the action but I love the comfort of the Shang and the ability of still going out at night. :leb:

[Neal]

You all can find the Keminski Hotel/Beachlover thread under Global
Thank you