PUBLISHED January 26th, 2015 04:00 pm | UPDATED July 12th, 2017 05:21 am
Accommodation didn’t weigh much in the grand scheme of things when we were younger – it just had to be affordable – even in more inexpensive city like Bangkok. While we’re no strangers to the insanely cheap guesthouses and notorious hostels – it meant more to spend on shopping and awesome restaurants – this time, we checked into Aloft Bangkok.
Looking like a younger (and a less obnoxious) version of W Hotel, Aloft is Starwood Hotels and Resorts’ less known boutique hotel brand. Location-wise, you’re pretty much right smack in the middle of everything since the hotel is situated an easy 5-minute stroll from Nana BTS. Trust us, the traffic is notoriously bad in the Sukhumvit area so staying near the BTS is definitely a plus, especially if you’re not a frequent visitor of the city.
Those who want to remain connected would be happy to know that free, and more importantly, strong, Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel (not just in the lobby).
Our Chic Room featured nine-feet tall ceilings, extra large windows – all hail natural light – and their ‘signature’ bed. We have no idea what makes their beds so special but we had a really good sleep every night! And at 30 square metres, it’s small enough to be cozy but big enough so that you don’t have to move just so your roomie can get to the bathroom. Last thing about the room, it’s quite a tech-savvy space. For instance, there’s a plug and play connectivity panel where you can watch your own movies (remember to bring your own cables!) when you’re chilling in the room instead of whatever FOX/Star Movies is screening on TV.
Facilities-wise, the pool is pretty awesome – again, reminiscent of W Hotels’ cool pools. Plus, the 24-hour grab and go snack bar in the lobby, Re:fuel, is really convenient if you’re feeling the munchies in the wee hours but don’t want to head out. Speaking of food, our included breakfast at Crave Wine Bar & Restaurant was consistent with what you’ll get at other 4 star properties. If we had to nitpick, we’d really love to see a live noodle station so the selection is a wee bit more Thai.
Street food and restaurants are aplenty outside the hotel, on the way to the BTS. While you can also get cheap drinks from boozy vans in the area, we were pleasantly surprised by the level of mixology involved in the cocktails at W XYZ Bar. They might be trying a little too hard with the molecular thing – many of the drinks come with liquid nitrogen smoke or flames – but we appreciate the effort!
Tip: Oskar Bistro opposite serves value-for-money European dishes if you’re not in the mood for Thai, but the crowd (which can be quite fun) mainly comprises of savvy expats and affluent locals.
By Emily S