Very nice hotel

Stayed at the Sofitel this Febuary. Staff was helpful, hotel is charming you know you are in Asia with the decorations. You can walk to the tram and local shopping is great. There are wholesalers in the area and you will get great prices. Patpong is 5 block walk (easy). We had a club room on the 26th. I would recomend a club room you get a private check in along with free drinks 5 to 7pm with snacks each day. Any request I ask for was meant. We bought a broom to take home as a decoration and I needed to have it sawed in half to fit in the luggage. I gave it to the conceirage and 5 minutes latter it was at my room. When I go back I will stay at the Sofitel

Only get what you pay for

I stayed at the Sofitel Silom 12/26-12/31/2004 and again 1/9-1/11/2005. During the first five nights I was "upgraded" to an executive floor room on the 30th floor. The room had great views although the windows were in dire need of outside cleaning. The room was modern and large with a very hard but comfortable bed. The amenities were nice, especially the glass enclosed shower. However the room did not have a couch or separate sitting area, just a chair and a desk.

On my second two night stay, we were given a room on the 22d floor. Although it was winter in Bangkok, the airconditioning in the room was inadequate and after attempts to fix it were made, we were moved to another room on the 20th floor. Although I had requested a non-smoking room and the 20th floor was nonsmoking, the room reeked of cigar smoke.

We were moved again,and my request for an upgrade was denied despite the fact that it was now well after midnight and we had missed our dinner reservations with all the moving around. The third room was NOT the charm, again the air conditioning was inadequate, the room again smelled of smoke,and there was no hot water in the bathroom. I complained to the manager who advised that "only club rooms had airconditioning and hot water that worked without problems:!!

Finally at 1 am the hot water problem was corrected and we unhappily remained in this room since we were told there was no other rooms available.

The concierge desk was good about making restuarant reservations.

There are too many staff standing around in the lobby greeting you and not enough people who can actually help.

The gym is adequate although the pool and sundeck are extremely small and can only accomodate a few people.

The breakfast on the 39th floor was good but the same everyday. The service was good.

The wine bar/restaurant V9 on the 38th floor is beautiful and very hip.

All in all, it seems that this hotel is still in the process of upgrading from the Lee Monarch Gardens that it was. If you are in a Club room you can expect good service and a good room, otherwise you are taking your chances with poor infrastructure, an indifferent staff and not very good value.

Good, not great

Stayed in deluxe for 1 night; club floor for 2 nights

Pros: Clean, modern rooms- very much in "Sofitel" style. Good rates. Nice housekeeping and turndown service.

Cons: Located away from any tourist attractions (temples, shopping, restaurants). 10 min walk to SkyTrain. Too many staff- only a few can actual meet requests. First room had poor drainage of shower- staff begrudgingly moved us to club floor, even though we are Sofitel Privilege members. Adequate breakfast- some of the staff seem reluctant to help. Spa experience was disappointing- masseuses did not ask about preferences and seemed to be rushing. Concierge unable to find phone number for popular retail shop.

Recommend: Overall, this could be a much better hotel with better staff. Can find better value for money, especially in Bangkok.

Excellent hotel

We stayed in Sofitel 2 nights at the beginning of November. We had a Club room on 28th floor. The room was absolutely superb. The mixture of futuristic and Asian styles. Bathroom - with a bath and shower cubicle.

Also we had free snacks and drinks from 4 to 6pm and free 30 mins on the Internet on the computer in the Club room every day and it was a pleasant surprise: when we paid for the club room through the travel agency in Bangkok, we didn't know we would have all these extras. The breakfast was in a Club room, everything fresh and tasty. We paid for our room 4300 Bhat per night, it is about 60 pounds. Standard room would be sheaper, and initially we booked a club room because all standard ones had been booked, but we never regretted about it - club service was great.

Only one thing might be a disadvantage in this hotel - a swimming pool is small. But we didn't care as we spent most of our time sightseeing and didn't have time for a pool anyway. We had lots of swimming on Phuket afterwards. In Bangkok we went on tours to the Temple of Emerald Budda and floating market, both were great. I would really recommend them. We also went to the crocodile farm with a show, we enjoyed it too.

Another good thing about Sofitel - it is located very centrally, very easy to get a taxi. Considering that in Bangkok you are moving everywhere by taxi, it was convenient.

Another Fab review!

Stayed here for 5 nights in August 2004. What a great hotel. Good location for skytrain and the nightmarket at Patpong. Hotel staff very attentive. Rooms are very luxurious with the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in and all the usual services expected in a 5*. Restaurants were fantastic - especially breakfast which could keep you going all day and the bar on the 39th floor has some spectacular views.

We loved Bangkok and will definately be returning to the Sofitel Silom.

A great value for your money

This is a great hotel, with a very good location (you're near to the skytrain, hence to the Chao Phraya, hence to everything in Bangkok). We stayed there for three nights.

Excellent wide rooms, with gorgeous views on the city skyline; the level of room amenities, furniture and cleanliness is what you would expect from a 5 stars hotel as it is.

They have an excellent breakfast choice, from American favorites to Japanese food. Everything into a very nice and relaxing environment.

The gym is very well equipped, with state-of-the-art machines; there is also a pool, unfortunately it's a bit small and there is not too much space, hence it tends to be a bit busy some times during the day.

Excellent service, very nice, helpful people at Sofitel. And everything for a simply great value for your money. We love Bangkok, and we'll return: and be sure, we're gonna stay here again.

What a delight!

We booked this hotel on the Internet through a Bangkok travel agency.

I kept waiting for the deal to fall through. Thirty Five pounds sterling for B&B for two. Breakfast on the 38th floor was an experience in itself.

Staff were so efficient and pleasant.

It's location is only five minutes from the night market in Patpong and only a few minutes from the Skytrain station.

On our next visit to Bangkok, we know where we are heading!

Simply brilliant!!

I stayed 3 nights here in September on a stopover.

Initially booked a deluxe room, but on arrival was persuaded by the receptionist to upgrade to a Club Room for approx US$60 a night extra.

My advice is to definitely go for the Club Room option. The room was just wonderful - lovely decor and size. Plus, you get the run of the club lounge, allowing you free food, breakfast, cocktails, internet etc etc included in the price.

Definitely a 5* hotel IMO, and a steal for the price.

Great Hotel for Little Money

Its funny how people interpret the 'star rating'. My boyfriend and I stayed at this hotel and were very pleased with it -only I wouldn't call it a five star but a four star. In fact in the Qantas Australian brochure it is a 4 1/2 star.

This hotel has been newly refurbished and the entrance and lobby area's interior design is quite funky and trendy. We had a great room with unreal view of the city. As is always in Thailand great service -nothing is too much trouble for the Thai's. Buffet breakfast was pretty good too. Very close to a Sky Train station which we used alot especially if we were wanting to go somewhere around 4-5 in the afternoon when traffic is at a standstill. Close to Patpong night markets too.

And oh so cheap! Isn't it great when you can go to a country and stay in half decent hotel with great service and pay practically nothing!

What you'd expect from a five star

This is a great hotel. As Thailand is so cheap we managed to get a double room at this five star hotel for £40 a night. You can certainly get cheaper accommodation but when luxury is on offer at this price you've got to take it!

The hotel has everything you'd expect in a five star including a swimming pool, spa, gym (why are hotel gyms never more than a few bikes and a treadmill?), about four quality restaurants and a couple of bars. The one on the 37th floor (I think it's called V9 or something) is really nice. Quite a western bar, with western prices, but affordable and it has some of the best views of Bangkok from ceiling to floor windows.

The rooms were great. Spacious, clean, and with lovely, minimalist design touches. The bathrooms have a walk in shower and a separate bath - unheard of in some hotels.

The staff were wonderful - really helpful and charming. It's also in a good location - near the river, close to markets, shops, sights and the skytrain.

I am returning to Thailand next year (I'd recommend that everyone goes at least once in their lifetime, it's incredible!) and I will have no hesitation in returning to the Sofitel.