Solid 5 star hotel at the river. Rooms are dated a...

Solid 5 star hotel at the river. Rooms are dated and do not reflect the usual luxury level of Bangkok in that price range, still often superior to what people are used to in the rest of the world. All rooms are facing the river and have great views. Aircon is central and can get noisy and annoying. Big pros are the second pool that is located in the garden of the Portuguese embassy and with this in Portugal and the newly opened Icon Siam luxury mall on the other side of the river. There is a free boat service to cross the water. This hotel is recommended as a place to arrive in Thailand, getting used to weather and time zone in a relaxed manner at the pool over 2-3 days, which does lush and green. After that move on. The location in town is not great to get around. Taxis in the area are highly corrupt. Not easy to get back to the hotel by taxi. BTS saphan Taksin station is quite far away but has a boat service from the hotel every 30 minutes. For frequent travelers : the upgrade policy in the hotel is not the best. The tower lounge on 27th floor is OK with good views but cold, with bad food and cheap made cocktails 2h per day. Also the service level in the hotel is low. The good staff usually moves on quick. Despite all that the hotel has it's clientele. People who like to relax by marveling at the river and those who appreciate the often affordable rates. Unfortunately the rates being a lot of Chinese group tourists into the hotel as well.