I have stayed at the Pathumwan Princess a couple of times, and am heading back in January 09. I think it is a fantastic hotel - although those people who are not pleased are usually looking for a 5star-plus establishment.
The Pathumwan Princess is a 4-star hotel and if it were to be transported to anywhere in Australia it would be a 5-star hotel in an instant.
The foyer and entrance is obviously very swanky - though I am surprised that people have had issues with the rooms. I have always had fantastic rooms - very large with a scrumptuous bathroom - always above the 20th floor - and I only ever go for the Superior (their 'basic') room option.
Yes, there are some issues:
1) check-in is like a Thai version of Faulty Towers. After weeks in Thailand and saying "Sawasdee de Krap" (though I don't promounce the 'R' - how rude!) to all I meet - the staff at the Pathumwan think this the funniest thing ever and insist on conversing in English. I only do this to show a polite respect for their culture - and considering their English is as good as my Swahili - this does bother me - but I am a big boy and get over that.
2) EVERYTIME I have checked in, and considering everytime I have paid for breakfast included (their breakfast is divine) and everytime my itinerary states BREAKFAST INCLUDED - they insist their system doesn't show I have breakfast and make a fuss of photocopying my itinerary and calling Australia to confirm. Now I just bring a photo-copy for them with the agent's number highlighted - drink down their welcome drink and grab my room key and get into the lift in one smooth action - an accomplished traveller indeed!
3) The hotel does have somewhat of a pretencious feel about it. They insist you wear long-trousers in common areas of the hotel, e.g. lobby. I am sorry but if it is 40 degree plus (celcius) and I am paying a couple hundred dollars a night - I will walk in my birthday suit if I like (I don't like for the record). Their security guards let you pass without issue - but they stop anyone that looks somewhat local - which embarrasses me no end (especially when entering the hotel with a local guide-rep or friend) - but is accepted with grace by the inspected person.
Apart from this - the access to MBK is it's most amazing feature - the proximity to Bangkok's shopping dreams also works well. A short stroll to the wonderful skytrain means that you can be at the weekend markets in minutes and of course - all Bangkok tour agents come to the Pathumwan Princess for pickup. (Be prepared to receive dirty looks from those passengers who had to get to your hotel to get onto the bus!).
When you visit the spa - or the wonderful olympic-sized swimming pool (okay I dont know if it is actually olympic sized - but it would take me 10 minutes to cross it so that still counts), tennis and squash courts, gyms and other facilities (which of course I never use) it is in a class of it's own - and the quite reasonable price starts to look like a bargain.
Best of all - the Pathumwan Princess has lots of business travellers from nearby countries whose wives like to wear mink stoles in the height of summer - and I find no end of pleasure in asking them during the short lift ride "oooh, did your poodle die from heat stroke or do you always carry it like that?"
Hope you like the hotel - see you there in Jan 09!














