Bangkok Millenium v. Conrad?

[turtlemichael]

Millenium or Conrad? There is a fair amount of expression of strongly held views over on FT as to which is the better hotel but I am interested in any views of AFF members. I'm currently a HH Diamond any am interested in views on service, location, transport access, rooms, executive lounge, upgrades etc This will be for a 3 night stay in a few months. We usually stay at the IC but it's time to move on.

 

[munitalP]

Hi. I stayed in both within the last 7 days

Hilton in my opinion is the better of the 2 hotels for service, attitude of staff, location (hands down winner), access to public transport etc. Exec junior suit well appointed with great river views. Exec lounge awesome views with excellent canapés and good selection of wines, spirits and beers.

Cons. Nothing.

Conrad, very nice hotel, Hilton 8/10 appointed rooms, Conrad 10/10. Location for leisure stay poor with no easy access to air train or MRT. Business hotel if needing to be close to embassies or similar, excellent.

Exec lounge nice but very second rate to Hilton.

Restaurants

Hilton, breakfast area unreal. Conrad poor.

I can't comment on other Hilton restaurants however next door to Hilton on river edge, fantastic outdoor restaurant. Conrad, Asian restaurant 2nd to none (expensive though)

Hilton for me, hands down winner. Look on my Facebook feed for pics of both hotels or PM me and I'll send you some room and hotel images

Both hotels treat status guests very well

 

[dajop]

Exec lounge awesome views with excellent canapés and good selection of wines, spirits and beers.

My first few stays had an excellent range of canapes and food for the evening happy hour but most recent stay (which was around 12 months ago now) they had removed a lot of the self serve and bought round plates for each table with I think 3 or 4 small canapes. The range at the Conrad seemed much better. Will be back in about 2 weeks and trying to work out if go the Millennium, the Hilton or stick to the Four Points or Le Meridien where my more recent stays have been for various reasons. I think I had concluded 1 night at the Hilton + 1 at the Conrad. Without doubt views are much better at the Hilton, and great for accessing attractions around the river. But it does take longer to get to Siam and the central areas.

 

[Alanslegal]

How good is the lounge offerings at the Millenium? And what times is 'happy hour' and morning breakfast, and can breakfast (as HHD) be taken in the main restaurant?

 

[munitalP]

How good is the lounge offerings at the Millenium? And what times is 'happy hour' and morning breakfast, and can breakfast (as HHD) be taken in the main restaurant?

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3822691775352.2163741.1519441702&type=3

Alan, happy hour 6 till 830, offerings excellent. We ate at main restaurant (in pics) and exec lounge, both were good, Im not sure HHD gets main by default (ours was included with AP)

 

[Alanslegal]

Nice photos Gordon! That outdoor area where you are dining, is that also where breakfast in the main restaurant is served? Looks like a nice place to just wind back and watch river traffic go by.

 

[meloz]

Approx 15 stays at both, my preference is for the Conrad. Location works for me, less holiday makers meaning more room around the larger pool, exec lounge less chaotic and better rooms. Conrad look after status members better from my experience.

YMMV

Meloz

 

[turtlemichael]

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.3822691775352.2163741.1519441702&type=3

Alan, happy hour 6 till 830, offerings excellent. We ate at main restaurant (in pics) and exec lounge, both were good, Im not sure HHD gets main by default (ours was included with AP)

I get the message page is unavailable ??

 

[munitalP]

I get the message page is unavailable ??

You might need to be a facebook friend. Just request friendship and I'll approve

 

[munitalP]

Nice photos Gordon! That outdoor area where you are dining, is that also where breakfast in the main restaurant is served? Looks like a nice place to just wind back and watch river traffic go by.

yes, yes and yes! It was a wonderful location, watching the world go by on the river meant breakfast was a 2 hour affair

 

[turtlemichael]

Thanks folks. Gone with Millenium on a changeable booking at this stage.

 

[munitalP]

Thanks folks. Gone with Millenium on a changeable booking at this stage.

The transfer from BKK to H is approx $70. We booked a camery, but they picked us up in a 5 series (allegedly a HHD perk)

Worth the extra few dollars vs a normal taxi

 

[Danger]

Grrrr. The consensus on FT seemed to be that the Hilton was not as well situated with its location over the river made it a bit more difficult to get to and from. I've booked four nights AP at the Conrad in July, based largely on this. I've stayed a the Hilton before and loved it but I'm travelling with a friend this time on his first trip to BKK and wanted something well located. Oh well. We'll see.

 

[IainF]

I prefer the Hilton to the Conrad for pleasure trips, whereas for business it's the Conrad first.
Location isn't so much of an issue bearing in mind traffic is bad where ever you stay....
We got an Exec suite upgrade on an exec floor room booking... (We are both HHD).
I find the service a bit friendlier at Hilton, but more professional at Conrad.
As per all suggestions, YMMV....

 

[serfty]

It's really a tough choice (first world Problem really)

Note that a metered Taxi from the Airport to the Millenium should cost no more than THB400 (~$13), including the tolls that you pay yourself. To the Airport it's THB50 less.

 

[JohnK]

I would choose the Millenium unless I was mattress running or wanted a little variety. The views are really nice.

My first few stays had an excellent range of canapes and food for the evening happy hour but most recent stay (which was around 12 months ago now) they had removed a lot of the self serve and bought round plates for each table with I think 3 or 4 small canapes.

I was there in October last year and the canapes were not too bad. In fact I use the canapes as my dinner for the evening. I will hopefully be there again in ~1 months time.

 

[nate89]

Hi. I stayed in both within the last 7 days

Hilton in my opinion is the better of the 2 hotels for service, attitude of staff, location (hands down winner), access to public transport etc. Exec junior suit well appointed with great river views. Exec lounge awesome views with excellent canapés and good selection of wines, spirits and beers.

Cons. Nothing.

Conrad, very nice hotel, Hilton 8/10 appointed rooms, Conrad 10/10. Location for leisure stay poor with no easy access to air train or MRT. Business hotel if needing to be close to embassies or similar, excellent.

Exec lounge nice but very second rate to Hilton.

Restaurants

Hilton, breakfast area unreal. Conrad poor.

I can't comment on other Hilton restaurants however next door to Hilton on river edge, fantastic outdoor restaurant. Conrad, Asian restaurant 2nd to none (expensive though)

Hilton for me, hands down winner. Look on my Facebook feed for pics of both hotels or PM me and I'll send you some room and hotel images

Both hotels treat status guests very well

What were your qualms with access to skytrain from the Conrad may I ask?

I haven't stayed at the Conrad, but spend around a few weeks each year about 200 metres away at my parents and I thought access to the skytrain was pretty reasonable (a few minutes walk) :S Or have I misunderstood something?

 

[JohnK]

What were your qualms with access to skytrain from the Conrad may I ask?

I haven't stayed at the Conrad, but spend around a few weeks each year about 200 metres away at my parents and I thought access to the skytrain was pretty reasonable (a few minutes walk) :S Or have I misunderstood something?

This is in no way a reflection on munitalp but it would appear most people do not want to walk more than about 3-5 minutes to get anywhere on holidays.

Personally I think the hike from Millenium to the BTS is harder but that is not going to influence my decision.

The decisions I have difficulty over in Thailand are things like do I spend ฿1,800 + ~฿100 tip on a private car from BKK airport to Hua Hin or do I get a taxi ~฿300 to Southern Bus terminal and then coach to Hua Hin for ~฿130 or airport express and BTS to Victory Monument ~฿105 and then minibus ~฿280 to Hua Hin?

The first option would be ~3 hours, the second option and third options would be 4-5 hours but I am in no hurry to get anywhere that time of the afternoon/evening and the couple of hours are meaningless.

 

[munitalP]

This is in no way a reflection on munitalp but it would appear most people do not want to walk more than about 3-5 minutes to get anywhere on holidays.

Personally I think the hike from Millenium to the BTS is harder but that is not going to influence my decision.

The decisions I have difficulty over in Thailand are things like do I spend ฿1,800 + ~฿100 tip on a private car from BKK airport to Hua Hin or do I get a taxi ~฿300 to Southern Bus terminal and then coach to Hua Hin for ~฿130 or airport express and BTS to Victory Monument ~฿105 and then minibus ~฿280 to Hua Hin?

The first option would be ~3 hours, the second option and third options would be 4-5 hours but I am in no hurry to get anywhere that time of the afternoon/evening and the couple of hours are meaningless.

JK, FWIW a normal taxi 2600 from Hilton to Hilton Hua Hin, private "taxi" back 2000

 

[munitalP]

What were your qualms with access to skytrain from the Conrad may I ask?

I haven't stayed at the Conrad, but spend around a few weeks each year about 200 metres away at my parents and I thought access to the skytrain was pretty reasonable (a few minutes walk) :S Or have I misunderstood something?

For a start, consider a newbie (me) to the area, you must head out into the unknown looking for a train - hence the reason Conrad offer a bus which in itself is OK but inconvenient. It's not that it's a few minutes walk at all with me & +1.

Hilton, I found it easy to walk from the hotel to the Jetty, board the Hilton boat and be taken down river to the stop where the train and other ferries left from. May take longer but what an excellent way to travel