After redeeming my miles for Bangkok (25,000 miles on SQ), I decided to stay in Siam area for the 4days this time as interestingly, I’ve always stayed at other areas as Siam hotels are always super busy (and expensive!).

The hotel has been running for ages but they have also recently undergone a much needed refurbishment. The pictures shown online from late 2017 onwards seems to present modern Novotel touches all across, quite nice indeed.

Check out the property on TripAdvisor now!

ADDRESS – 392/44 Siam Square Soi 6 Rama I Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. Website. Tel: +66 2 209 8888.

PRICE – With the Accor Super Sale, I paid a total of SGD600 for 3 nights in a Junior Suite with Premier Lounge access. Not the cheapest option for Bangkok but for the value and space, I thought it was worth it. I also emailed to request for a renovated room as I researched online and saw that some rooms are not renovated yet.

ROOM – I was given room 1230 and I got a shock when I opened my door. The room was dated with old carpet and chipped furniture – looks super dreary and definitely not renovated. Granted that their website shows the correct room but the picture is heavily touched up. It felt like a room in the 80s.

So I called the Premier Lounge to request for a change of room and was told that there was no other room available. But not before he insisted that the suite I was in had indeed been renovated. I asked to speak to the Duty Manager and was referred to look for her at the front desk.

So I headed out downstairs, and was again told that suite 1230 had indeed been renovated. I ended up showing them pictures of what the renovated rooms should look like and was told that those belong to the Premier floors and none of those are available. I again reiterated that I actually emailed prior with my request and had to wait for a renovated room which ended up not being so, so there is no way I can make do with the current dated room. I even had to show them that one of their Premier rooms is still selling online at trip.com to justify my case – to which they said their reservations team insist there was no availability and ‘trip.com has closed down’. I thought the entire conversation was hilarious.

Eventually, they said another Junior Suite is available but still being cleaned. I asked if this room looks the same as 1230 and was told yes it is but “design is different”. So I asked to take a look – I understand that it is still being cleaned but at least I would be able to see if the room is indeed a renovated one.

……………And *drum roll* YES IT WAS! For sure it was not just a difference in design as how they put it across but an actually renovated suite. Thank goodness! You can actually see the difference between what they have on the website link and my pictures.

Kudos to the front desk manager who was all smiles all the way and patient with my request. I wasn’t rude as well but politely insistent.

So my new room 1826, was newly renovated, modern and super spacious. A queen bed in the bedroom, and a separate living room which contains the washroom. A work desk and a comfy couch. 2 TVs in total as well.

PREMIER LOUNGE – Located on the ground floor, the lounge was not too big but looked classy with its rich velvet colors. A smallish selection of bites and alcohol was available during cocktail hours of 5-7pm daily and was sufficient for a light dinner before heading out to the malls again. But the lounge was at times understaffed which meant used plates uncleared for some time.

BREAKFAST – We had choice of breakfast at either the Lounge of The Square. At the lounge: a small but adequate selection of the usual breakfast items accompanied by a made to order selection of eggs done multiple ways, waffles and pancakes etc. At The Square: more selection of food but packed with noise and mini chaos topped with waiting in line for eggs.

BAD SERVICE – unfortunately, I had to mark down the ratings for the property as the experience can probaby be improved. Apart from the room issue spoiling the arrival experience, housekeeping was also shoddy ie not replenishing the shower gel. I also had a hilarious experence at the Square’s breakfast where a supervisor asked if I wanted a coffee when I approached the coffee machine, I said yes, and he placed a cup at the coffee machine – so I naturally thought he was getting it for me. The next moment, a staff came to speak to him, they exchanged words, and the staff whipped out a “out of order”note, stuck it onto the same machine where my cup was, and they both walked off. and I was left just standing there wondering what just happened. No major damage as I just went over to queue for the next working machine but it was just funny how that all unraveled.

CHECK OUT – Fast and seamless as my room was pre-paid.

I would be hesitant about trying this property again as there are plenty more options in the siam area. And the stay would only be acceptable if you get an actual renovated room.