Suvarnabhumi Airport Budget Accomodation Service (day-room)

[pukimo]

Hi guys,

I am an undergraduate in Bachelor of Business RMIT Australia. Recently I travelled around asia and transfered 4 times via Suvarnabhumi airport with the longest transit of 8h. There was no where to sleep in other than Novotel Hotel (1,200bt/4h daytime, 2,210bt/day) or Miracle Grand Louis Tavern (1400bt/4h). They were both expensive and didn’t really cater to the budget travellers. I ended up sleeping on the airport bench. The bench was made of metal therefore it was hard and uncomfortable, luggage were only allowed to be checked in 2h prior to flights so I had to put them next to the bench. It was an awful experience with light shining in your face, it was cold, with the noise plus the thought of stolen lug gages didn’t allow my nap to last any longer than 10-15 minutes. We all know Thailand has been a popular tourist destination due to its low-cost and good services beside the good food, nice people and etc... However I’m feeling like the cost has been increasing tremendously in the past few years.

Anyway I had this idea of setting up a low-cost convenient accommodation service in Suvarnabhumi airport and called it "Aiport Rest Station". The idea is to offer convenient, low-cost, flexible accommodation services to budget travellers needing a place to sleep or nap for a few hours or more. Due to the lack of space in airport, "Airport Rest Station" will be designed to offer maximum number of beds/person at the minimum amount cost possible. Factors such as comfort, hygiene and safety will not be compromised. The price will be lowered than existing service providers.

I’m proposing something around 260bt/h or 780bt/4h which includes luggage keeping.

I appreciate for any comments in respect to the idea (thought on the business idea? What kind of traveller are you? (Leisure, business, student…) Will you take up the service? What do you think of the price? …) Comparison to other services in airports around the world?

Thx in advance,

Pukimo

[lomatopo]

Where will this Airport Rest Station be located? Airside? International? Domestic? Off premises? AoT would have to buy into your business plan.

There are so many different types of transfers possible at BKK (intl-int'l, dom-int'l, int'l-dom), with the associated issues (checked bags, security, need to re-check in with a different carrier, Immigration, Customs, etc.), that it might be challenging to meet the needs of every budget traveler? I expect Miracle Grand might not be amenable to your plan.

Chiangi Airport (SIN) has (at least) two decent hotel facilites (in T1 and T2). I've used these many times. They are decent and not too expensive, used to be ~ 36 SGD or so.

[pukimo]

The airport rest station will be located in International side, and yeah i have thought of selling the idea to AoT would be a big issue as well. The main focus of the aiport will be cheap accomodation with added features such as tv, wifi and shower bath. I am still considering the luggage aspect of the accomodation as it poses more complicated issues such as security, custom and etc... In the mean time the luggage service would perhaps be basic to just hand luggage like 7kg/customers. And yes travellers have to take their luggage and check in to the airline themselves. In regard to Miracle Grand did you mean they have the power to allow which accomodation service to be operated in the airport areas ?

[Levent]

I think it is a fantastic idea and you should really work it out. If there is one thing that many international airports could do with, it is affordable short-term accommodation - where the keyword is AFFORDABLE. Most times airport hotels are grossly overcharged, and let's be honest, what do you need the room for? A nap and a shower.

Of course I have no idea what the rental of space at an airport like BKK would be...

Last February we stayed in the Evergreen Transit Hotel at Taipei Airport, which was quite ok for US$ 25 or so.