Grace Hotel 'The devil you know' vs. switching to Ambassador

[hermespan]

Anyone stayed many times at both and care to comment?

[hermespan]

The devil I used to know...

There are three siginifican downsides to Grace...

1. They are usually full except for the crappiest and most luxurious rooms. It'svery difficult to just walk in and get a room.

2. The neighbourhood is very difficult to navigate as a pedestrian. Must be too much money in bribes to enforce Bangkok's civil rules about sidewalks as passageways

3. Front desk is often packed - more customers than staff

4. Doesn't matter how many years I have been coming here, I never get a discount.

But I tried the Ambassador and the warren is just too confusing and the receptionist, when I asked to be shown a room told me to look at their website.

The challenge in Bangkok is finding hotel rooms in 'downtown' locations that are crying for business. Seems they are a license to print money. There is a huge demand from tourists, especially the middle class from India and families from the Gulf states. And China, and Spain. It's as if the whole cosompolitan selection of the planet is in Bangkok (unlike Vietnam and Cambodia and everywhere in Indonesia outside of Bali)

Bangkok is no longer an affordable destination for me, and I just gave to grit my teeth if I come here for business. And pull out my credit card.

Ah, 1989, when Bangkok seemed like it was just being discovered by the rest of the world! Bangkok is now second world, not third. Hasn't been for a decade or more

[keestha]

Remember there were mainly people from the Middle East staying in the Grace Hotel, they also had a nightclub catering for them.

OP, I don't know which standard of luxury is the bottom line for you, but Sukhumwit is packed with hotels, priced from 800 Baht upwards. Of course a hotel with all the frills will cost more in Bangkok than in Chumporn or Nongkhai.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Ah, the Grace, and sits "meat market." Or have they cleaned up their act since the 1970s & '80s. Never stayed there but it was one of the stops if we had visitors in and they wanted to go on an alley run.

Have stayed at the Ambassador a number of times, last time in November last year. Quite OK. Not many staff at the check in & out counter. Good enough coffee shop and restaurants.

The last few years, tho, if I need to stay downtown, I stay at the Federal Hotel, also there on Suk Soi 11, baht 1,400 inc breakfast, and they now have free wifi in the rooms.

Mac

[Litlos]

I stayed at the Ambassador a couple of times and never again. Smelly rooms, lousy air conditioning and average food. Come to the other side of Sukhumvit from the grace and there is Woraburi, SM Grande, Nana and Rajah just to rattle off a few. Plenty of others along the road that are a bit smaller and cheaper.

[merijn]

Aaaah the ambassador hotel.

Stayed few times until about 2 years ago but for the same money you can have much better hotels in the same area.

I think the hotel is very rundown and not very attractive any more. ( not that it really attractive was to start with ) but at least you had the open beer garden in front of the hotel with live music a long time ago.

[phuketrichard]

try the Dynasty grande ( not the one on soi 4 but the one on the cut off road to soi 6) http://www.dynastygrande.com/

great rooms and staff

Haven't stayed at the Ambassador or the Grace since the 80's and even back then the rooms smelled bad ( as did the rooms at the nana hotel)

Federal is a long stand by with many people living there for years and years

[Hugh Jarse]

I stayed at the Ambassador a couple of times and never again. Smelly rooms, lousy air conditioning and average food. Come to the other side of Sukhumvit from the grace and there is Woraburi, SM Grande, Nana and Rajah just to rattle off a few. Plenty of others along the road that are a bit smaller and cheaper.

Try The Atlanta at the end of Soi 2 Sukhumvit. The most charming establishment in Bangkok, (1930's German art deco) reasonably priced. a swimming pool, writers bureux, internet, small gym, a good restaurant, travel shop and great selection of magazines, newspapers. It is a very welcoming place for singles and families to stay. Sex tourists and yobs are not welcome there though.A real Aladdins Cave of a place!

[WitawatWatawit]

I stayed at the Ambassador a couple of times and never again. Smelly rooms, lousy air conditioning and average food. Come to the other side of Sukhumvit from the grace and there is Woraburi, SM Grande, Nana and Rajah just to rattle off a few. Plenty of others along the road that are a bit smaller and cheaper.

Try The Atlanta at the end of Soi 2 Sukhumvit. The most charming establishment in Bangkok, (1930's German art deco) reasonably priced. a swimming pool, writers bureux, internet, small gym, a good restaurant, travel shop and great selection of magazines, newspapers. It is a very welcoming place for singles and families to stay. Sex tourists and yobs are not welcome there though.A real Aladdins Cave of a place!

Agreed, the Atlanta is very nice and different. But the staff are a bit snooty, thouogh.

[Satcommlee]

I use the Grace because it is so easy to get to off the expressway, and so easy to get back onto the expressway.

It's mainly Arabs that stay there and there is free parking.

There are rooms from 1100 baht, and you can easily just walk in and get one, no need for booking.

Place is pretty old an tired though, but functional.

[pomchop]

Ah, the Grace, and sits "meat market." Or have they cleaned up their act since the 1970s & '80s. Never stayed there but it was one of the stops if we had visitors in and they wanted to go on an alley run.

Have stayed at the Ambassador a number of times, last time in November last year. Quite OK. Not many staff at the check in & out counter. Good enough coffee shop and restaurants.

The last few years, tho, if I need to stay downtown, I stay at the Federal Hotel, also there on Suk Soi 11, baht 1,400 inc breakfast, and they now have free wifi in the rooms.

Mac

Federal hotel is closing soon and will be torn down to build more condos...too bad as it was a decent place.

[Thanyaburi Mac]

Pomchop

Federal closing? Ouch!!! That's also where my sister & brother in law stay when they're visiting from the U.S.

Got a time frame for the sad event?

I also note that the Golden Palace Hotel on Suk Soi 1 is now gone, sad. I've stayed there a bunch. Used to be baht 50 a night, then to 70, and 90, and even more!!

Mac

[Thanyaburi Mac]

I sent the Federal an email, here's their sad reply. Shed a tear!!

Mac

Dear sir,

Our hotel will close down at the end of this year.

Yours faithfully,

Federal Hotel

[lopburi3]

What is this thread - Golden Oldies? My first stay was Grace in 1968 and it was known as a co-ed hotel in those days. Federal was a bit cheaper and further up the road. Golden Palace did have a nice swimming pool which was unusual for a cheap hotel and only two story so no waiting for elevators or power outage issues (except no windows in rear). But will all the new hotels in Bangkok kind of surprised these are/were still in favor.

[jellydog]

Ah, the Grace, and sits "meat market." Or have they cleaned up their act since the 1970s & '80s. Never stayed there but it was one of the stops if we had visitors in and they wanted to go on an alley run.

Have stayed at the Ambassador a number of times, last time in November last year. Quite OK. Not many staff at the check in & out counter. Good enough coffee shop and restaurants.

The last few years, tho, if I need to stay downtown, I stay at the Federal Hotel, also there on Suk Soi 11, baht 1,400 inc breakfast, and they now have free wifi in the rooms.

Mac

Federal hotel is closing soon and will be torn down to build more condos...too bad as it was a decent place.

A shame ! The Federal was where I stayed upon my first visit to Bangkok. Nice folks and clean rooms on Soi 11. Hard to beat.

[grumpyoldman]

Yes, got the sad news that The Federal is closing.

I've been a regular there since 1991, love the staff and the coffee shop, can kick back by the pool............

Need a replacement please continue suggestions.

OP, no on the Ambassador, once got shuffled there when the Federal was full, overpriced scheit room, guys at the front desk tried to get me for extra guest charge at 3:00AM, told them I would take it up with the GM next day, never was charged so they were just out to try and rip me off.

[Rinrada]

Honey in Soi 19 still doing well.

Booked some Anglo/Thai friends in last week (early r/t to the smoke)and they said very good....and @ 800 Bt a night inc Brekis.....dee mak....

[dddave]

I stayed at the Ambassador a couple of times and never again. Smelly rooms, lousy air conditioning and average food. Come to the other side of Sukhumvit from the grace and there is Woraburi, SM Grande, Nana and Rajah just to rattle off a few. Plenty of others along the road that are a bit smaller and cheaper.

Try The Atlanta at the end of Soi 2 Sukhumvit. The most charming establishment in Bangkok, (1930's German art deco) reasonably priced. a swimming pool, writers bureux, internet, small gym, a good restaurant, travel shop and great selection of magazines, newspapers. It is a very welcoming place for singles and families to stay. Sex tourists and yobs are not welcome there though.A real Aladdins Cave of a place!

Agreed, the Atlanta is very nice and different. But the staff are a bit snooty, thouogh.

Atlanta? Snooty?? That's a massive understatement. A friend and his Thai wife, married for more than 10 years had reservations there a few years ago. He and his wife were rudely and dismissively denied a room..even though he had his marriage certificate and offered to show them.

Snooty doesn't even begin to cover it; "charming" my ass!

[merijn]

I stayed at the Ambassador a couple of times and never again. Smelly rooms, lousy air conditioning and average food. Come to the other side of Sukhumvit from the grace and there is Woraburi, SM Grande, Nana and Rajah just to rattle off a few. Plenty of others along the road that are a bit smaller and cheaper.

Try The Atlanta at the end of Soi 2 Sukhumvit. The most charming establishment in Bangkok, (1930's German art deco) reasonably priced. a swimming pool, writers bureux, internet, small gym, a good restaurant, travel shop and great selection of magazines, newspapers. It is a very welcoming place for singles and families to stay. Sex tourists and yobs are not welcome there though.A real Aladdins Cave of a place!

Agreed, the Atlanta is very nice and different. But the staff are a bit snooty, thouogh.

Atlanta? Snooty?? That's a massive understatement. A friend and his Thai wife, married for more than 10 years had reservations there a few years ago. He and his wife were rudely and dismissively denied a room..even though he had his marriage certificate and offered to show them.

Snooty doesn't even begin to cover it; "charming" my ass!

Showing a marriage certificate to get a room!! No bloody way.

I had this one time at the Marriott ( the check-in girl did not believe that she was my wife) in Pattaya and after my rant was over i received multiple excuses from the boss.

If you want to make me angry, this is good way to do it.

Edited September 1, 2013 by merijn

[PaddyBKK]

I sent the Federal an email, here's their sad reply. Shed a tear!!

Mac

Dear sir,

Our hotel will close down at the end of this year.

Yours faithfully,

Federal Hotel

Sad to hear that also - I stayed there on my first visit in the late 80's and used it on every other visit until the mid 90's when I relocated to Bangkok and rented an apartment. I have very good memories of it. I might book a couple of nights with the missus before it closes.

PaddyBKK

[Hugh Jarse]

I stayed at the Ambassador a couple of times and never again. Smelly rooms, lousy air conditioning and average food. Come to the other side of Sukhumvit from the grace and there is Woraburi, SM Grande, Nana and Rajah just to rattle off a few. Plenty of others along the road that are a bit smaller and cheaper.

Try The Atlanta at the end of Soi 2 Sukhumvit. The most charming establishment in Bangkok, (1930's German art deco) reasonably priced. a swimming pool, writers bureux, internet, small gym, a good restaurant, travel shop and great selection of magazines, newspapers. It is a very welcoming place for singles and families to stay. Sex tourists and yobs are not welcome there though.A real Aladdins Cave of a place!

Agreed, the Atlanta is very nice and different. But the staff are a bit snooty, thouogh.

Atlanta? Snooty?? That's a massive understatement. A friend and his Thai wife, married for more than 10 years had reservations there a few years ago. He and his wife were rudely and dismissively denied a room..even though he had his marriage certificate and offered to show them.

Snooty doesn't even begin to cover it; "charming" my ass!

Your 'friends" probably turned up looking like tramps to be treated like this.

[dddave]

Atlanta? Snooty?? That's a massive understatement. A friend and his Thai wife, married for more than 10 years had reservations there a few years ago. He and his wife were rudely and dismissively denied a room..even though he had his marriage certificate and offered to show them.

Snooty doesn't even begin to cover it; "charming" my ass!

"Your 'friends" probably turned up looking like tramps to be treated like this."

That is an asinine, ignorant statement. It reflects more on you than on them.

[stevenl]

Try The Atlanta at the end of Soi 2 Sukhumvit. The most charming establishment in Bangkok, (1930's German art deco) reasonably priced. a swimming pool, writers bureux, internet, small gym, a good restaurant, travel shop and great selection of magazines, newspapers. It is a very welcoming place for singles and families to stay. Sex tourists and yobs are not welcome there though.A real Aladdins Cave of a place!

Agreed, the Atlanta is very nice and different. But the staff are a bit snooty, thouogh.

Atlanta? Snooty?? That's a massive understatement. A friend and his Thai wife, married for more than 10 years had reservations there a few years ago. He and his wife were rudely and dismissively denied a room..even though he had his marriage certificate and offered to show them.

Snooty doesn't even begin to cover it; "charming" my ass!

Your 'friends" probably turned up looking like tramps to be treated like this.

Many reports about Thai-foreign couples treated like shit there.

So no, it is solely due to their attitude, in spite of your attitude.

[lumply]

The devil I used to know...

There are three siginifican downsides to Grace...

1. They are usually full except for the crappiest and most luxurious rooms. It'svery difficult to just walk in and get a room.

2. The neighbourhood is very difficult to navigate as a pedestrian. Must be too much money in bribes to enforce Bangkok's civil rules about sidewalks as passageways

3. Front desk is often packed - more customers than staff

4. Doesn't matter how many years I have been coming here, I never get a discount.

But I tried the Ambassador and the warren is just too confusing and the receptionist, when I asked to be shown a room told me to look at their website.

The challenge in Bangkok is finding hotel rooms in 'downtown' locations that are crying for business. Seems they are a license to print money. There is a huge demand from tourists, especially the middle class from India and families from the Gulf states. And China, and Spain. It's as if the whole cosompolitan selection of the planet is in Bangkok (unlike Vietnam and Cambodia and everywhere in Indonesia outside of Bali)

Bangkok is no longer an affordable destination for me, and I just gave to grit my teeth if I come here for business. And pull out my credit card.

Ah, 1989, when Bangkok seemed like it was just being discovered by the rest of the world! Bangkok is now second world, not third. Hasn't been for a decade or more

Used to stay at the AMB then switched to the Federal, even when I had a generous company allowance, why? Because the last couple of times the AMB was inundated with Indian and Japanese tourist groups. Breakfast time was akin to a 'mutton grab' so I walked down the road to the FED and had one of their 100 Bt jobbies. The FED holds many happy memories and it is sad that it is closing down but it's had a good innings going back to Vietnam R&R times. From what I hear about the Grace I shall give it a wide berth. Oh well I suppose there's always Nana........NOT!

[Furbie]

Atlanta? Snooty?? That's a massive understatement. A friend and his Thai wife, married for more than 10 years had reservations there a few years ago. He and his wife were rudely and dismissively denied a room..even though he had his marriage certificate and offered to show them.

Snooty doesn't even begin to cover it; "charming" my ass!

"Your 'friends" probably turned up looking like tramps to be treated like this."

That is an asinine, ignorant statement. It reflects more on you than on them.

Over 20 different destinations in Thailand, staying at over 30 different hotels (ranging from 2-5 stars), over the course of 12 years with 4 different Thai GFs (not at the same time for the wise asses), and I have never once been questioned about our marital status or denied a room. This includes the Oriental and Peninsula hotels in Bangkok, rumored to have problems, and travelling with similar couples. I’m not saying it’s not possible, I’m just saying it seems rare.

If it did happen, I would lose my $hit. For the record, I have never stayed at the Atlanta.

[merijn]

Your 'friends" probably turned up looking like tramps to be treated like this.

As you can see also one with this experience.

Thank you for calling my 20 year + wife calling a tramp. ( on average we stay more then 10 a year in 5 star hotels)

I think it says enough about your attitude.

[tartempion]

Furbie, yes the Atlanta, probably the only place in Thailand telling mixed couples to go somewhere else, to avoid at any rate.

Yes I stayed at the infamous Grace, infamous Nana, infamous Rex (many many times at this one), infamous Federal, infamous Ambassador and many others even including the infamous Miami, never again, I do like the view onto the Miami from the Sofitel Sukhumvit though.

[chris1dna]

Found grace AND ambassador to be dumps. Now we stay at citidines Soi 8. Clean nice rooms, friendly helpful staff, free wifi and free shuttle to and from Sukhumvit.

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

[Razzler1973]

Grace is always full of ladyboys outside. I found places just past Grace and into the soi behind are much better for the same or less money

I live in the Middle East so it's a great place for me to change dirhams into Baht if I need to, better than exchange/bank rates

[smokie36]

When there are so many newer and better hotels with a modern approach to guests its a study in nostalgia this thread is.

Ambassador is very average indeed.

Honey hotel is half the price and just about bearable for a couple of nights.

The others I wouldn't go near even though the Rajah foyer no longer stinks....sixth floor sir?