In Thailand's second tallest building, this all-suite hotel offers great value, great views and a great location. Though suitable for travelers of any ilk, it is a value for families on a budget.
Wedged between the Indra Regent and a crowded bazaar, close to tourist and commercial districts, the 43-story tower with rainbow-hue balconies rises above a four-story shopping complex. With a unique bent toward Muslim guests, this hotel offers a decent range of services for the low rates offered, but accommodations border on motel quality.
The fifth-floor lobby is a simple marble box with a few chairs and potted plants, and the adjoining bar offers music nightly. A 24-hour coffee shop also operates
there. The Sky Lounge Restaurant and Pub serves a candlelight dinner with live music and a spectacular panoramic view of the city skyscrapers. The menu is a la carte Thai dishes and an international buffet.
One floor is designed for Muslim guests, with a prayer room, meeting place and a restaurant that serves halal food. Guests also enjoy a gym, snooker, sauna, whirlpool and massage facilities. The outdoor pool is not used much.
Meeting capacity is 70 people, parking is plentiful, and shopping is only steps from the front door. A modest business center offers basic services and Internet access.
The monotonous, although spacious accommodations each have a large sitting room, a bedroom with earth-toned decor, an average-sized combination bath, and a kitchen with large refrigerators and other appliances. Decor is ready for an update from the institutional, cheap fabrics and dated hard goods, but there is little indication of any changes to come. Many rooms are a disgrace with poor upkeep and lousy housekeeping.
Amenities include air-conditioning, minibars, TVs, IDD phones, safes, radios with alarms, coffeemakers and a complimentary bottle of water. The unfurnished balconies boast sweeping views, but because of insurance issues, the doors to them are now permanently locked. The entire 16th floor has been converted into the Executive Floor, with rooms that boast marble floors, double beds, several sofas, working 
tables, and separate living rooms and kitchens.
Baby-sitting services are available round the clock.
Management maintains a pleasant residential ambience here, but maintenance standards are abysmal. The clientele is mostly individual travelers, Asian backpackers and Muslim families. For a bump in rates, recognized brands such as the Sheraton, Hilton or Marriott along the river offer a sizable leap in amenities and services. Amari Watergate or Imperial Queen's Park are much better bets for a slightly higher price.
