Holiday Inn Express & Suites Bangkok Central Pier

This was my eighth stay, which says how much I usually like the place. The staff are exceptionally friendly and helpful, the rooms are large, and the bathroom is spacious and immaculately clean. I was in a road-facing room and heard some noise, but it didn't bother me. The breakfast quality has dropped a lot since my earlier visits, when I'd praised it. Nearly all the hot food was stone cold and below the standard of previous stays. One morning the choices were so poor I only had toast. A real and avoidable letdown.

Once I got the room sorted out, the stay went smoothly. Breakfast was the usual Express offering, adequate but nothing special. Staff were polite and accommodating, though they talked among themselves more, and more loudly, than I've experienced at any other IHG. I know this area can be noisy, which isn't the hotel's fault, so I specifically booked a high-floor suite. Instead I was offered a second-floor room and had to insist on changing it. I had selected an available option in the IHG app, not made a special request, so being offered one of the lowest floors shouldn't have happened. The place also attracts rather noisy tourists. I think I'll return to the Silom branch, where I've had exceptional service for years.

Getting around was easy: the train station is very close, and the ferry terminal is only 550 metres away. Shops, restaurants, markets, and massage places are nearby too. We took a Grab from the airport in the evening, which took about 1-1.5 hours in traffic. The trip back to the airport on our departure morning took about 45 minutes. The room was nicely presented, and the bathroom was very nice. A few amenities were provided, with more available on request. There was a little road noise inside, though much more was noticeable once we stepped into the hallway. Staff were friendly and courteous at check-in. A very nice hotel for a short Bangkok visit, and I'd recommend it.

I picked this place for the location, and it worked well as a base for exploring by train and ferry. BTS Siphon Taksin is a five-minute walk away, with Sathorn Pier another three minutes beyond it. There's a 24-hour reception, a small pool and gym, and a breakfast room. Cafe Amazon is right next door, and Sarinna, a small massage business, is in the hotel building. My eighth-floor room was a good size, with a queen bed, plenty of storage and hanging space, and a decent shower. I sometimes heard noise from next door, but it wasn't intrusive. The breakfast room has lots of seating, though I avoided 9-10am, when it apparently gets busiest. Food was a good mix of local and international choices, and the staff were friendly. I'd recommend it as a city base.