PJ Watergate Hotel

The view out the window was filthy, and the rooms were below average and smelled bad, including the bedsheets. It was less than a low-budget motel. Amenities were minimal, and I'm never going back. They charged us 500 Baht for a bath towel with a small washable eyeliner stain. It felt like they were looking for ways to overcharge, including charging five times the average price for a lost spoon or a broken tea cup. I wouldn't recommend staying somewhere that overcharges for the smallest things.

We had a privacy issue when staff came into our room and cleaned it without us asking for housekeeping. Nothing was lost, but entering without permission isn't acceptable, and it affected our sense of privacy. The staff also weren't very friendly. The hotel is compact, old-fashioned, with a small lobby and a dated feel. The buffet was okay but had little variety, though there was live music in the dining area. Rooms and facilities work for a short stay, and the main advantage is convenience. It's around a 150m walk to the city, with shopping malls within walking distance. When I visited in March, most shops in Bangkok town closed around 1 am. It's better for getting around than relaxing at the hotel. There are attractions within about 1-2 hours' drive, including Dream World, Safari World, temples, and a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya River. Traffic, especially at peak times, can make trips around the city take a long time.

The two boys working outside, helping with parking and luggage, were the only staff who smiled and treated us kindly. The rest of the staff made us feel unwelcome, communication was difficult because most didn't understand English, and the manager was rude with no sense of hospitality. Customer service was 0/10. The breakfast was the same food every single day, with no variety. I've stayed in many budget hotels, but this was the first where they didn't even seem to try to change or improve the menu. It got frustrating and boring quickly. The bathrooms smelled extremely bad, making our stay uncomfortable. The area felt unpleasant, and we couldn't open the window curtains because of the view and lack of privacy. The location is convenient and near the malls, but that was the only positive. It feels like the hotel assumes guests will come just because it's close to the malls, so it doesn't care about improving its service or business. I don't recommend it.

The toilet in our room smelled so bad it was uncomfortable to use. On the first day, we were also given a dirty pillowcase and towel. We didn't complain at the time, but later they charged us 700 bhat and said we'd stained them. We told them the marks were already there when we got the room, but staff were rude and charged the fine anyway. I believe this is some kind of scam, so be aware before booking. We recently stayed at PJ watergate hotel during our Bangkok trip and had a very disappointing time. If you want to enjoy your stay in Bangkok, avoid this hotel. It has a lower rating for a reason, and I wouldn't want others to regret booking like we did.