By now, I’m no longer a stranger to the limited-service Holiday Inn Express concept, and my previous experiences have all been great. And so on my recent trip, I opted to try out the newest among the chain’s three hotels in the Thai capital, Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Sukhumvit 11, which is located in a vibrant nightlife hotspot.
LOCATION
The hotel is found along Sukhumvit Soi 11, a constantly happening hotspot frequented by farangs (foreigners) due to its eclectic mix of trendy restaurants and nightlife places. That said, the hotel’s perfect as a place to crash after nights of reveling in the area’s pubs and clubs.
But for those who also came to the city for some serious shopping and sightseeing, the hotel’s central location is great too. Five minutes away is Nana BTS Skytrain station, from which the concept mall Terminal 21 in Asoke is a station away, while Siam Paragon, Siam Square, and CentralWorld are two or three stations away—though these and the rest of Bangkok’s top attractions can be reached easily by Uber or taxi.
STYLE/CHARACTER
A concept of the well-known Intercontinental Hotels Group, Holiday Inn Express is “the smart choice for travelers who need a simple, engaging hotel to rest, recharge and get a little work done.” A fast-growing brand, it has more than 220,000 rooms in 2,300 hotels globally.
Like its sister hotels, the interiors of Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Sukhumvit 11 are hip, bright, and refreshing, and the charming staff match the youthful vibe of the place. Again, it’s a limited service hotel, so there are no bellhops upon checking in. Guests are left to deal with their luggage on their own using the available carts—just the way I like it.
ROOMS
I loved the look and the feel of my room, thanks to its modern and stylish interiors, and the attractive choice of colors—a mix of blue and earth tones.
For some reason, it seemed more spacious than other Holiday Inn Express rooms I’ve stayed at. And although the hotel is in a nightlife district, I heard no outside noise from the room.
The room features all the traveler essentials: a comfortable queen bed with quality linens and a choice of soft and firm pillows, a cozy couch, an ergonomic desk with and universal power points, an LED TV, a minibar, coffee and tea making facility, closet space, an electronic safe, and of course, free wireless internet. The spotless bathroom, meanwhile, has a powerful shower with massage function, complemented by a set of towels and basic bath amenities.
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FACILITIES
The hotel boasts of carefully-selected facilities: internet stations, pay and go counter with snacks and essentials, a meeting room, and self-service laundry and ironing room.
FOOD AND DRINK
Breakfasts are unique at the hotel, with their two concepts: Express Start and Grab & Go. With the former, guests may choose from a modest spread and dine at the cafeteria-like dining hall, while with the latter, they may quickly pick their breakfast items from a counter.
SERVICE
The hotel staff were particularly helpful with my needs, and they were always armed with a greeting and a smile.
VALUE FOR MONEY
Rates at this hotel are really affordable, especially when booked in advanced through the Holiday Inn Express website. And like my assessment of its sister hotels, Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Sukhumvit 11 is great value for money. Its quality rooms, simple-yet-filling breakfasts, and pleasant staff make up for the lack of certain services and facilities.
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS BANGKOK SUKHUMVIT 11
Sukhumvit Soi 11, Klongtoey-Nua, Wattana, Bangkok, Thailand
Telephone: +66 2 119 4777
Email: info.bkkex@ihg.com
Website: www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/bangkok/bkkex/hoteldetail
Social Media: Facebook
