Ibis Bangkok Riverside – A Review By Punam Mohandas
The ibis Bangkok Riverside can indisputably be called a quaint and charming hotel. This 266-key property offers a delightful location, placed as it is along the banks of the Chao Phraya river. The hotel tenders all the modern comforts minus the fripperies associated with big, star brands and hence manages to keep the price factor well under control.
The small but functional lobby, filled with bright sunshine through the French windows that give out over a view of a small garden and the swimming pool, is usually bustling. Almost 80% of the hotel’s clientele is Chinese.
The ibis Bangkok Riverside has seven floors offering double and twin-bedded rooms. The Family Room is a plus point here, with a double bunk bed for the children; as a thoughtful gesture there are large soft cuddly toys on each bunk. To make the Little People feel further welcome, there is the Xbox 360.
All rooms come equipped with free wifi, wardrobes, electronic safes, TV’s, hair dryers, minibars and tea/coffee makers, along with wooden shelves that serve as tables and little settees. Two complimentary bottles of water are provided per day. Be warned that housekeeping service is only available until 5pm. About 25 rooms have a river view (albeit no balcony) so factor this in whilst making your reservations.
Bathrooms are admittedly a bit cramped. There is a separate shower cubicle, which saves one from messy wet floors. Keeping in line with the no-frills, you won’t find fancy shampoos or body lotions here, just a couple of wall soap dispensers.
F&B does not provide options in terms of outlets; there is only one restaurant, Taste, that prides itself on having reinvented the Spanish tapas. All lunch meals are a la carte except over the weekends when there is a buffet spread. Dinners, on the other hand, are buffet except on Mondays. Breakfast is an involved affair- from 4am till midday it’s a light repast, from 4-6am and 10am-12pm hot drinks, juices and pastries are available. Full buffet breakfast is from 6.30-10am. The ibis kitchen serves light meals around the clock; it is also possible to have your orders served at the poolside.
Apart from the swimming pool there are no other recreational facilities such as a spa or gym however, there is a massage pavilion by the poolside with the provision for outside masseurs to be arranged depending on guest requests.
Conference facilities include three meeting rooms that can accommodate up to a 100 pax.
There is free wifi through the hotel and a couple of work stations in the lobby offer internet free for the first thirty minutes usage.
Most of the staff are helpful and courteous although there is always room for improvement.
This particular ibis prides itself on uncompromising service, and scarcely less is to be expected as the Area General Manager, Jean-Louis Barc, is based out of this property. The hotel has come up with a unique “15-minute Promise” – if a guest faces any problem whatsoever and said hitch is not sorted out within the committed 15-minute time frame, then the stay is complimentary.
As mentioned before, the hotel overlooks the Chao Phraya river and therefore is close to Wat Arun and the Grand Palace, as also China Town. The nearest BTS stop is Krung Thonburi. The hotel does offer a shuttle service to the station however, do bear in mind that this is a relatively new BTS station and public transport such as taxis and motorcycle taxis are liable to be on the limited side hence, plan your sojourns into town carefully.
Most major airlines fly into Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport. From there, you require to take a taxi; limited options in terms of using public transport to get here. The Skytrain BTS connection (THB45) from the airport is only until Phaya Thai station; not an advisable option if you have a lot of luggage.
IBIS BANGKOK RIVERSIDE
TEL: +66 26592888
FAX: +66 26592889
Email: [email protected]
Punam Mohandas asserts her right to be identified as the author of this work. Any views or opinions expressed in this review is that of the author.
