Now that I’ve experienced the temples of Angkor and my first trip to Cambodia, the long round-about journey towards home would begin. I was aiming for some new experiences as well as some fun ones that I’ve done before. First I had a short overnight layover in Bangkok. In the past, I had gone into the city (and have had some lovely stays (Grand Hyatt, Sheraton, Park Plaza), but given this visit was very short, I opted to try a new place. I booked a room at the Best Western Amaranth which is relatively close to the airport and better yet has a free shuttle.
Double room, Best Western Amaranth
While there are countless good options for cheap lodging in Bangkok, I decided to do something different on this trip. This was during the summer of 2014, and there were still curfews in place following the latest coup. There were still plenty of people out and about that I could see, but there wasn’t the usual bustle of Bangkok as far as I could tell. The main point of this stopover was to experience the Thai Airways Royal First Lounge and Spa before my next flight, so I just wanted an easy place to get some sleep. I could have stayed in the airport, or at the Novotel nearer the airport, but for less than $50, and only maybe 10-15 minutes away, I was content with this hotel.
Booking the shuttle was a little complicated. Here is information I took from their website for my stay:
The shuttle was free, but a little bit of a hassle. It seems to run on a set schedule
My Room at the Best Western Amaranth
The room itself was fine. I only wanted a clean, quiet place to sleep, and this hotel met that need. I would be leaving early to have more time at the lounge at the airport, so I didn’t see anything other than the lobby and my room.
The room was modern, and very clean.
As a tall person, I always appreciate a shower head I don’t have to duck under
The only issue I noticed with the room was a cracked sink.
“Everything for a price”, literally.
In all, the Best Western Amaranth fit exactly what I was hoping it would. An affordable room near the airport, with easy access. The free shuttle was unusual for hotels in Bangkok. Normally taxis are cheap, but can be a hassle. I got some decent sleep, then headed back to the airport, for one of my favorite experiences as a traveler, departing Bangkok in Thai Royal First Class.
Other posts in this series:
- Air Canada to Toronto and The Maple Leaf Lounge
- First Class all to myself: Lufthansa Inaugural Toronto to Munich
- Munich Lufthansa First Class lounge then transiting Frankfurt
- Thai Airways Royal First Class on the Airbus A380 Frankfurt to Bangkok
- Thai Airways Royal Silk Business Class Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur
- My time in Kuala Lumpur and at the Le Meridien
- Malaysia Airlines economy from Kuala Lumpur to Siem Reap
- The Le Meridien Angkor, my home base in Siem Reap
- A Picture Tour of the Angkor Wat Temples Around Siem Reap
- Best Western Amaranth for a short layover in Bangkok
- Thai Airways Royal First Class Lounge and Spa
- Thai Airways Royal First Class Bangkok to Hong Kong
- Cathay Pacific Business Class Lounges in Hong Kong
- Cathay Pacific Business Class Hong Kong to Seoul
- Hyatt Regency Incheon Airport
- Asiana Airlines First Class Lounge in Seoul
- The only passenger in Asiana Airlines First Class Seoul to Frankfurt
- The best lounge in the world? Back at the Lufthansa First Class Terminal
- Lufthansa First Class with a seat and a bed Frankfurt to Toronto
