Where to Stay? |
- The Key Hotel, Bangkok |
The Key Hotel, Bangkok
Country: Thailand
City: Bangkok
Check-In Date: June 24, 2015
Country: Thailand
City: Bangkok
Check-In Date: June 24, 2015
 The Key Hotel, Bangkok. The entrance is located in an alley but MRT and Terminal 21 are a few minute walk.
It is not an international hotel chain, like Hilton or Marriott, whose guests tend to be foreign business travelers taking advantage of its nicest location in town and importantly its loyalty program. The Key Hotel Bangkok is not among them and it is a typical boutique hotel, where friendly Thai receptionists like to welcome each guest on arrival. However, this hotel is located in one of the finest places in the city at Asok intersection, where MRT (subway) and BTS (sky train) meet each other, allowing tourists to travel easier. Plus, Terminal 21 shopping mall is just right across the street and you can dine at one of many available restaurants or sit back and relax at a Starbucks store. Each room is very clean and nicely equipped with a fixed desk and power outlets. While there are many Hilton or Marriot properties available across the city, this Key Hotel Bangkok is always on my radar screen whenever I travel to the Kingdom and it often becomes my choice.
(L) BTS Sky Trains run at Asok station, a few minute walk from The Key Hotel. (R) Terminal 21 shopping mall, which is accessible to/from BTS, is located right in front of The Key Hotel.
Unlike the international hotel chains, the Key Hotel Bangkok does not offer its loyalty program. However, it seems the hotel operation system remembers returning guests. Upon check-in on my arrival in the late evening, I was kindly upgraded to a spacious suite room on the top floor. I know this hotel quite well as I have often stayed since I was a college student while traveling to Bangkok annually. Despite its great location, the hotel rates are relatively affordable. When I stayed at The Key Hotel for this trip, the Best Available room rate was 1,600 Baht or about US$45 while newly opened Double Tree by Hilton Sukumvit (located just one station away from Asok by BTS) generally costs 3,200 Baht per night.
(L) A clean bed room in Suite Room 604. (C+R) A nicely equipped living room and kitchen. Microwave, refrigerator, as well as dishes, bowls, folks, etc. are all cleanly available.
The Key Hotel is not new but very clean throughout the property. Bed is still comfy and each room provides dishes, bowls, knifes and folks to allow you to enjoy dinner at your convenience. While you want to try a variety of tasty and spicy Thai food, you can take them back to the hotel from Terminal 21 food court, where hundreds of Thai dishes are available to choose from. Complimentary Internet is provided throughout the property and in your room as well. All the amenities are indifferent from the international hotel chain. If you have a breakfast package in your room rate, you can enjoy breakfast downstairs while breakfast by the way used to be delivered to a room upon your scheduled convenience in the past.
The only drawback for this hotel is that most rooms have no view through the windows. If your room has a view, chances are you will see noisy alley or the street. Otherwise, affordable room rates yield everything. Plus that affordable room rates include a clean room and the nicest location in the city. With that in mind, The Key Hotel Bangkok is one of the finest choices especially for leisure travelers. To/From Suvarnabuhmi International Airport (BKK)
Since its finest location, you can travel to Suvarnabuhmi International Airport (BKK) by MRT and City Train. MRT Asok station is a few minutes walk from the hotel. Take the MRT subway to Phetchaburi station, one station away from Asok. Then, transfer to City Train or Airport Express Train to the airport. The former costs only 35 Baht while the later cost 90 Baht (as of June 2015). However, Airport Express runs about every 30 minutes or so. If that is in consideration, it is highly recommended to take City Train, which runs around every 15 minutes. Importantly, there is only 10 minutes difference whether you take local City Train or non-stop Airport Express Train. The travel time from the hotel to the airport by MRT and City Train is about one hour. 
(L) City Train to Suvarnabuhmi International Airport. (R) Makkasan station, an interchange station to MRT subway.
From the airport to The Key Hotel Bangkok, the easiest way is to take a taxi from a taxi station downstairs. However, the taxi driver is likely to take an expressway to the hotel to avoid traffic jams throughout the day, and he will ask you toll fees of about 75 Baht. With that route, the taximeter will hit around 350 - 400 Baht, depending on traffic, plus an airport fee of 50 Baht. That said, the total taxi fare should reach around 500 Baht. Duration of the taxi ride is about 40 – 60 minutes depending on traffic.
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