Good hotel in a good area of Sukhumvit

(This hotel was previously called Bel Aire Princess)

The Bel Aire Bangkok is a really good hotel, the first I stayed at in Bangkok and I have been back many times since. The hotel has undergone quite a lot of changes since my first stay in the 1990s. Back then the hotel was good in comparison to other Bangkok hotels, but not that good and not that expensive. Back then it was very popular with Indian tour groups and as a pre-booked hotel for British package tourists. Things changed in 2005 when the hotel was renovated, the service improved along with the furnishings and fittings, and the price went up. For what you get, which is pretty good, this hotel represents great value for money. If you are seeking a comfortable/safe hotel, in a good area, to my mind you can’t go wrong with the Bel-Aire Bangkok.

The hotel is decorated in a contemporary minimal style, with a stylish lobby and bar area as you enter the hotel. On the ground floor you will also find the hotel’s restaurant, the Tiffin Restaurant which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. In my opinion, the restaurant isn’t that great, however, bear in mind there are loads of dining options locally so this isn’t a problem. This said, to be fair the buffet breakfast is good, but it costs 450 Thai Baht ($15) and if you want a light snack in the morning you are better off going to Took Lae Dee restaurant in Foodland supermarket for their famous 49 Thai Baht ($1.5) breakfast. Back to the positives – the hotel has free WiFi and a great roof top swimming pool with waitress service from the pool bar.

The hotel has three room types. Superior Room (32sqm), Deluxe Room (36sqm) and Junior Suite (45sqm). All the rooms are well appointed. The bathrooms are large and well designed. The rooms are carpeted with large beds. Add in a mini-bar and flat screen TV with a good range of satellite channels and you have all the necessaries for a very comfortable stay in a hotel which would cost you three times as much in London.