Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park

BACKGROUND Formerly the Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel, the property has undergone extensive renovation, reopening in December 2016 as Marriott’s first Marquisbranded property in Asia. The“Marquis”brand extension denotes that there are more than 1,000 rooms – 1,360 rooms in this case, making it the largest hotel in Bangkok – and over 5,000 sqm of event space. WHERE IS IT? Located along Sukhumvit Road near the up-and-coming “EM District”, which comprises three new luxury malls, prime business addresses and a crop of cool new entertainment hotspots. A taxi to Suvarnabhumi International Airport takes at least 45 minutes – expect to pay THB500 (US$15) or enjoy the hotel’s wifi-enabled limo service for THB 2,500 (US$75). The hotel is also within walking distance of Phrom Phong BTS Skytrain station. WHAT’S IT LIKE? At less than a year old, it still has that brand-new appeal. The enormous lobby is dominated by striking glass-encased gold pillars that stretch up to a towering white ceiling, with plenty of comfortable seating and a stylish bar. The décor offers an almost Art Deco feel, but blended with Thai influences – a theme that continues throughout the hotel. Guestrooms and facilities are split between two towers. ROOM FACILITIES There are three room and three suite types. My 72 sqm M Suite was very spacious, with a separate bedroom and living area, yet cosily designed to offer a sophisticated residential feel.

The bedroom featured a supremely comfortable kingsize feather bed, flanked by gorgeous hanging bedside lamps. However, I was disappointed to find no bedside master switch, meaning I had to scurry around my suite individually turning off the lights. I also became flustered when I picked up the cordless phone by the bedside but couldn’t answer it – in the end, I ran through to the corded phone in the living room to speak to the caller.

The living room featured lots of comfortable seating options and a stylish circular glass desk. Positioned near two international sockets, a USB port and phone, it was well equipped, but a little on the small side.

Both the bedroom and living room feature large TVs, which notably offer a dedicated TED channel, thanks to the hotel’s recent global partnership with TED.

The marble bathroom is generously large, with lovely Thai Thann aromatherapy amenities.

Guests in this room category are also granted access to the large, airy M Club Lounge on the 27th floor of the South Tower. The attractive space has plenty of seating, a stylish meeting room, flatscreen TV, and the usual F&B options (breakfast, happy hour cocktails, etc). A highlight is the outdoor balcony (pictured below right) – a great place to enjoy sundowners, host an event or simply catch up on emails. RESTAURANTS AND BARS The hotel offers a diverse selection of dining venues on the lobby level. Goji Kitchen + Bar is the all-day international dining venue, serving extensive buffets from 6am to 10pm. Siam Tea Room treats guests to Thai dining experiences, along with a selection of pastries and sweets during the day. The Soba Factory re-creates a classical izakaya (informal Japanese gastropub) with a casual vibe. Finally, the Pagoda Chinese restaurant serves up authentic Cantonese cuisine from dim sum to barbecued pork in a classical oriental setting. MEETING FACILITIES The hotel positions itself as the “premier choice for creative meetings and events”. It certainly has incredible variety, with 35 event rooms, including a ballroom that can host up to 1,100, plus outdoor poolside options. Marriott’s global “Meetings Imagined” platform is epitomised here, with creative options that even include a hydroponic chamber. LEISURE FACILITIES These are located on the ninth floor, and include the Quan Spa, offering a range of Thai-inspired treatments in 11 private rooms; a 24-hour fitness studio; and two outdoor pools with sun loungers and pool bar. A Kids’ Club is also located on this level.

VERDICT This hotel echoes the coolness of the surrounding district while meeting the needs of serious business travellers with a range of excellent facilities and attentive staff. Despite the colossal key count, at no point did it feel overly crowded or the service rushed. An impressive addition to Bangkok’s hotel inventory.

The lobby décor is Art Deco blended with Thai influences – a theme that continues throughout the hotel