Hotel Review: The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok (Royal Club King) - Good Service but Average F&B Experiences

The Athenee Hotel is one of the 23 Marriott properties in Bangkok, conveniently located near the Phloen Chit BTS station. Originally built in 2000, the hotel joined Marriott's portfolio in 2017 after an extensive renovation, transforming it into a Luxury Collection hotel. While my favorite Marriott hotels in Bangkok are the Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park and the W Bangkok due to their prime locations and easy access to the BTS, The Athenee Hotel's proximity to Phloen Chit station is also advantageous. However, the lack of a covered walkway to the hotel can be problematic during Bangkok's rainy season, typically from July to October.

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Hotel Lobby
The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok

I booked the exclusive Marriott STARS rate at The Athenee Hotel, taking advantage of a third-night free offer. This deal brought the total cost to under USD 450 for three nights, which was fantastic given that it included my usual Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite benefits and Marriott STARS perks, such as a USD 100 F&B credit for the entire stay. Marriott STARS rates, which are available through luxury travel agents like ClassicTravel.com (free to use), are also elite-qualifying, allowing you to earn nights and points along with your elite benefits.

Royal Club Lounge
The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok

Upon arrival, I was offered a more private check-in experience at the Royal Club Lounge, The Athenee Hotel's equivalent of a club lounge. Given the long journey and Bangkok's traffic from the airport, I welcomed the chance to relax with a cup of iced coffee. During check-in, I was informed that, in recognition of my Titanium Elite status, one of my booked rooms had been upgraded to a Royal Club Room on a higher floor, which measures 44 sqm—slightly larger than the standard Athenee Rooms at 38 sqm. Unfortunately, despite it being after 3:00 PM, the official check-in time, the upgraded room was not ready, and I had to wait until 5:20 PM for it to be prepared. As compensation, the hotel offered me 50% discount vouchers for the dinner buffet at the Rain Tree Cafe but I did not bother using them (since the last thing I want is to have a full meal in the hotel).

Entrance
Royal Club King - The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok

As you enter the Royal Club Room at The Athenee Hotel, a narrow passageway greets you with the minibar on one side and the entrance to the bathroom on the other. Despite the room's 44 sqm size, it feels slightly smaller due to the relatively dark ambiance, which is curious given the two floor-to-ceiling windows at the room's end. Nonetheless, the renovated hotel boasts efficient air-conditioning—a crucial feature for me—and reliable WiFi access throughout my stay.

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The Royal Club Room is well-appointed with an illy coffee machine and complimentary teabags, including a delightful pandan and lemongrass tea that housekeeping generously replenished each morning. The Athenee Hotel excels in its soft product, with attentive staff providing a high level of service. Although I usually appreciate having a coffee machine in my room, I found myself frequently visiting the Royal Club Lounge for coffee. The lounge is quiet during the day, offering a brighter and more conducive environment for work.

Bedroom
Royal Club King - The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok

The guest rooms at The Athenee Hotel blend European design with subtle Thai elements. While I typically prefer a more minimalist aesthetic, the bedroom was very comfortable, featuring a separate lounging area and a work desk by the window. The lead-in room category, the Athenee Room, lacks a separate lounge area but otherwise shares similar features.

Bedroom
Royal Club King - The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok

As mentioned earlier, Royal Club Lounge benefits are extended to my room as a Titanium Elite member and they include the following:

• Private check-in and check-out at the Royal Club Lounge

• Two complimentary items of laundry or pressing per day

• Two hours usage of private meeting room per day

• Unlimited city calls (excluding mobile phone)

Even though the complimentary items of laundry is non-accumulative, it is highly appreciated in a city like Bangkok where you tend to perspire quite a bit from simply walking around.

View from Bedroom
Royal Club King - The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok

Luxury hotels around Phloen Chit have good views of Bangkok and the city skyline. Even though the view from my room was slightly obstructed by The Okura Prestige Bangkok building in front, it was still a nice sight to look out at during the day. I should also revisit the Park Hyatt Bangkok at some point when the price is right - there were several teething issues on my previous stay back in 2022.

Welcome Amenities
Royal Club King - The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok

As part of my welcome amenities, I received a bowl of fresh tropical fruits (always appreciated!) as well as a plate of chocolate pralines. Both my rooms were booked under the Marriott STARS rate and featured the same welcome amenities, so I'm not sure if this is a Titanium Elite benefit or a Marriott STARS one. I also appreciated the handwritten welcome note, which is always a nice touch when staying at a luxury hotel.

Bedside Table
Royal Club King - The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok

You will find universal power outlets by the bedside but there are no USB charging ports for your mobile devices. Most of the lights can be controlled via the switches located bedside and you can also request a wake-up call if required (is this something that people still value though?). I had pretty restful sleep at The Athenee Hotel as the rooms are quite quiet and the noise-isolation is also decent - you will not hear ambient noise from the streets at all.

Bathroom with Bathtub
Royal Club King - The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok

The bathrooms at The Athenee Hotel are relatively large with a separate bathtub and shower area. While many hotels remove bathtubs during renovations, it's great that The Athenee Hotel has kept them, as they are perfect for relaxing after a day out in the sweltering heat. The Royal Club Room features a single vanity sink and a range of disposable personal hygiene products, a convenience that many hotels have removed in the name of sustainability.

Bathroom
Royal Club King - The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok

Bath amenities at The Athenee Hotel are provided by Byredo and feature the Le Chemin scent which is different from the ones offered at most of the Conrad hotels worldwide. I like this scent - it features tangerine and Calabrian bergamot, Florence orris, Violets, Cypress, and White Cedarwood according to the website - and I appreciate that the bottles are not wall-mounted.

Bathroom
Royal Club King - The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok

Since the bathtub is located across from the shower area, having these amenities on a wall mount would be inconvenient.

Evening Cocktails
Royal Club Lounge - The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok

Located on Level 26 of The Athenee Hotel, the Royal Club Lounge offers three meal presentations daily: breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails. While many guests prefer the more extensive breakfast at the Rain Tree Cafe, the Royal Club Lounge's evening cocktail session tends to be quite busy. As a Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite member, I enjoy access to the Royal Club Lounge whenever I book an eligible rate, regardless of room type. This perk is one of the many reasons I choose to spend at least 75 nights annually with Marriott.

Evening Cocktails
Royal Club Lounge - The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok

Evening cocktails at the Royal Club Lounge are served from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. If you enjoy a drink or two in the evening, you will appreciate the variety of beverages offered here. In addition to the usual wines and spirits, a small cocktail menu is available, and sparkling wine is also offered. The staff is attentive with refills, ensuring a pleasant experience. A selection of food is available, primarily canapés, with one more substantial dish from the live kitchen. However, the offerings might not suffice for bigger eaters.

Evening Cocktails
Royal Club Lounge - The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok

The quality of food in the Royal Club Lounge was pretty average and fell short of expectations. The soups served in the evening were never hot, only slightly warm, and the sweets, including fruits, were disappointing. The canapés were acceptable, but the only relatively decent option was the hot dish, which changes every evening. At a similar price point, I can't help but compare the lounge experience with the Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, which is far superior.

Evening Cocktails
Royal Club Lounge - The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok

While the lounge staff tried to make a difference, the quality of food was somewhat disappointing for a hotel of this caliber. Even the duck confit I had on one evening was dry and not exactly palatable. The drinks are fine but the food definitely needs work - otherwise, you might be better off in one of Marriott's other hotels in the city.

Swimming Pool
The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok

The Athenee Hotel features a beautifully landscaped lagoon-style pool, perfect for an afternoon dip. Since I booked a Marriott STARS rate, my room included a USD 100 F&B credit, which I mostly used for enjoying a pint of beer or a protein smoothie by the pool. Given that the food quality in the Royal Club Lounge and Rain Tree Cafe was average, I didn't use my F&B credit for other dining options within the hotel. I had initially wanted to try The House of Smooth Curry but couldn't fit it into my schedule as it conflicted with my lunchtime workouts, and the dinner menus seemed too time-consuming.

Fitness Centre
The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok

The fitness center at The Athenee Hotel is accessible 24 hours a day and includes sauna and steam room facilities. Although some equipment has been updated with newer Technogym models, some older machines remain. Nevertheless, it is a well-equipped gym with a good range of free weights and even a squat rack. Bangkok is a great city to spend the weekend in as there are plenty of fitness studios to check-out.

Fitness Centre
The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok

If you have an active ClassPass subscription, you will be able to book yourself into these classees for a fraction of the price, without needing to commit to a large package. If you do not have a ClassPass account, you can sign-up for one using my ClassPass referral link to get 50 credits (sufficient for at least 5 classes in Bangkok and Singapore) instead of the usual 30 credits.

Buffet Breakfast
Rain Tree Café - The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok

Breakfast is served from 6:00 AM to 10:30 daily at The Rain Tree Café located on ground floor - Royal Club guests also have the option of having breakfast in the Royal Club Lounge from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM each day, if that is something they prefer. The latter option is definitely a lot more peaceful and apparently they do serve sparkling wine during breakfast at the Royal Club Lounge but I opted for more variety down at The Rain Tree Café instead. With that being said, you can probably go to both if you really wanted.

Buffet Breakfast
Rain Tree Café - The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok

The Rain Tree Café at The Athenee Hotel is the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant and it also offers a buffet lunch and dinner experience (alongside an a la carte menu) for those who are interested. The breakfast spread is quite extensive and you will find items that extend beyond the typical Western and continental items - expect things like local Thai favourites, a variety of Indian dishes, as well as a whole table dedicated to just fresh bakes and pastries.

Buffet Breakfast
Rain Tree Café - The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok

Even though I do not typically have breakfast on a regular basis, I always make it a point to check out the spread when staying at a good hotel, and The Athenee Hotel did not disappoint. The selection of fresh tropical fruits is impressive, though still not as extensive as that at the Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park. Coffee orders were promptly taken tableside, and refills were actively offered throughout the meal service. However, one morning, the wrong coffee order came to my table three times in the span of ten minutes, which was fairly annoying.

Bedroom
Royal Club King - The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok

Even though I did not dislike my stay at The Athenee Hotel, the entire stay experience fell short of expectations. In a city like Bangkok where there are so many luxury hotels to choose from at a similar price point, I can’t quite see myself returning to this property unless I need to around Phloen Chit for whatever reason. The property is directly connected to the BTS station (even though it is only a short stroll away) and the area surrounding the hotel is also pretty dull. With all that being said, the staff at The Athenee Hotel are amazing and their level of service is truly commendable - one of the staff actually took the initiative to contact my driver on my behalf on the day of departure (since the driver was slightly late). I might consider staying at The Athenee Hotel again if the price is right (i.e. another third night free offer or if I need to consume more nights with Marriott Bonvoy to keep my status) but it will not be my choice of accommodation in Bangkok.

The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok
61 Witthayu Rd, Khwaeng Lumphini, Pathum Wan, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10330, Thailand
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