Serviced on Sathorn

Bangkok can be expensive. One night in a luxury hotel can burn a big hole in your travel budget. Young and smart travellers who are a step or two above the backpacker set are turning away from luxury, five-star hotels and deciding what they need is a serviced apartment. On South Sathorn Road, where five-star hotels, business centres and embassies share prime land, I check into Sathorn Vista and find myself rubbing shoulders with young Singaporeans, Hong Kong travellers and a few expatriates.
As Mick Jagger puts it in The Rolling Stone’s 1969 hit, “you can’t always get what you want”. And if you want a fancy lobby with live piano, an award-winning restaurant with signature dishes, pampering spa treatments and a mini-bar, then the Sathorn Vista is not for you.
Sathorn Vista is managed by Marriott, who ensures guests will be treated well and according to its hospitality standards, which are high. Located in the heart of Bangkok’s vibrant central business district, the “All Suite” Marriott Executive Apartments Sathorn Vista offers guests a selection of tastefully appointed 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments ranging in size from 65 to 165 square metres.
I check into a one-bedroom apartment, and I don’t feel I want to move to a more luxurious place – let alone a five-star hotel. I can’t say it’s more homey than my apartment in Bang Na in Bangkok’s eastern suburbs but all credit to Marriott for giving this serviced apartment a “home sweet home” feel.
The 65sqm of space (which is obviously more spacious than some entry level in luxury hotel) is laid out into four areas – bedroom, restroom, living room and, something you don’t have in a hotel, a kitchen corner.
Why cooking? Aren’t you coming to Bangkok for dining? Well, the serviced apartment gives a strong sense of independence to the guest. You might get ham and eggs for breakfast at the hotel every day, but no one likes to be totally dependent on hotel food. Since your room is fully equipped with kitchenware and a microwave, you can reheat food from the outside or even prepare some easy meals. Instead of the small-sized “cooler box” of the mini bar, Sathorn Vista gives you a real fridge for stocking up on food and drink.
“We often leave the fridge empty. No beer nor soda. Guests can fill it up as they see it fit,” says the general manager of Sathorn Vista.
A washer, dryer, iron and ironing board are available in room for those who want to do their own laundry.
The living room is cosy with couch, coffee table DVD player and television set. There’s room to entertain four or five people and thank to Wi-Fi Internet connectivity, you can get connected to the world without leaving your room.
The bathroom is clean and functional with no unnecessary fancy toiletries. Rain shower and bath are separate, which is not always the case in hotels.
The bedroom is relaxing in contemporary white and light-brown tones and shuts out the noisy city. The king-size bed occupies most of the space, which is separated from the living room by a wall. A red blanket and bolster provide a warm contrast to the white sheets and pillows.
The serviced apartments are equipped with salt-water swimming pool (including whirlpool and children’s pool) and 24-hour fitness centre. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at MoMo Caf