The Okura Prestige, Bangkok

The Okura Prestige is a bit of an abnormality in today’s hospitality industry.  Where the norm today is to offer very small rooms, the rooms at The Okura Prestige are roomy and spacious, even the lowest category deluxe rooms. 

Connected to Ploen Chit BTS Station via a covered walkway, The Okura Prestige is a very new hotel (around only 1 year old).  The Okura Prestige shares the same building as Park Ventures Ecoplex and is located along a well-known road in Bangkok, Witthayu Road.  If you tell your cab driver “Witthayu Road”, he/ she will definitely know this road.  Hence, there should be very little problem getting around.  The driver may not, however, know The Okura Prestige as it is such a new hotel.  In other words, once you get to Witthayu Road, you may have to direct your driver.

The Okura Prestige is not a big hotel.  There are only 240 rooms, which is the way I like it. The rooms are arranged around a rectangular air well, which is another abnormality— most hotels make use of every inch to carve out as many rooms as possible so as to maximise profits.

The rooms have a semi-open layout— the bathroom is separated from the sleeping area with sliding doors.  The bathroom has a gigantic shower stall which is big enough for 8 people to squeeze into (I am not kidding).  The water pressure is very strong which is great.  You can barely watch TV from the bathtub.  I really liked the Qi Pure toiletries which are creamy and luxurious.  The toilet is separated in another tiny room away from the bathroom which makes great sense.  In case someone needs to use the toilet while another person is taking a shower, there won’t be a problem at all.  The toilet is a Japanese-style bidet which should be hugely welcomed by Japanese guests.

There is an expresso machine in the room, as well as a Japanese tea set.  I love that there are green tea leaves (not tea bags).  It just feels so much posher.  There is an in-built luggage rack (not the foldable kind), which is again a rarity in new hotels.  The bed has the right degree of firmess/ softness and for me, second only to Sofitel.  Beside the bed is a clear, easy-to-use touch screen light control, unlike the one at Capella Singapore which is confusing and does not do what it says.

The hotel’s greatest asset is its height.  The lobby is on the 24^th Floor and the rooms start from 26^th floor onwards.  The hotel is the highest building around.  In other words, sitting in your room or in Up and Above Restaurant having your breakfast, you are able to enjoy unblocked views of Bangkok.  In the evening, you are able to enjoy cocktails in the open-air balcony with the city beneath you.  Also, because the rooms are so high up (and with the triple-glazed windows which cut out heat and noise), you don’t hear the traffic at all.  There is the sense that one is cocooned in quality and quiet elegance, sheltered from the rowdiness of Bangkok. I loved standing by my window when night falls and looking down at the twinkling lights of cars.  The cars looked so small and quiet.  The buildings in the distance seemed so harmless.  Bangkok, for one moment from the window of The Okura Prestige, seemed innocent. 

Guests are able to choose between the usual breakfast buffet or a Japanese set breakfast.  The breakfast buffet has a decent variety and quality of the food is good.  The Japanese set breakfast is very very agreeable in taste and aesthetics.  Here is the menu of my Japanese set breakfast:

Appetizer

Chef’s choice of cooked egg

Grilled fish with salt

Simmered vegetables

Steamed rice or rice porridge

Miso soup

Pickles

Soup

If you check out before 6am, there is a grab-and-go breakfast available right beside the reception consisting of pastries and coffee and tea.

The hotel provides an excellent turn-down service.  Housekeeping did a great job cleaning up my used coffee cups and my room felt brand new after that.  What impressed me most was Housekeeping’s initiative and attention to detail —they laid out a small towel and put my contact lens solution and contact lens case on it.  I have never encountered such attention to detail, not even in the service-renowned Shangri-la.  This is one hotel that truly understands that service is in the details.

On the other hand, service during breakfast at Up and Above Restaurant is a little wonky.   When I first arrived at Up and Above, a waitress asked me for my room number.  Later, when I was seated, the same waitress came and asked me again.  I asked for coffee to be served later, at the end of breakfast, yet when I came back from a round at the buffet, there was a pot on my table.  It’s as if the staff doesn’t care for the wishes of guests.  Then, they mixed up my egg order: they delivered my egg to the Japanese sitting behind me and his eggs to me.  The waiters expect you to serve them—instead of them clearing the plate, they expect you to remove your knife and fork and hand the plate to them.

In the same building as The Okura Prestige is a 7-eleven as well as a Dean & Deluca.  This is infinitely convenient— in case you don’t feel like dining at the hotel or just want a small bite, you can easily get a sandwich from these shops.

The rooms’ design whispers a muted elegance.  The lobby and Up and Above Bar are more opulent and luxurious.  Up and Above Restaurant and Elements feature a contemporary chic design. Yamazato showcases traditional Japanese elegance.  All in all, The Okura Prestige is a real joy to walk around and stay in.  The interior design of this hotel provides veritable pleasure on its own.  

I strongly recommend this hotel— the housekeeping service, the elegant décor, the quality breakfast, the infinity pool, the great location and transport convenience.  If I am back in Bangkok again, I will definitely stay in this hotel again.

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