As we covered here before, the former Novotel Bangkok Airport was reflagged to the Hyatt Regency Suvarnabhumi Airport on February 1, 2025. I decided to visit there this weekend to see if it holds up to Hyatt standards.
It was opened on September 28, 2006, and has operated as a Novotel ever since all that has happened since is that they plastered a few Hyatt signs every here and there, but no renovations have taken place.
I have to be upfront that I’m not a huge fan of Accor hotels, although there are a few nice Sofitels in the chain, but Novotel was never my favorite brand. As such I was very nervous when I read that this hotel would change over to a Hyatt Regency overnight.
The public areas of this hotel are actually rather nice but the guest rooms haven’t been touched in a major way (or ever) since the hotel opened and that is not something that helps the transition to a Hyatt property.
I decided to use one the suite upgrade certificates that is expiring in two weeks and that I have no further purpose for.
You can upgrade to a Junior Suite or an Executive Suite with a Suite Upgrade Certificate, and the Executive Suite being a much larger, real one-bedroom suite. I chose that one.
Staying in Bangkok, I decided to take the train to the airport and to use the underground walkway just as an arriving passenger would do for a more authentic experience.
The first that I noticed is that two weeks are the rebranding, all signs still say Novotel:
This is just one of many signs. I think even adding a simple HYATT sticker would make it much easier for travelers. Not everyone who books the Hyatt knows that it used to be the Novotel.
The first visible Hyatt sign was in the actual property after a walk of ~ 350m underground.
Next to a broken escalator – ok, I can use the exercise I guess.
This is the check-in area in the middle the very impressive lobby:
Globalist and Club Guests can also check in at the Regency Club down the hall next to the sports bar:
The main restaurant adjacent to the lobby:
As I mentioned before, the lobby is actually quite impressive and well designed.
Now I fear we must come to the worst part of this stay, the actual guest rooms. As nice as the public areas are, the guest rooms are virtually untouched ever since the hotel opened which is now almost two decades.
The pre-assigned Executive Suite was horrible, I refused it right away as the smell from the carpet made me gag and it was also super far from the elevator. I mentioned that I’m fine with a regular room in this case or any other suite that is better located and smells fresh.
Eventually, a regular Junior Suite was provided:
Superficially it looks fine but once you start to have a closer look deficiencies appear, such as a weirdly stained carpet:
Scratched up, broken furniture:
And while I might understand a huge desk remaining in the room, is it so hard to exchange something like this which is obviously way past its prime?
A nice coffee machine with Illy Coffee, water and an assortment of tea:
The mini bar is well stocked with items that are – or course – chargeable:
Needless to say, the rooms need a major update to be up to a Hyatt standard. Whoever of Hyatt’s regional management did the auditing and signed the contract should have paid a bit more attention, making it mandatory to bring the properties rooms up to scratch (all pun intended) before the rebranding.
The Swimming pool is rather nice, probably one of my favorite public spaces of the property and open between 6:00 am – 10:00 pm. The adjacent gym is open 24/7.
Likewise, the Regency Club is done rather well. I really like the floor layout:
Nice desserts are on display ready for consumption between 5:00 – 8:00 pm:
Bread and Sandwiches:
Four hot dishes were available in the evening (Quesadilla, Lamb Curry, Grilled Snapper, Spring Rolls.
A surprisingly well-assorted beverage selection as well as cocktails prepared by the lounge attendant:
And more Illy coffee as well as teas:
The staff at this Regency Club is fantastic, one of the best I ever experienced. Compliments where it’s due!
You can reach the property either by a 24/7 minivan shuttle that will pick you up/drop you off at Gate 4 on demand (call the hotel), or you can walk straight via the second floor where the airport train entrance is located.
Conclusion
This hotel is located right next to the Bangkok Airport passenger terminal and as mentioned quite easily accessible with larger baggage (shuttle bus) or light baggage by walking.
When it comes to pricing, this isn’t a cheap hotel. Paid rates are hovering US$200/night, and they have remained the same since it opened. Way too expensive for what it is. Points redemptions, however, are very lucrative at 8,000 Hyatt points per night.
I think the best would have been to complete more updates to the property, especially the guestrooms before branding it Hyatt. The rooms aren’t what a Hyatt customer is accustomed to as far as standard is concerned. I have high hopes that the owners or Hyatt will eventually push for it.
I do like the design of the hotel’s public areas, which are generally in good shape and have a nice Thai design touch. The guest rooms leave anything to be desired, and this is one of the few times where I rather spend time in the lobby than in my room.
