Ascott Sathorn Bangkok: A guest friendly spacious alternative to Bangkok’s flashy hotels
I’ve stayed at the Ascott Sathorn Bangkok multiple times over the years, and it’s become something of a second home during my Bangkok visits. While newer, trendier hotels keep popping up in the neighborhood, this dignified older property continues to deliver something those gleaming towers can’t match: genuine apartment living in the heart of the business district.
Location: Business District Convenience with BTS Access
The Ascott sits in the Sathorn area, surrounded by embassies and commercial buildings like The Empire. It’s a safe, relatively quiet pocket of Bangkok that feels removed from the chaos without being disconnected from it. Saint Louis BTS station on the Silom line is literally a one to two-minute walk away, putting you 15-20 minutes from Siam and the main shopping areas.
The location works particularly well if you’re splitting time between business and leisure. Patpong is about a 20-minute walk if you can handle the heat, though I rarely make that trek on foot. The BTS makes everything accessible without the sweaty arrival.
For daily needs, there’s a TOPS supermarket and Boots pharmacy right next door, plus a small food hub underneath a nearby building with a few cafes, KFC, and other quick options. A 7-Eleven sits about a minute’s walk to the left of the hotel entrance. For proper coffee and brunch, you’ll find several quality cafes like Ground Coffee, Another Cup, and Brave Roasters within five to six minutes on foot.
The trade-off? This isn’t a neighborhood packed with restaurants at your doorstep. You’ll either eat at the hotel’s pub, walk a bit, or hop on the BTS. For some, that’s a dealbreaker. For me, it’s a fair exchange for the quieter surroundings.
The Rooms: These Are Apartments, Not Hotel Rooms
Here’s what sets the Ascott apart: you’re not getting a hotel room. You’re getting an actual apartment with a full kitchen, separate living area, and proper dining space. The smallest studio units start around 50-58 square meters, while one-bedroom apartments range from 75 to 90 square meters. I’ve found even the 90-square-meter units feel almost too spacious for a solo traveler.
The kitchenette isn’t decorative. You get a full-size refrigerator, microwave, coffee machine, and all the cookware you’d need for an extended stay. More importantly, there’s a washer and dryer in every unit, complete with provided laundry detergent and soap. In Bangkok’s heat, being able to wash clothes daily is genuinely valuable.
Each bedroom features a proper bed, not the hard mattresses you sometimes encounter in Asia. The living areas come with comfortable sofas and decent-sized TVs. One-bedroom units have TVs in both the bedroom and living room. Some units include balconies, though views vary. I’ve faced the back of another building more than once, but you can usually spot the BTS station from most rooms.
The bathrooms are surprisingly well-appointed for a property of this age. Showers deliver genuinely hot water with good pressure, and many units include full bathtubs. The Appelles Apothecary and Lab amenities exceed expectations: soap, shampoo, conditioner, skin lotion, hand cream, lip balm, and even bath salts. They also provide basics like toothbrushes and cotton buds.
Air conditioning works effectively throughout, and I’ve never had issues with noise despite being close to the BTS line. The rooms are cleaned thoroughly, and housekeeping is responsive to requests for extras like additional hangers or drying racks.
Facilities: Solid Pool, Decent Gym, Good Security
The rooftop pool on the seventh floor is genuinely swimmable, not one of those Instagram-only plunge pools. It’s a proper length with plenty of seating and cabanas. I’ve never found it overcrowded, even during peak times. The pool stays open until 10 PM, which is perfect for an evening swim after a day of sightseeing. You’ll need to sign out towels at the gym before heading up, though there are also towels in your room.
The gym situation has changed over the years. The property used to house the Cascade Club, a massive two-floor facility that rivaled standalone fitness centers. That’s now closed, replaced by a smaller on-site gym. It’s still adequate with decent equipment, but it lacks the wow factor the old gym had. Still, it’s larger and better equipped than many of the cramped hotel gyms in neighboring properties.
Security is notably tight. You’ll tap in and out with your key card at multiple points, which feels excessive at first but becomes reassuring, especially for families or solo travelers.
The massage parlor remains operational, and there’s a Health Land location nearby that I visit regularly for quality massage at reasonable prices.
Service: Consistently Helpful and Warm
The staff deserve specific mention. From receptionists to security to housekeeping, everyone maintains a genuinely helpful attitude without the scripted politeness you get at chain hotels. The front desk handles requests efficiently, whether you need ice delivered (they’ll bring a full pack), extra blankets, or help booking taxis through Grab.
The concierge team provides useful local advice. They’ve helped me with everything from transportation logistics to restaurant recommendations. The security and door staff are particularly good with families, helping with bags and safely getting children into cars.
Check-in is efficient, and they’re flexible with checkout times when possible. The hotel is also guest-friendly so you can bring visitors to your room without questions or fees.
Breakfast: Functional, Not Memorable
Breakfast is included with many room rates, served at the ground floor restaurant (the seventh-floor restaurant has been closed). The spread is standard hotel fare: eggs, sausages, bacon, and the usual continental options. Items like eggs and bacon are made to order rather than sitting in buffet trays, which ensures freshness. It’s perfectly adequate but nothing worth writing home about. You’re getting fuel for your day, not a culinary experience.
Pricing: What You’ll Actually Pay
Current rates at the Ascott Sathorn range from approximately THB 3,000-5,600 per night depending on room type, season, and day of the week. Most bookings fall around 100 Euro for studio and one-bedroom apartments. You can join their Ascott star rewards program which includes several hotel chains and collect point and also get discounts. They also offer a 25% discount every year on your birthday but the coupon you can use during the year.
For context, that’s about 10-20% cheaper than Bangkok’s average five-star hotel rate, and you’re getting significantly more space. A studio starting at THB 3,000 gives you 50-58 square meters with a full kitchen and washer/dryer so compare that to a 30-square-meter standard hotel room at a similar price point. Normal hotel rooms are way smaller than that and for sure don’t give you a washer which for me is a life saver and also a money and time saver. No need to pay overprices laundry and then wait a day for it. And the little ironing i am sure you can do as they do have and iron and ironing board in room. But you can have them do your laundry too.
Additional costs to consider: continental breakfast runs THB 330 per person, rollaway beds cost THB 900 per night, and children under 11 stay free in existing beds. The airport shuttle is THB 2,500 per vehicle one-way, though a regular taxi from Suvarnabhumi runs about THB 500.
Value: Significantly Better Than It Should Be
Here’s the reality: the Ascott sits almost directly across from the W Bangkok and costs considerably less while delivering significantly more. The rooms are genuinely larger at triple or quadruple the size in some cases. The pool is bigger and actually designed for swimming. The gym, even the smaller current version, is functional. And you’re getting those apartment amenities: kitchen, washer, dryer, actual living space.
For families, the value proposition is exceptional. A two-bedroom apartment at 120+ square meters gives everyone space to spread out, with separate bathrooms and sleeping areas. At THB 4,000-5,000 per night, you’re paying what other hotels charge for a single tiny room while getting an entire apartment.
For long-term stays of a month or more, the apartment setup with laundry facilities becomes invaluable, and you can often negotiate better monthly rates.
Even for short stays of three or four nights, having that extra space and the ability to wash clothes or store groceries in a real refrigerator adds comfort that justifies the slightly less central location.
Who This Hotel Is Best For
The Ascott works perfectly for several types of travelers. Families will appreciate the space and the ability to separate sleeping areas while having a living room for downtime. The pool is properly sized for children, never overcrowded, and the staff are particularly helpful with families.
Business travelers on extended stays benefit from the full apartment setup, especially the kitchen and laundry facilities. After weeks in Bangkok, being able to wash clothes and occasionally prepare simple meals matters.
Anyone who values space over trendiness will find the Ascott refreshing. If you’d rather have 90 square meters of comfortable apartment than 30 square meters of designer minimalism, this is your place.
Repeat visitors to Bangkok who want a consistent, reliable base appreciate the Ascott’s stability. The property hasn’t changed dramatically over the years, which is actually a selling point when you want familiarity.
And you can bring quests over so also no worried for the Bangkok after dark crowd that wake up in the afternoons and doesn’t go to sleep until early morning 🙂 I had some of my best experiences in the hotel since i started visting Bangkok and would be ok always staying at this place.
Who Should Avoid This Hotel
If you’re looking for a party atmosphere or want to be in the center of nightlife, look elsewhere. The Sathorn location is quiet and business-oriented. You’ll need to travel for entertainment. But you can always bring the entertainment back to your room so that is a huge plus compared to the 15-20 minutes taxi drive to Nana or Soi Cowboy. Patpong is fairly close but kinda dying out so did not really consider that as big plus 🙂
Travelers who want cutting-edge design and the newest everything might find the Ascott too dated. It’s an older property that’s well-maintained but doesn’t pretend to be modern. The furniture is comfortable rather than Instagram-worthy.
If you prefer the full-service hotel experience with multiple restaurants, extensive room service menus, and elaborate facilities, the Ascott’s more stripped-down approach might disappoint. You’re getting apartments with hotel services, not a resort.
Finally, if you want restaurants and street food right outside your door, the Sathorn location requires short walks or BTS rides to reach dining options. It’s convenient, but it’s not the density of Sukhumvit or Silom’s main stretches.
My final Thoughts
The Ascott Sathorn Bangkok continues to be one of my favorite places to stay in Bangkok, which is why I’ve returned once or twice yearly for over a decade. It doesn’t chase trends or try to be something it’s not. Instead, it offers genuinely spacious apartments with proper amenities at ok prices, all in a convenient location with reliable service.
In a city where newer hotels keep shrinking room sizes while inflating prices, the Ascott’s commitment to actual space feels increasingly valuable. It’s not perfect as the gym downsized, some views disappoint, and the neighborhood isn’t packed with dining but those feel like minor compromises for what you’re getting in return.
For travelers who understand that space, comfort, and value matter more than having the newest everything, the Ascott Sathorn Bangkok remains one of Bangkok’s better-kept secrets. Btw there is a newer Ascott near by called Ascott Sathorn Embassy. So make sure you don’t go to the wrong one 😀 I will do a review of that one soon as i have a stay planned.