ibis Bangkok Sathorn in Bangkok

Stayed at ibis Bangkok Sathorn during my Bangkok trip. Overall, the hotel was within expectation for an ibis property. The room was simple, clean and functional. Location is decent with convenience stores and food options nearby, and pricing remains reasonable for Bangkok standards.

One of the reasons I booked this hotel was because of the many reviews praising the friendly and hospitable staff. Being from Singapore and visiting Bangkok a few times a year, I genuinely appreciate Thai hospitality because it is usually warm and welcoming. Unfortunately, my experience here turned out to be the opposite.

The biggest disappointment was the front desk service during check-in.

I was asked to pay a 500 baht deposit and asked whether I could place it on my credit card instead of cash. The front desk staff immediately told me that if I used my credit card, the refund would take one month after check-out. She then suggested I withdraw cash from the ATM machine beside the lobby instead.

I found this unreasonable because overseas ATM withdrawals incur additional bank charges and unnecessary costs for travellers. In the end, I still used my credit card for the deposit.

What frustrated me even more was that after processing the payment, the same staff then told me the refund would actually take about two weeks instead of the “one month” she initially claimed. That honestly made me feel misled. It genuinely felt like I was being discouraged from using my credit card for the deposit.

I understand that 500 baht is not a huge amount of money. However, Thailand is still relatively cash reliant in many situations, so preserving cash liquidity during a trip is important. Creating unnecessary friction over such a small deposit amount feels rather meaningless and leaves a poor impression on guests. I hope the management can review this policy or at least improve how it is communicated.

Unfortunately, the poor experience did not stop there. Further interactions with the front desk during the stay also felt cold and unwelcoming. Initially I thought the check-in incident was a one-off event, but after several interactions, it became clear this was more of an overall service issue.

As an Accor member, this was particularly disappointing because I expected a certain service standard from the brand, especially in Bangkok where hospitality is usually one of the highlights.

The hotel itself is acceptable for the price and category. But service, honesty and hospitality matter, and unfortunately that became the weakest part of this stay.

They do not have any power point beside the bed. So you can't charge phone beside your bed. This is not an issue. I need to sleep with CPAP machine so I need power point nearby bed.

Explained to reception more than 2 times until I go down and meet them and stilll they don't understand so I show them and ask them come up to room to see. They need to provide me an extention cord so I can plug in my machine to use to sleep. After visited my room they go quiet.. I need to go down find them again and they ignore.

Surprised me is that whole hotel they don't have an Extension Cord available which is REDICULAS!

No choice I need to spent a night without it which I don't get to sleep at all.

Next morning I looked for the manager and the manager able to solve and provide me with the extention cord in minutes. They have plenty. While the reception the day before are rude and not understanding. Don't even bother to find it.

For Food. There is a 7-11 opposite the hotel, Walk down to the left side of the hotel for about 200m there will be local shop who sell rice on the right and another just little front on the left is a shop with soup. Both super nice. It is not a RESTAURANT type.

Old hotel but well managed. Helpful staff and they are always up for listening to customer's request.