Review: Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel

This Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport review is part of a trip report including Singapore Suites, Cathay Pacific First Class, Emirates First Class, Asiana First Class and luxury resorts and dining in Southeast Asia. For the previous posts, please see:

Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport Location, Lobby and Check-In

The Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport is conveniently attached to the Bangkok Airport, if you know how to get to it. Unfortunately, I didn't find the tunnel that leads to it to be well signed at all, so I ended up taking a longer route through the parking garage and across the street.

Given how hot and humid Bangkok is, I was relieved to reach the lobby's air conditioning. I was rushing the next morning, so only have this photo of the lobby at night:

My Emirates flight arrived late, after 11pm, so I thought that perhaps I'd avoid a long wait to check-in. No dice–even though there were only a few other guests ahead of me, I don't think I've ever seen such a slow, inefficient check-in process. So frustrating, when all you want to do is collect your room key and get to your room.

At last I reached an associate, who started to check me in, only to pick up the phone and start talking to a caller. In exasperation, I asked another associate to help me finish my check-in, as I really did not want to be there all night. At long last, I had my key and was on my way.

Novotel Bangkok Airport Executive Premier King Room

I'd decided to pay a bit more for an Executive Premier King Room, which offers Executive Lounge access, but the room itself was very standard looking, and honestly looked a bit tired. It had all the basics, and the bed was fine, but of course since Novotel is just a midscale hotel brand in Accor's portfolio, don't expect the luxurious, comfortable bedding of a Sofitel.

The TV screen was on the small side, not that we care about this since we don't watch TV.

The only real indication that it was an Executive Room were some plastic wrapped fruits and sweets left in the room, which we passed on:

The bathroom looked a bit better than the actual room, and offered a bathtub as well as a separate glass enclosed shower.

Novotel branded bath amenities were provided:

I must say that the WiFi access was more frustrating than normal, since it required not just name and room number, but also passport number. Really? Why should a passport number be needed for WiFi access?

Novotel Bangkok Airport Executive Lounge and Food

The Executive Lounge is on the same floor as the lobby, which I found odd, since usually it's on a Club floor, on the same level as the Executive Club rooms. The seating area itself looked nice enough:

The main point of booking an Executive Room was to be able to have access to the Club Lounge breakfast in the morning, since we arrived too late for evening appetizers. I can say with conviction that for us, it was a complete waste of money, given what poor quality it was. Low quality juices, breakfast meats, cheeses, jams, pastries, etc.

Even my husband, who isn't as picky as I am, agreed that it was quite bad.

The fruit was relatively ok, so that's what I ate.

There were also no eggs available as part of the buffet–you had to order them, which on the one hand should be good, as it meant they were cooked to order. On the other, the scrambled eggs were decidedly mediocre, although not as bad as the truly terrible version at the Park Hyatt Paris Vendome.

The Verdict

The Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport is convenient, no question. We were able to use the tunnel on our return, and it's fantastic to be able to walk right into the airport, without having to depend on a shuttle or other transport. But even for a midscale property, I was pretty disappointed by the inefficient check-in process and the awful Executive Lounge breakfast. I would still stay here for the convenience, given that we arrived late on our flights and had a morning flight the next day, but I now have very low expectations for this property, based on my experience.

Disclosure: I paid for my own stay at the Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, using a travel professionl rate.

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