Most people don’t know that it’s easy to get a bargain on a 5 or 4-star hotel in Bangkok. They just assume that luxury hotels are always expensive, so it’s not worth looking at. But the truth is that with a handful of simple tricks, you can often find yourself a lavish room in Thailand’s mesmeric capital city for a substantially discounted price, relative to a similar hotel in another country.
This article lists the top tips that smart travellers need to know to become the person who can always afford the best.
Visit at the Right Time
Bangkok, like other popular travel destinations, has high and low seasons. During the latter, many of the city’s top hotels slash their prices, because an occupied room at a low price is better than an unoccupied one at a high price. If you can come between March and May or September and October, you can take advantage of these lower prices and book a luxury hotel stay up to 50% cheaper than in peak times.
Compare Prices on Different Booking Sites
You’d think the same room at a 4 star hotel in Bangkok would be the same price no matter where you book it, but that’s often not the case. Booking sites like Booking.com, Agoda and Expedia regularly run their own promotions, which allow you to snag the same room at a lower rate. You should also check the hotel’s own site. Some offer discounts if you book directly instead of through a platform.
Join Hotel Chain Loyalty Programmes
Big hotel chains like Marriott, Hilton and Accor are all present in Bangkok, along with many others. They often have loyalty programmes that cost nothing to join but can help you get discounts, free nights or room upgrades in the future. Some reward programmes are linked to airlines, credit cards and lower-priced hotel chains, too. That means regular travellers can earn points without spending on full-price luxury stays.
Stay Outside the Tourist Hotspots
Several 5 and 4-star hotels in Bangkok can be found outside the city’s most popular neighbourhoods. And even though they offer the same quality, and they’re just a few stops away on the public transport network, the price can be significantly cheaper. Additionally, it will be easier for you to escape the city if you want to do activities like hiking or visit a national park.
Look Out For Flash Sales
Even luxury hotels sometimes get last-minute cancellations, which they need to fill at short notice if they want to make money. That’s why, provided your plans are quite flexible, it’s worth regularly checking in on their website or social media pages. You might see flash sales appear. These usually only last a day or two, but the prices often rival those you’d find in the low season.
Conclusion
There’s no need to break the bank for a 4-star hotel in Bangkok, or even a prestigious 5-star one. All you need is some flexibility around your travel dates and patience. By avoiding the most popular places to stay, sticking to the low season, and looking out for loyalty rewards and flash deals, you can treat yourself at rates comparable to average hotels.