Ramada Bangkok Ekamai: Luxury Residences Await!
Ramada Bangkok Ekamai: Luxury Residences Await! - My Unfiltered Take (and Why You Might Actually Love It)
Okay, so, Ramada Bangkok Ekamai. Luxury Residences, they say. And honestly, after digging in, I'm kinda leaning towards "yeah, maybe." But before you go booking, let me give you the real skinny, because the glossy brochures always leave out the good (and slightly wonky) bits, right? This review is gonna be a rollercoaster. Buckle up.
Accessibility: Finally, a Hotel That Gets It… Mostly.
Right off the bat, they’re hitting some serious points. Wheelchair accessible throughout? Tick. Elevator? Yep. And the crucial stuff, like facilities for disabled guests? Listed. I didn’t specifically experience these features needing them (thankfully!), but seeing them listed, and seeing that rooms have access for people with mobility constraints is a huge win. It speaks volumes about the hotel’s ethos. Even the car park [on-site] and free of charge is great, but I gotta say, navigating some of Bangkok’s side streets can be a wild ride. I can only imagine how tricky it would be if you were navigating a wheelchair. I am also glad that they have airport transfer, as getting to Ekkamai without it can be a fun experience.
A Quick Word About Getting Online (aka, the Lifeline for the Modern Traveler):
Internet access is, obviously, a non-negotiable these days. And Ramada Bangkok Ekamai? They've gotten the memo. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! Rejoice! And good Wi-Fi too, not the kind that makes you want to chuck your phone out the window. Internet [LAN] is available, for those who still actually use that (anyone? Bueller?). Also, Wi-Fi in public areas is decent. Look, it's Bangkok. You can expect some drop-off, but generally, I had no complaints.
Cleanliness and Safety: Because, You Know, The World is a Mess Right Now:
Okay, so, this is where Ramada Bangkok Ekamai shines. And I mean, really shines. This is where I felt completely relaxed, and that's saying something. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, and professional-grade sanitizing services are all huge. This isn’t just lip service. You could smell the cleanliness. My room was immaculate, and I actually saw staff taking extra care. The room sanitization opt-out available is nice. It's also good to know of hand sanitizer everywhere. And the safe dining setup, because, you know, eating is important, and safety is paramount! Staff trained in safety protocol and individually-wrapped food options – all reassuring. They also have CCTV in common areas and outside property, it's a good standard, but honestly, I still felt safe.
Rooms: More than Just a Place to Sleep (Thank Goodness!)
Now, where to begin? The rooms. “Luxury Residences,” remember? Well, they're not kidding. Seriously spacious. And everything is there. Even the annoying stuff, like the scale, which always makes me feel guilty.
- Air conditioning: Obviously. Crucial.
- Blackout curtains: YES. Sleep is precious.
- Coffee/tea maker: Essential for a morning caffeine fix.
- Free bottled water: Hydration is key, people!
- Refrigerator: Perfect for keeping your Singha beer cold.
- In-room safe box: Keep your passport and cash safe.
- Non-smoking rooms and soundproofing – massive wins.
But the best part? The separate shower/bathtub situation. I am a bath person. And it's just pure bliss. And those bathrobes and slippers? The ultimate touch of luxury.
The only slight gripe? The floors are very very shiny.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure? (Kinda!)
Okay, so this is where things get… mixed. The restaurants are there, plural. But the menu isn’t exactly Michelin-star stuff. Breakfast [buffet] is a must-try – Asian and Western cuisine on offer, a good way to start the day. Room service [24-hour] is a savior when you're hit with jet lag at 3 AM. They also have a poolside bar. But it is a solid starting point to get your day started, or finishing it.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax: Spa Day! (Maybe Skip the Body Scrub, Though…)
This is where Ramada Bangkok Ekamai shows off. And, yes, I did take a deep dive.
- Fitness center, gym/fitness: Good equipment. Great.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: Lovely! But it can be a bit crowded.
- Spa, massage, steamroom, sauna, and spa/ sauna: The real draw, let me tell ya. I got my massage – a solid, professional experience. The body scrub? Maybe skip it unless you’re really into that.
Services and Conveniences: Everything You Could Possibly Need (and Then Some!)
This is where Ramada Bangkok Ekamai knocks it out of the park. They've really thought of everything.
- Concierge: Super helpful, especially for navigating Bangkok.
- Daily housekeeping and laundry service
- Dry Cleaning
- Cash withdrawal, and the currency exchange: super convenient.
- Food delivery: Amazing.
- Meeting/banquet facilities, indoor and outdoor venue for special events: Good if you're there for business.
- Safe deposit boxes: peace of mind.
For the Kids: Families Welcome!
Babysitting service, family/child friendly, kids facilities, kids meal - a great family hotel.
Quirks and Imperfections: Because, You Know, Real Life
- The view from my room was… alright. Not breathtaking. More like "buildings and a bit of sky."
- The coffee shop could be a bit quicker.
- Some of the decor is slightly dated. But that's okay.
- Things are not perfect, like a restaurant here and there; but, again, that is fine.
The Offer: Book Now and Get Blissfully Unplugged!
So, would I recommend Ramada Bangkok Ekamai? Absolutely. It's not perfect, but it's damn close. The combination of cleanliness, comfort, and convenience is hard to beat.
Here's my personal offer:
Book your stay at Ramada Bangkok Ekamai through [Insert booking link here - Booking.com or Agoda] and receive:
- A complimentary upgrade (subject to availability). Maybe a room with a better view! Just let them know you read this review!
- A free cocktail at the poolside bar. Cheers to that!
- A special discount on a spa treatment. Because you deserve it.
Why You Should Book:
- Peace of Mind: With their safety protocols, you can relax knowing you're in good hands.
- Ultimate Convenience: Everything you need is right at your fingertips.
- Spa Heaven: Indulge in some serious pampering.
- Luxury Living: Live the high life without breaking the bank.
Don’t take my word for it. Go experience the Ramada Bangkok Ekamai. You won’t regret it! Just remember to bring your own sense of humor and a willingness to embrace the little imperfections. And if you see me there, come say hi!
(P.S. I'm also pretty sure they have a shrine. Seriously. Bangkok is a whole experience.)
Escape to Paradise: The Star Inn's Cape May Magic!
Alright, buckle up buttercup, because this ain't your grandma's travel itinerary. We're going to Bangkok, baby! Specifically, the Ramada by Wyndham Bangkok Ten Ekamai Residences. I'm already picturing myself, sprawled on a ridiculously comfy bed, probably with a Chang beer in hand and a questionable amount of pad thai splattered across my face. Here we go:
Day 1: Arrival – Bangkok Bang! (And Jet Lagged Yawns)
- 8:00 AM (ish) - Airport Awesomeness (or at least, the feeling of "I made it!"): Land at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Okay, first hurdle: navigating this enormous airport. Pray the baggage claim gods are with me. Always a gamble. My first thought? "Did I pack enough anti-itch cream for all the mosquito bites I'm about to acquire?" A vital question indeed.
- 9:30 AM (ish) - Taxi Tango: Find a legit taxi. The scam artists are legendary. Fingers crossed the meter works… because haggling with a cabbie when you're running on approximately 4 hours of airplane sleep is a recipe for disaster. Seriously, I once spent 20 minutes debating the price of a water bottle. Jet lag is a menace.
- 11:00 AM (ish) - Ramada Revelations: Check into the Ramada. I'm hoping for a room that justifies the price. A view is also on my wish list. Let's avoid the car park view, eh? The lobby better scream "opulence." Or at least "clean."
- 11:30 AM - Room Rage (Potential): Okay, let's be real, this is where things can go south. The room better be clean, the aircon better work, and the bed better be… well, THE BED IS EVERYTHING. If it’s a rock-hard mattress, I will riot (silently, of course, because I'm British). I'll probably rate it harshly on TripAdvisor immediately.
- 12:30 PM - Lunchtime Lunacy Near the Hotel: Okay, time to find some food. I'll wander around the Ekamai area. Street food is the goal. Authentic is the dream. The smell of sizzling noodles… the promise of something spicy…. I can already feel my taste buds tingling! I'm not afraid to try something I can't pronounce, that's the spirit! Also, praying for no stomach explosions.
- 2:00 PM - Poolside Procrastination: If the jet lag hasn't consumed me, a dip in the hotel pool is essential. A good book. A cocktail or two. The only sounds are gentle splashes. Pure bliss. Unless the pool is filled with screaming kids. I'm not a child person right now.
- 4:00 PM - Exploring Ekamai: I'll explore this area. I've heard there's a cool cafe scene. The best coffee in the universe is what I hope. And maybe some shops. Perhaps I'll end up lost, slightly panicked, and covered in sweat. A very real possibility.
- 7:00 PM - Dinner Dilemma: Where to eat? The hotel's restaurant is an option, but ugh, hotel food. I'm hoping for something more… characterful. Maybe a small, family-run place. Maybe I ask the hotel staff for a truly local recommendation. I'll also have to brace myself for the Thai heat – I’ll need a shower every hour, on principle.
- 9:00 PM - Bedtime Bliss (or at least, attempted bliss): Crawl into bed. Pray the jet lag lets me sleep. That's the dream. I swear, if I’m wide awake at 3 am, I'm going to lose it.
Day 2: Temples, Tuk-Tuks, and Total Tourist Mode
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast Struggle: Hotel buffet or local cafe? Again, the eternal question. The buffet is tempting because convenience, but I'm a snob who craves something a bit more authentic. Fresh fruit is a must. And decent coffee or I will grumble.
- 10:00 AM - Temple Trekking: Time to see the sights! Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) is a must. Instagram gold, guaranteed. I hope it’s as beautiful as it looks in all the pictures. I'll probably spend an hour just staring at it in awe.
- 11:30 AM (ish) - Tuk-Tuk Trauma (and Joy): Grab a tuk-tuk. Prepare for chaos. Prepare to hold on for dear life. Prepare to smell fumes. Embrace the madness! Bargaining is mandatory, I am prepared to play the game. And if I end up in some shop I didn't want to be in, well, that's part of the experience, right?
- 1:00 PM - Lunchtime Adventure, Part Deux: Find a place near the temples. I'm craving something spicy, probably noodles again. I'm going to get a little adventurous. The goal? Survive. And maybe discover my new favorite dish.
- 2:30 PM - Grand Palace Glory: The Grand Palace. It's supposed to be stunning. I will most likely be overwhelmed. Prepare for crowds, prepare for beauty, prepare for sensory overload. And hopefully, prepare to remain standing after all the walking around.
- 4:00 PM - Recharging Time: Escape the crowds. Find a cafe. Possibly a rooftop bar with a view. It's time for a cold Chang beer and some people-watching. That's what I call self-care.
- 6:00 PM - Dinner - A Culinary Confrontation: Maybe I'll take a cooking class. Or venture off the beaten path in search of a true hidden gem with some delicious Pad Thai for dinner. I don't want too much spice, otherwise I'll have to find a pharmacy.
- 8:00 PM - Night Market Mayhem: Explore one of Bangkok's famous night markets. Bargain for souvenirs. Eat more street food. Get lost. Have fun. Try not to spend all my money. It’s highly improbable, but I can dream.
- 10:00 PM - Regret and Relief: Arrive back at the hotel. Exhausted, possibly slightly sunburnt, and utterly in love with Bangkok.
Day 3: (Rambling Edition: A Love Letter to Chaos)
This is where things get… fluid. Days are for rigid plans, right? Not me.
- Morning (Sometime): Okay, so I'm starting to become obsessed with the street food scene. Today, I'm making it a mission: find THE best mango sticky rice. I'm prepared to walk miles. I'm prepared to ask everyone on the street. My taste buds demand happiness. Also, coffee. Strong coffee.
- Afternoon (Probably Hot): I'm thinking about a boat trip along the Chao Phraya River. Or maybe just a massage. Or maybe just napping by the pool again. Wait, let's double down and get a massage by the pool. Heaven. I'm almost certain I'm going to get a sunburn. That's a given.
- Evening (Dinnertime and Beyond): Ah, the joy of aimless wandering. I'll see where the wind takes me. Maybe a fancy rooftop bar. Maybe a hole-in-the-wall karaoke joint. Maybe I'll make a friend. Maybe I'll sing badly. Maybe I'll eat something I regret. The possibilities, my friends, are endless! This is where the journey becomes personal, and that's what I really want.
- Midnight (ish): Maybe I end up in a club. Or maybe I'm curled up in the fetal position on the hotel bed, watching bad TV. Who knows? The beauty of a trip like this is the unexpected… and the fact that I don't have to be anywhere or do anything. At least, that's the plan. Hopefully, I won't get arrested.
Day 4: Departure - The Bitter Sweet Goodbye and the inevitable plan to return.
- Morning: Packing… the bane of every traveler's existence. How do I fit everything in? Let the souvenir shopping commence. Also, probably a last-minute attempt to get that perfect mango sticky rice.
- Mid-Morning: Breakfast, one last time. Sigh.
- Afternoon: Taxi to the airport. Farewells and goodbyes, and probably a few tears, because, well, Bangkok has a way of doing that to you.
- Departure: Fly away! The end. Until next time, Bangkok. You weird, wonderful, sweaty, and utterly captivating place. I'll be back. I guarantee it.
Why do I constantly feel like I'm failing at… everything? Let's start there.
Oh honey, you're not alone. Seriously. I swear there's a secret society of humans who all secretly believe they're screwing up on a cosmic level. I've had days I feel like my toaster has a better grasp on life than I do. One time, I was convinced I was *terrible* at folding laundry. I mean, *TERRIBLE*. Like, the socks were plotting against me kind of terrible. The secret? (And this is gonna blow your mind) ... Nobody *really* knows what they're doing. We're all just winging it, hoping the plane doesn't crash. Embrace the glorious imperfection of it all. Also, maybe try a different laundry detergent? That's helped me a bit, I swear. (Don't judge me, okay?!)
Is it wrong to *sometimes* hate people?
Okay, look. I'm a pretty empathetic person (most of the time), but let's be real - EVERYONE hates *someone* at *some* point. My neighbour? Occasionally. The driver who CUT ME OFF this morning? Absolutely. My own reflection on a bad hair day? Yep. That's just *human*. The *important* thing is what you *do* with that hate. Don't build a shrine to it. Channel it into something *constructive*. Like, say, writing a strongly worded email (that you never send, because... well, you know). Or a kickboxing class. Or just taking a deep breath and remembering the good things. I'm working on this myself... it's a process.
Why do I always pick the *wrong* partners? (Or, how am I perpetually single?)
Ugh, I feel this in my *soul*. Okay, real talk. There were *years* where my dating life was a train wreck. I’m talking a spectacular, flaming, several-cars-off-the-tracks kind of train wreck. Part of the issue, looking back, was ME. I was picking folks based on… well, I don’t even know. Maybe desperation? The thrill of the chase? I seriously couldn't tell you. Then, I worked on *myself* - and honestly, it worked *wonders.* I’m still single, but I do have a better understanding of myself. That's a start. Maybe the wrong partners are actually *teaching* you something. Like, what you *don't* want. Or, maybe just, how to survive a particularly awkward date. Because trust me, I’ve had *plenty* of those.
How do you deal with a friend who’s always… complaining?
Oh, the chronic complainer. I have a dear friend... let's call her Brenda. Bless her heart, she could find a reason to complain in a candy store! It used to drive me bonkers. I'd try to offer solutions, be supportive, all that jazz. And then I'd end up feeling drained and grumpy myself. The key? Boundaries. I now have a limited complaint-tolerance quota with Brenda. I listen, I empathize (briefly), and then I steer the conversation in a different direction. If the complaining veers into negativity that's too much, I'll kindly but firmly say, "Hey, I need a break from this right now." It's not necessarily easy, and it’s about balancing supporting your friend with protecting your own mental health. Remember, you can’t fix everyone (or even *want* to). It’s not your job.
I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing at work, and I'm terrified of being exposed. Help!
Oh, the good ol' Imposter Syndrome. It’s practically a rite of passage, my friend. I remember the first time I had a "grown-up" job. A *real* one with benefits and everything. I was convinced they'd realize I was a fraud at any moment. Secretly, I think *everyone* feels that way at some point. Here’s the advice I wish I'd gotten back then:
- Fake it 'til you make it. Yes, I know, cliche. But it works!
- Ask for help. Seriously. Swallow your pride and ASK. Most people are surprisingly willing to help.
- Remember that even the "experts" mess up. We all do. It's part of the process. Mistakes are how we learn!
- Breath! Deep breaths.
How do I adult when I can barely manage to fold a fitted sheet?
Look, adulting is a scam, first of all. It's just a bunch of slightly organized chaos held together with duct tape and caffeine. Folding fitted sheets? I gave up long ago. They live in a crumpled heap in a closet. My personal rule is: if you can't do it perfectly, don't do it at all (or, you know, just put it off until you absolutely *have* to). The key is to pick your battles. Mastering one thing at a time - like, say, remembering to pay your bills *before* they're overdue - is a victory. Pat yourself on the back for the small wins; it's a marathon, not a sprint. Or, in my case, a ridiculously slow, stumbling walk where I'm probably wearing the wrong shoes. That's okay too.
I feel constantly overwhelmed. How do I even start to feel less… overwhelmed?
Oh, the granddaddy of all bad feelings – OVERWHELM! Okay, first things first: acknowledge it. That in itself is a win! Next, take a *giant* breath. And another. And another. Now, (and I know this is going to sound simplistic, but trust me) break down the things making you overwhelmed into tiny, tiny, manageable tasks. Like, instead of "CLEAN THE ENTIRE HOUSE," which is a recipe for a panic attack, try "Wash one dish." Or "Make one phone call." or, "Send one email". Then, start with one. Literally, one thing. Don't overwhelm yourself by creating a whole plan. Just. One. Thing. AndBook Hotels Now
