No matter how one gets to Asia it is a long, arduous trip. Flights to Bangkok are often the best deal. During our three-plus months in SE Asia we fly through Bangkok several times; sometimes via Suvarnbhumi Airport, usually referred to as Bangkok International airport. The other airport is Don Mueang International. I love it when our flights arrive at
Suvarnabhumi because we stay at the Novotel at the airport. All flights to Thailand from Europe and the US arrive at Suvarnabhumi. After 20+ hours of traveling I do not want to continue to another destination, not even Bangkok city which is an hour’s drive. The airport is very modern and Novotel makes getting to the hotel hassle-free. When we exit the baggage area we just walk to Exit Door 4 where the Novotel agent is waiting. He escorts us to the hotel’s van. The airport is about 10 years old and so is the Novotel. Why they didn’t make direct access from the airport to the hotel is a mystery.
The Novotel is the perfect place to get rid of jet lag and
refresh.Walking into the bright, airy four-story atrium brightens the mind and spirit. The lobby is huge with five restaurants/bars plus a Business Center. One of the unique benefits is that there is no set check in/out time. The room is ours for 24 hours. We usually arrive about midnight so we don’t have to get up and rush out in the morning. People going on the Bangkok city can catch a cab from the hotel, less hassle than dealing with a taxi at the airport or take the Skytrain into Bangkok with direct access from the hotel. People flying can take the free shuttle back to the airport. For those flying to Phuket or one of Thailand popular beach locations will most likely find that staying at the Novotel will be less expensive than the night at an island resort.
The hotel has one of the most attractive rooftop pool of any airport hotel with afull-service spa and well-equipped gym just steps away. The spa offers a special treatment to alleviate the symptoms of jetlag. Last year they were celebrating their 10th year so that had a special lottery. I drew the lucky envelope and received ten free massages. It was good for one year and I managed to use six of them.
The rooms are excellent – think five-star hotel. This Novotel is
much more upscale than most Novotels. Join their loyalty program and book via their website for the lowest rate and free internet. The room can be booked with or without breakfast. The breakfast buffet is absolutely huge – unlike anything stateside; besides the usual breakfast items there are f
resh vegetables, several kinds of soup, curries, and many other things. It may be breakfast for some but dinner for others so everything is available for all ethnic groups. John and I like their Executive Club Level. For the extra money we get breakfast (in the restaurant or club), cookies midday (John never misses) and evening cocktails with a nice selection of hor d’oeuvres. For us it serves as dinner. The other thing we like about club level is we get express check-in and the executive lounge is always serene. Also, we usually plan to spend our last night in Asia at the hotel to grid ourselves for the long flight home.
No matter how one gets to Asia it is a long, arduous trip. Flights to Bangkok are often the best deal. During our three-plus months in SE Asia we fly through Bangkok several times; sometimes via Suvarnbhumi Airport, usually referred to as Bangkok International airport. The other airport is Don Mueang International. I love it when our flights arrive at 
