Compass is a major hotel operator with properties in Thailand (Bangkok, Hua Hin, Pattaya and Koh Samui), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru and Langkawi) and Singapore. Inez, our reporter, recently visited three Compass properties in Bangkok featured on stylehotelsweb.
Citrus Sukhumvit 22 Hotel
When I was in my twenties and even in my early thirties, I used to love the Khao San area in Bangkok with all it’s links to the happy hippie way of life. Still I can enjoy it, but only for a few hours. Been there, done that. And please: no more (wannabe) hippies! I started to look for alternatives and found Citrus Sukhumvit 22 in the Sukhumvit area, what a treat! The price range may be a little bit higher, but still to European and American standards the rates are very reasonable (between 50 and 80 € for a room) and you’ll get great value for money: a trendy hotel, modern design, comfortable, spacious room (excellent use of space), a very well equiped bathroom, a swimming pool on the roof and last but not least: a hip lounge with even hipper cocktails. The staff is friendly, polite and relaxed. The whole atmosphere is one of relaxation. Extra: Since the owner of the hotel is a cigarre lover, there is a special cigar room; they have a collection of cigars to choose from. It’s not in the center of Bankok, but who cares when a taxi (by meter) brings you there for around 100 – 150 baht and even better, takes you out of it when you’re done with the crowds.Or take the nearby skytrain. The food has is of original, old fashioned Thai quality, the flavours are excellent, but the way it is presentented is totally now. Citrus brings Bangkok really into the 2010′s. This is a new standard to beat!
Kingston Suites
For those who like to stay in touch with Europe when they stay in Bangkok, there is a place now: the Kingston Suites in the Sukhumvit area. It is a hotel with a classic-but-contemporary design, spacious rooms, friendly staff and a huge shower! The rooms are very comfortable: fridge, flat screen tv, very comfortable bed for a good night’s sleep. The hotel has its own tuktuk service, wifi and for those not traveling with their own lap top there are two in the lobby for guests to use. Before I reported about the Citrus Hotel in the same area with is more edgy and modern; the Kingston is great for those who are a bit more traditional and just like the more ‘classic’ feel of being in a comfortable hotel with good old fashioned service. Are there any downsites? Well, it takes a little longer perhaps to get to the central area of Bangkok, but there are taxi’s everywhere in front of the hotel; just be aware of those who want you to take to places where they get commission (happened to us) and report that back to the hotel. The Kingston itself is a perfect alternative for travelers with a bit more to spend and who like to have everything very well arranged. The building reminded me of Paris in a way. The Kingston: A little piece of Europe in Bangkok!
ON8 Sukhumvit
I did several reviews during my last trip to Thailand, saw a lot of hotels. I went to all kinds of places: simple places (no reviews here 
and to the more luxurious ones. I have to admit that one of my favourites was ON8 (refering to Soi 8 where it is located at Sukhumvit road) in Bangkok. I asked myself what it was that gave such a good feeling? The spacious room (there are only 40) with a minimalistic design? The modern photography on the walls everywhere? The stylish cafe, hip design with Thai elements (tasty dishes and very good value for money) or was it simply the colour orange everywhere that made me (being Dutch) remind of the Dutch royals -and home- ? It felt hip and it felt good. An advantage of this place is the location next to station Nana of the skytrain from Bangkok. This train will take you in no time to places like the Chatuchak weekend market in the north of Bangkok: Huge! The biggest to find in Thailand I think. The staff of On8 gave us a skytrain map and pointed out this place to us. Most tourists do their shopping in Khoa San, but believe me: Much better deals here. Overall this hotel has it all: Modern, all comfort, good location, helpfull staff, delicious food, very interesting offers (rooms from 35 euro up). What could anyone wish for more?