JW Marriott Bangkok, Thailand 🇹🇭 – between the hustle and bustle of Sukhumvit and relaxed tranquillity

JW Marriott Bangkok is a blend of tradition and contemporary opulence, located in the heart of the vibrant Sukhumvit Road area. While some aspects won us over immediately, others left us feeling slightly perplexed. In this review, we’ll explore these highs and lows and aim to provide an honest overview of the hotel. Take a look!

Review #94

All hotels shown on our website and YouTube channel – as well as many more besides – can now be booked directly through us. In many cases, you can expect additional benefits such as upgrades, breakfast or hotel credit at no extra cost.

JW Marriott Bangkok currently offers you the following benefits:

• Complimentary breakfast for two guests per room every day

• Hotel credit worth USD 100 (once per stay)

• Complimentary basic Wi-Fi every day

• Early check-in and late check-out (subject to availability)

• Complimentary upgrade (subject to availability at check-in)

In any case, your booking supports us and, alongside the other EVRYWHRE crew members, helps us to continue our work and provide you with exciting flight and hotel reviews. A small portion of the booking price remains with us as commission – without you paying a penny more for your stay.

Location

JW Marriott Bangkok is located right in the heart of the city, directly on Sukhumvit Road. From here, the Nana and Ploen Chit BTS stations are just a few minutes away, making it easy to explore the city. The surrounding area offers a vibrant mix of street food stalls, bars, shopping malls and small cafés, making it perfect if you want to experience the authentic Bangkok lifestyle.

Getting there

Depending on traffic, it takes around 30–40 minutes by taxi or grab from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) to reach JW Marriott Bangkok. From Don Mueang Airport (DMK), it takes around 40–50 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the Airport Rail Link from BKK to Phaya Thai, where you can change to the BTS Skytrain. From Nana or Ploen Chit stations, the hotel is just a few minutes’ walk away.

You can also easily get there from Hua Lamphong Central Station – take the Blue Line MRT to Sukhumvit, then change to the BTS Skytrain to Nana or Ploen Chit stations. From the Eastern Bus Terminal (Ekkamai) or the Northern Bus Terminal (Mo Chit), you can also take the BTS – in both cases, you will arrive at the hotel quickly after a short change.

Due to heavy rainfall, we took a grab for the very short distance from our previous hotel, the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Bangkok, and arrived at our destination 5 minutes later – but fortunately all dry.

Check-in

As we arrived at JW Marriott Bangkok by car, we were greeted very warmly and our suitcases were stored away straight away to be brought up to our room later. We were then escorted to reception. Once there, our passports were taken and the standard check-in process was completed. Also we were able to choose from various welcome gifts and, of course, opted for the extra points.

Beforehand we had asked several times using the chat whether we could redeem a Suite Night Upgrade Certificate and were repeatedly told that this would be possible at check-in. Unfortunately, this whole conversation was not mentioned at check-in anymore at all. We were simply told that we had been upgraded to a Corner Room. After some back-and-forth, we got our room cards and were accompanied to the lifts.

As status guests though, we should have been checked in at the Lounge, but we’ll leave it at that. Nevertheless, we found this whole procedure very time consuming and rather annoying.

JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok at a glance

Opened in 1997, JW Marriott Bangkok has a total of 440 rooms and suites, which are spread over 24 floors. In recent years, the Lobby, rooms and public areas have undergone continuous modernisation. At the beginning of 2025, the entire wellness area, including the pool and gym, was closed for three months for a major renovation, and now shines in completely new splendour.

The rooms are elegantly furnished and start on the eighth floor, so even the standard rooms offer beautiful views of the skyline. The executive rooms and suites are located on the 16th floor and above, with access to the lounge which was completely redesigned in 2020. The largest suites are located at the top and have panoramic windows with direct views over Sukhumvit and the neighbouring Lumphini Park.

There are several restaurants to cater for all tastes: the legendary New York Steakhouse has been one of the city’s top dining destinations for years, while Tsu Japanese Restaurant and Nami Teppanyaki serve the finest Asian cuisine. The Marriott Café’s breakfast buffet is sumptuous and international. For drinks and cocktails, there is the Manhattan Bar as well as a brand new pool bar.

The renovated wellness area is located on the sixth floor and comprises a light-filled spa, a stylish new outdoor pool with city views and a state-of-the-art gym.

Room

As usual, we booked the cheapest room category at JW Marriott Bangkok – a 1 King Room – and planned to use a Suite Night Upgrade Certificate. Unfortunately, this wasn’t possible, so we were initially given Corner Room 856.

Once we arrived, we were disappointed by the view. Personally, I don’t mind a room at the back of the hotel. You don’t always get a great view in Bangkok, but as a Platinum Member, being given a room at the back of the hotel, on the floor directly above the flat roof of the annex with a full view of the roof and the stagnant rainwater collecting there, is not what I expected.

Once in the Lounge we asked if there was an alternative to this room and, after a while, were told that we could move to Room 1401 which is a corner room with a slightly different layout and a view out the front of the hotel and also from a higher floor. So let’s take a closer look together, shall we?

Entrance

As you enter, you find yourself in a rather long hallway with a small storage area at the end. To the right around the corner, you then enter the main room – unfortunately, this space to me feels somewhat wasted.

The entrance to the bathroom is on the right. Directly opposite is the walk-in wardrobe, which offers ample storage space for clothes, suitcases and bags. Here you will also find one of the two bathrobes, slippers, a hairdryer and everything you need for shoe care, as well as a safe.

Welcome

Upon arriving in the room, there was a small fruit bowl containing apples and a plate of sweet pastries waiting for us in the room. Unfortunately, there was no welcome letter or any other greeting by the hotel.

Living room and bedroom

When you enter the room, you will see a small sofa, a table and an armchair in the windowless corner on the left. Diagonally opposite the bed, directly next to the sofa corner, is the wall-mounted TV.

At the end of the small entrance area, on the right, there is a sideboard containing the minibar. The coffee machine, cups, water, alcoholic beverages and snacks are on top of it. The kettle, glasses and cutlery can be found in the drawers below. Soft drinks, water, beer, wine and sparkling wine are kept cool in the small refrigerator. All food and beverages offered except water, coffee, and tea are subject to a charge.

On the right-hand side of the room is a large king-size bed with two identical pillows for each person, differing only in firmness. There is also a large, soft duvet.

The fairly large bedside tables have drawers with glass tops so you can easily see inside and check if you have stored or forgotten anything there. Above both are lamps, sockets and charging options, as well as light switches. On the left-hand side is a telephone and a radio alarm clock. A notepad and pen are provided, too.

Bathroom

The washbasin is installed straight ahead in the rather spacious bathroom. You will also find the usual amenities here, as well as Aromatherapy soap and body lotion. To the left is a bathtub located in a small corner and to the right of the washbasin is the toilet. To the immediate right of the entrance door is the fairly large glass walk-in rain shower, which is also equipped with Aromatherapy toiletries.

View

The view from this room was much better. From the 14th floor, you could see much more of the city, and also watch the hustle and bustle on the lively Sukhumvit Road down below.

Turndown

Naturally, a hotel such as the JW Marriott Bangkok offers its guests a turndown service. This involves drawing the curtains, turning back the bed covers and providing water and glasses on the bedside tables. A small sweet treat is also placed on the bed as a bedtime snack.

Moving to the next room

On our first day at JW Marriott Bangkok, we were told that a Suite would be available on our second night and asked if we wanted to move. Of course we said yes, and so moved for the second time during our short stay.

So, for the coming night, 1 Bedroom Suite No. 1621 is going to be our home.

Living room

To the right of the entrance door is the fully equipped kitchenette, which has a ceramic hob, microwave and refrigerator. Opposite this is a work surface with base cabinets. Here, you will find everything you need to make coffee and tea.

Behind the sideboard, there was a sofa with a table on which another welcome gift was waiting: again a fruit plate and a jar of sweets.

The rear part of the room by the windows serves as a living room. In addition to a sofa, table and armchairs, there is also a fully equipped desk, which is perfect for working at. A large TV is mounted on the wall opposite the sofa.

Bedroom

The king-size bed dominates the bedroom, standing against the wall opposite the door. The bed has two identical pillows for each person, which differ only in firmness. There is also a large, soft duvet and we both slept wonderfully here.

To the right and left of the bed are smaller versions of the bedside tables found in the Corner Room. There is a lamp on each side, as well as power outlets, charging options and light switches. On the left, there is also the telephone and a radio alarm clock. A notepad is also provided as well as a pillow menu.

There is a sofa in front of the window where you can enjoy the view. Right next to it is the minibar which contains soft drinks, beer, wine, sparkling wine, spirits and small snacks. We couldn’t really understand though why the minibar is placed next to the bed rather than being integrated into the large kitchen in the living room. Could you explain this? Please feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments!

Hidden in the passageway to the bathroom is a wall cupboard containing a bathrobe, slippers, a safe and everything you need for shoe care. You will also find an iron and ironing board, a flashlight, and a hairdryer here. At the end of the hallway is a luggage rack with extra hanging space.

Bathroom

The bathroom is identical to that in the Corner Room, offering no additional amenities or features specific to Suites – even the size is the same.

Turndown

JW Marriott Bangkok obviously also offers a turndown service as standard in their Suites. When you return in the evening, you will find that the curtains have been closed, the bed has been made up and water and glasses are waiting for you on the bedside table. This service is charmingly rounded off with a small fabric elephant as a gift, ensuring that you will remember the end of the day – even once you are back home.

View

The view from the 16th floor is truly amazing! You can watch the hustle and bustle on Sukhumvit Road below, and even see the famous Nana Plaza and Nana Square Mall from above!

Lounge

The Lounge at JW Marriott Bangkok is located on the 16th floor, occupying half of the floor including the terrace. Although it is quite spacious, it was in high demand at the time of our stay and most of the seats were usually taken during peak hours.

In addition to breakfast, the Lounge offers a selection of soft and hot drinks, as well as small sweet snacks, throughout the day. A small buffet is available at Teatime, and an expanded buffet is available for Evening Cocktails featuring its own live cooking station and alcoholic beverages. Special, changing activities are also available on Tuesdays and Saturdays between 3:00 and 3:45 p.m.

Resort activities

Pool

At the beginning of 2025, the entire pool and spa area of JW Marriott Bangkok was closed for three months and underwent extensive renovation. The pool itself is spacious but rather cool. Unfortunately, the three elevated whirlpools are also unheated, so they tend to stay rather chilly. There are several sun loungers and two round daybeds placed around the pool. However, shade is difficult to find: apart from a few spots being under a roof overhang, there are no parasols or any other options for getting out of the sun.

You can help yourself to water and towels, but – as you might already know me by now – I think this is something that could be done by one of the staff members who are already there anyways. This kind of service would be appropriate for a hotel of this class and price category, wouldn’t you agree? The Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit definitely is a perfect example of how to do it better!

Kid´s Pool

Opposite the large pool is a small but unfortunately rather cold pool, which is probably best suited for small children.

Fitness Center

The newly renovated and fully equipped gym is located on the long side of the pool, which you can see through the large window. It has a wide range of cardio equipment and strength machines, as well as a free weights area and space for body wight exercises.

Spa

This area of JW Marriott Bangkok has also been renovated. In addition to treatment and changing rooms, there are separate areas for men and women with each a hot whirlpool, an extremely cold basin, a sauna and a steam room. However, the area feels very cramped and low-ceilinged and is definitely not cosy!

Restaurants

JW Café

The hotel’s large all-day dining buffet restaurant offers a wide selection of dishes, including fresh seafood, sushi and Thai classics. There are also live cooking stations to add variety. It’s perfect for breakfast, brunch or a relaxed dinner with plenty of choice.

Lobby Bar

A classic Lobby Bar in the heart of the hotel, it’s a stylish meeting place by day with bright daylight, fine snacks, and aromatic coffee. Becoming more of an elegant cocktail bar with live piano music by night. It’s perfect for a relaxing drink or a hearty snack after exploring the city.

New York Steakhouse

As the name suggests, this is a steakhouse and one of the most famous in the city. It has classic décor, dim lighting and heavy leather chairs. It serves large cuts of meat, such as Wagyu and Tomahawk steaks, accompanied by an excellent selection of wines. It’s the perfect place for those evenings you’re looking for something a little more refined.

Tsu Japanese Restaurant

Housed in the basement of the hotel, Tsu offers classic Japanese cuisine in a contemporary setting. As well as Sushi and Sashimi, the menu features hot dishes that stick to traditional recipes. The restaurant is pleasantly quiet, making it an ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle outside.

Nami Teppanyaki Steakhouse

Here, the cooking takes place right before your eyes: meat, fish and vegetables are grilled fresh and served directly to your plate. The chefs combine entertainment with top-quality food, ensuring that your visit is a memorable experience. Nami is particularly enjoyable for groups.

Man Ho Chinese Restaurant

Elegant setting, classic dishes—at Man Ho, you can enjoy Dim Sum, Peking duck, and Cantonese cuisine in a tranquil atmosphere. The Dim Sum at lunchtime is particularly popular if you want to try a variety of small dishes.

BBCO (Bangkok Baking Company)

The hotel Café offers coffee, cake and light snacks, providing a simple and convenient place to grab a quick bite to eat. It is a popular spot for a quick break or to grab something to go. Located right on busy Sukhumvit Road, the café’s terrace is the perfect place to sit back and enjoy a delicious coffee while watching the world go by.

Manhattan Bar

Dark and elegant, the Manhattan Bar focuses entirely on drinks. With its classic New York hotel bar vibe, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail. As well as cocktails, there is a wide range of spirits. It is the perfect small place to enjoy a quiet evening.

Breakfast

As status guests, we could choose whether to have breakfast at The Lounge or JW Café. As we were staying at the JW Marriott Bangkok for two nights, we were able to try both options.

The Lounge offers a smaller buffet, as well as a more exclusive and quiet atmosphere. Once you arrive, you will be shown to your seat and can order hot drinks straight away. Although the buffet selection is smaller, it actually has everything you need for breakfast. In addition, hot egg dishes are freshly prepared for you at the live cooking station. There is no menu option though.

The JW Café is slightly different. When you arrive, you will be asked for your room number and then shown to a seat of your choice where you can order hot drinks. The buffet area, however, is considerably different from The Lounge. The selection is enormous, with a seemingly endless range of options to choose from.

There are several live cooking stations where you can order freshly prepared dishes. The downside is that the wide selection can be overwhelming for guests, who wander around looking lost and create a bit of a commotion. In contrast to The Lounge, it is therefore louder, more chaotic and, above all, more crowded. Nevertheless, I liked the atmosphere, and especially the truly impressive selection of excellent dishes.

Check-out

We were able to check out at The Lounge reception, where we should have been checked in. The payment process was completed rather quickly. The staff were professional and reasonably friendly, but there was no warmth to be found.

Please don’t misunderstand me — I don’t expect to be treated like a best friend or the most valuable guest. However, I got the impression that the staff were rather glad to see us go.

Costs

We paid THB 12,384 for a two-night stay at JW Marriott Bangkok. In August 2025, this equated to approximately EUR 336.23. We received Upgrades, Lounge access and Breakfast due to our Marriott Bonvoy Titanium Elite status.

Departure and onward journey

After this stay, our week long vacation in Bangkok comes to an end and we fly to Siem Reap once again to visit the Angkor Wat World Heritage Site for the second time. There we stay at the enchanting Park Hyatt Siem Reap again, which won us over two years ago.

Back in Thailand, we head to the beach to relax at the beautiful Surin Phuket and JW Marriott Phuket resorts, before continuing on to our all-time favourite, Pimalai, on Koh Lanta.

On our way home, we stop off in Bangkok for two last nights and stay at The Standard Bangkok located right inside the famous Mahanakhon Tower, which is the tallest building in Thailand!

Conclusion

Honestly? JW Marriott Bangkok is another hotel that has left me feeling somewhat perplexed. Did we just have bad luck, or were we a bit irritated after trying out so many hotels in a row? I’m not sure. I was really looking forward to staying at this hotel, but we were left feeling quite disappointed.

Check-in didn’t go as smoothly as it should have, and the upgrade situation was a bit strange too. I’d like to reiterate that it’s fine if an upgrade isn’t available due to lack of availability. That’s perfectly clear, and that’s not what we want. However, the hotel did manage to find us some nice rooms – after asking several time though. That felt really strange.

In my opinion, the rooms themselves are really nice, but we were left disappointed by the Lounge this time for some reason. Why was that? I can’t quite put my finger on it. On the first evening, there were seafood specialities, which unfortunately neither of us likes. Of course, the hotel can’t help that, but we were still disappointed. The room was mostly very crowded and the staff friendly but felt somehow tired.

Overall, this stay was very mixed. While we can recommend the JW Marriott Bangkok to all guests, but we see the hotel more as a business hotel and less suitable for families – although there is at least a kid´s pool.

On our internal EVRYWHRE scale, we place the hotel “only” in the Premium segment, but would still recommend it and say: go there! We will definitely come back and give it another chance.

Rating

After this stay, we award JW Marriott Bangkok a solid 8 out of 10 possible points.

Points are deducted for the check-in process, which really didn’t go well, and the strangely disappointing Lounge.

Booking with EVRYWHRE

Want to stay at JW Marriott Bangkok? Then book through our Preferred Partner Rate! It won’t cost you any more, but it will bring you real benefits:

✔ Free breakfast

✔ Upgrade subject to availability

✔ $100 hotel credit

✔ Early check-in & late check-out

✔ Earn points as usual

You can find all the details on our Booking Hub.

YouTube Review

If you would like more information and a different perspective on the JW Marriott Bangkok, please take a look at our YouTube review. We hope you enjoy it.