The hype
Travelers love the views and the massive breakfast buffet but consistently complain about dated furniture and dusty air conditioning.
Baiyoke Sky
$50-120/ night
Book this if You want the bragging rights of sleeping in a skyscraper and endless shopping at your doorstep, but don't mind 1990s decor.
Why People Love It
- Insane views from the Space Zone (floors 64-74)
- Direct access to the Airport Rail Link (Ratchaprarop Station)
- The revolving observation deck on the 84th floor is free for guests
Quick Take: A fading icon that trades on its height and location while the interiors remain stubbornly stuck in 1998.
Reviewed by @MARYBlaireABARQUEZ4149929: I stayed in this towering icon and the city views from my room were absolutely insane. It has a fun retro charm, and being right above the markets was super convenient. Waking up to that skyline made me feel like royalty on a budget.
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
The 'VIP' treatment feels mass-market; expect long queues for elevators and a lobby that feels like a train station.
- You are a wholesale shopper hitting Pratunam Market at dawn
- You want a high-floor view without paying 5-star prices
- You enjoy retro '90s luxury vibes
Cleanliness & Maintenance
6.5
- Housekeeping: Daily service is reliable, but they are fighting a losing battle against age. Dust in corners and AC vents is common.
- Bathroom hygiene: Functional but worn. Grout often shows age, and water pressure can be erratic on very high floors.
- Maintenance: Peeling wallpaper and scuffed furniture are standard. The 'renovations' are often just cosmetic facelifts.
- Linens & towels: Clean but often threadbare. Don't expect plush, fluffy 5-star towels.
- Odors & scents: Lobby smells of food (buffet); rooms can smell musty or chemically (cheap cleaning products/glue).
Sleepability™
7.5SILENT
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- Loud, rattling AC units
- Thin doors letting in hallway chatter
- Elevator dings in rooms near the lift bank
Before you book
Good to know
- Guest keycards get you free access to the 84th-floor revolving deck (save ~400 THB)
- The lobby is on the 18th floor, not the ground floor
- A 2,000 THB cash deposit is often required at check-in
What to pack
- Earplugs for the AC hum
- Comfortable shoes for the walk to the Airport Link
- Patience for the elevators
Room Genie
Best picks
- Space Zone (Floors 64-74) for the most updated decor and best views
- Junior Suite in Sky Zone for extra living space
Rooms to avoid
- Standard Zone (Floors 22-45) — oldest rooms, lowest views, most wear and tear
- Rooms near the elevator banks (constant dinging)
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“I am requesting a room in the Space Zone (Floors 64-74), specifically a North-facing unit for the Victory Monument view. Please ensure the room is far from the elevator bank to minimize noise.”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Is the pool really viewless?
Yes. It is on the 20th floor and surrounded by a high safety wall. You can see the sky, but you cannot see the city while swimming.
How bad is the traffic?
Catastrophic. Pratunam is one of Bangkok's worst choke points. Taxis will demand flat rates (200-300 THB) for short trips. Walk to the main road or use the train.
Is breakfast worth it?
It's quantity over quality. The spread is massive (Asian, Western, Halal), and the view from the 81st/82nd floor is great, but the food quality is average cafeteria level.
Can I get a late check-out?
Rarely free. They run a tight ship with tour groups arriving early. Expect to pay an hourly fee if you stay past 11 AM.
Are the rooms renovated?
Some 'Space Zone' rooms had a soft refresh (new carpets/paint) around 2023, but the furniture and bathrooms remain largely original from the late 90s.
Is it near the airport train?
Yes, it's a 5-minute walk to Ratchaprarop Station (Airport Rail Link), which takes you directly to Suvarnabhumi (BKK) in ~25 minutes.
Insider Tips
- ✨
Use the 'Hotel Guest' elevators to bypass the long queues of tourists waiting for the observatory lifts.
- ✨
The 'Fruit Buffet' on the 18th floor is a weird but fun way to try exotic Thai fruits like durian and mangosteen without buying whole ones.
- ✨
Walk to 'Bar9' at the nearby Novotel Platinum for a rooftop drink with a view but without the chaotic crowds of Baiyoke's own rooftop bar.
5 things to know before you go
💡The 'glue smell' in some recently carpeted rooms that guests frequently complain about.
💡The sheer number of non-guests roaming the hotel floors for the buffet and observatory.
💡The 20th-floor gym is surprisingly large but features equipment that looks like it belongs in a 1998 bodybuilding documentary.
💡The 'Golf Range' is actually just a netted mini-driving range on the 18th floor.
💡You have to change elevators at the 18th floor to get almost anywhere, creating a constant bottleneck.
Local Playbook
Map
See where Baiyoke Sky is located and what's nearby.