Review: Hotel Muse Bangkok, Autograph Collection | Marriott Bonvoy
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The Hotel Muse Bangkok showcases 1920s glamour with its period costumes and hushed decor, but this theatrical dressing can't quite hide the fact that it is an ageing hotel: I give it 6 out of 10.
On a one-week visit to the Thai capital, I absolutely wanted to try the Hotel Muse Bangkok, big fan of the Autograph Collection that I am! Despite a certain retro charm and a theatrical aesthetic inspired by the 1920s, the experience wavers between old-world elegance and a feeling of faux chic because of ageing facilities.
- Annual fee
- $120
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600$100 deferred bonus, excluded from the first-year estimate and not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $600
- Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months
- Up to 70,000 points
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Booking and Rates
For this stay, I chose to pay cash rather than use Marriott Bonvoy points. Even during the monsoon season (in summer), the hotel posted particularly attractive rates, between $200 and $250 a night for the standard room.
Given this good cash value and the hotel's simply exceptional location, using points would not, in my opinion, have been a smart use of the loyalty program. In points, expect 25,000 to 40,000 points per night; Marriott uses dynamic pricing, so check the rate for your dates on marriott.com.
Location and Arrival
The hotel is in the Chit Lom neighbourhood, right near Lumphini Park. Getting there is very easy: it is only five minutes on foot from the BTS Chit Lom station and about forty-five minutes by taxi from the airport.
Check-In and Lobby
From the entrance, the tone is set: you immediately step into a dark, very 1920s decor reminiscent of a cabaret. The attention to detail and the style of the staff uniforms reinforce this unique atmosphere.
The welcome starts with a simply delicious welcome drink, followed by a particularly smooth check-in. Even though getting the luggage up to the room took a little while, the quality of the valet's assistance made the whole thing fairly smooth.
The Nimman Suite with Balcony
After a first night in a standard room with a lovely view of the heart of the city, an upgrade let me discover one of the hotel's suites. The overall space is very clean and has all the amenities needed for a comfortable stay.
The suite stands out for its beautiful open view and its balcony, even though the balcony lacks love and upkeep. The whole place still looks rather dated, with a few technical annoyances such as various drainage problems and a shower head that sprays water uncontrollably. For the same price, other hotels in the city clearly do better.
Restaurants and Bars
Open daily from 5:30 p.m. to midnight, the Medici Playhouse, in the basement, serves Italian cuisine in a 1920s cabaret setting. Despite good-quality entertainment, the dishes lacked refinement.
Open daily from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Babette's Dining Room, on the 19th floor, serves steakhouse-style cuisine in an elegant Art Deco-inspired setting. Finally, The Speakeasy Rooftop Bar, a rooftop venue open daily from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m., offers craft cocktails and light international dishes. It is worth a visit for the view of Bangkok's skyscrapers.
Pool, Afternoon Tea and Fitness Centre
The pool area offers a very nice view of the city and its towering buildings. However, the experience is a little disappointing because the pool was not very clean and the rather worn loungers badly need replacing. The fitness centre, for its part, is modern and perfectly suitable for anyone who wants to work out, although it doesn't hold any great surprises.
Among the hotel's other services, the afternoon tea deserves a mention; I had the chance to try it thanks to a kind courtesy from the hotel. The presentation was particularly careful and original, with the treats served in beautiful little decorated chests.
Around the Hotel
The Hotel Muse Bangkok's location is ideal, in the heart of a very sought-after area of the capital. The hotel is only a few minutes on foot from the BTS Chit Lom Skytrain station.
The hotel also lets you easily walk to the beautiful Lumphini Park, the city's true green lung, perfect for a quiet stroll. Shopping lovers will also appreciate the very close proximity of large, popular shopping malls.
To plan the rest of your trip, read our Thailand travel guide. If you're deciding between Autograph Collection hotels in the city, also see our Madi Paidi Bangkok review, where I spent the other half of my stay.
Pros and Cons of the Hotel Muse Bangkok
Pros
- The location near Lumphini Park, shopping malls and the BTS
- A fully embraced, ever-present 1920s decor
Cons
- Dated rooms: note that I changed rooms three times because the shower wasn't working properly
- Uneven courtesy from the staff
My Overall Impression and Final Rating
All in all, the Hotel Muse Bangkok fully embraces its concept, playing the card of an old hotel with decor and costumes firmly inspired by the 1920s. Even though the room is dated and the whole place remains very theatrical, the service, courteous most of the time, and the unique atmosphere will appeal to lovers of unusual places.
I give it 6 out of 10.
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Earning Marriott Bonvoy Points
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To learn everything about earning and redeeming Marriott Bonvoy points, follow our guides:
- Annual fee
- $120
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$600Total$600$100 deferred bonus, excluded from the first-year estimate and not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $600
- Welcome offerAfter $3,000 in 3 months
- Up to 70,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Hotel Muse Bangkok: Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Hotel Muse Bangkok located?
The hotel is on Langsuan Road in the Chit Lom area, near Lumphini Park. You're a 5-minute walk from BTS Chit Lom station and about 45 minutes by taxi from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
How much does a night at the Hotel Muse cost in Marriott Bonvoy points?
Expect 25,000 to 40,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night. In cash, an entry-level room was around $200 to $250 a night during our summer stay. Marriott uses dynamic pricing, so check your dates on marriott.com.
What restaurants are at the Hotel Muse Bangkok?
Medici Playhouse serves Italian cuisine from 5:30 p.m. to midnight. Babette's Dining Room, on the 19th floor, is a steakhouse open from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. The Speakeasy Rooftop Bar is open from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m., and Le Salon Café serves afternoon tea.
Does the Hotel Muse have a Club Lounge?
Yes. The Club Lounge is at Babette's, with city views. It's complimentary for Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador Elite members, plus one guest.
Does the Hotel Muse have a pool?
Yes, a rooftop pool with a beautiful view of Bangkok's towers. During our stay, the pool wasn't very clean and the loungers were worn. The hotel also has a modern fitness centre.
How is the value at the Hotel Muse Bangkok?
For the location and the 1920s ambiance, it's good. For the room, other hotels in the city offer more for the same price: we had to change rooms three times because of shower problems.
Should you book the Hotel Muse with points or cash?
At $200 to $250 a night versus 25,000 to 40,000 points, paying cash made more sense for us. You also earn points and elite night credits on a paid stay.
Who is the Hotel Muse Bangkok best suited for?
Travellers who enjoy quirky, theatrical places and want to stay near Lumphini Park, the BTS and the malls. If room comfort and modern finishes matter most, look at other options.