S15 verses Livingstones Lodge (LL)
Have stayed at S15 one night now.
Its on corner of Sukhumwit and Soi 15. New (1 year old). Big glass front (near to Asoke BTS station). LL is near to Phrom Phong (a little bit longer walk to MRT).
Room here is 2700 Baht or so (plus tax I think). Standard room at LL (similar size) is a quite a few hundred Baht cheaper. LL has special discounts for multi-day stays too. The room at S15 is a little more modern of course (only 1 year old).
S15 has video player in room (LL does not).
Free wifi Internet connection at S15 is unreliable and slow at times, acceptable at other times. I found LL internet connection to be very fast and reliable for the whole week.
S15 internet frustrates me at times. Google Maps pages very slow. ISG attach photo slow.
The bed is very nice at S15 and has slightly softer pillows than LL. S15 floor is part carpet part large smooth tiles.
LL is polished timbre I think.
The aircon in my room at S15 seems to have strange thermostat. Seems to be virtually either on or off. At times a little too warm, then after fiddling, at times too cold. Didn't have any problem with air-con at LL.
The bathroom at S15 is bigger than LL standard room but smaller than LL deluxe room that is priced similar to S15. S15 drain has some odour but his is very common in Thailand.
Drainage of water in the bathroom floor is reasonable in this room. Its common in Thailand workmanship for floor to slope wrong way (not to drain hole).
Strangely S15 locates wardrobe in the bathroom. All the better for steaming your clothes?
Servicing of the room was faultless at both places. No complaints at all.
S15 has probably 70 rooms, so its big enough to have a small scale buffet breakfast. At 9AM only 15 people were at breakfast, so Hotel cannot be anywhere near full (its low season). Buffet had just a few hot dishes beyond absolutely standard fare, such as peppered chicken, baked spinach and cheese, for example. LL has no buffet, but I get virtually the smae breakfast there by simple order system.
There are more staff per customer at LL so get better coffee refill service.
I don't know anyone here so it feels a bit dead after LL.
S15 has no pool. LL does have a nice pool with good water temp.
S15 has a very city feel. LL has a tropical island or oasis feel to it. S15 has just 2 lifts and lift can get very crowded. LL is just 2 stories and no lift.
LL has a restaurant with very good helpful staff. At S15, I don't know.
S15 has slightly easier access to freeway to the airport than LL, but have to go wrong way on Sukhumwit and U-turn back.
S15 is a prim and proper place, but reportedly GF. LL has pretty girls hanging around outside or in the sports bar and GF.
Walking on Sukhumwit late at night near to S15, you have to run the gauntlet to escape from LBs and street freelancers.
S15 seems a good option for those who might normally choose Dynasty Grande or Majestic Grande, but want to be closer to MRT or Soi cowboy, and do not require a pool.
Its location is more convenient than Grand President but I can't say its better. Its not going to be best choice if on a tight budget.
If you want value for money, I think LL standard room is the better option (that I keep going back to).
If you want a bigger room with small jacuzzi at LL, then pay a few hundred Baht more.
P.S. In this season, more than half of the S15 guests are from Asia (families and young people) and some from middle eastern countries.
