Grand Richmond Nonthaburi — Best-Value 5-Star with an Indoor Pool and a Lobby Full of Art
If you want a 5-star hotel around Nonthaburi without paying five-figure Bangkok rates, Grand Richmond Stylish Convention Hotel is usually the first name locals on Rattanathibet Road bring up. It's a large 455-room tower that opened in 2006 and had its most recent refurbishment in 2021. What guests mention again and again isn't the 39 meeting rooms that earned the "Convention" in its name — it's the indoor swimming pool and the sculptures and paintings displayed throughout the building, which make walking the lobby feel like wandering through a small gallery.
Grand Richmond opened in 2006 on Rattanathibet Road in the Bang Krasaw district — a 455-room tower that plenty of guests simply call "massive" the moment they step into the lobby. What sticks in memory is the artwork: sculptures and paintings set along the halls and walkways, some of them carrying real price tags. The main rooms are Deluxe categories at around 28 sqm, with a choice of twin or king beds, a work desk, satellite TV, and a bathroom with both a tub and shower. For a rate that starts in the low thousands of baht, the rooms feel genuinely roomy.
The thing guests praise most is the buffet breakfast at @Café on the ground floor. It runs 07:00–10:00 with Thai, Asian, Western, and vegetarian options, and review after review notes that the food is fresh, refilled quickly, and well attended by staff. @Café also serves a dinner buffet on selected nights, and there's a poolside bar and a separate coffee corner besides. For anyone here for a full day of meetings, there's enough on-site to graze without leaving the building.
The other standout is the indoor swimming pool, set under a perforated metal ceiling that catches the light. White loungers sit in the shallow edge of the water so you can soak your feet, and because the pool is indoors there's no harsh sun and no worry about monsoon rain — you can swim all day. Alongside it is a full-service spa offering massages and treatments, plus a fitness centre for anyone still wanting a workout on the road. One honest note: several reviews mention the pool water runs on the cool side, so plan for that if you chill easily.
One returning guest recalls staff "remembering my name by the second day, a breakfast that's better than the price suggests, and a lobby that genuinely feels like walking through an art gallery."
A big reason Grand Richmond scores well is the staff. Many reviews describe a team that remembers names and guest preferences and greets people warmly. Because the hotel leans heavily on conferences and weddings, it carries 39 meeting rooms and a large ballroom. If you arrive during a major event, the lobby and lifts can get busy — but the leisure side, the pool and spa, stays noticeably quieter.
The location sits on Rattanathibet Road, about 1.9 km from MRT Purple Line Khae Rai station. A short motorbike-taxi or Grab ride gets you to the station, and from there the metro runs easily into Bangkok. Driving into the city centre takes roughly 20 minutes when traffic cooperates. Nonthaburi City Pillar Shrine and Central Rattanathibet mall are both close by for a meal or a stroll, and the hotel offers free parking — a real advantage if you're driving or arriving as a group.
The Trip.com score sits at 8.9/10 from 356 verified reviews, and it ranks #1 in Nonthaburi on Tripadvisor. Cleanliness and service draw the most praise. The honest feedback flags some bathrooms that still use a shower-over-tub setup rather than a separate cubicle, and a few rooms that are starting to show their age and could use a refresh. Some guests also find the dining rooms over-air-conditioned and note that meal service between tables can lag when the restaurant is full. These are worth knowing before you book.
The bottom line: Grand Richmond works best for conference groups, families, and anyone who wants a full 5-star experience near Bangkok without fighting downtown traffic or downtown prices. The indoor pool suits families with kids, the free parking suits self-drivers, and the meeting space suits events. If you expect a flawlessly finished Boutique design in every corner, this isn't that — but on value per baht, it's one of the strongest options in Nonthaburi. Want the freshest room? Ask for a refurbished floor at the time of booking.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Staff service excellent — they remember guest names
- ✓ Buffet breakfast fresh and varied
- ✓ Rooms spacious and clean — strong 5-star value
- ✓ Free parking, convenient for self-drivers
- ! Some bathrooms have shower-over-tub, no separate cubicle
- ! A few rooms are dated and due for a refresh
- ! Lobby and lifts get crowded during major events
- ✓ Artwork and lobby are striking — photogenic throughout
- ✓ Indoor pool usable all day — kids love it
- ✓ Near MRT Khae Rai for easy metro access to Bangkok
- ✓ Well set up for conferences and weddings, lots of meeting space
- ! Pool water runs on the cool side
- ! Dining rooms over-air-conditioned for some
- ! Meal service between tables can lag when busy
- 💡If you want the freshest room — ask for a refurbished floor when booking → some rooms still have a shower-over-tub bathroom and show signs of wear
- 💡If you're visiting during a conference or wedding — check with the hotel whether a major event overlaps your stay → the lobby, lifts, and car park get busier than usual at peak morning and evening hours
- 💡If you'll rely mainly on the metro — the hotel is about 1.9 km from MRT Khae Rai, not at the station → budget for a short Grab/motorbike-taxi each way, or drive and use the free parking instead