Novotel Bangkok Soi 20

Stepping out of the sultry summer sun and into the lobby of Novotel Bangkok Soi 2O, the first thing I noticed, along with the more-than-welcome respite from the scorching midday temperatures of downtown Sukhumvit, is the almost tangible quality of the welcome from staff, whose genuine smiles greeted me like I was an old friend, not just another punter come to bed down for a night or two.