1/5 — HOSPITALISED AFTER EATING OYSTERS AT RED SKY, THEN HUMILIATED BY AN F&B DIRECTOR SITTING ON HIS HIGH HORSE!
CENTARA GRAND AT CENTRALWORLD, BANGKOK — IS THIS REALLY YOUR IDEA OF FIVE-STAR HOSPITALITY?
I have stayed at Centara Grand at CentralWorld several times, and the hotel acknowledges me as a returning guest.
That is precisely why this experience has left me so DISAPPOINTED, ANGRY and DISGUSTED.
I CAME TO BANGKOK FOR A HOLIDAY. I ENDED UP IN HOSPITAL. AND WHEN I SOUGHT AN EXPLANATION, I FELT I WAS TREATED LIKE A FREELOADER BY THE HOTEL’S DIRECTOR OF FOOD & BEVERAGE!
1. FROM A FIVE-STAR ROOFTOP RESTAURANT TO A HOSPITAL BED
On the evening of 17 October 2026, I dined at the hotel’s Red Sky rooftop restaurant, where I consumed oysters.
Within hours, I developed severe abdominal cramps, painful abdominal distension, repeated vomiting and watery diarrhoea.
My heart rate became alarmingly elevated, and I spent the night in pain, unable to sleep.
By dawn, I was exhausted, dehydrated and frightened.
At 6:53 AM on 18 October, I took a Grab from the hotel lobby to Phyathai 1 Hospital.
I was admitted as an inpatient and diagnosed with ACUTE GASTROENTERITIS.
My potassium was below normal. I received intravenous fluids, intravenous antibiotics, anti-vomiting medication and injections to relieve my abdominal cramps.
I was subsequently discharged with antibiotics and other medications.
HOSPITAL BILL: THB 23,154 — APPROXIMATELY SGD 900.
I have attached my medical certificates, hospital bills and Grab records.
Although the exact cause of my illness has not been conclusively established, the symptoms developed shortly after my Red Sky dinner.
I believe this warranted a serious, thorough and transparent food-safety investigation.
INSTEAD OF ENJOYING MY HOLIDAY, I SPENT IT LYING IN A HOSPITAL BED, ATTACHED TO AN IV DRIP, IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY.
But what happened next left me feeling even more humiliated.
2. THE DIRECTOR OF FOOD & BEVERAGE — MR NICOLA LOREAU — AND HIS HIGH HORSE!
I subsequently met the hotel’s Director of Food & Beverage, Mr Nicola Loreau.
As a returning guest who had just been hospitalised, I expected a senior hospitality professional to show basic COMPASSION, EMPATHY and RESPECT.
INSTEAD, I FELT I WAS BEING LOOKED DOWN UPON BY A MAN SITTING ON HIS HIGH HORSE!
His attitude towards me came across as:
ARROGANT.
CONDESCENDING.
COLD.
DISMISSIVE.
PATRONISING.
INSENSITIVE.
AND UTTERLY LACKING IN EMPATHY.
These are my personal impressions of our face-to-face interaction.
I felt as though I was an inconvenience rather than a guest who had suffered a frightening medical episode.
And then came the words I will never forget:
“IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A FREE STAY, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET IT.”
EXCUSE ME?! A FREE STAY?!
I had just been HOSPITALISED!
I had been VOMITING, suffering from DIARRHOEA and receiving INTRAVENOUS TREATMENT!
AND THIS WAS HOW A SENIOR DIRECTOR OF A FIVE-STAR HOTEL CHOSE TO SPEAK TO ME?!
I was absolutely SPEECHLESS.
I felt INSULTED, BELITTLED and HUMILIATED.
I CAN AFFORD MY HOTEL ROOM!
I CAN AFFORD MY RESTAURANT BILL!
I CAN AFFORD MY MEDICAL EXPENSES!
What I cannot accept is being made to feel like a FREeloader simply because I raised a legitimate concern and requested goodwill consideration after a medical emergency.
MR NICOLA LOREAU, YOUR DIRECTOR’S TITLE IS NOT A CROWN!
AND YOUR POSITION DOES NOT ENTITLE YOU TO LOOK DOWN ON THE VERY GUESTS YOU ARE EMPLOYED TO SERVE!
Hospitality is about making people feel welcome, respected and cared for.
NOT SITTING ON YOUR HIGH HORSE AND MAKING A SICK GUEST FEEL SMALL!
3. POLISHED EMAILS CANNOT ERASE A CONDESCENDING FACE-TO-FACE ATTITUDE
Interestingly, Mr Loreau’s written reply was professionally worded and polite.
He offered me a late checkout and a complimentary meal at Red Sky, while emphasising that this was “NOT AN ADMISSION OF LIABILITY.”
I understand that the hotel may not accept legal responsibility before completing it
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