janaturner

Hi everyone,

I’ve been a long time lurker on this forum and now that we’ve finally nailed down a date for our trip to Thailand, I have a few (okay, a lot) of questions about Bangkok hotels. I’m sure I’ll have more once that’s out of the way but for now, just Bangkok hotels.

We’ll be there in December (back before xmas peak season kicks in) and I’m hoping to have 15-16 days on the ground but we haven’t booked flights yet. The rough plan is:

Bangkok – 3 to 4 nights @ ??
Siem Reap – 4 nights @ Auberge Mont Royal
Khao Lak – 4 nights @ ??
Ko Yao – 4 nights @ Ko Yao Island Resort or Ko Yao Bay Pavilions (probably Resort because of budget)

This is our (husband – 41, me – 36) first trip to Asia but our second trip this year so we don’t have any more than the 15-16 nights. I know we’ll be back and the next trip will include Northern Thailand (and Luang Prabang). My husband really wants take it easy on some beaches so for those of you that think there’s too much beach time this is how I get him to agree to the first half of the trip!

The more I read about Bangkok hotels, the more confused I get. I’ve considered staying at smaller, quainter places but in the end I think we’re going to appreciate a nice, full service hotel in Bangkok. I’d love to stay at the Peninsula but it’s too pricey for us. I’ve gotten really good rates for the Four Seasons and the Banyan Tree but am having trouble deciding between the two. The Four Seasons rate includes breakfast and airport transfers but the room (superior) is slightly smaller and the view isn’t as good. The Banyan Tree rate doesn’t include breakfast or transfers and I’ve read that the area isn’t that convenient. However, the room (deluxe view) is larger and the view is better. Considering just the hotels themselves, which would you prefer? Are they really comparable and it will just come down to location? We’re leaning towards the Four Seasons because of location and extras but if the Banyan Tree is amazing, I’d reconsider. Has anyone stayed at both? Is the Banyan Tree location that bad?

While in Bangkok we’d like to see the main Wats, go on a klong tour, vist JT House, go to the weekend market (flight schedule permitting), get massages and visit the floating market.

We’re considering Poseidon Bungalows for the Khao Lak portion to keep the budget in line. Has anyone stayed there? I know it’s a bit out of the way but we’ll do a few day trips (snorkeling, Khao Sok) and rent a motor bike to go in town. All of the more convenient places I’ve considered seem like they really cater to families and I’d prefer not to have too many screaming kids around if I can help it! Anyone know just how far Poseidon is from the “main” areas? Would you consider it to be really inconvenient?

That’s it - for now. Thanks in advance and we really appreciate any and all comments.

Jana

simpsonc510

I would opt for Four Seasons. I've not stayed at either one, but I've been inside both and dined at both. The Four Seasons is right at a skytrain station, which for me is a BIG bonus as traffic in Bangkok can be frightful!! Four Seasons is also located very close to some of the best shopping you'll find anywhere!!

rhkkmk

let me think some more about your questions but for now and given your basic question i would go with 4 seasons based on location alone...but i will have more to say...

are you using a discounted hotel site like www.hauhin.20m.com or www.asiarooms.com

it makes tons of sense to use them beacause the tax and service is included and that is 17.7% alone...

more later

janaturner

Thanks for the comments so far.

rhkkmk - Rates aren't on sawadee.com yet for Nov/Dec so I started looking at the hotel sites to get an idea. I did email sawadee this morning though because you're right their rates could turn out to be better - and raise even more questions! Asiarooms rates for the Four Seasons worked out to more than going direct because it didn't include breakfast. Their rates for the Banyan Tree were slightly higher but included breakfast so probably a good deal but I'm not too keen to use them based on some of things I've read.

The Four Seasons rate is from their web site $179 US for Fri and Sat, $265 US (ouch) for weekdays with the "Take a Break" package that includes breakfast and transfers but not taxes. The Banyan Tree rate I got from Amex (we use them for business and I thought they may have better luck on the higher end hotels) is $170 US plus taxes (and breakfast and transfers) and it would mean a 1 night non-refundable deposit which I'm not crazy about.

Kathie

Between those teo options, I'd choose the Four Seasons, hands down. The location really does make a difference, and the Four Seasons location is much better.

Guenmai

I would definitely take the Four Seasons. I've stayed there for years and it's my number 1 choice in Bangkok no matter what the view is. You probably won't be in the room that much during the day anyway. The rest of the hotel and location by far makes up for whatever may lack in the view. The location is prime. The Rajadamri skyterain station is right across the street and you can walk to a lot of places. It's in the heart of the shopping area and just one stop away from the Siam skytrain station...the main station...which is another shopping area. Plus there are lots of good restaurants in the area and along and off Sukumvit Rd. which is a couple of skytrain stops away. As for the Banyan Tree it's down on/near Sathorn near the Metropolitan Hotel if I remember correctly. I've stayed at the Metropolitan which is great, but the area is no where near as convenient as the Four Seasons area. Happy Travels!

glorialf

Between Banyan and 4 Seasons -- DEFINITELY the Four Seasons

rhkkmk

banyon is a perfectly nice hotel and the rooms are probably bigger as i believe they are all suites....but the location, while not bad or dangerous is in the middle of the business hi-rise area....sort of issolated....its not the place you would just walk out from and do some shopping etc or see anything interesting...its big business: finance, insurance, banks, etc and also a few nice embassys behind walls...

i personally would much prefer a river location and for the prices you are quoting i think you could get the penn...for about $200....last fall and up until dec 23 the penn had a $190++ rate for their standard room, without breakfast...direct on their web site...

fall rates will not show up until july or august probably...

how about the shangri-la?? they have the very best breakfast i have ever had..

but of course a posting from me would not be complete without a plug for the marriott resort and spa....cheaper, best pool in town, an oasis and right on the river...

as for breakfast, i really love the buffets, but it is really too much to eat and then to go out in that heat....we often just get a pastry and eat it in our room with coffee/juice and then are set for a nice lunch in town...some of the hotels have nice bakeries that you can buy fresh stuff from: marriott for one...

you might also look at the JW marriott if you want to be in town...

many like the landmark as well and also the sheraton grande is very very nice...

hard to beat the 4 seasons however...have never been in a room, but the location is prime, they have some of my favorite restaurants (biscotti for one) and the shopping in that neighborhood is fantastic....i did look at the pool and i did not find it to be very nice however...

rhkkmk

huahin rates for banyon this past winter were about $175

Elainee

Big advantage staying on the river especially if you are only there for a few days and want to spend you time sightseeing.

janaturner

If I could get the Peninsula for $190++, I'd definately stay there. The best rate on their site now is $220++. I'll wait a few more months before I book our hotel in case things change.

Thanks again everyone for your comments.

Jana

KimJapan

I can comment on the Poseidon Bungalows...

They are set on a very nice beach, at the southern end of the Khao Lak area, about 15 minutes drive from the town area. They really get you for transport...cheapest you'll get it for is 200 baht each way, and you'll have to work hard to bargain down to that.

When we were there, we stayed at the Merlin, the next place north from Poseidon. Between the two is a kilometer of undeveloped beach that is gorgeous to me...golden hardish sand, lots of large rocks and great sea shell hunting. There was one man who sold drinks and fruit from a small stand, and that was it for a kilometer.

The crowd at the Poseidon is largely European, and largely very young. We felt it was too young for us, and we've just turned 40 and 41, our daughter was 8. The bungalows are very nice though. One comment we did hear was that if you do their trips snorkelling, they are great to you, and if you don't do them, they aren't so friendly...something to consider maybe.

Khao Lak is growing still, and there are some great places. One place we liked that was close to town and on the beach was Gerd and Noi's...maybe the real name is Khao Lak Bungalows. A nice mix of people there, and nice bungalows on a nice beach right in town, too.


I don't want to sound too negative, but I don't think you'll find the Peninsula for $190 with breakfast and tax included. Breakfast there is 650 baht/about $20 per person, so a rate that includes breakfast and is still reasonable is a good find.

I do think it would be a very worthwhile to stay on the river, though. We've been to Bangkok 4 times. The first three times, we stayed at the Peninsula and loved it. Last time, we stayed at the Conrad, and it just wasn't right for us. We really missed the riverside breakfast outdoors, and the service at the Conrad wasn't close to that at the Peninsula. We'll be in Bangkok again this coming summer, and have booked 3 nights at the Peninsula, then 2 weeks later 3 nights at the Oriental (just to try it).

You might consider booking through a Virtuoso agent...www.whatahotel.com has a listing of Virtuoso hotels, and if you browse there and enter your e-mail address on cue, you will receive prices and Virtuoso benefits for the hotels you like instantly. Worth a look, though their best deals are not for the entry level rooms but for the suites.

If not the riverside, then I would choose the Four Seasons. They have some very good rates on their own website right now.

janaturner

KimJapan - thanks a lot for the Poseidon Bungalow comments, very helpful. It's probably not the right choice for us. I loved the beach - and the price - but no point saving a few bucks if we're unhappy. I like the look of Gerd and Noi as well so thank you for that recommendation.

I'm seriously considering a river location for Bangkok now based on everyone's comments. I know the Peninsula won't be $190 including taxes or breakfast but it were close to $190++ I'd probably go for it. I'll also take a closer look at the Mariott although I thought I'd read some reviews that it was too inconvenient. Decisions, decisions!

Thanks everyone.

Jana

rhkkmk

some feel it (marriott) is too inconvenient but i do not see their point...how can a 10 minute free boat ride directly to the skytrain be inconvenient? it is removed from the center of things and this i really like: cooler a bit, less congestion, less pollution...cheaper....

i think that penn price was not posted on their web site until some time in the early fall season...

glorialf

You could also look at the shangrila which is on the river and has easy access to publication. It;s too big and commerical for me but I know many people who have stayed there and loved it. You can often get very good deals there -- definitely cheaper than the Penn and I suspect in your $190 price range. Since you're only in Bangkok a few days I would stay someplace more convenient than the Marriott.

SandyD1

Hello,
I would highly recommend the Marriott resort and spa Riverside. I have stayed there before, and will be going back in November. Bangkok is frenetic place, and it was fantastic to come back at the end of the day to the tropical feel of the Marriott (especially for the price compared to the other high end waterfront hotels) I used www.asiarooms.com to book my rooms at the marriott at a good discount. I picked up a riverview room for $176 a night including one of the best buffet breakfasts I have had on the terrace overlooking the river. I have also had to cancelled reservations with them before and had a full refund within 48 hours. Some find the location inconvenient, but I never did. I actually found the 10 minute water shuttle to the Skytrain quite relaxing and loved to watch the activity on the river. have fun on your trip!

JohnH

Another suggestion that you take a look at the Shangri-La. The location is excellent - on the river and also adjacent to both the skytrain and river boat stops.

I stayed there recently (2nd time) and actually found the best rate was on their website ($160 for balcony room in June).

Chucho

Only one week ago was my final day in BKK and I was very sad to check out of the Peninsula hotel. It was FABULOUS! We were in BKK at first in the beginning of June for 8 nights and stayed at the Majestic Grand Hotel on Soi 2 in the Sukhumvit area. We liked the hotel and as mentioned it is very important to be close to the sky train stations or you spend ALOT of time getting from one place to another. The area was very interesting as I wasn´t aware that the Nana plaza one block away was a big red light area (great for people watching and photo ops). We had our breakfast included which was a good deal because IF you are breakfast eaters it is difficult to really find something near by for other options - unless you go to one of the 7-11´s on your block. (surprised me to see 7-11 all over the place)
We went to CM for one week and the final 2 days in BKK we stayed at the Penn. OMG! What a hotel! They didn´t have any regular rooms available so we were upgraded with no charge to a Junior Suite! ! !! I loved the room so much I almost didn´t want to leave! BUT, being there I understand about the location querie. Honestly at one point staying at the MG I thought that I probably wouldn´t come back to BKK because it was just too congested. Once I was on the river, it is a whole other world. The activity on the water is mesmerizing. I loved it! The hotel had free boat transfer to the sky train station and the other piers so really there is no problem, it is easy. I can see why Bob likes the Marriott and agree with his statement that with this service and being instructed about which boats to take (white boat with orange flag, get on and then someone comes by for your 13baht).
I am glad I stayed in the two different areas of the city but for sure I can say - Stay on the river and definitely the Penn if you possibly can. Not to mention their unbelievable buffet and service! ! !
And I also have to say, my travelling companion had originally said "I can just sleep on a floor" so when booking I tried to stay rather low key with the accommodations (well, sort of) but when we got to the Penn he wanted to know why we spent 8 nights at the MG and only 2 at the Penn . . . .
Bob, you were right!