If you have mobility issues, will you mostly be taking taxis? Can you hop on and off the river boats (water taxis?) It sounds like the stairs to/from teh skytrain might be difficult for you.

I like the river hotels in Bangkok. But since you have two good periods of time in Bangkok, you can try two different hotels, one on the river, one in hte middle of the shopping areas.

In Hua Hin, I'd choose the Hyatt.

Using crutches at present and walking is difficult! Happy to take taxis, stairs - no no, can probably manage water taxis I think. We chose Hua Hin, simply because of time and ease of access. Could you recommend river hotel, we did think that perhaps trying two different areas would be a good idea, city and river. Thanks, Pauline.

I should add that we usually prepare for a lot longer and research as much as we can but this trip just sort of happened. I have one guide book that I am reading and I am reading as many posts here as I can, as quickly as I can, but because of the time or rather lack of time any help would be much appreciated, must see sights, must visit restaurants, etc.
thank you,

OOPs! we are in Bangkok from 29/9, not 29/10! until 15/10

Emporium Suites might be nice for your 'city' serviced apartment. It is attached to the Emporium mall. Also, the Centara Grande is attached to the Central World mall (Centara is a hotel, not serviced apt). You did mention shopping and that's my forte! I stay at Adelphi Suites. It is close to the BTS (skytrain) station, but you would have difficulty getting around. Adelphi is not 5*, and is showing some wear so probably not a true 4* either... but I can't find a better location for me, personally. Close to friends. Close to BTS. Good restaurants right on that same soi.

I think you would like the Anantara at Hua Hin. It was the Marriott (???) when I was there over the past new year period. It is not new, but in a pretty good location.

Carol, the Anantara at Hua Hin is not the old Marriott. It's a different property. I stayed there in their new rooms a decade ago and it was lovely, but I don't know how it is now.

I recommend that you get a river hotel for your first stay, The Pen, the Shangri-La, the Royal Orchid or the Anantara.

Then go to Hua Hin (Hyatt or the new Intercontinental), then go back to Bangkok to shop.

In the main shopping area, I'd suggest the Grand Hyatt, the JW Marriott or the Sheraton Grand Sukhumvit. If you want a serviced apartment, Emporium Suites is lovely.

Sightseeing: It's nice to do your sightseeing when you are staying on the river, as you can take the water taxis to the Grand Palace/Emerald Buddha, Wat Po, Wat Arun. You will also want to visit the Jim Thompson House while you are in Bangkok.

Re: water taxis... I'd be a bit concerned getting into and out of them with crutches. They tend to be unstable and wobbly....?? Taxis might be your best option. They are cheap, plentiful, and air conditioned. You'll just spend more time sitting in traffic.

In Bangkok, I'd definitely pick either the Royal Orchid Sheraton or the Shangri La based on your choices. Between the two, wherever I can get a better deal.

If you can get a Towers room at the Royal Orchid it is well worth it.

Carol, the water taxis are big - not wobbly - more like a water bus. I agree that I wouldn't want to try to get in and out of a longtail on crutches.

the marriott is being rebranded as an anantara i believe..

my fav HH hotel is the hyatt.... you will need to ask for a ground floor room.

there is a new intercontinental as well..

i hope you received my e mail

Bob, so there will now be two Anantaras at Hua Hin? The original Anantara and the Marriott which will become an Anantara?

I suggest two hotels. The Anatara on the river- has the best pool in BKK. Then consider the Westin Sukhumvit ( we are staying there in early November.) The skytrain is right in front of the hotel and the subway is next door as well. Also the new mall - Terminal 21- is across from the hotel- it will have many food options for you.

The subway stations all have escalators in both directions, in my experience. The skytrain stations have stairs going up and down/escalators going up only. That might be something to consider for OP with mobility issues. Yes, the Westin is by the subway station. Good suggestion! So is the Centrepoint Grande Sukhumvit serviced apartments (although they are more like hotel rooms than apartments IMO).

Kathie,

I think the old, or original Anantara, was situated in Cha Am and is now a residence type of hotel or apt. The new Anantara is the old Marriott in Hua Hin proper and it has undergone a big renovation.

Out of the list the OP provided I would choose the Hyatt but there is also the Intercontinental Hua Hin which is the newest property there.

The sky train has elevators, so stairs should not be a problem.
The Hyatt at Hau Hin is a little distance from down town (but taxis are available) and there for a nice quiet place to relax. It is self contained and no reason to leave the property if you don't want to.

Thank you all so much for the replies, so difficult to choose! But I take note of the points made about the water taxis, longtail boat, shopping and the issues with access to the skytrain stations - taxis would be fine! Shopping, well having read so much on the forum that Bangkok is a good place to shop it would be rude not to! But we are very interested in the other side of Bangkok as well, the food, culture and the arts.
We now have a reservation for a Club room at the Hilton, the rate was too good to pass, for our first 7 nts, just have to decide on Hua Hin, leaning towards the Hyatt and then have to book for our return to Bangkok. Any information for Hotel De la Paix Cha Am? or Rest Detail Hotel Hua Hin?

rhkkmk. thank you for the email

Elevators are hard to come by. Not every station has them (in fact I'd guess most do not). The express boats on the river are very quick to stop and go again at the various stops they make. I do not have mobility issues but found that I had to really watch my step when boarding and getting off at my stop(s). It was important to be quick! And there are lots of people coming and going at every stop.

Glad to hear that the 'old' Marriott (now Anantara) has undergone renovations. It was a lovely place, but was showing wear.

Twotravel, Bangkok is my favorite place to shop!! I hope you find it as much fun as I do.

i think i would find the skytrain a bit difficult to manage if i were a bit disabled... escalators are not where you want them from the street.. take nana stop as an example.. there is one but often you are nearly a block away from it and have to walk quite a distance to reach it... same with taskim station..

Bob, one of the good points I always make about staying at Adelphi on soi 8 is that it is about 2 minutes to the ESCALATOR up to the skytrain. Coming back down is just stairs though.

There are usually 2 escalators at a BTS stop, and they are on opposite corners from each other, not straight across the platform, but from fathest corner to corner (like an X).

LS:
Not 4 or 5 stars but a very nice small boutique hotel (4? rooms) on the border of the river Chao Phraya ; you can have breakfast lookingat the longtail boats passing by....
A little walk to the ferry and you're at the Royal Palace!
Next to the Art Academy (opposite the Royal Palace) is a small restaurant ( for students?) where you have wonderful meals and if you're lucky you could see queen Sirikit coming -by car- out of the gate...
We had a great time and will definitely go back!
www.ibrikresort.com
You won't regret!
HJ BoZ NL