Here I go again... Bangkok!
Jul 16th, 2010, 06:32 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Here I go again... Bangkok!
I'm mostly packed for trip #21 to BKK (and hopefully Koh Samui/Chiang Mai on this trip). Plans are not complete, as I don't know what date(s) I might be leaving BKK for other locations. I have a return ticket in early August, so I have 2 weeks in Thailand. Some of it will be business (publishing) related, so not all fun and games.
Leaving for Chicago tomorrow. DS will drop me off at a hotel near ORD where I'll be spending one night, flying off early on Sunday morning. I'm using frequent flier miles for a freebie in first class this time. Going over, the routing is via SEA and NRT. Coming back, I just have the stop in NRT before heading straight back to ORD. Managed to snag a 'last minute' saver level ticket for the trip TO Thailand, but am still paying 'standard' award level for the return. That's OK. I'm keeping my res on UA882 coming home! No stopovers along the USA west coast when I come back. I want to clear customs in Chicago.
I have never stayed at the Marriott on the river in Bangkok, but I'm spending 3 nights there when I first arrive. Another fodorite (whom I've met one other time in BKK) will also be staying there with her family. Looking forward to once again catching up with Evelyne from Canada!
After three nights at the Marriott, it's off to my home away from home, the Adelphi Suites on Sukhumvit soi 8. I have 3 nights booked, but that could easily change to a longer stay, if I can't get Maeng to go to Samui with me for a few days of R & R. She needs a break!! If I can't get her away from BKK, then we'll just have to settle for a day-trip to Chiang Mai. And in that case, the rest of my 2 weeks will be spent on soi 8. I'm fine with that... I just want to give Maeng a break from working waaaaay too hard, if she will join me on Samui. Hotel reservations are a sure thing. I have a friend who owns a resort on Chaweng Beach! Flights to Samui might be another story.
Anyway, only the first 6 nights are confirmed as of right now. The other 8 nights are still up for grabs. I'm sure Adelphi will be very accomodating should I 'need' to stay there longer!
Had a disaster to take care of at work today, but now I think I can leave town for a couple of weeks and things will be OK in my absence. (fingers crossed) Now, I need a break! I need shopping therapy. I need to be able to go to a few of the places that the red shirts kept me from visiting back in April!!!
I've promised to report on the UA first class lounges along my flight path. I look forward to spending time 'upstairs' from the Red Carpet at Narita. There's a glass elevator that takes you upstairs, but you can only enter if you are travelling first class! I've been 'up there' one other time, but it is all just a blur, as this was on a trip right after my mother had passed away, and I wasn't in the right frame of mind to be enjoying first class, if you understand what I'm saying. This time, I'm going for all the gusto!
Gonna see Evelyne, hanuman, Dr Jack, Danish friend and his Thai wife and their cute little daughter, and of course Maeng and Nick... and who knows who else!! You never know who you'll run into in BKK. Vinovino? Although he was JUST there... so was kuranosuke! BKK is obviously the place to be.
'Come on along' if you are interested in yet another shopping trip to Thailand. I'll be posting 'live' if you care to read about my adventures on this 'solo' trip. DS will be coming over at some point, but he doesn't have a (free) ticket yet. Work to do before he can get away!
Carol
(pst... dogster is supposed to be in BKK while I'm there too, I think, after his cruise)
Leaving for Chicago tomorrow. DS will drop me off at a hotel near ORD where I'll be spending one night, flying off early on Sunday morning. I'm using frequent flier miles for a freebie in first class this time. Going over, the routing is via SEA and NRT. Coming back, I just have the stop in NRT before heading straight back to ORD. Managed to snag a 'last minute' saver level ticket for the trip TO Thailand, but am still paying 'standard' award level for the return. That's OK. I'm keeping my res on UA882 coming home! No stopovers along the USA west coast when I come back. I want to clear customs in Chicago.
I have never stayed at the Marriott on the river in Bangkok, but I'm spending 3 nights there when I first arrive. Another fodorite (whom I've met one other time in BKK) will also be staying there with her family. Looking forward to once again catching up with Evelyne from Canada!
After three nights at the Marriott, it's off to my home away from home, the Adelphi Suites on Sukhumvit soi 8. I have 3 nights booked, but that could easily change to a longer stay, if I can't get Maeng to go to Samui with me for a few days of R & R. She needs a break!! If I can't get her away from BKK, then we'll just have to settle for a day-trip to Chiang Mai. And in that case, the rest of my 2 weeks will be spent on soi 8. I'm fine with that... I just want to give Maeng a break from working waaaaay too hard, if she will join me on Samui. Hotel reservations are a sure thing. I have a friend who owns a resort on Chaweng Beach! Flights to Samui might be another story.
Anyway, only the first 6 nights are confirmed as of right now. The other 8 nights are still up for grabs. I'm sure Adelphi will be very accomodating should I 'need' to stay there longer!
Had a disaster to take care of at work today, but now I think I can leave town for a couple of weeks and things will be OK in my absence. (fingers crossed) Now, I need a break! I need shopping therapy. I need to be able to go to a few of the places that the red shirts kept me from visiting back in April!!!
I've promised to report on the UA first class lounges along my flight path. I look forward to spending time 'upstairs' from the Red Carpet at Narita. There's a glass elevator that takes you upstairs, but you can only enter if you are travelling first class! I've been 'up there' one other time, but it is all just a blur, as this was on a trip right after my mother had passed away, and I wasn't in the right frame of mind to be enjoying first class, if you understand what I'm saying. This time, I'm going for all the gusto!
Gonna see Evelyne, hanuman, Dr Jack, Danish friend and his Thai wife and their cute little daughter, and of course Maeng and Nick... and who knows who else!! You never know who you'll run into in BKK. Vinovino? Although he was JUST there... so was kuranosuke! BKK is obviously the place to be.
'Come on along' if you are interested in yet another shopping trip to Thailand. I'll be posting 'live' if you care to read about my adventures on this 'solo' trip. DS will be coming over at some point, but he doesn't have a (free) ticket yet. Work to do before he can get away!
Carol
(pst... dogster is supposed to be in BKK while I'm there too, I think, after his cruise)
Jul 16th, 2010, 06:59 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,053
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
your gold should qualify you for lounge access at marriott, but if not try this for free internet....
go to the lower level of the center bldg.... sitting on the first and 2nd round sofas outside of the bakery (directly under the club) allows you access for free to the internet...
say hello to jack at monet il sarto on the upper level of the mini mall....have ice cream at swenson's
go to the lower level of the center bldg.... sitting on the first and 2nd round sofas outside of the bakery (directly under the club) allows you access for free to the internet...
say hello to jack at monet il sarto on the upper level of the mini mall....have ice cream at swenson's
Jul 16th, 2010, 07:26 PM
#5
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 947
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Enjoy the BKK Marriott and the new perspective it affords on a city you know so well. The resort-style property is so pretty at night, in particular, given the way that it is illuminated, and the boat ride to Thaksin Pier is relaxing.
We stayed there once without club privileges and once with -- I found the centrally located club room quite convenient to use and the cocktail hour canapes and sweets were lovely. It is a comfortable, airy space in which to work on your laptop or read the paper.
Please let us know if any of the restaurants have recently changed.
We stayed there once without club privileges and once with -- I found the centrally located club room quite convenient to use and the cocktail hour canapes and sweets were lovely. It is a comfortable, airy space in which to work on your laptop or read the paper.
Please let us know if any of the restaurants have recently changed.
Jul 17th, 2010, 02:24 AM
#7
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 6,664
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
UA882 is the flight that the pandas took to return to Boston from BKK several years ago. It stops in cowtown (Chicago) merelt as an afterthought. It's Boston bound.
Bob is quaking because we will now get an impartial opinion about the Marriott, It's simple. If Carol writes good things about the Marriott, she's trying not to hury Bob's feelings. If she pans it, she's teling the real truth.
Bob is quaking because we will now get an impartial opinion about the Marriott, It's simple. If Carol writes good things about the Marriott, she's trying not to hury Bob's feelings. If she pans it, she's teling the real truth.
Jul 17th, 2010, 05:22 AM
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nywoman, be happy to send along Maeng's email address to you. Check your email in a little while (gotta read here first).
Gpanda... Chicago an afterthought! Ha! Tell that to Barack. Chicago is 'on the map' right now.. (Blago) And BTW, my friends from Italy thought Chicago was much nicer than NYC (Bos wasn't in the comparison).
Gpanda... Chicago an afterthought! Ha! Tell that to Barack. Chicago is 'on the map' right now.. (Blago) And BTW, my friends from Italy thought Chicago was much nicer than NYC (Bos wasn't in the comparison).
Jul 17th, 2010, 08:02 AM
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Neopatrick... don't I wish! However, you may be in luck (not sure yet...) DS will be coming over for about 4 weeks, and will probably be around the last part of August. I, on the other hand, MUST head back home at the beginning of the month. Wish I COULD stay on... I would love to show you places like the Pickled Liver (you'd enjoy this place) and Tawandang Night Club (the original one) and the view from Sky Bar. You need to 'hit' all of these places, if possible.
Jul 17th, 2010, 12:37 PM
#18
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Have a wonderful flight and a superb trip Carol. Hope we can meet up at last when we will be in BKK in Jan 2011. I'm also looking forward to your description of the Marriott Executive Lounge and any upgrades your Gold gets you. We just became Gold Marriott members and will stay for a total of 2 weeks at the Marriott on the River so am looking forward to some upgrades that we have not enjoyed during past stays there.
Have a wonderful time.
Sue
Have a wonderful time.
Sue
Jul 17th, 2010, 01:48 PM
#19
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, my suitcases are done and I am ready to leave tomorrow for BKK like Carol , we will definitely see each other at the Marriott on the River, the Club lounge will be our meeting place..... Carol have a safe flight and see you in Bangkok
Evelyne
Evelyne
Jul 17th, 2010, 06:27 PM
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 11,334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hello Evelyne! Yes, we'll be meeting up at the Marriott soon. I'm so looking forward to it. Peace and quiet is just what I'm seeking for a few days.
I'm at the Marriott Suites OHare right now, spending the night before leaving early tomorrow morning for BKK. This is a really lovely suite! My status got me free internet. Hope it gets me free internet in BKK as well. The price for this suite is only $149. They do a park/sleep/fly as well, with one week of free parking, for about $159-69 maybe... well worth it! Next time I need a park/sleep/fly I'll come back here.
DS Brad drove me up to Chicago and is on his way back home now. It will take him about 3 hrs. He should be home before midnight. We ate at On the Border (Mexican food and very good). It's a chain. I don't know how far reaching it is. They are consistently good, and very fresh ingredients. They are all over the bigger cities in the midwest.
Time to hopefully sleep. Hey, if I can't sleep, I'll just get up super early and get on the 5:05am shuttle and bide my time at the UA first class lounge! That sounds good.
Gotta pick up some good chocolates at duty free for Maeng and the girls at the printing company office.
More later......
I'm at the Marriott Suites OHare right now, spending the night before leaving early tomorrow morning for BKK. This is a really lovely suite! My status got me free internet. Hope it gets me free internet in BKK as well. The price for this suite is only $149. They do a park/sleep/fly as well, with one week of free parking, for about $159-69 maybe... well worth it! Next time I need a park/sleep/fly I'll come back here.
DS Brad drove me up to Chicago and is on his way back home now. It will take him about 3 hrs. He should be home before midnight. We ate at On the Border (Mexican food and very good). It's a chain. I don't know how far reaching it is. They are consistently good, and very fresh ingredients. They are all over the bigger cities in the midwest.
Time to hopefully sleep. Hey, if I can't sleep, I'll just get up super early and get on the 5:05am shuttle and bide my time at the UA first class lounge! That sounds good.
Gotta pick up some good chocolates at duty free for Maeng and the girls at the printing company office.
More later......
