Laundry questions (rhkkmk advice needed) - Thailand & Bali
Mar 30th, 2009, 11:22 AM
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Laundry questions (rhkkmk advice needed) - Thailand & Bali
I'm desperately trying to convince my better half we don't need more than 4-5 days worth of clothes for our 3.5 week trip because laundry will be inexpensive (and we'll need the space for all the stuff we're going to buy). I've made it through the first round of debate, battered and bruised, but still plugging along. It's the shopping angle that got me through. Now I need some cost guessess:
1) Is there a laundry place near the Bangkok Marriott & Resort? If so, any guess as to the cost? I'm assuming the resort is ridiculous (if it's like the other Marriott's I live in every week).
2) Same question for Baan Orapin in Chiang Mai.
3) Same question for the Alam Shanti / Indah / Jiwa properties in Ubud.
4) What's the typical turnaround time, next day?
1) Is there a laundry place near the Bangkok Marriott & Resort? If so, any guess as to the cost? I'm assuming the resort is ridiculous (if it's like the other Marriott's I live in every week).
2) Same question for Baan Orapin in Chiang Mai.
3) Same question for the Alam Shanti / Indah / Jiwa properties in Ubud.
4) What's the typical turnaround time, next day?
Mar 30th, 2009, 12:24 PM
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you are in luck....have her/him pull a chair right up close to the computer.....LISTEN TO THE BOSS, CUT BACK...
you need to buy buy buy in asia so save room...
many of us buy a cheap additional suitcase in asia to pack things to bring home...
marriott/bkk: to save money you can take your clothes to two places....in the basement of the hotel garage--under the center mini-mall building is the office of the hotel laundry...they have a small counter there where they take in laundry for about 1/3 less than from your hotel room directly---still a bit expensive....my wife takes her white slacks there and some good white tops....
but for general laundry and all of my stuff we walk out the drive way of the hotel....turn right....walk along the sidewalk, over two sois i think and you will see a small dry cleaning/laundry place down one step.... they are fabulous...ask for pressing which is only ok, but marriott has irons for touch ups if needed... my undies cost 5B, pants about 40B, shirts maybe 25-30B...you need to wait about 2 days for things....for extra $$ i think you could have them the next day if you go in by 10, when they open....no english spoken, or not much....just point to the calendar....they are a charming couple who own it....i've never had one problem with them in 10 years....
you can also ask jack the tailor at monet il sarto on the 2nd floor of the mall where to take things....he sent me to these people but i think there is one closer....have some shirts made by him....he's fantastic!!! tell him bob sent you....
no help with chiang mai, but i am sure laundries are all over the place, and from what i read of the owners, they will send you around the corner i am sure...
alam shanti----gpanda found the laundry on his walk...roughly speaking it is at the base of either monkey forrest rd or the street next to it or maybe in between the two....run by young people....very very cheap like $5 for all the clothes you are taking on your trip....in by 10, out by 6 same day... AS will also send you someplace or do it for you?? if you are having a driver, like putu, he will also take you places that are very cheap....
ITS THE WAY TO GO....
my wife went with only a 22" case for 2 months in 2008...
you need to buy buy buy in asia so save room...
many of us buy a cheap additional suitcase in asia to pack things to bring home...
marriott/bkk: to save money you can take your clothes to two places....in the basement of the hotel garage--under the center mini-mall building is the office of the hotel laundry...they have a small counter there where they take in laundry for about 1/3 less than from your hotel room directly---still a bit expensive....my wife takes her white slacks there and some good white tops....
but for general laundry and all of my stuff we walk out the drive way of the hotel....turn right....walk along the sidewalk, over two sois i think and you will see a small dry cleaning/laundry place down one step.... they are fabulous...ask for pressing which is only ok, but marriott has irons for touch ups if needed... my undies cost 5B, pants about 40B, shirts maybe 25-30B...you need to wait about 2 days for things....for extra $$ i think you could have them the next day if you go in by 10, when they open....no english spoken, or not much....just point to the calendar....they are a charming couple who own it....i've never had one problem with them in 10 years....
you can also ask jack the tailor at monet il sarto on the 2nd floor of the mall where to take things....he sent me to these people but i think there is one closer....have some shirts made by him....he's fantastic!!! tell him bob sent you....
no help with chiang mai, but i am sure laundries are all over the place, and from what i read of the owners, they will send you around the corner i am sure...
alam shanti----gpanda found the laundry on his walk...roughly speaking it is at the base of either monkey forrest rd or the street next to it or maybe in between the two....run by young people....very very cheap like $5 for all the clothes you are taking on your trip....in by 10, out by 6 same day... AS will also send you someplace or do it for you?? if you are having a driver, like putu, he will also take you places that are very cheap....
ITS THE WAY TO GO....
my wife went with only a 22" case for 2 months in 2008...
Mar 30th, 2009, 12:30 PM
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Bob's quite right. There are inexpensive places to have laundry done everywhere. Some are next day, some are two days, and I've found some that are same day service. Places outside the hotels are incredibly cheap.
Typically, we each take two suitcases, one empty except for bubble wrap to bring back beautiful crafts.
Typically, we each take two suitcases, one empty except for bubble wrap to bring back beautiful crafts.
Mar 30th, 2009, 01:32 PM
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When at the Alam Shanti, there is a cheap laundry place out near Monkey forest Rd. It's at the top of the road if you turn right after walking through the Monkey Forest from the AS. However, the easy way to get your laundry there is to drop it off when you leave in the morning using whatever vehicular transport you have that day. that will save dragging it about 3/4 of a mile. There are lots of cheap places immediately in town, but this place was pretty good.
In Chiang mai, you will see laundry signs all over. Just pick one. 4 or 5 days worth of clothes is plenty.
In Chiang mai, you will see laundry signs all over. Just pick one. 4 or 5 days worth of clothes is plenty.
Mar 30th, 2009, 02:22 PM
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Terrific - thanks!
The no shorts realization was a big kick in the gut and what got me thinking about what to take. What about some really light cotton pants a la hospital style? Any thoughts (for guys)? I have a couple pair of convertible pants, but want something lighter and all cotton.
The no shorts realization was a big kick in the gut and what got me thinking about what to take. What about some really light cotton pants a la hospital style? Any thoughts (for guys)? I have a couple pair of convertible pants, but want something lighter and all cotton.
Mar 30th, 2009, 06:47 PM
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lite pants will work....for me they would not work, however, because i feel that i want to be dressed decently for a nice restaurant as well as for walking on the street...
wild/bright colors or patterns would NOT work however.. i think you would even feel odd wearing the regular blue or green ones....
chinos are just right for me all the time...
you see lots of tourists in the zip off pants, but i agree that many of them are too heavy....
i don't find that the heavy chinos are bad, as long as they are all cotton....lots of people wear jeans too, but they look hot....
you also see tons of T shirts but sometimes i do not find them appropriate....
wild/bright colors or patterns would NOT work however.. i think you would even feel odd wearing the regular blue or green ones....
chinos are just right for me all the time...
you see lots of tourists in the zip off pants, but i agree that many of them are too heavy....
i don't find that the heavy chinos are bad, as long as they are all cotton....lots of people wear jeans too, but they look hot....
you also see tons of T shirts but sometimes i do not find them appropriate....
Mar 30th, 2009, 06:49 PM
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you can wear shorts every place except for "royal" places, like royal wats and the grand palace and other palaces owned by the king....and you see tons of people wearing them, both locals and tourists, but i never feel right wearing them nor do many others on this board...
Mar 30th, 2009, 07:38 PM
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In the city (Bangkok) you'll rarely see locals wearing shorts. They are just not considered city attire. You will see tourists wearing shorts at times. Not only wats and royal properties forbid shorts, but some hotels (the Oriental) and restaurants and bars don't allow shorts.
As a visitor, Thais make lots of allowances for your attire, but not when it comes to wats, palaces and such. You will also find that respecting local customs will get you more respect as well.
Long pants also keep the sun off your legs. You are in the tropics, and the sun is very hot. You'll find yourself less sunburned and less hot by covering exposed skin.
As a visitor, Thais make lots of allowances for your attire, but not when it comes to wats, palaces and such. You will also find that respecting local customs will get you more respect as well.
Long pants also keep the sun off your legs. You are in the tropics, and the sun is very hot. You'll find yourself less sunburned and less hot by covering exposed skin.
Apr 4th, 2009, 09:45 PM
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In Bali, my husband wore shorts exclusively - long shorts to his knees. It seemed like at least half the men - tourists and Balanese were wearing similar shorts. For temples, they have sarongs for anyone who's legs are not sufficiently covered, so it wasn't a problem.
