rogerz

I originally posted this under Angelgina's thread, but perhaps it is better as its own.
My wife and I are planning a 12 day trip to Thailand for late November. We hope to splurge for our last night, and have narrowed the choices to Shangri-La and the Marriott Resort and Spa as well. (Ideally, we would love the Oriental, but I don' know if the $316 per night after tax is worth it).
To put a twist on the decision, we have a VISA card that rewards points, which equals $150 (Canadian) credit. The travel desk will book the hotels for us. My question is, if the Shangri-La and the Marriott were about the SAME cost, which would you choose: (1) Marriott for $40 canadian, (2) Shangri-La for $75 CDN or would you take option (3) which is use the points, and then spend $200 CDN out of pocket for the Oriental? (I know many love the Penn, but we are not so into the technology in a hotel -- I can play with my remotes at home. We also were going to try a riverside hotel, since we have reserved the Old Bangkok Inn earlier).
Finally, we arrive in Bangkok at 8am from Siem Reap and do not fly back to North America for about 40 hours later (midnight) the next day. (Do you think one hotel vs. another will allow us to maximize the time at their facility?)
Thanks for your help, and sorry for the long-winded post!

glorialf

Tell us a bit about what you like in a hotel. What ambience you like and what amenities. How do you want to spend your time?

BillT

This technology remark about the Penn is way over emphasized. We love the Penn and the technology stuff we couldn't care less about- really people love the Penn for all the other reasons that have been stated on this forum!
If you can get the Oriental or the Penn for $200 (including taxes and service and breakfast) then go for it- its worth it. Otherwise- no I would never spend $300 for either- the value prop is not there in my opinion- go for the Marriott instead.

rogerz

I take back the dig on the Penn and about technology. With regards to what attributes make a hotel attractive, I think some of the qualities should include a sense of grandeur of the grounds, a courteous and responsive staff, a relaxing environs including a nice pool, and a sense of elegance that none of us could ever afford to replicate in our own homes. My wife and I are normally budget travelers who plan our holidays on the fly. Since we only have such a short time in Asia, we decided to reserve our rooms before hand. Also, since it is our last day, we will likely want to do any shopping we didn't complete earlier, including possibly picking up some tailoring that we will plan on ordering on our first days in Bangkok.

glorialf

Ok-- I'd go with either the Marriott for its pool or the Oriental for its elegance, history, staff. It is also in a short walking from many superb tailors and has fabulous places for a drink, breakfast or dinner on the grounds. I would pass on the Shangrila.

glorialf

Just to be clear -- the Oriental does have a pool (actually two of them)but not as nice a one as at the Marriott. I would say that the pool is the weakest part of the Oriental but they do have lovely grounds and wonderful public areas (like the author's lounge) for relaxing.

glorialf

Oops one more thing -- you will be able to check in early at the Oriental and depending on how busy they are you might be able to arrange a late check out. If you can't they will hold your bags (everyone will do that) and you can continue to enjoy the hotel and area. There is a place where you can change for the plane if you want. I have often checked out as late as 10PM but I've been there often. However, I as I said on a different thread you will have no problem checking into your room at 8AM. It is one aspect that seems to be unique to the Oriental.

Guenmai

Since you want to be on the river, I would go for the Oriental...I did a night there to try it out just two weeks ago...I've done the Pen,too in the past, and am not a Pen fan. However, the heart of the shopping is not on the river, but in town which is one reason I stay at the Four Seasons...which I adore... and walk to several of the malls or take the skytrain,located directly across the street, for one stop, to the Siam Discovery Mall and Siam Center Mall or two stops to MBK Mall or a few more stops to Emporium Mall.Plus, the huge Paragaon Mall, might be open when you get there in November.I don't like to lug shopping bags all the way back to the river area. I just came home from Bangkok on Aug 20th and the Paragon Mall...next door to the Siam Discovery/Siam Mall is coming along nicely. Happy Travels! HAppy Travels!

rogerz

Thanks for all the input. Do you think the Marriott will let us check in early/stay late?

BillT

To the last question- only if Bob calls the Marriott directly and tells them to do it!

Kathie

I'm sure Bob will weigh in on this question. He did state in a recent thread that it is very hard to get a late checkout at the Marriott. Whether you can check in early will depend on how full they are.

glorialf

No question the 4 Seasons is in a great spot for major shopping. That's never mattered to me because I rarely go to any of the malls (just don't do that much shopping and the little I do is rarely in a big mall) which is why the river works perfectly for me. Guen -- while you're shopping, I watch the river or the people in the Oriental lobby. But that's why there is never a perfect hotel for everyone. You need to know what your priorities are.

orgy7

GLORIA, you people watch rich tourists, there really isn't enough sociological studies on this group... just messing with ya.


Rperz.. lol not converting the looney too the buck is sure going to confuse a lot of folk here.

angelgina

Do any of you know if the marriot shuttle boat runs 24 hrs? thanks!

rhkkmk

my turn....for the best all around last nite experience i would go with the peninsula ...and yes the tech. is way over played...you don't need to use any of it except the lites if you do not want to play...YOU WILL NOT EVER STAY IN AS NICE A HOTEL AT THIS PRICE...

if that is not an alternative, then i would stay at shargri-la....it is way above the marriott in lux....marriott is really 4 star and sh-la is 5*...for the prices you have quoted i would stay at sh-la....the last nite is not a good option if you have to leave very early in the AM, however as we do to come to usa....stay two days before you leave....actually i would stay 2 days at the place if you can afford it just to get the full experience...one day is never sufficient....how about an early xmas present??? or if not religious an early new years or birthday present?? or a surprise from one to the other....???

ps...the marriott pool is much nicer than the sh-la one but the sh-la pool is decent and a bit unusual...the sh-la has very limited grounds...the marriott has quite a big area much of which is taken up by the pool

laurieco

I'll weigh in as well having stayed at both the Pen and the Shang. The Pen is far superior in just about every way. The Shang's pool area is nice but nothing too special. I happen to think the Pen's pool is fabulous, very streamlined with salas around it, with fans and lights and tables that are set down in the middle and are raised for eating. I actually think the Pen's pool is among the nicest I've ever seen and have spent lazy days there just drinking and eating and going in for a swim. Both hotels restaurants are excellent. The Shang's Thai restaurant is very good and very reasonable and the Chinese restaurant has a great dim sum lunch, as does the Pen's. If you want Peking duck or just an overall elegant dining experience, head to the Oriental's China House, it doesn't get any better than that. We always go there when in BKK for the Peking Duck. In fact, it's worth flying to BKK just for the Peking Duck Jester at the Pen is fabulous, the food and decor/ambience, fusion high tech but not overdone or obnoxous. The rooms at the Pen are huge and the bathrooms to die for. Shang's rooms are very nice but not as nice as the Pen's, and I can't even remember the bathrooms there so that says something. All of the Pen's rooms have great river views. All that being said, if I had to stay at the Shang, I certainly wouldn't feel like I was slumming, it's a great hotel, just not as great as the Pen. Never been to the Marriott but will check it out on my trip there next spring. I figure, know the Mariott, know Bob ;-)

Cicerone

As you have such a late departure, and you cannot be guaranteed a late check-out at any hotel, I would take the Marriott for TWO nights, you are still only going to spend $5 more than if you spent one night at the Shangri-La (my least favorite hotel of them all anyway), and you will have the luxury of being able to use your room right up until the last minute to shower, change, relax, pack, etc. With virtually two full days, you will get to take advantage of the great huge shady pool at the Marriott (possibly the only drawback at the Penn is the rather narrow and virtually shadeless pool parts of which are near a noisy airconditinioning vent). After Siem Reap you may well be "templed out". I personally would head for the weekend market if you are there on a Saturday (or even a Friday afternoon a good number of stuff is open) and spend the rest of the time relaxing.

FYI, the Old Bangkok Inn is NOT on the river so you won't get the river experience at that hotel, charming as it appears to be.

glorialf

If it's a choice between the Shangrila and the Marriott, I would definitely pick the Marriott. But if you want a once in a lifetime experience stay at the Oriental.

rmsp

My choice would be the Shangri-La. The Marriott is further down the river and somewhat inconvenient for getting about. The Shangi-La is just across the river from the Peninsula, right next to the Oriental and you can get anywhere you want by walking or using the sky train.

glorialf

The Shangrila is convenient but for me it lacks any real charm or sense of thailand. If you want a place where you can enjoy the hotel atmosphere (which I think is what rogerz is looking for) I would not stay there.