Jennifer

Anyone know of a quaint, charming hotel with character in Bangkok, in the $20-$40/night range, that's NOT a high-rise? I've searched lots of online hotel sites for Bangkok and all the photos show these ugly (IMHO), multi-story hotels with 300 rooms that might as well be in any other city in the world. I'm looking for something cozy, charming, doesn't have to have 3 different restaurants or 357 satellite TV channels but would be great if it had a small pool and was close to the SkyTrain. Some have recommended the Atlanta but I've heard from others that the rooms are dingy and the staff unfriendly. True or false? Thanks!

kathie

Have you ever been to Bangkok before? <BR><BR>Toto, we are not in Kansas anymore.<BR><BR>Your best bet is an 'ugly' high-rise hotel.

Dorothy

Let me get this straight - you want quaint, charming (w/ character), cozy, a pool, and a good location for $20 - $40 night? I'm from Kansas, and even I am not that naive. Good luck...

Jennifer

OK, backoff everyone - maybe I've posted this request on the wrong board, since it sounds like you guys are the Sofitel/Four Seasons types. My assumption is that if the only amenity I'd like is a pool, and a small one at that, but I can do without the fitness center, cable TV, multiple restaurants, concierge, business center, maid service, porter for my Louis Vuitton luggage, etc., that I ought to be able to find something for under $50, and yes, ESPECIALLY in Bangkok! If you're paying much more than that per night to stay in such an inexpensive city, you've got way too much $$ to burn.

Scotters

In your dollar range you are looking at a budget type hotels, which are mostly large places. Here are a couple of good small hotels that might meet your requirements. Stable Lodge off Sukhumvit Road (28US), Jim's Lodge off Ploenchit (33) has rooftop garden and jacuzzi but no pool and Swiss Lodge off Silom a little more expensive at 67.

Kathy

Hi Jennifer<BR><BR>Try 'Classic Place' nice hotel at a very reasonable price. They have their own website.

Kathie

I don't know what's up with the recent nastiness on this board - it sounds more like ThornTree than Fodors!<BR><BR>Jennifer, I've also heard mixed reviews of the Atlanta. The complaint I've heard is that the rooms are very worn (and don't seem very clean), but I haven't heard complaints about the staff. Those comments are a couple of years old, so the Atlanta may have been refurbished since.

Jennifer

Thanks so much to the last three posters - Scotters, Kathy, and Kathie. I'm going to give the Atlanta a try but will check out your recommendations as a plan B in case I get to Bangkok and find that the Atlanta isn't acceptable. I'll let you know how it is when I get back in case anyone else is interested.<BR><BR>And you're absolutely right Kathie (the second Kathie), no need for nastiness on travel boards! I've actually found the Lonely Planet board to be extremely helpful for independent travellers that want to avoid packaged tours, as long as you can get beyond some of the childish behavior of a few posters. I'm no longer in my 20's and no longer need to stay in low-end backpacker guesthouses, but I also don't see any reason to spend a lot of money on hotel rooms when traveling since I'm usually spending very little time in the hotel. That is, with the exception of the first few or last few days when you need a little pampering...<BR><BR>Thanks again for your suggestions!

Kananga

Dorothy,remind me never to go to Kansas.<BR><BR>There are more than a few quaint, cheap, hotels with a pool and character in Bangkok. The Atlanta being one of them. You just have to look past your own nose.<BR><BR>Great attitude Kathy, ugly hi rise hotel? Have YOU ever been to Bangkok before? You clearly dont know what you are on about.<BR><BR>The 'classic Place' is a nice hotel but all the way out on Ploenchit road, so not really close to tyhe Sky train etc.<BR><BR>I would stick with the Atlanta. Good restaurant, friendly staff (At least they were last year) nice pool, close to the sky train (Nana station) lots of charm, and while, yes the rooms are kind of run down now, they are still clean and confortable and its not a contrary to what Kathy said it's not an ugly hi rise.<BR>What a strange attitude people have on this site.

kathy

Kananga<BR><BR>Your the one with the attitude problem