fab

I would appreciate any hotel suggestions for Bangkok, Chiang Mai, KL, and Penang. Also, does anyone have a guide to recommnend while in Thailand? Thank you.

Tangata

It would be easier to help if you gave us some idea of what your budget is, what your interests are and how long you will be in each place.

JaneB

In Bangkok, we stayed at the Royal Orchid; in KL, we stayed at the JW Marriott; in Penang, we stayed at the City Bayview Hotel (in G'Town). I would recommend all of them.

JamesA

As Tangata has said it depends on your budget entirely.

fab

Thanks Jane, that will help. Tangata and James, I was waiting for your reply! This is the itinerary: 3 d Chiang Mai, 2 d Sukhothai, 4 d Bangkok, 1 d Ayutthaya and Bang Pa In, 3 d Penang, 2 d KL, 1 d Melaka, 2 d Singapore, and 2 d HK. We are medium budget travellers, $150/night hotels? We like restaurants and a min confort. Thanks a mil!

JamesA

Ok I'll dig through my little book! We oursleves stay at $40-50 places usually but I often have business visitors who want to see around Thailand as part of their visit and stay in the $100+ range. You are very often in Thailand better off taking a top grade or small suite at a good 3 star place than a base room at a 5-star, I'll tell you where 'we' personaly as a family stay and where we send rich business clinets(!) and you can take a look.

For Penang though I would suggest the Rasa Sayang at Batu Ferringhi beach if you can manage the cost, brilliant place, or the Golden Sands next door. Bat Ferringhi is the beach area and I personaly think is much nicer than just staying in Georetown which is very much a 'town'. I can't help on Melaka but if you search here there are posts from someone who lives there who has mentioned hotels. If you want absolute conveniene in Singapore at a Good Price the crown prince on orchard Road is simply ideal location, close to MRT, and of course being right on Orchard Road is so convenient.

JamesA

Well actually we seem to book our company visitors the same places in those towns but with better rooms than we personaly have stayed at. Anyway 'my' suggestions/recommendations:

Chinag Mai: Tamarind Village de-luxe about $75. This is a particularly nice place. If you want a more busy/large hotel try the Suriwongse ( de luxe $50 or Suite is about $65 )
Sukhothai: Pailyn Hotel-Junior Suite $65
Ayuthaya: Tevaraj, River view room $30 or River View Suite $80

Bangkok I would go for a River View room at the Marriott, about $115-120 but worth it and you can save on the other places.

Ok to 'get you going' try this link (long but it takes you right to the inside information ):

http://r24.org/huahin.20m.com/chiang...marindvillage/

That starts you with the Tamarind in Chiang Mai.

Then you can go to:
http://www.r24.org/huahin.20m.com/thai/hotels/

For Ayuthaya and Sukhothai, and then simply click for Bangkok and you can check the Marriott.

That should give you plenty of pics and other info to get you excited with your plans!


Forgot that for KL the Shangri La is great, if you want cheaper but good then the Concorde downtown KL is good value for money place that is a good 3 star+ hotel.

fab

James A., thank you so much! My husband will appreciate that your suggestions are below the price range I proposed! I think living in NY caused me to forget how much cheaper can nice hotels cost in other countries (specially Asia and S America). Thank you again for being such a great "guide"! Regards, Fab

Maree

Hi Fab, I was in Penang in January 2003 and stayed at Rasa Sayang on Batu Ferringhi - a fabulous hotel and reciproacl arrangements with Golden Sands. I wouldn't stay in Georgetown - make a day visit here, visit Penang Hill, shop at Komtar. Batu Ferringhi is lovely - nice beaches, wonderful hotels and night market is good too. Fabulous restaurants to try and very easy to get to. Have a lovely time.