The Royal River Hotel Bangkok Thailand

GPS coordinates?

EXTRA NOTE:

http://www.royalriverhotel.com/royalriver/

There is a SPECIAL PACKAGE HOTEL PROMOTION RATE OF 5,400 BAHT for 3 consecutive nights.

That's "ONLY" 1,800 Baht ($57. USD)per night for the Deluxe River View Room pictured in the above post.

That has to be a great deal.

Oh my @$3#%!! Are we being flamed for posted GPS Coordinates?

Is not Google Earth a part of everyone's trip planning? Why mess around with website maps when you can simply "fly there" in GE and get the full picture of the location?

I stayed here on 2 different trips. I found the room to be nice and the desk people very helpful. It is away from some of the places you might want to be,but when I was there a boat provided by the hotel took you on the river. I am not sure how often the boat runs,but I used it several times. The breakfast was good.
That is a good price for the Deluxe river view.

This is the map provided by the hotel:
http://www.royalriverhotel.com/royalriver/map/

This is the Google Maps (not as good as Google Earth) that you get when you enter the GPS Coordinates.
The GREEN ARROW marks the GPS Coordinates.

We hope this suggestion helps all of us here on Fodors, because many travel forums are already using GPS #, because it's fast and easy.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=13%C2%B046'58.58%22+100%C2%B030'5.43%22&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=44.793449,63.632813&ie=UTF8&ll=13.782793,100.501117&spn=0.003371,0.003884&t=h&z=18

NOTE:
Google Earth is much better for mapping.

Thanks maryanne1. The river view room for $60. USD seems almost too good to be true.

Have you stayed in the river view rooms? Is that picture accurate?

Thanks for your reply.

MORE about the GPS stuff:

At Google Maps, you can also GET DIRECTIONS from anywhere to your location.

For example, I did a BKK (airport) to the hotel thingy.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=bkk&daddr=13%C2%B046'58.58%22+100%C2%B030'5.43%22&hl=en&geocode=&mra=ls&sll=13.782734,100.500294&sspn=0.006742,0.007768&g=13%C2%B046'58.58%22+100%C2%B030'5.43%22&ie=UTF8&t=h&z=11

Whether you'll like the Royal River depends on what you are looking for. It's a 3 star hotel, so in spite of the photos, adjust your expectations. It is not located on the river, but relatively close. The location is not very convenient. It's on the "wrong" side of the river, and isn't near a skytrain station, though since the skytrain has crossed the river, perhaps they have a shuttle.

Note that there are usually "specials" on this property. I'd check agoda.com and sawasdee.com Most prices on both of those websites include tax and service (14%) and usually breakfast as well.

Karen, what made you think you were being flamed?

oops - typo above, tax and service in Thailand is 17%

Thanks Kathie. Your cautionary words are are well advised. Trip Advisor comments have The Royal River Hotel at best, a very beat up property, but, probally not as bad as our favorite: The Riverview Guest House with its GREAT location and FANTISTIC river views (booked up)

Are you sure the Royal River Hotel is not on exactly on the river? GE has it smack dab on the water's edge and some comments in Trip Advisor mention a dock and river side restaurant.

If you check out this link of the hotel in GE, you'll see what I mean (Green Arrow):

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=13%C2%B046'58.58%22+100%C2%B030'5.43%22&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=44.793449,63.632813&ie=UTF8&ll=13.782793,100.501117&spn=0.003371,0.003884&t=h&z=18


Anyway, it's on the "wrong" side of the river and far from the "fun" spots, but I guess we can't pass up that river view and the price. Oh my!

We appreciate the comments and figure we'll try it for one night.

Regarding the flaming

filmwill on Aug 2, 09 at 01:27 PM
GPS coordinates?

Posted above, I took it as a bit of ridiculing because of the question mark and no additional explanatory comments.

I was surprised after typing so many careful words and providing links, all that filmwill could get out of my post was a crypic comment that seemed to be... Well... anyway.. I've been away from forums and sort of forgot how they "work". Next time I'll let it go.. or maybe I should have simply asked what filmwill ment by the comments. Huh? That would have worked. Communciation, Yeah!

I was jealous that filmwill could spell "coordinates" correctly, I always spell that word wrong.

Anyway, it turned out for the best, 'cause we were able to talk about the useful GE features for trip planning and that might be a good tip for someone.

You can also look at a city/location in GE (no gps coordinates necessary) and locate where the photographs are clustered together. Then check out the photographs and see if that's something you'd like to see.

I don't know when you are going, but I just got about the same rate for Centre Point Silom for Sept. It is for a studio, which is much larger than most hotel rooms, and very close to skytrain and river taxi. I used Agoda.

Sorry, My mistake... for us.. it's all about the RIVER VIEW.
Being exactly ON the river.

Our "go to" place is booked. Actually, after we reserved the best river view room at our go to place more than two months ago, they switched us out to a less desirable room. Naughty, naughty.

So, I began scrambling for lodging (August 5th arrival) with a stunning view of the Chao Praya River.

Oops, Karen, you are right, I'm confusing the Royal River with another place with river in the name that is, in fact a block or two from the river. My apologies. But the comments about it being "worn" are the kinds of comments I've heard. A German friend of ours who stayed there said he'd never stay there again. But people are looking for different things.

stitch's recommendation of the Centre Point Silom is a nice suggestion. It is virtually next door to the Skytrain, so it's very convenient. It has gotten very good review here. Because it's a serviced apartment, the rooms are larger and have a kitchenette. Some rooms have a washer/dryer. Also, it's on the "right" side of the river.

Hey, stitchintime.. thanks for the suggestion. The location is good there, good to know.

NOTE about Agoda.

The Shangri-La Hotel web site has much, much cheaper prices than what Agoda is offering for the same property.

Having said that about Agoda, the website has a GREAT mapping system and finding lodging is super easy.

karen
I'm arriving in BKK on the 7th, for about 12 days. If you are planning to visit the Sukhumvit area, we might meet up for a cold one somewhere...
Carol

Karen, when I'm booking a hotel I always check at least two hotel booking sites as well as the hotel's own site. In my experience, there is no consistency in terms of where I'll find the best rate. Sometimes it's the hotel's own site, sometimes it's a booking site. Sometimes if you approach a hotel to match the booking site's price they will match it, though usually not, in my experience. Also, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. As you know, tax and service add 17% to the cost of a hotel room in Thailand. Most booking sites include that in their rate, and most include breakfast (which is often $16 - 20 per person at the hotel), but the hotel's own site doesn't include tax and service. Sometimes hotel's sites have specials that include breakfast.

Where I stayed was on the river because the hotel had a boat service. It was a package deal with Northwest Air. I enjoyed the hotel You are right saying it is away from some of the places you mentioned,but that did not matter to me. There is also a riverside restaurant. Where I stayed was The Royal River Hotel. The first time I suggested this hotel others who had not stayed there had negative remarks, but I liked it. Yes, there are riverview rooms. I have stayed in both types of rooms.

karen, no flaming happening. i was genuinely asking WHY you would post GPS coordinates. sorry i didn't elaborate more, i thought the question spoke for itself. glad that you find GE useful in your trip planning, but i couldn't ever imagine it being useful to someone who's never been to a city they're researching using it. sure, if you've been to a specific place many times and know the lay of the land, i'm sure it could be helpful, but then again, at that point, if someone said 'it's on this street near chinatown' i'd probably know where they meant.

A friend who flies to BKK every year or so (using Northwest and a package deal) has stayed at Royal River everytime. He keeps going back, so it can't be too bad.

Although he says that the next time he goes, he wants to try my own favorite, on Sukhumvit soi 8, the Adelphi Suites. It would be much closer to his "work" when in the city!! He is always sitting in traffic, as he takes a taxi everywhere.

Take the hotel's shuttle boat to the skytrain. You'll be glad if you do!

Carol

DON'T STAY THERE....

we have stayed there twice....it went from ok to way less than ok...

its way up the river and right next to a bridge which is generally a good thing... but the traffic on this bridge and on the other side are horrible for most of the day...one or two of the major universities are just on the other side of the river...

yes it is cheap but that is what you get in return....the breakfast is almost unedible....rooms other than full river facing can not even be considered....

the pool is tiny and too deep to stand in....

the fitness center is a joke---you can see it from the pool...only a few plastic chairs at the pool

both times i too was there on a northwest package---i asked them subsequently to take it off their list...

the amenities in the room are simple...tile floors, decent, but not great bed...less than comfortable furniture...basic bath...

for the same price you could stay at a centre point property...

on our last stay our main complaints centered around transportation issues....their hourly boat to river city shopping area had been reduced to 2 daily: 10AM (way too late to start your day) and 4PM (way too early for dinner)....taxis took for ever to get to the skytrain and once it took an hour, even though it isn't far...
there are the regular river boats a few doors away but they stop at 6PM....

many taxi drivers are unfamiliar with this hotel or how to get there...

filmwill:
Yeah, I figured I had jumped the gun, but, I think you are not aware of the full potential of Google Earth and traveling. It’s the master tool for traveling, especially for a location you know nothing about.

I found a blog about Bangkok that is incredibly good and uses GOOGLE EARTH to its full advantage.

Honestly, try this out. Download Google Earth to your computer:
http://earth.google.com/

Then visit this blog page: Famous and hidden markets in Bangkok.

http://traveltobangkok.blogspot.com/2008/03/famous-and-hidden-markets.html

At the top of the page, there is a link to a Google Map with all the waypoints of great markets. You can see exactly where the markets are located and zoom in to the street level, but, the best you can do is print out the map.

BUT, the other link that is provided: “Download for your Google Map or Google Earth”
http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1187098&site_id=1#1187098

Go there and download the 1187098-Markets.kmz file. This is a file that opens up in Google Earth and shows the exact locations and mucho information of the markets.

You’ll be amazed at what you’ll find after the file opens up in GE.

You will have place markers for each market and you will be able to link up to an internet page with information about the place.

All this is uploaded to GE from people that like to share their photos and videos.

You might be able to do a STREET VIEW of the location marked and "SEE" the location, or maybe there are photographs available too. It's like being there and sometimes you'll even find videos of the location.

Yes, it’s true, somebody took the time to find each market in the Bangkok area and put a waypoint (place marker) in Google Earth and then saved the file (.KMZ) and posted it for everybody to use.

Wow!

If you search around the blog: http://traveltobangkok.blogspot.com/ You’ll find there are a lot of Google Earth .KMZ files on so many interesting locations in Bangkok that you can add to your Google Earth program, then save it to your laptop and bring it along with you on your trip.

Guesthouses
Boutique Hotels
Hotels

Move around in Bangkok
Here you learn, how to move by boats on the Chaophraya River and the Klongs.
Then there are the timetables and routes of the Skytrain, the Metro, the Buses and the Trains.
And yes, you can even go for bike tours.

My favorite has a descriptive list of street food in Bangkok and then along with the .KMZ file markets the exact location on the map.

We all know how hard it is finding a new place in Banglkok that we’ve never been. Now, no problem, it’s already marked on the map for you.




Eat in Bangkok
http://traveltobangkok.blogspot.com/2008/03/eating-in-bangkok.html

On Mouthwatering Food I collect reviews of restaurants and food stalls. And you get a Google Map. So you will find your eating choice near the place, where you stay or go to visit.

Again, download the .KMZ file for Google Earth, click on the file and it will open up all the locations of the street stalls food along with links to a web page that describes the food.

Pretty damn cool

Try it and you will be HOOKED. Everyone is using GE, it is especially GREAT for someone that has never, ever been to a location, ‘cause you can zoom in and see the place before you go.

Anyway, the blog all by itself is an unbelievable super great resource, even if you only print it out to bring along. The site is easy to navigate for anyone interested in Bangkok with many photos, explanations and links.

100 Dishes to Die For – With links to the restaurants
http://bkmagazine.com/feature/100-dishes-die

Oppps.. I forgot to add. Once you have the place marker (exact GPS location) for whatever in Google Earth, you can select GET DIRECTIONS and find out how to get there too.

Yeah, I actually already have Google Earth (have had it for quite a few years) -- I don't find it of use to explore cities in the same way you do, but to each their own I guess. Awesome that it's of such benefit to you.

Yeah, I'm a map person.
Well what you you think of that website?
http://traveltobangkok.blogspot.com/

Have you considered the Sheraton? I had a very nice stay there and a FANTASTIC river view. I believe 1 got a free night when booking through the Sheraton/Starwood site directly. That was in April 2009.

Thank you, all of you. Your suggestions are appreciated.

Here are some things we’ve considered when booking in Bangkok.

The Royal River Hotel (original post) is around $60. USD per night with a great balcony and river view.

The usual place we stay (Riverview Guest House http://www.riverviewbkk.com/) is $28. USD TOPS! (Great view Chao Praya River and a balcony)

Having said the above, we're thinking of booking the Krungthep Balcony Room http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=Krungthep+Balcony at The Shangri-La Hotel for the two nights we have to do some scheduled internet work:

11,299 Baht - Sheraton - River View
12.947 Baht - Shangri-La Hotel - Krungthep Balcony
1,648 Baht - Additional for the Shangri-La Krungthep Balcony = $51. USD.

In addition to maps, we love river views, balconies and Khao Moo Daeng. http://www.bangkokpost.com/220808_Realtime/22Aug2008_real18.php

Karen, the rates you are quoting are for two nights? When is this? The Sheraton is listed at 3750 baht all in on sawasdee.com That's a riverview room, but not a towers room, which includes not only breakfast but also cocktails and canapes. This is not to discourage you from staying at the Shangri-La, just wondering what your prices mean and where they come from.

which place looks better on google earth?

Just read the post the Royal River is in the middle of nowhere. Suggest you look elsewhere.

Ha, ha, ha. OK, I'll take the bait - Actually, pretty darn clever, YOU!

But really, I'm surprised "you all" are not using GE as a tool for traveling, as your central tool in fact.

Traveling is all about locations, acquiring information, organizing information and using information, right?

NOTE:
There is also, “Hop on a plane figure it all out later” – But, let’s set that aside for now.

Computers do that well and what better tool is there to learn about a location than a computer connected to the web and a MAP.

How about a map that is an actual photograph of the real planet! A map that you can zoom in and out, add data to, a map that is connected to the internet, that contains photos, videos, travel reports, that contains much of what is available (by links) and amazingly all easily accessible and controllable on your computer.

That’s a LOT of #$%@!

"You" use paper maps on location don't you? GE is just a quick way to discover, mark, store and easily learn about the locations you want to visit.

It’s simple. You organize and store everything up in a GE file and then transfer he locations (marker/pen) to a paper map for walking about. Or, print out a GE map.

Really, that “Eating in Bangkok” link above: http://traveltobangkok.blogspot.com/2008/03/eating-in-bangkok.html is great.

When you opened the file in GE, you’ll get a whole bunch of unique eating locations that when used along with the website descriptions is a super quick way to gather a lot of information quickly. Like, instantaneously as to where it is (map and picture), what’s sold there, and how do I get there (directions) as soon as you open up the file.

Come on! That's cool, right?

The same goes for everything else listed on the site. Check out the GE file for Guesthouses, Boutique Hotels.

Not every single place is listed, but the number of places marked on the map is huge. All including links to the hotel website and words about the places and sometimes links other forum sites.

Wow! This is only a small part of what GE can do. I've seen resorts complete with photos and booking information from only a click on a waypoint in GE.

What? Ok, the joke is on me, you're all using GE already.

NOTE:
It's the .KMZ files. Information files created by others (some crazy extensive) and shared with all.

You can put anything and everything in a .KMZ file and when it's opened in GE...

This post is wandering off into the bizarre...

karen, I don't think it's as simple as: all folks either use paper maps OR Google Earth. Some folks don't use maps at all--case in point: me. I like to be a little more improvisational when I'm visiting somewhere the first time. I may glance at a map before we go somewhere, but it really doesn't mean anything to me, since the whole point is that I DON'T KNOW THE CITY. Some folks like to research a destination by coming to a place like Fodor's and asking questions. Does it matter to them to know that their hotel is located at GPS coordinates X,Y and Z on a map of a city that they have no point-of-reference for? I doubt it.

In fact, I'd argue that some people don't really give a flying rat's patootie about where on the Google Earth map their hotel is. As I stated before, if you've been to a city a handful of times then something like this can come in handy, for sure. But I don't think someone planning a trip to a city for a first-time would even have a point of reference for where their 'flyover' is...so who cares?

Am I being cranky? Perhaps. Certainly not trying to railroad you here but you've sold your pitch on GE...and since you've mentioned it like 4 times already, we get it. And this constant plugging of that blog...it almost feels like an advertisement.

I think it's great that you're so gung-ho about all of this mapping and perhaps you've got a future career as a cartographer, but it's starting to feel like your cramming it down my throat, so you'll forgive me if I bark a bit. It's turning into overkill.

Karen, I thought this post was about hotels, specifically the Royal River and any alternatives.

But since you ask about google earth, yes, I do use google earth, though not (much) for traveling. I just don't find it as useful as you apparently do. The website you link to is ok, but I find there is TMI... so many boutique hotels listed, so little discrimination about which have one advantage over another (yes, there are links to trip advisor reviews, but I find those reviews not especially helpful). So many restaurants listed (though most of my faves seem not to be there) and so little info on why one would want to go there. Yes, you can locate almost anything on GE, but it doesn't tell you whether the location is convenient, whether the neighborhood has other attractions, whether the area is safe, etc. There is lots of raw info available on the web, a website needs to have some value-added to be useful. So if the website is yours or belongs to a friend of yours, that's my feedback.

We seem to be going all over the place as far as hotels go. From their favourate at the Riverview Guesthouse at $30, to the Royal River at $60 and now the up-market Sheraton and Shangri-La. I thought originaly that they wanted a budget type place to stay

Yup, the progression of this post makes little sense... that is, unless Karen has another agenda like advertising her website. I doubt seriously that she's advertising GE.

Oh my!

We travel that way, always. http://www.flickr.com/photos/traveltv/

Yes, it's usual for me to go WAY (WAY) OVER BOARD on stuff. I type fast and get carried away.

I was pushing GE because, for some reason, I had the idea that some people here did not know about its usefulness. And no matter how you travel, it’s the easy way of exchanging mass amounts of different media and information that makes GE so wonderful.

The GE .KMZ files are used by many to easily transfer travel information, especially in the Africa overland self drive community.

Some of the stuff they are doing is truly amazing. If we were talking about Africa, I would have directed everyone to different web sites that also use GE .KMZ files.

It just happened.

I found the web site while researching Khao Moo Daeng. The last time we were in BKK was 1999. Actually, we got a cheap ticket because it was over New Years Eve 2000. The plane was empty.

We travel a lot, so it's not unusual for us to stay in a variety of places. Our least favorite is fancy hotels, but sometimes, if the deal is too good to pass up, or we need to do some comfortable work. Hey, we’re not against the luxury, just the price! When you’re on the road for a couple of months it’s impossible for us to pay the big bucks.

The $60. hotel was all about the view. Actually, we called up Riverview and were able to get something close to what we original wanted, so, we are back there - with two days at the end of the week at the Shangri-La Krungthep Wing. Then I guess we are off to Chiang Mai.

But, having said all that, for me, that web site was useful.

We’re doing 14 days in Thailand and then 7 in Tokyo. JAL’s summer $825 deal

We’re flying today, arriving the 5th.

Thanks for the comments. All of you offered up clear and concise information. Everyone made a lot of sense and spent time writing their words and I learned from all of you.

Thanks

Have a good trip!

I like the eating guide! Thanks.

Back from Thailand and will post some thoughts later...

BUT.. I can not stop myself from showing this link, where The Travel Channel's Anthony Bourdain is using a version of Google Earth to help people find locations.

Really, is this not easier than whatever method we used to use?

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=106211046225645038663.0004715ad558f0a0d946d&z=10

CHECK OUT: MAP OF THAILAND:
http://www.travelchannel.com/TV_Shows/Anthony_Bourdain/ci.No_Reservations_in_Thailand.show?vgnextfmt=show

I look forward to hearing about your trip to Thailand.

I do like that Bourdain pinpoints the locations of the places he ate (although I can't say the places he ate excite me much). But using google earth to get around Bangkok? Not useful for me, but if it is useful for you, that's great.

Bingo.. The GE thingy does not help you "get around", that is not the feature, it is used as a planning tool.

When you (anybody) reads about or sees a photo of a location they’d like to visit what do you do with the address? Scour a map? Hope that the guide book lists the location on one of the maps?

Really, what other choice is there? What is your technique for locating a new place?

I like to click on a link and have the location show up on a perfect street map, even a map that I can see a satellite photo. Although the photo (Street View) does produce some mixed emotions, like taking the surprise out of seeing the location for the first time.

As you said, it's not for you and many others here agree, but we can’t deny that GE mapping is becoming popular on the many websites that are using the feature.

For example: We did not know about Jok Prince (Remember, Khao Mu Daeng and how we like pig?) even though we walked around Yaowarat Road for two days.

With the help of the Travel Channel map, we located Jok Prince in seconds. Try that using "Jok Prince" and Google search - Ouch!

We never had a less than delicious meal in Thailand. Ninety-ninety percent of our meal were street food, but our first day in Bangkok we ended up in a small bar around the old Sam Yan Market.

The Khao Mu Daeng places we had been trying to get to had closed up and we were about to pass out from the heat. We were starving, it was too hot to keep moving and this bar was the only place nearby that had air conditioning.

Bangkok is really hot in the summer. You’d be hard pressed to find locals walking around mid day.

I only eat vegetables (I do like the Khao Mu Daeng sauce, cucumbers and rice) and this place was a local bar with a Thai language menu and zero English spoken.

No problem. The “mother” of the bar, went upstairs to cook noodles “spaghetti” using ketchup and I was too tired to say no.

Now, while the meal was not the best Thailand could offer, the dish was perfectly prepared, had lots of flavor and although “interesting” it was pretty tasty.

Maybe the above story speaks more to the cooking skills of Thai people and their overwhelming hospitality.

Interesting links, Karen. Thanks for those.