First time trip to Thailand
May 11th, 2011, 03:04 AM
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First time trip to Thailand
Hi,
Just joined the forum and was hoping to gain from the experience of other more seasoned travellers, with regards to my first trip to Thailand.
I'm planning to come from the UK to Bangkok in the last week of September for 7 nights, where I'm hoping to do the full 'tourist thing', as I'm told it's a great city to visit.
Is this a good time of year to visit?
Any recommendations for good hotels, as I want to have good transport links nearby for touring the city?
Finally, as a man travelling on my own in Bangkok, am I likely to get hassled a lot?
Thanks for your help
Just joined the forum and was hoping to gain from the experience of other more seasoned travellers, with regards to my first trip to Thailand.
I'm planning to come from the UK to Bangkok in the last week of September for 7 nights, where I'm hoping to do the full 'tourist thing', as I'm told it's a great city to visit.
Is this a good time of year to visit?
Any recommendations for good hotels, as I want to have good transport links nearby for touring the city?
Finally, as a man travelling on my own in Bangkok, am I likely to get hassled a lot?
Thanks for your help
May 11th, 2011, 03:58 AM
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www.amari.com/watergate
my fav usually can pick up from $50/nt
betterbidding.com Priceline
agoda.com asiarooms.com Otel.com
sawadee.com good general info not much time but Chang Mai fun
Single males are solicited in the sex tourist areas.
Otherwise you should be fine...
insuremytrip.com always wise for me.
Have fun,
my fav usually can pick up from $50/nt
betterbidding.com Priceline
agoda.com asiarooms.com Otel.com
sawadee.com good general info not much time but Chang Mai fun
Single males are solicited in the sex tourist areas.
Otherwise you should be fine...
insuremytrip.com always wise for me.
Have fun,
May 11th, 2011, 05:32 AM
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September is not the best time as it tends to be rainy. But I wouldn't let that stop me. Do you have a guidebook yet? It's a good investment, as it will give you lots of background information as well as lots of ideas on things to do.
You will have to give us a price per night range in order for us to give you hotel recommendations. You'll want to be close to a skytrain stop to make getting around easy. I prefer to be on the river so I can take water taxis to many of the most famous wats. I also find the river traffic endlessly fascinating, even after over 20 years of visiting Bangkok.
You will have to give us a price per night range in order for us to give you hotel recommendations. You'll want to be close to a skytrain stop to make getting around easy. I prefer to be on the river so I can take water taxis to many of the most famous wats. I also find the river traffic endlessly fascinating, even after over 20 years of visiting Bangkok.
May 11th, 2011, 06:00 AM
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Thanks for all of the useful advice so far
Appreciated the hotel links qwovadis - I've started looking!
Kathie, what you said about the rain was something that I was told about, but I'm hoping that it will not be too bad at the end of September. . .
Was looking at the Lonely Planet travel guide to Bangkok at lunchtime, so may invest in that. Any other suggestions?
Hotel budget was circa £50/night ($80 /night)and your comment about the skytrain was useful. Are all hotels reasonably close to it?
Any suggestions for 'must see'venues in Bangkok would be appreciated. Presumably there is plenty there to justify staying for a week?
Appreciated the hotel links qwovadis - I've started looking!
Kathie, what you said about the rain was something that I was told about, but I'm hoping that it will not be too bad at the end of September. . .
Was looking at the Lonely Planet travel guide to Bangkok at lunchtime, so may invest in that. Any other suggestions?
Hotel budget was circa £50/night ($80 /night)and your comment about the skytrain was useful. Are all hotels reasonably close to it?
Any suggestions for 'must see'venues in Bangkok would be appreciated. Presumably there is plenty there to justify staying for a week?
May 11th, 2011, 06:12 AM
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no hotels are spread throughout the city only some of which are near the skytrain...
you budget is sort of in the middle. but there are plenty of options...
you will not be hastled in bkk at all, unless you go to the bars, where the ladies/men can be pushy...
there is plenty to do in bkk for a week or more.... the food is good there with tons of options. you will find it very reasonable in comparison to the UK.
there is a category of hotel called serviced apartments. you might find these to your liking as they provide tons of room. chatrium suites riverside is one on the river.... centre point silom is very close to the river and right on the skytrain link. they are both just slightly above your budget, but check them out.. bosshotel is another near to the skytrain... www.sawadee.com is a really good place to get a feel for hotels and their prices... i really like an hotel with a pool as it is so hot in bkk... ibis on the river is another newer budget hotel. majestic grande is another option not far from transportation in the middle of the city.
Sept. is low season so you might find some real deals also for hotels... look at individual hotel websites for those and don't be afraid to look at the better and chain hotels for these... don't forget that there is 17% tax and service added on to each hotel price.
you budget is sort of in the middle. but there are plenty of options...
you will not be hastled in bkk at all, unless you go to the bars, where the ladies/men can be pushy...
there is plenty to do in bkk for a week or more.... the food is good there with tons of options. you will find it very reasonable in comparison to the UK.
there is a category of hotel called serviced apartments. you might find these to your liking as they provide tons of room. chatrium suites riverside is one on the river.... centre point silom is very close to the river and right on the skytrain link. they are both just slightly above your budget, but check them out.. bosshotel is another near to the skytrain... www.sawadee.com is a really good place to get a feel for hotels and their prices... i really like an hotel with a pool as it is so hot in bkk... ibis on the river is another newer budget hotel. majestic grande is another option not far from transportation in the middle of the city.
Sept. is low season so you might find some real deals also for hotels... look at individual hotel websites for those and don't be afraid to look at the better and chain hotels for these... don't forget that there is 17% tax and service added on to each hotel price.
May 11th, 2011, 06:46 AM
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Lonely Planet is fine, Fodors also has a good guidebook.
You'll need to make sure you get a hotel close to teh skytrain, not all are close. Some say they are "close" but are really a 20 minute walk - not what you want. Some hotels are linked to a skytrain station. You want a 5 minute walk or less, or else to be on the river, where teh water shuttle will drop you off five minutes away from the Skytrain.
You should be able to get some great hotel rates in September!
If a particular hotel looks good to you - ask here, SOmeone can probably give you feedback about it.
You'll need to make sure you get a hotel close to teh skytrain, not all are close. Some say they are "close" but are really a 20 minute walk - not what you want. Some hotels are linked to a skytrain station. You want a 5 minute walk or less, or else to be on the river, where teh water shuttle will drop you off five minutes away from the Skytrain.
You should be able to get some great hotel rates in September!
If a particular hotel looks good to you - ask here, SOmeone can probably give you feedback about it.
May 11th, 2011, 07:52 AM
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have a read through http://www.anachak.co.uk/bangkok.php for some suggestions on things to do and see
I love Bangkok and rain wouldn't stop me either
have a good time
Rich
I love Bangkok and rain wouldn't stop me either
have a good time
Rich
May 11th, 2011, 08:34 AM
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As others have said, the proximity to the skytrain is probably the #1 consideration (for me anyway) when booking your hotel/serviced apartment in Bangkok.
For a first-timer, you would probably enjoy being along the river, and yes, the hotel shuttle boats do take you to the Saphan Taksin Pier, which is right at the skytrain station. Your price range will limit you, however, in hotel choices, as most prices along the river, the the skytrain vicinity and with a shuttle boat, are higher than 'in the city' where I prefer to stay.
Take a look at hotels/apartments in the Sukhumvit area, or the Siam area. You will have a wide choice if you stay in the city area. My own preference is Adelphi Suites on Sukhumvit soi 8. Other fodorites have stayed there as well. Some like it, some do not particularly care for it.... that's why forums such as this are so helpful. Opinions are not all cookie-cutter stamps!
September will be fine. Yes, there will no doubt be rain, but I would not let that stop me from going to Bangkok!
CArol
For a first-timer, you would probably enjoy being along the river, and yes, the hotel shuttle boats do take you to the Saphan Taksin Pier, which is right at the skytrain station. Your price range will limit you, however, in hotel choices, as most prices along the river, the the skytrain vicinity and with a shuttle boat, are higher than 'in the city' where I prefer to stay.
Take a look at hotels/apartments in the Sukhumvit area, or the Siam area. You will have a wide choice if you stay in the city area. My own preference is Adelphi Suites on Sukhumvit soi 8. Other fodorites have stayed there as well. Some like it, some do not particularly care for it.... that's why forums such as this are so helpful. Opinions are not all cookie-cutter stamps!
September will be fine. Yes, there will no doubt be rain, but I would not let that stop me from going to Bangkok!
CArol
May 11th, 2011, 12:43 PM
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Thanks rhkkmk for the advice on hotels. Think I will review my budget once i have had a good look through the site that you suggested and perhaps increase it!
Had not pickd up on the 17% additional charge - appreciated the forewarning
Kathie, I have now factored in the need to be near the skytrain or the water shuttle ... thanks for the advice and for saving me the extra effort it would have taken to walk everywhere otherwise
Rich, what an awesome site
It's great to read and boosted my confidence about going there on my own. Thx.
Carol, started to look up the areas and hotels that you suggested. Thx for these tips, as they are really helpful when you are starting at first base, like me
Had not pickd up on the 17% additional charge - appreciated the forewarning
Kathie, I have now factored in the need to be near the skytrain or the water shuttle ... thanks for the advice and for saving me the extra effort it would have taken to walk everywhere otherwise
Rich, what an awesome site
It's great to read and boosted my confidence about going there on my own. Thx.
Carol, started to look up the areas and hotels that you suggested. Thx for these tips, as they are really helpful when you are starting at first base, like me
May 11th, 2011, 01:21 PM
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Just to clarify, if you book directly with the hotel you pay the 17.7% in addition to their rate. Most of the booking sites include the 17.7% in their rates, but read the fine print to make sure.
