Thks for all those suggestions. Looks like we, after arriving at the airport, we will opt for a klong ride and then afterwards a relaxed afternoon around Oriental + early dinner at Oriental. Oriental Hotel is a bit steep for overnight, I find. Is there anything less expensive around that area? Oriental is 230-250 usd minimum from what I understand.

Once in awhile you can get the Oriental for around $200 by going to their website or contacting them directly but it isn't too likely in November. The Penn which is across the river will be less but still in the $200 range. Cheaper options in walking distance of the Oriental are the Shangri-la and the Royal Orchid. Cheaper still (and very nice but not nearly as convenient) would be the Marriott. But for the short amount of time you have I'd either splurge and stay at the Oriental or opt for the Royal Orchid or Shangri-la.

cram--unfortunately you are at the top of the price market starting nov 1...

less expensive in the area are all of the other hotels....

penn will be around $200 on the huahin site or about $230++ directly from them

the sheraton orchid should be much less and probably has discounts...look on the starwoods.com web site....AAA or senior rates are good...nov 18 is a weekend and two years ago in nov i got a seniors rate of $75 for a suite...you have to play with their site to make it work for you..

the marriott will be about $110 on huahin and maybe $120 on the marriott site...it is my favorite...

shangri-la may have a special as well...look on huahin and on their site for specials...

jd----yes that is the current name...this is an al fresco restaurant which is closed on bad weather nites...only open for dinner...a la carte menu, or what most people have is the set menu for two...my last time we had the 2200 B menu for two which was fantastic...usually there are 3 set menus to choose from...

you eat outside in a fenced off area next to the pool...there are thai style buildings surrounding the area and the river is on one side...it is very very nice....food is good and all thai...lots of variation in the set menus...it is a bargain...

in addition to reading this forum for reviews of the hotels, check out www.tripadvisor.com. They have a lot of reviews of the hotels mentioned -- many of them very detailed.

jdeg, yes, it's called the Thiptara (I think). We really enjoyed it. Great atmosphere and the prices were reasonable. Just don't order the water, which was $9 per bottle.

ccc---did you save the empty bottle?? if you read the fine print it says that for each bottle you turn in you receive one share of their stock....

Thks all, we are making up our mind about the Peninsula Hotel and a klong ride, followed by a stroll around the Oriental area, as it was suggested on this board. Now next: dinner suggestins, knowing that we will be staying at the Pen?

Bed Supper Club

I'll put it another way
1. Bed Supper Club if you want excellent food and really unique and fund experience.
2. The restaurant in the Penn if you want an outdoor restaurant on the river with thai food
3. The riverside buffet at the Oriental if you want a large buffet (lots of seafood) and a variety of cuisines
4. Lord Jim in the Oriental if you want superb seafood in a new gorgeous setting indoors but with a river view
5. China House in the Oriental if you want great Peking Duck in a lovely setting.

1. Bed Supper Club if you want a unique experience and an excellent meal.
2. Tawandang German Brewery if you want to eat Thai style, with hundreds of Thais, dining and watching a great stage show with a mix of Thai jazz fusion, a bit of pop, and exotic Thai dancers too. The beer here is great too! (you need to take a taxi here and go EARLY so you get a good table)
3. A dinner cruise on the Chao Phyra River (although you might not want to do this if you have taken a klong tour)
4. Go to Suanlum night bazaar, shop in the little stands for souvenirs, and eat in the outdoor food court, where there is a big stage with live music going on nightly. Sit, shop, walk, eat, shop some more, enjoy the music... Not a fancy dinner, but certainly a lot of fun if you like to shop. There is a good variety at the night bazaar. Food court is typical of a mall style place with many little stands.
5. After dinner (which ever option you pick) go to the top of State Tower and have a nightcap at Sky Bar. It's 64 floors above the city. It's all outside, breezy and cooler than down on the ground. The view is awesome. You can look down on the Peninsula and Shangri La. Dress code.. nice casual clothes, nice shoes (no clunky backpacker sandals). Drinks are not cheap, but you will LOVE the view if you are not bothered by heights. When I say it is "outdoors" I mean exactly that. There is a glass wall around the perimeter and that's about it. Another option (but not as classy) is the top floor of the Banyan Tree. Same kind of thing, but it just doesn't have the beauty of Sky Bar IMHO.
Carol

depends on budget:

either of the main restaurants at the penn: jesters (asian fusion) or the thai al fresco offering....less costly the chinese or the riverside cafe (forget name)
or
lord jim at the oriental

or tongue thai behind the oriental and OP place

angenelli at the shangri-la hotel (italian)

biscotti at the 4 seasons hotel

gallery cafe in back of the sheraton orchid (thai)

harmonique on soi 34 new road (thai)..in back of river hotels

bed supperclub---sukhumvit soi 11...very unique and good food

crepes and co off of sukhumvit...crepes of every description---excellent and cheap

Personally since you only are having one meal in Bangkok I think the only restaurant worth traveling far for is Bed Supper Club. Otherwise I would eat at either the Penn or the Oriental depending on the kind of food and atmosphere you want. I thought you had earlier said you wanted something romantic so those restaurants would also meet that criteria (at least the ones at the Oriental -- haven't eaten at the ones at the Penn).

By the way, State Bar is a short walk from the Oriental so you could certainly easily go there for a drink if you eat there or at the Penn (the Penn's boat goes right next to the Oriental). It is spectacular but VERY scary if you have a height problem and it also can be very windy.