Am planning a trip to Bangkok. Will be staying at the Peninsula- but will be arriving in Bangkok at midnight, which means maybe 2 am before getting to the hotel. I would like some advice on what to do this first night? Should I book at an inexpensive hotel for the first night and then transfer to the Pensinsula? Will the Pensinsula give me a break on the first night's stay as we are getting in so late? I don't see the logic in paying the full rate at the Penn. for the first night as we are getting in so late. Suggestions?????

There is something magical about waking up on your first day in Bangkok and seeing all of the activity on the river. We actually stayed at the Oriental when we visited Bangkok but we did arrive at about 2 AM. We were glad not to have to waste precious touring time to transfer from one hotel to another. If you stay at the Penn, use the hotel's limo to transfer to your hotel. After a long trip, it will be much easier than hasseling with the taxis. I think the Penn has package deals that include transport. I am sure that they will not give you a break on the first nights lodging as they will have to hold the room for you anyway.

I totally agree with Craig, too much hassle to change, with time and taxi fares between two hotels you aren't really going to save much, esp if the Penn is giving a good rate overall. Others on this site have said the Penn is offering rooms at about $150.

I'm planning on an April 2004 trip and the going rate right now is $188/night for a grand delux with breakfast. Should I expect this rate to drop further as the year moves along?

Also I was thinking that there might be an inexpensive hotel attached to the airport that we could use that first night since we are getting in so late. Then taxi to the Peninsula the next morning.

The hotel attached to the airport is the Amari and it is not cheap. The Rama Gardens has been mentioned on this site as a cheaper alternative. It is 10 minutes away. If you are planning on using one of the hotel reservations sites, the rates are negotiated in advance and are unlikely to go down. By the way, if you have an early flight out of Bangkok, it might make sense to stay at the airport. However, I would not "waste" my first morning in Bangkok transferring from one hotel to the other. Also there is no assurance that the Penninsula will allow you to check in before mid afternoon, especially if they are full.

Bill -
Agree with Craig - the Amari isn't cheap (about $130/nt), you pay for the convenience of it being right there at the airport and great for an early morning checkin.

Or as we did on arrival, as following morning we were flying to Siem Reap.

Go for the Peninsula with their hotel transfer, you'll feel all the more comfortable after your long flight knowing they're there to pick you up and check you in. Then you can fall into their wonderful beds.

Think of your 2am check-in as if you had a full day touring Bangkok, met friends for cocktails, then had dinner and went out partying - you're back in your bed at 2am - and you still paid for a full day. Go for it!

i agree with the above...i have arrived at bkk several times from the usa at midnight...you are out of it by then ...have a hotel car meet you..a nice mercedes, with cold water for you and lots of a/c and a direct ride the quickest way possible to the hotel...they will radio ahead that you are about to arrive as well and all will be waiting for you... cost $35-40...
add to that the next day you will be shot and just want to get up slowly and maybe take a refreshing swim, go across the river or for a ride on the river and just vedge....you won't want to be changing hotels, i can tell you that....plan a quiet day, if you possibly can...
don't take a taxi on your first nite unless you have to...they often get lost, their trunks are small and sometimes the a/c is not good--don't start off on the wrong foot....

the pen won't adjust the price, nor would any other hotel that i know of...
i have stayed near the airport at a comfort suites and it is terrible..no way to start a vacation....2300B as i remember .... rama gardens is $75 or more too...

go to pen, sleep in luxuary in a very comfortable bed...play with all the gadgets in your room...wake in the morning, push the button to open the drapes before you get out of bed and look out at that beautiful scene....you'll never forget it!!!!

BILL is it the money or the travel time too get to the pen..
look there are hundreds of hotels in town .. and most mid tier will arange tranfers.. that fist night you probably wont care if your sleeping in a wolf's den..

if it's the cash or principle of payign 150 bucks for a couple of hours then find a alternative hotel..

well here is a shocker for those who have barely understand my privious postes. .. i'd personaly crash at the pen stright away .. 150 bucks is tons too waste but it is better then wakeing up early repacking checking out. deal ing with the morning trafic out too the pen.. and having to check in too another hotel.. your mind may be mush as it is .. of course have no clue where your flying out off . you may just be taking a red eye out of manila or someplace.. and that canges everything..

those mercadeez taxis are not all the special the drivers are the same guys form isan that were picking harvest 2 months ago.. same as regular taxis.. and last time i checked they cant fly so they get stuck in the same trafic as the regular yellow and greens.. 45=60 a trip jeez.. but once again i would choose a hotel tranfer since it's so late and from experience thier may not be any regular taxis waiting at the stop.. so it's better too pay up and be safe and confortable..

Ok all - I'm convinced!!! Stay at the pen the first night and get picked up by them as well. Thank you all!!!!!!

one option not mentioned is to take an airport limo...they have a desk just as you go out the door to the taxis and other transportation...they also have benz and some volvo's i think...i have used them, but if you are not familiar with bkk airport better to have pen pick you up the first time and use airport limo next time....i think they are called airport taxi

Just got back from BKK tonight. I stayed at the Conrad, which is somewhat closer to the airport. Had Conrad arrange one of their own Mercedes pick-up. Came in at about 11:45 pm. As soon as I left the I/C area(about 15 minutes after deplaning) the Conrad rep grabed my suitcases, walk outside with me and in a minute or 2 we were on our way. Chilled bottled water and chocolate chip cookies were waiting for me. I was in my room at about 12:45 am and my luggage followed about 5 minutes later. After a looonngggg day, I will agree that it's a must, although a little pricey. Taxis in BKK are extremely cheap. My hotel pick-up was $35. I took a taxi back to the airport and it came out to be around $10.
I did check-out the PEN, and they did show me the standard, deluxe and balcony rooms. Personally I did not see any difference between the PEN and the Conrad, but that's a matter of taste. The Conrad has a special now at $99 per night, and if you're a Hilton HHonors member you will also get 3X base points (Code H1). The location is not as great for touristy type stuff, as it's located in the downtown/embassies area, but between cheap taxis and almost free SkyTrain, I found it to be great for the money. I also highly recommend the Club 87 at the Conrad. It's a VERY happening place in Bangkok. For a truly great dinner experience try The Bed Supper Club. They only do 1 sitting per night. You are sitting on beds, and served a 5 course dinner for a set price. You don't know what's on the menu, and I'm not a very adventurous eater, but everything the model type waitresses in space age suits brought was GREAT!!! Later in the evening the place turns into a hot nighclub as well and if you were there for dinner you are in for the night for free.
www.worldsbestbars.com will tell you more about The Bed and few other places in Bangok.

Have a great trip. I did!!!!!