Hi.
I will be going to Bangkok for 2 days in Feb. I've read a bit about boutique hotels and budget hotels on this board.

This will be my 2nd trip but the first one was ages ago! Not so interested in seeing the temples and palaces or shopping malls on this trip. Interested in food, walks, markets, perhaps a floating market (?), experiencing the culture and people watching.

Would it be worthwhile for me to stay near the river? Or should I stay in the city?

Secondly, any budget hotels that you could recommend near the river or in the city? My budget is up to $30-50. If it includes a Thai breakfast with noodles, etc, that would be even better!
Thanks!

Take a look at this website: www.sawadee.com It's a local Thai booking site and has hotels in all ranges. The prices include tax and service which otherwise add 17.7% to the rate. Most prices include breakfast.

Personally, I prefer the river. I like taking the water taxis to the wats and the skytrain is accessible as well.

But if you aren't interested in the wats, you might prefer to be somewhere along the skytrain route.

By the way, there was a recent post about budget hotels in Bangkok, and a number were mentioned in your price range, including Suk 11 and the Atlanta.

river view guesthouse might fit...

boshotel might also fit..

but basically on the river there are few at the budget end...

Have a look at the Bossotel
Inn. It is within your price range and in a great location, close to the river and within walking distance of the skytrain and river ferry stops. Even has a small pool and a good breakfast. Standard rooms are basic but clean. If you can afford a few more $ get a superior or deluxe room. Much nicer.

http://www.sawadee.com/hotel/bangkok/bossotel/

Navalai is over your budget, about $57 with breakfast for 2, has swimming pool, good location on the river, aout 10 mins walk to Khao San Road. We have not stayed but friends had 2 nights there and enoyed it for the price.

Lots of hotels in your price range. You can even get hotels under 1000 baht that have air, hot water, cable TV, private toilet/shower and maid service.

I would choose a hotel near the Skytrain so you can use that overhead rail service. Perhaps in the Sukhumvit Road or Siam area.

Here is a couple hotels you might consider. The Asia Hotel is the more expensive hotel. They do run specials every now and then. Easy walk to shopping on Phetchaburi Road. Skytrain stop right at the hotel.
http://www.asiahotel.co.th/asia_bangkok.htm

You can check out the Swiss Park Hotel. Close to travel agencies, restaurants, malls, street vendors and the Nana Skytrain stop.
http://www.swissparkhotelbangkok.com/
(Several cheaper hotels in this area - with air and private shower/toilet too!)

Other hotel links:
http://www.theatlantahotelbangkok.com/
http://www.hotelthailand.com/bangkok/bangkok_bts.html
http://www.atsiam.com/hotel_alphabet/hotels_bangkok.asp

Good luck.

Thanks very much everybody. I think I will try to book at Bossotel along the river.

What kind of breakfast do most hotels offer? American or Thai? Just curious. I remember eating noodles for breakfast in Chiang Mai at a hotel and loved it. Hoping I'll find that in Bangkok too.

Cheers!

Many hotels offer American, Thai and Japanese breakfasts, all part of the same buffet.

i've stayed at the bossotel a couple of times. its a nice hotel, and i second what scotters said about upgrading to the deluxe room.

the hotel is not on the river, so don't expect a room with a river view.

i usually stay at the bossotel when i want to hang around the river hotels, and spend time on silom road. after a couple of nights there, i'm ready to move to the suk area.

a word of caution, be sure the taxi dispatcher at the airport knows exactly where you want to go. the bossotel is not a well known hotel, and you might end up at the boss tower like i did. print the hotel map, or just tell the driver you want to go to the shangrila hotel. the bosso is just about 50yds before the shang.

Thank you so much for the Shangri La tip. Will definitely make sure to print out a map then.