Bangkok experts- Staying at the airport necessary for early departure?
 

Hello experts, we come back from Bhutan late afternoon and have a 7am flight out next morning. Is it necessary or advisable to stay at the airport or just as easy to stay at the river or elsewhere for one night. We will have been there for 3 nights on our way in (staying at the Shangri-La). Would you go back there or somewhere else for one night? I am also finding the airport hotels are fully booked for the night in question (Nov 18). Any ideas why?

No reason to stay at the airport. I always have an early flight out, and it takes not more than 25 minutes from the Royal Orchid (on the river) to the airport. Besides, you want to be in the city so you can go out for a nice dinner the evening before you leave. If you love the Shangri-La, stay there again, or try out another hotel. The Four Seasons is lovely and there are many other wonderful hotels in Bangkok.

The airport hotel may have blocked rooms until it is closer to the date. The hotel at the airport is ok but not fabulous- I only stay there when my inbound flight gets in at midnight and I have an outbound flight at 7 or 8 the next morning.

thank you! That's the answer I was hoping for. I would hate to have the worst accommodation of the trip be on the last night. Where would you recommend for the last night out dinner?

Thai food? Lana Thai at Face is a lovely setting and the food is excellent. Likewise, Ruen Mallika has excellent food and service. Both restaurants are in of Thai teak houses, both on sois off of Sukhumvit.

we never stay at the airport... early you can get there in little more than 1/2 hour...

plus the hotels are better and often cheaper in town, plus good meals are easily found....you may want that after Bhutan too.

rhkk hits the nail squarely on the head. Unless you're staying upmarket in Bhutan, you'll be craving some different food. Adequate but mostly horrible is how I'd describe Bhutanese tourist cuisine...

so stay loose on arrangements. Your bodies may be demanding something entirely different at the time.

Ah, yes, dogster is quite right that after time in Bhutan you may be ready for non-Asian food. I remember many years ago, after my first trip to Nepal, we stopped for a few days in Singapore and all I wanted was some good Italian food! Two weeks of daal will do that to you.

If you find yourself craving European food when you get to Bangkok there are excellent Italian and French restaurants in Bangkok. Biscotti, an Italian place at the Four Seasons, immediately comes to mind.

Ok, so would you suggest we return to the Shangri-La or try a different location? We will just be there for the evening I think.

You can't beat the Peninsula as an alternative to the Shangri-La. It is on the opposite side of the river however so if you are heading to Biscotti (highly recommended) or one of the restaurants off Sukhumvit, you'll have to take one of the frequent Penn shuttle boats to the Skytrain rather than walking there (from the Shangri-La).

I think you should take a punt and stay in town. It'll be dark and you leave early so why stay by the river? You won't be able to see it. Stay at Le Meridien, just by the nite market, take a walk on the wildside.

After all that rebuilt Bhutan blandness you'll need a bit of life.

go have a drink in that gay street. grab a girl and take her home, fo see a <i>errr</i> 'show'. lol lol lol. Something - anything - adventure!

Of course, to everybody else in here, tragic sods that they are, only the Shang or the Pen will do. Ho hum. Same sa-a-a-a-ame. Today I make a stand for excitement! Be creative! Do something different!

Meridien Suriwong is an option, but for a quick in and out I would probably go for the Millennium or the new Four Points.

What about Plaza Athene. It gets great reviews; or Conrad. Or the Intercontinental or Hyatt Erewon. Lots of great choices!

A thought...

Intercontinental is on the 'right side' of Sukhumvit (or is it some other name there) Road to make a quick dash to the expressway in the wee hours to catch that early flight!

>>>Something - anything - adventure!<<<

(Oh, yes, thanks for that...brings back tender memories of early BKK business trips, doing the SPG 'plat' maintaining bounce between the Sheraton Grande and Westin Grande properties and a certain neighbouring 'eden club' that offered most memorable outcall masseuses -- pre-mrs. m era, to be sure.)


Now, warm greetings patiricia, and congrats on forthcoming Bangkok visit. So many fun-filled nocturnal options for you and (not knowing your ultimate budget) can't resist giving a sentimental promo to the old grande dame herself, the Mandarin Oriental. She's not my current main BKK work hotel (rather, the SL's Krungthep Wing and yes, the Sheraton Grande), but the 'MO' has never failed to deliver, lodging and dining, down by the river. And, the always enjoyable fireworks displays on holidays and the occasional private party celebrations.

Wherever you stay, savour your special night -- in the City of Angels.

macintosh (robert)


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