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Old Sep 27th, 2016, 05:50 PM
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Bangkok hotel - Feedback requested on specific hotels

Appreciate any feedback you can give on a few hotels I have found with very good ratings within my budget (less than $150 USD/night). I'm not locked in to location yet; still debating pros/cons of main city and riverside. Any additional info you want to provide there will help me make decision.
- Shangri-la (though I see today the price has jumped from $150 to $186)
- Royal Orchid Sheraton
- Oriental Residence

Thank you in advance!
itsonmylist is offline  
Old Sep 28th, 2016, 03:24 AM
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I emailed the Shang yesterday about the prices going up within a hour and they have no explanation even though the prices dropped on AirAsiaGo and Booking.com!

I have booked two nights from Sunday so will report back! Difficult choice between The Muse, JW Marriott and Mandarin Oriental, would have definitely gone with the MO but ridiculous price compared to the others and no club lounge!
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Old Sep 28th, 2016, 06:21 AM
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Warm Wednesday evening greetings to the OP, itsonmylist (fine handle, by the way) - and warm welcome to Fodor's.

Concerning your three hotel options: have stayed at the Shangri-La and the Royal Orchid Sheraton on numerous occasions for work over the years and have also toured some of the lodgings at the Oriental Residence. Of the three, my preference would be for the SL. My most recent Bangkok business trip was ~two months back (stayed at the Mandarin Oriental on a corporate package) and had the opportunity to visit with some friends who work at the Shangri-La. Some fine (and needed) renovations have taken place at the SL in recent years. Lovely property.

More later, including specific room suggestions, as am "on the road" for work. Savour your planning; love Bangkok and can't wait to return in November for meetings and the always special Loi Krathong riverside celebration.

robert


... Singapore Airlines, You're a Great Way to Fly ...
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Old Sep 28th, 2016, 07:14 AM
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chatrium riverside

renaissance

plaza anthanee

anantara riverside

2 on the river, 2 in town---0all excellent
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Old Sep 28th, 2016, 07:23 AM
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On our last visit to Bangkok we stayed at the JW. I would not stay there again. I really don't like the location. Next time we'll be back beside the river.

The Royal Orchid Sheraton - in the Towers - has long been our fave. Do you have any Starwood points? If you do, they almost always have a great deal; for cash and points. You do have to reserve the Towers specifically.
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Old Sep 28th, 2016, 09:10 AM
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rhkkmk,
What did you prefer about staying on the river versus in town?

Thanks for all your replies - digesting them all!
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Old Sep 28th, 2016, 09:56 AM
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Of the hotels that you've listed, I stayed in a standard room at the Royal Orchid Sheraton which I personally didn't like. My room was very small, at a strange angle with hardly any view, and had problematic bathroom plumbing. But, I only stayed for one night as I had transferred over from the Pen where I had also stayed for one night to try it out. I've also been one night at the Oriental which was personally my favorite river hotel.

How long are you going to be in Bangkok? If it's a short period of time, it won't matter that much where you stay as long as you're close to some form of transportation. As for the river versus the city, that's totally a personal thing. Some love the river and some love the city. I'm a stay-in-the-city person.

Maybe when I get back this winter, on the my 6-week winter trip, I might try out the Shangdi-La for one night to get an idea of how it is as a lot of folks that I know go to Bangkok and constantly asks me where to stay in Bangkok if they are selecting a hotel over an apartment. So, although I get an apartment, I also take one-night staycations at hotels to try out various ones.

If you want a really nicely priced hotel, then the Dust Thani is really nice. Last year, I tried it out for a 1-night staycation and would recommend it. I packed an overnight bag and left the apartment for 1 night to try out the Dust Thani as it was, I think, 1 skytrain stop from the apartment. My best Thai friend, here at home, has been staying at the Dust Thani for nearly two decades when she goes back home to Bangkok to visit family. It's right next to a sky train station and very close to the river by skytrain. I like the hotel as it's beautiful inside and reminds me a bit of the Siam Intercontinental that was torn down to build Paragon mall. I used to stay at the Siam Intercontinental and right up until a few months before the tear down.

Happy Travels!
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Old Sep 28th, 2016, 10:04 AM
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http://www.dusit.com

I just looked up my Expedia account and in Jan 2016, my room at the Dust Thani was $102.65. But, Expedia notified me that I could use my Expedia points to add to the booking, so I ended up paying $46.50 for a 1-night stay. I do most of my bookings on Expedia as it's easy to keep up with all of them and also be able to refer back to the old bookings as a reference.

Happy Travels!
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Old Sep 28th, 2016, 12:23 PM
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Not sure that with your budget the Shang or the ROS would provide you with rooms worth reserving. If you do not have a view of the river, why stay there? Not familiar with the OR. Would suggest Plaza Athenee or Renaissance in town - I've stayed at both and they are well situated for public transport as well as being a good value and nice places.
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Old Sep 29th, 2016, 08:46 AM
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we think the river area is cooler and the air cleaner... we love watching the river traffic... we love the hotel boats..
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Old Sep 29th, 2016, 08:50 AM
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I just went on Expedia last night and the rooms at the Dusit Thani are on sale. A standard room, like I had in Jan 2016, is now only $92.00 before the tax. I just booked, for Jan 2017, one of the big rooms, on special for $139. before the $24.tax. So, I'll do one night at the Dust Thani during my 3 weeks in Bangkok. On the same day of staying at the Dust Thani, I'll book a dinner reservation at Nahm (Metropolitan Hotel) as a taxi between the Dust Thani and the Metropolitan Hotel cost only around 43 baht, a little over a dollar.

I also decided to book the Shangri-la for one night to try it out. I booked a deluxe with balcony which cost $234.22 before the tax and $275.68 after the tax. Not cheap. But, I will now be able to do some more hotel and hotel-room research and will be able to try out a different type of room at the Dust Thani. I have tried out so many hotels in Bangkok, since the 90s, until it makes my head spin. LOL! But, Bangkok has some really good hotels.

Happy Travels!
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Old Oct 6th, 2016, 04:39 AM
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FYI - The Shangri La was very good, nice view of the river, staff friendly and helpful, food good. There is a BTS station literally 1 minutes walk and also linked to the hotel and you can also catch the river boats from the same place.

There are a number of small restaurants and a Robinsons Department Store with Tops supermarket (western) underneath again just a few minutes walk.
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Old Oct 6th, 2016, 09:46 AM
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Stay at the Shangrila it was incredible
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Old Oct 7th, 2016, 07:32 PM
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I have stayed at the Royal Orchid Sheraton twice, both times years apart, and enjoyed each visit. I found being on the river fascinating to watch. The restaurants were all very good, especially the lunch buffet. I think any of those hotels by the river would be good. Be aware, though, that the locations are not the most convenient. You might check: I had heard that the skytrain stop nearby was going to be closed temporarily for construction, but that may be finished by now.
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