Hi all,
I have been intensively researching for my 2 week thailand and hong kong trip. Reading the postings on Fodors has been extremely helpful. My husband and I (in our late 20s) will be spending 12 nights in Thailand, a few nights in BKK at beginning and end of our trip. We are going to phuket in between. For our initial bangkok stay, I am torn between charming B&B(Ibrik) to recover from our long journey and Marriott Resort and Spa. So I decided to split my time into 3 nights at Ibrik and 2 nights at Marriott for our first 5 nights in BKK. We will be going to phuket for 4 nights and coming back to BKK for 3 nights and staying in the Siam area before flying out to hong kong for 3 nights. My question is, is it a waste of time to switch hotels, should I just pick one. And just comments on my iteniary will be great. Thanks.

You will make yourself a bit crazy changing hotels--rather than settling in to enjoy your 5 nights. The Marriott is a beautiful property--and you will be extremely pleased if you spend your 5 days there. Why would you want to try 2 different hotels?

Well, the Ibrik has a wonderful view of some wats across the river and it seems so cozy to relax and recover from our 20 hour flight. The ibrik is also less expensive than the marriott. We are also flying in at 10 p.m. so it seems kinds a waste to me to spend $140 to just sleep in a room for the first night. But I still want to try the Mariott, not too crazy about the kid friendliness though. Don't get me wrong, I work with kids for a living (I adore them..really.) Thanks for the reply.

Some peope love changing hotels (check out some of Guenmai's posts!). Personally, I prefer to check into one hotel and not check out until I'm leaving the city. If it were me, I'd choose one hotel for the first stay in Bangkok and another for the second. But you know yourselves best - if you like changing hotels, then do so.

I'm interested in all of these people (not just you)talking about staying at the Ibrik to relax. Especially when I first fly into Bangkok I want to relax after the long flight. To stay someplace that didn't have an on-site spa or 24 hour room service wouldn't be my idea of relaxing.

PS - you should be able to get the Marriott at far below US$140 unless you're there at Xmas/New Years.

Kathie,
Is it best to book the Mariott through their website or call them? It seems that the prices one their website is higher than all the other booking agents such as asiarooms, etc. How would I get the best price, bsides priceline type sites.

I was happily typing away, posting an answer to questions posed on this thread, but I was on another thread!!! Yikes!!! Sorry...

IMHO, I think you should consider the Marriott for your first five nights in BKK because of its relative ease of getting to and from, using their water taxi from the skytrain station. I have always traveled using the skytrain myself, and taxis when the skytrain isn't handy. The heat and humidity are to be considered carefully. You may want to come and go to the comfort of your hotel and a cool swimming pool, a few times a day. Is the Ibrik going to be handy for this?

Carol

mayb, the best prices on the Marriott are on some of the local Thai websites. Check sawasdee.com or one of the webistes like huahin20 - if you do a search, you'll find the exact address in one of Bob's posts (rhkkmk) or James A. Note ethat the local Thai websites typically include tax and service in the price, which otherwise adds 17.7%

Hi mayb, I have to agree with WSL and Kathie about not changing hotels. It's hard to pick one b/c they all sound so good you want to sample each of them, but having done that in the past, more times than I'd like to admit, we do whatever we can to stay put in one place. Every move takes too much valuable time better spend exploring or relaxing. It also feels really nice to stay put in one place and try to feel like a "native". You can get comfortable with how to get around and even with the staff and it makes the visit seem even more special. When I have a hard time trying to decide which property to go with, espeically when it's an especially touch decision, if it isn't too much trouble, I try to visit the place I opted agains, for future reference (and to see if I made the right choice).

Good luck with your plans, I think we're in good hands with these helpful Fodorites

Definitely look at huahin.20m.com to book the Marriott. They offer special promotions depending on when you'll be there, like stay 5 nights get 1 free, or free upgrade if you stay 4 nights. I also agree it would be better to just pick 1 place for your 1st 5 nights especially since you'll probably be jet-lagged.

Peersonally I would pick one hotel and stay there. And for a first time visit I think I would go with the Marriott since they have more services available should you have questions or need assistance.

Ibrik is really nice and I like it a lot. But...it's not so good for a late night arrival. It's quite hard for taxi driver to find, even with a map. Late at night will be more difficult. Also, there won't be any food around at Ibrik and also the small restaurants in the area will be closed by the time you get there. Personally, I wouldn't chose Ibrik for a late night arrival.

However, I would chose Ibrik if you'll have more time to stay there later. It's a totally different feeling than staying in a big hotel. Ibrik is charming and intimate - and you're right on the river. It's also in an untouristy area that's quite interesting to wander around. If you love small charming inns, then you can't miss a stay at Ibirk.

I don't know anything about the Ibrik but have stayed at the Marriot. We chose it because we thought it the ideal place to relax away from the heat and bustle of the city. It has a lovely pool, very nice rooms and I recall a great breakfast. Downsides are expensive 'international' restaurants and the charming 20-30 min boat trip to the skytrain station becomes a bit of a drag after a while. Since that trip we have always chosen to stay closer to the main city but still on the water (eg shangra la).

If you are paying over US$80 for a decent room you are cheating yourself. Stay at one of the novotel or amari hotels. "Playing it safe" with an American chain is nonsense and you'll be paying for it.

the best site for marriott and other hotels is:

www.huahin.20m.com

late nite arrivals at small places like the ibrik would not seem advisable for all the reasons identified above...

the comfort of the marriott after your long flight are worth every penny in every way...believe me...it is 30 hours from my door to the marriott door and it looks so welcome when i get there...

i assume you are western and arriving at a western style hotel after that long flight with no problems will be most welcome...belive me...how about ibrik at the end of your trip...

your day one will want to be one spent laying about the pool so marriott is the place to do that

i don't see your dates but i'm guessing that you will not have to pay more than $120....you only need the basic room...river facing is nice but not when budget is concerned...all the rooms are the same inside...

the marriott breakfast will allow you to save on your lunch bill or eliminate it if you eat big, so it is not simply more expensive...

Thanks everyone for your input. I will go ahead and stay at the Marriott!! I just need to find a decent rate. I will be staying Nov. 25 to 29 then moving on to Phuket. I believe the rates jump up a bit afetr October. Does anyone know if rates are diffeent for Thais. My mom has some friends in Bangkok that can call and try to reserve for me (is that even allowed?). I am US-born Thai traveling with her American husband (if that even matters). Thanks again everyone.

i recommend staying at one hotel at the beginning of your stay, then relaxing at the marriott at the end of your holiday. when staying at the marriott, you will probably want to spend more time there as it is very nice and it takes time to go into "the city". the ibrik sounds closer to the shopping areas and easy transportation options such as the skytrain or subway.

the huahin site was the most reasonable booking price we could find so we have reserved for the 2nd time to stay at the marriott this october.

enjoy both hotels!

by the way the boat ride is 12 minutes unless there is a storm and the boat has to move slowly....

you will be happy with the marriott...

they may have a "thai" rate but i doubt it....rates change on nov 1

Check out www.precisionreservations.com. I found it just browsing on line a couple of weeks ago. I just used their live chat and reserved hotels for Bangkok and Chiang Mai for our November trip. Their rates are very good too! Tamarind in Chiang Mai has $120 for their superior room on their website, and Precision quoted $41 including tax for us, no breakfast though.

Forgot to mention...I've been comparing www.huahin.20m.com (I think they're the same as www.sawadee.com) and www.precisionreservations.com to compare prices. Wow, it is definitely cheaper to book your own hotels, tours than going through an agent! If you're particular about what you want that is.