Hi - thanks to everyone on this board who shares their experiences and advice. It's so helpful. I'm hoping to get advice on where to stay in Bangkok. We'll be there for four nights in July (I know, not ideal but we didn't have much choice) before a week in Phuket. We've never before been to Thailand and want to experience the best of it without having to spend too much time in a car/taxi/etc. Can you all recommend hotels that are convenient to the best areas to visit? We'd like to do some shopping, some exploring, some must-do tours. (if anyone has advice on what those must-dos are, we'll take that as well!) I've seen people talk about river/not river hotels and we're not quite sure what that means, although we're starting our research now. And our budget is around $150USD per night.

Thanks so much in advance!

sinne it seems that it's your honeymoon and your budget is hefty then might as well go with one of the many world class hotels Ie.. the pen, oriental (river) , four seasnans, (near shopping) .

The Oriental is on the prettiest side of town, with closer proximity to many more temples and shopping. If you stay at the Peninsula, you'll spend more time commuting to the sites. Take the water taxi across to have a drink at the Peninsula. Service at The Oriental is magnificent, and the fact that so many embassies have receptions/cocktail parties there should give you some insight about the location.
Definitely stay at a "river hotel" 00 i.e., one that is on the Chao Praya River. Just to watch the river traffic in the morning from your window/balcony is amazing. At The Oriental, our breakfast was included with our room rate. While there I had two suits made at World Clothing, about two blocks from the Hotel. Dewfinitely go to the Wat Po Temple, where the sleeping buddha is found -- and the School of Thai Massage. 45 minute foot massage for $6 including the tip. Worth it!
I had a car and driver (Eddie and his very clean Honda Accord) for $40 per day; he arrived at 8:00 every morning, and drove me everywhere, including to dinner and home again at 10 pm.

There are many discussions on this board about the Penn vs Oriental hotels. Your really should read them before making up your mind about a river hotel. The two hotels are a virtual "tie" when it comes to service and amenities.

The boatride from the Penn is only a few short minutes, and the boats come and go all the time. The view from the Penn is of the river and the city, which is really great. Breakfast along the river at the Penn is very pleasant. I sat every morning for at least an hour, eating slowly, watching the river come alive, and reading my newspaper. Very relaxing!!

I would agree that you should stay along the river, if you can keep the price within your budget. From there, you can get on the skytrain at Saphan Taksin station, and ride to the main shopping areas at Siam, Chitlom and National Stadium stops. It isn't a long ride. It's MUCH quicker than taking a taxi there. You will see that Bangkok traffic is quite a problem!

If this were not your honeymoon, and if it were going to be a shopping trip, I would suggest you stay in the Chitlom area. But... since it appears to be your honeymoon, judging from your screen name, the river will be much more romantic for you.

Make sure you see the Grand Palace and Watt Pho. Another great tour is to get on a longtail boat and take a ride down one of the many canals to see life along the river. Fascinating!!

Enjoy your trip. Bangkok and Phuket are wonderful travel destinations.

Carol

(where are you staying on Phuket?)

Absolutely, stay along the river. It will mean you have the river life to entertain you and the easiest way to get to the must-see sights (The grand Palace/Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Po, Wat Arun) is on the water taxi. It's just a few baht, quick and easy and you'll be riding with the locals. Another must see in my opinion is the Jim Thompson House. Personally, I'd suggest no tours. Get a car and driver if you'd like, but otherwise you can navigater among the places you want to go by yourself.

The hotels right along the river that are closest to things are the Oriental (though I doubt you can stay for US$150), The Shangri-La, and the Sheraton Royal Orchid. (If you opt for the Royal Orchid, do spring for a Towers Room or a Towers Suite which include breakfast in the Club, evening canapes and cocktails in the Club and free laundry in your room price. The main part of the hotel wouldn't be special enough for a honeymoon.) Across the river but close in is the Pen (so not quite as convenient). Across the river and a ways away is the Marriott Resort and Spa (also I would say not special enough for a honeymoon, as well as not as convenient),

The question about Bangkok hotels has been asked and answered so many times, do a search and read some of the hundred of opinions about the various hotels.

Thanks for all your replies and great tips! It sounds like the Orient/Penn argument is one of old world charm vs. modern luxury and either would be just fine with us. I'm leaning toward the Orient for convenience sake and think we'll look at the Shangri-La as well for the same reason. It actually isn't our honeymoon (I created that screen name last year when we were planning our honeymoon) but we will be celebrating our 1st anniversary (a bit earlier because of my husband's schedule) so it wouldn't hurt to have a more romantic experience

Based on what i'm reading here, we won't do tours but will look to hire a car and driver... sounds like ratt and eddie are good ones.

Carol, in Phuket we're staying at the Marriott resort because we have access to the timeshare for free.

the river runs through the middle of bangkok....it was for many years the basis for transportation around the city with its many side canals...most of which are now gone....many, including me, feel that the city revolves around the river...the hotels that have been mentioned above are among the best in bkk...all are directly on the river except for the 4 seasons hotel...
the oiental usually runs from about $325 (if you can get a good deal, slightly less), the peninsula from $200, the sheraton even less from $125. and the shangri-la slighly more than the sheraton at $145 plus....from these prices you have to add an additional 17.7% for taxes and service fees...

my favorite hotel all around is the marriott resort and spa...while not as grand as the other mentioned above, it is down river about 10 minutes from the others.. we find it to be an oasis...they offer a continuous river shuttle service to the sky train every 15 minutes...
while this does not appeal to everyone we have found that the trip on the river is exceptional and we love it both coming and going from the hotel...it adds a whole new dimension to your stay...the boat men are real gems also.. some find this out of the way, i find it an oasis as mentioned...bkk is real chaos as you will find out...
the pen is my second choice...your river crossing from there is 3-5 minutes and free also...
i hate the sheraton...
the shangri-la is lovely and very large and spread out with two wings..

eating in bangkok is wonderful with huge choices from ultra cheap to ultra expensive in every cuisine.

my choice sites are:

grand palace
jim thompson house
wat arun
klong (canal) tour by long tail boat
v-mark palace
suan packard palace
marble palace
wat pho

shopping is unbelievable...MBK near to siam square (national stadium stop) is a 7 story building with hundreds of shops...

eddie is a travel agent not a driver, unless there is another eddie who i have not seen mentioned...

you will like ratt if you choose her...

sites are spread all over the city so in my opinion the best place to be located is near to public transportation so you do not have to walk far for transport...the sheraton is the least good in that respect and the oriental right behind...the penn, the marriott and the sh-la all have boats at their door step to take you to the skytrain...
all have taxis as well which are very cheap with a/c as well...

suggest that you use a limo for your arrival...aac limo at the airport, also known as bangkok airport taxi, will arrange trans. for you for about 1/2 of what the hotels charge..(700-800B per way...they use mercedes sedans with plenty of trunk [email protected]

have fun

a good hotel site is:

www.huahin.20m.com

scroll down to "other thailand locations" and drop the top box and pick "bangkok city"...all hotels are arranged by location/street address and are inclusive of tax/service and breakfast...

honeymoon...
But DO investigate the skytrain or the new subway routes besides getting drivers. You'll quickly find out about BKK's traffic problems. I've been sitting in a jam in a taxi for 30 minutes, trying to make a dinner engagement on the river, and opted to jump out of the taxi and get on the skytrain instead. The taxi wasn't moving at all! Nearly missed an evening dinner boat ride!!

By the way, dinner boat rides are nice in BKK. I've taken several in my numerous trips there. The latest one I took was arranged just outside River City mall, along the river. It was a pleasant experience. The Shangri La also has a nice boat that I took last summer. The Oriental used to have one that we took, but I understand it isn't running right now (anyone?? can you verify that???)

A friend took the Ayuthaya bus/boat tour and said it was very very nice. I want to do that one of these times.

I've not stayed at the Marriott on Phuket, but I'm sure it will be nice. You might be prepared for a bit of rain and maybe not such good beach weather in July. When I was on Phuket in July for about 4 days, we had two excellent days (went to Phi Phi Island for a day trip) and a couple of less than perfect days. But we got our shopping done then.

Is it possible for you to spend a few days on Phuket and then a few more on Koh Samui? You might have better luck with the beach weather there.

Enjoy your trip.
Carol

You might look at a few posts among some of us on Chakrabongse Villas and Ibrik. (I just saw Ibrik in the new "Hip Hotels Asia" book.) Enjoy your honeymoon!

I disagree that the city revolves around the city. those days are long gone.. today bangkok is growing eastward.. not along the city... I've known some thai residents who have yet too even see the river (no reason too go too thonburi)

and if you look at a map of thailand.,. it seems that thais are not exactly drawn too the river.. (maybe not best place too live during mansoon season..

the most populated region in thailand is ISSAN which is verry dry and heavally erigated for rice production..

-once again too reminde first time visitors too bangkok the chao phraya river is actually a mudy paluted mess... but what makes it cool is the boats that go up and down it..