Hello, I've asked advice on this forum for this trip and received execellent responses which have guided my trip selection for Bangkok next February with my teenage son and daughter. Here's my present dilemna- I have 4 days in Bangkok and would like to stay at a riverfront hotel. But the ones mentioned here (Shangrila, Marriott etc) are relatively expensive (I need 2rooms). On the huahin site I find 2 hotels on the river that seem reasonable- The Royal River Hotel and the Menam Riverside Hotel. Has any had any experience with these hotels? If so can you recommend either one or should I stay away? Both seem to have deluxe rooms that look nice in the ad (don't they all?). Thank you.

I have a great solution. We just stayed 9 nights at Centre Point serviced apartments. They have several locations, but we stayed at the Silom location. The one bedroom was about 750 sq feet with full kitchen, living room and dining room, large bath with separate bath and shower and large bedroom. We got the river view, which was fine, but you have to go over to the window to see the river. It's location is right by the Shangrila and just a few feet from the river taxi and skytrain. There is a Robinson dept store connecting to it, with a grocery store on the lower level. I paid $82 night on asiarooms.com. There are also 2-3 bedrooms for rent.

i have stayed at the royal river twice...once about 8 years ago and once this june...it was part of my airfare on northwest airlines...

the hotel is ok...if you pay 1000B extra you get a river facing room which is quite large...otherwise you get a river view room which is dingy and way near the back of the hotel...

the boat they have that goes to river city shopping center does not go until 10AM and then 2PM and then maybe 5PM....not the times any tourist would want to go...so it really is not help...

to get to the skytrain in a taxi may take up to 50 minutes as you have to go through one of the most busy parts of town...it never took less than 20...it is expensive for that reason...there may be busses but they have to deal with the traffic as well and are not a/c....the river boats are not far but only run until 6....

so i would never stay there again...

the big rooms are ok, but nothing special...the breakfast is terrible...better go to mcdonalds for something that is at least edible...there are 7/11's in the area but not much else...

the menam is better located but i do not think very nice either...so i have been told....how about the montien....jamesA on this site used to tell us that his office people used it and quite liked it....its problem is that it is sort of in the middle of no where and on a busy street....it is set back from the river...of the 3, i should think it would be the best...

the centre point is the best option and that is on the huahin site as well...i have toured the rooms there and they are very nice....you could get a two bedroom....it is right next to the skytrain and some of the rooms have a river view but it is back from the river at least one block...they have a nice little pool and a nice restaurant....lots of restaurants not too far either....lots of shopping in the area and good transportation...robinsons next door has anything you would want...
it is centre point silom....they have about 6 complexes around bkk...

i would not consider any of the other places around the river...

the marriott is really the best!!!....could you stretch your budget for it???....the breakfast alone is worth $15 each and maybe the kids could load up on food and not need lunch...it is really worth the extra $$$...the pool area is perfect for teens and there is a mcdonalds and burger king on the property...plus they have the boat to the skytrain every 15 minutes for free all day---6-12 i think...
how about a king bed there with another bed added??? the king is equal to about 2 queens...its the biggest i have ever seen...you only need a garden facing room also...

one other alternative is the holiday inn silom...it is on priceline all the time for $45....read www.biddingfortravel.com to teach you how to use priceline if you are not familiar....i stayed there in june and it was ok...pool and restaurants also and right on silom rd which is a good location for touring...not too close to skytrain however...but not far...i think it is about $75-85 normally...must also be on the huahin site???

Yes, a serviced apartment would be a good idea. Go on moveandstay.com to get a long list, with photos,descriptions, and prices of various serviced apartments in Bangkok.The list is very good. However, moveandstay's prices can be high...so it's probably better to contact the serviced apartment complex directly or go through another internet booking service. Happy Travels!

Between the Royal River and the Menam I would pick the Menam. It is much closer to the skytrain station (it is only a short taxi or river ferry ride and the hotel does run a shuttle boat to the skytrain station) and the hotel has just gone through a renervation so everything should be fresh. It is around $60 for a deluxe room which is about the same as the Royal River. It is a good 3 star hotel.
The Centre Point Silom is great and a 2 bedroom is very large but will cost $163.
The Marriot is also very nice with a terric pool but the cheapest room is around $122.
There are all kinds of nice 3/4 star hotels not on the river. If you could give a price range then other alternatives could be suggested.

Thank you all again for your help. in arranging my trip to Thailand with my 2 teens. As a result of your advice I was able to arrange an extra day in BKK at the cost of a beach day. I'm staying at Brydges in CM and Peace resort in Koh Samui. I have decided not to stay at either the Royal River Hotel or the other one (can't remember it's name). Have a hold on a 2BR at Centre Point and 2 garden views at Marriott and will decide in another day or so. I think I will stretch the budget and go with Marriott. One last question. Why is everyone so hot on staying on the river? I suppose I will know when I get there but I'm wondering if there is a reason I should consider a hotel downtown where the rates seem lower, even for the very nice hotels. Thanks for the input. Russ

russ...you and the kids will love the peace resort...it is small and has a wonderful pool and a nice stretch of beach plus is close to bophut town--10-15 minute walk...good restaurants...

at peace they have a very nice restaurant at a very reasonable price with tons of choice and western items...perfect for the kids...

if you do the marriott you will be very pleased...it is at least 50% better than the centre point...CP has some good point...little kitchen, washing machine and more room but not the nice, fabulous pool of the marriott or the mini mall for the kids...go for the marriott...

Again thank you for the advice. The Marriott it is. Just put deposits on 2 garden view rooms there. Everything is booked and paid for (or half paid for). Now I just need to fill in the time in Bangkok (4 full days), Chiang Mai(2full days), and Koh Samui(2 1/2 days). Russ