Bangkok: Shangri-La, Penninsula, Mandarin Oriental
 

I have alluded to this question in pervious threads, but it is now time to decide since I find some things are selling out. We are spending three nights in Bangkok at the end of our trip to Nepal and Bhutan next November and it is time to choose hotels. We will be probably feeling not so rich at that point. I am included to get a deluxe river view room at the Shangri La instead of paying $100 night more for a standard at the Penninsula or yet another $100 in order to be able to have stayed at the Mandarin Oriental. I am leaning strongly towards first choice, but would welcome comments before we reserve (if I saw right, the Penninsula may only have nonrefundables left, so that would eliminate it, but there may be better deal on its website than Expedia, which I made a quick check of.
Thanks.

We have been happy staying at the Krungthep Wing of the Shang, but that may be beyond your budget, in spite of its perks. Always love the Penn, of course but have never stayed on the lower floors. We have also stayed in the O, but not recently, and again not in the lesser rooms. Breakfast is best at the Penn, since it's outside by the river - one of our top experiences in Bangkok, if that would sway you. Shang location is great, at least it was with its proximity to the skytrain - I have seen that there may be or have been some changes? Others will surely chime in.

would you consider the anantara riverside at a much less cost?? all redone rooms.

it is way too early to book for 11/2015, imo. book directly.

We have stayed at all three hotels albeit some years ago. All are terrific hotels and I doubt you would be disappointed with any of them. The rates for the Penn and the MO have become very high in recent year and, unless you can get a deal, IMO don't present great value for money. In addition the MO is a little bit stuffy.

Teh Shangri la probably offers best VFM so, of the three, I would choose there and wait for a deal on their own website.

We are staying at th anatara as suggested by Bob above in March to help my in laws celebrate there wedding anniversary. They do have some excellent deals from time to time on their website. Defining tely worth considering.

We stayed at the Penn last year at the end of Feb and loved it. Cant remember the deal, but we got a very good one on their website. The Shangri la had some better rates, but not by much. I loved the view across the river.

rhkkmk: I'm looking at it and it looks quite lovely. Will look further Where is it in relation to other river hotels?

Craig--did you and Jeanne spend time in Bangkok after Bhutan? I am also trying to choose the hotel that will most offer an oasis in which we can preserve the calm and awe (as opposed to shock and awe) that I am hoping to find in Bhutan while exploring and getting something of a feel for Bangkok lite (if that's not an oxymoron.

crentston--thansk

yes--I'll check websites.

What sent me into action is Dwarika's in Kathmandu is sold out for Sat Nov 7. It works out OK and we have reservation for that night (last we will be in Nepal) at the Hyatt now, but it woke me up to this is HIGH SEASON--though perhaps not in Bangkok.

cmstraf - yes, but we stayed at the Renaissance for its location near the restaurant, Gaggon.

Another riverside option: http://www.ramadaplazamenamriverside.com/contact.html

Not as upmarket as your first three choices, but not as expensive, either. Of course, there's also the Ibis, but that's much more bare bones.

ramada above is a much lower class hotel..

it is further down the river (anantara) than the penn.. about a lovely 12 minute free boat ride from the skytrain. we fiund it cooler there and the air is cleaner. 300B taxi ride from airport. best pool area in bkk. fantastic chill out place. we have been known to never leave the hotel for a couple of days. fantastic friendly staff... excellent Italian restaurant among others.

Note that the Anatara boat stops at Asiatique, a night venue with shopping, restaurants, and shows. The boat ride from the hotel to the sky train is always a highlight for us asits so relaxing so I would urge you to consider this hotel. It does have the best pool in BKK.

Agree w/Bob that the Anantara is probably the best choice for chilling out, as it feels more like a resort (as opposed to a city hotel) than the others. The Peninsula would be next-best, as it's on the quieter side of the river.

Bob is also right that now is way too early to be looking for hotels in November. If you feel that you must do something, get a cancelable reservation now at one of the places, then change your mind and make a real reservation in July or August.

(Though I'm not sure that Bangkok comes to mind as an "oasis in which we can preserve the calm...")

Thanks everybody. I'm going to look seriously into the Anantara, also hunt for bargains at the Penn.

And I probably will make early res that I can cancel. Dwarika's really WAS sold out for Nov 7, even with connections.

"an oasis in which we can preserve the calm". I think I get it--could be saying that I'm looking for somewhere in New York City where I can preserve the calm after Tassara or Esalen or Yosemite in low season. And from what I understand it is New York City squared.

That's why hotel really matters (not to mention I'm a hotel geek). You see, I do know that place in New York. Though not elegant, we are religiously attached to the Hotel Beacon high floors. It is only a 5 minute walk from Central Park and the John Lennon Imagine memorial, we walk everywhere going through the Park and if I wanted a New York relatively restful experience I would know how to do it. Not that it would be the essence of New York.

Also 3 nights is short. But Bangkok has always intrigued me and I'm really excited to see it though I'm aware I'm wanting to have my cake and eat it too. Nice hotels in some way allow that.

But everyone is welcome to laugh at Bangkok and peaceful being written in same sentence :)

I find peace in Bangkok - in so many places. Hotels can offer an oasis, but so can many wats - particularly the less-visited ones.

Thanks Kathie--I will ask you more about where when the time comes closer. I don't know if you saw, but we are spending our last night in KTM at the Hyatt, so I will be able to compare it, Dwarika's and the Dwarika resort. Do you have a Bangkok hotel that's "yours"?

For many years, I stayed in the Towers at the Sheraton Royal Orchid. But our last stay there was (after 30 years) unsatisfactory so I am no longer recommending it. I do love staying on the river, and we'll have to look for a new hotel to call our own next year.

I will add my 2 cents on hotel choices. I have stayed at the Pen, Oriental and Anantara (when it was a Marriott). By far the most peaceful would be the Anantara IMO. But I also agree with Craig that the riverside breakfast at the Pen is a fabulous way to start the day. The staff remembered that I wanted black coffee and a newspaper as soon as I sat down at a table. No rush to hurry up and eat and let someone else have the table.

I agree with Oriental being a bit stuffy.

With your requirements I'd pick Anantara, and enjoy the boat ride from the sky train.

Stay at the Anatara but have breakfast at the Penn. Just take the Anatara boat to the sky train then hop on the Penn boat!

Ahh--the best of both worlds. Perhaps we will do it.


No one seems to mention the Shangri_La except for Craig. Is this for a reason?

sh-la is getting old.. it is still nice enough however.

anantara also has a fab breakfast and can be eaten outside riverside.

I would only recommend the Krupthep Wing, which is the equivalent of a club floor, with its own exclusive area for breakfast in the morning and cocktails/hors in the evening...