If this is your first trip to bangkok,I think it is worth staying on the river. From the downtown area, Bangkok can seem like any other large Asian city. By the river - it's Bangkok.

this is very true kathie.....i am taking friends to bkk in november and i am so glad that they will get to experience the river for a few days....they also will have a sukhumvit fix as well...

OK, after re-reading this thread and a few others, we changed our mind and decided to stay on the river.

We booked the Royal Orchid Sheraton for 4 nights.

Thanks everybody!