We're fng from Phuket to BKK and next day BKK-Boston. The first time we did this, we stayed at the Amari airport Hotel. It was fine and convenient. Does anyone have any other suggestions for places to stay?

andy--we are using the rama gardens twice on our next trip on kathie's suggestion...its about $59-75 and 10 minutes from the airport

bob

The Rama Gardens is fine, no problems and good value. If you want cheraper the Quality Suites or Erawan Airport are other options. The Amari is convenient as you walk thru from the Terminal but otherwise the Rama Gardens provides everything you need.

The question then arises as to whether it's possible to get transportation for 4 people from Rama Gardens to the airport at 4:00 a.m.?

No problem, it seems virtually everyone staying there is doing so to/from the airport, not a place you would stay if you say 'visiting' Bangkok, it is totally geared up as an 'Airport hotel', pressume you advise Reception/Concierge of your departure time, they have a 24 hr coffee shop/restaurant etc and is also used by air crews so no problem at all, you will save a small fortune over the Amari.

Thanks Bob and JamesA. This advice is a perfect example of the kindness and helpfulness that is prevalent on this forum. It's so different than many others. It's helped on both previous trips to Thailand.

andy--i think i saw on rama's site that the shuttle doesn't start until 6AM...you might check with them...

You better check that indeed as Bob says, last time I stayed many years back I was on the NW via Narita to JFK and I don't recall anything particular (like having to get a cab or anything ), it might be an 'on request' or something, the European inbounds come in from about 5 a.m so if they don;t start 'shuttling' until 6 that is amiss. Don't bother with Comfort Suites as not good and Quality Suites also run down.
Another option though if you are coming in from Phuket not too late might be somewhere downtown and then cab it, should be fairly fast that time of morning, especially if you get in from Phuket say late afternoon and want to go out for a meal or something.

I just had checked recent reviews for both Comfort and Quality and were not too good, however, one poster said there was aircraft noice, another poster said how amazing there was 'no' aircraft noice, shows that you can't judget 'too much' even on reviews, however both were noted for being a bit run down.

Have E-mailed to [email protected] questions about transfers. JamesA the problem with going back into the heart of BKK is that we're likely to arrive from Phuket in mid-afternoon. My experience is that this is a particularly bad time to attempt long transfers. Traffic I can get at home.

I have stayed at both. If money is no object, the Amari wins for convenience and comfort, especially if you stay on the Executive Floor. I've heard mixed opinions on breakfast and transportation from Rama Gardens at early hours. I am sure Kathie (whose opinion I respect greatly) will weigh on this as well.

andy--we have stayed twice at the comfort suites...never again...our n/w flight leaves at 6AM and you can get there from the city easily, especially from the jw marriott....twice we have made it nicely from the peninsula leaving there about 3:30AM...the airport in just opening when we get there really---plenty of time...
let me know about the shuttle will you...i don't have an issue this next time as we are doing the peninsula again, but i am using rama twice on this stay for slightly later AM flights
bob

I recommend the Rama Gardens. I had to be at the airport at 5 am, and they were at my call to get me there. I think the shuttle (which runs every half hour) doesn't start until 6 am, but I believe all of their room rates include transportation to the airport. There was a driver ready to take us to the airport (in a van) as soon as we were ready.

The rooms at the Rama Gardens were lovely. Stay in the "new wing" (called something like executive suites). The rooms are huge, with a window seat at one end of the sitting area, and enormous bathrooms. I think we paid about US$75 including tax, service, breakfast and transport. We had dinner in their Thai restaurant, and the food was very good.

I really dislike the Amari. I find the atmosphere and service sub-par, and the prices are very high for very mediocre facilities. And the buffet breakfast works out to about US$20 per person after tax and service. (It also drives me crazy that there is that step up from the bathroom to the hall - I'm always sure that I'm going to trip and break a leg in teh middle of the night!)

Ok what kathie says is what I thought, there is a 'regular' shuttle from 6 am but otherwise it's on demand, considoring there are several busy flights before 8 a.m there will surely be a large number of people heading out to the airport from 4 a.m onwards, the Eastbound flights to USA plus many Japan destined flights, plus everything else departing from around 8 am.

It sounds like Rama Gardens is the place. Plus, Bob can test it in May. I'm sure he'll be up early just to observe early morning airport transfers for a fellow Bostonian. Kathie, I agree with your comments on the Amari. It was too little for the price.

bob will never be up early!!!!! unless it is for a good meal....

We too are staying at the Rama Gardens later this year on the suggestion of James and others. My question relates to the transfer to the hotel which will be from the domestic terminal in late afternoon. Does anyone know whether this is a regular shuttle service or do we need to call the hotel? I have had some bad experiences waiting for "regular" hotel shuttles so will it be possible to get a taxi? I am never very sure how keen a taxi driver will be for a short-hop fare when they are expecting a better fare from someone going much further?

Just a few more comments on the Amari--if you are willing to spend $200/nt for an Executive Floor room (I have never stayed anywhere else at the Amari) they do take good care of you: separate check-in, free drinks, hors doeuvres and excellent full breakfast (either in your room or in the executive floor dining room). The location is great too if you need to make a quick trip into Bangkok for some last minute shopping--you can pick up a taxi in front of the airport arrivals area for next to nothing (I don't care for shuttles). I have to admit that I have tripped over that %&*#@! step to the bathroom that Kathie mentioned.