Well, I'm still trying to pick a hotel in Bangkok. I know many of you can answer this one for me. How late do the river boats to the Marriott run? If we stay out late a couple nights, would it be an ordeal or super expensive to get back after the boats are done for the night?

You can always take a taxi which is very inexpensive.

Bob will have THE answer, but my memory is that they run until about midnight. Because the Marriott is on the other side of the river, taking a taxi will take longer, but as CFW saya, taxis are cheap.

the boats stop just before midnight...no problem at all to get back late at nite in a taxi...just take one of the cards from the hotel to give to the driver...they often confuse the jw marriott with the riverside marriott....just make an arc movement with your hands so they see you need to take the bridge over the river...

cost: less than 100B...cheap...

Great! Thanks for the info everyone. I'm still trying to decide between the Marriott and Reflections (and possibly some others).

Marriott - pros: Looks nicer, more resort type feeling. Riverside location and nice view. Gets great reviews.
cons: Higher price, Not many restaurants/bars in walking distance, expensive restaurants/bars/room service in hotel, and could be a potential terrorist target being American owned and all (although this probably wouldn't deter us our family is concerned, I guess it is something to think about these days)

Reflections (http://www.reflections-thai.com/rooms.html) - Looks like a decent location, has pool, air con, fun/funky looking rooms, reasonably priced restaurant, bar, and tours, also gets good reveiws (the few I've seen anyway) cons: No "view", Probably not as plush and comfortable as the Marriott, won't earn Marriott points

Anyone have any more input to offer here!

Only you know what kind of place you like to stay. I've never stayed at the Marriott, but I do always stay on the river. The few people I've known who didn't initially like Bangkok stayed away from the river. You get a little breeze on the river, so it feels a bit cooler and the air quality is a bit better. The views of the river traffic are wonderful. For me, the river is the lifeblood of Bangkok, and I wouldn't want to stay anyplace else.

Kathie,
You're a Penn person aren't you? What do you like about it in particular?

no she's a Roz person but I'm sure she'll explain

that should be ROS person...oops

Yeah, I think I was confusing her with Kristina. Oops.

ok...now i have looked at the rooms, which are interesting but funky....don't look all that comfortable to me and the pool looks terrible...sorry...
may i add that being over by the memorial rotary is not the best location to be in...imo...

i don't see a comparison between the two hotels...

you only get marriott points with a full price reservation....if you use one of the discount sites then no points, except for your add ons....bad part...

the savings by using the huahin site are substantial however and in my opinion override the loss of points....marriott is only a level 4 hotel so if you have some points use them there for an even better deal...

i've forgotten what your family consist of but this would be a far better place (marriott) if you have kids of all ages...imo of course...

Yep, I'm a Pen person!
They did finally match my request for the same rate as the discount websites, BTW.

I agree, if you can stay on the river, go for it.
What's your budget? How much would you expect to spend at the Marriott?
You're looking at about $170++ for the Pen for a "Deluxe" room. They truely are stunning, but if that's out of reach I'd stay at the Marriott if getting points is important to you. Just make sure you get a rooms with a view of the river. No point in staying there if you can't see it!

Thanks again for the advice both of you. Bob, it's just my husband and me, we're both 35. I can forgo the Marriott points for a better rate. I already tried to get them to match the HuaHin site rate with their guarantee, but they said they can't "independently verify" the rate, so no go on that. It was worth a try anyway! I know that Marriott and Reflections aren't really in the same league, but we aren't super picky either. For example, we don't need a fancy pool, just a place to cool off. That being said, the river location is still very appealing to us.

Kristina, the budget isn't a major issue, but we just don't like to spend more than necessary to be comfortable. We can get the Marriott (river view) for about $125. I doubt I would want to spend more than that, even though the Pen does look very nice.

I'll figure it out eventually!

LA, I am indeed a Royal Orchid person. I've been staying there since before the Pen was built (which makes me very old... um, mature). I like being on the river, I like being on the "right" side of the river, and I'm totally addicted to the extra amenities of staying in the Towers (Club floors): breakfast in the Club room (or room service), cocktails and canapes each evening, and laundry all included in the room price. I also like being able to go to River city without even going outside!

But more than being a ROS person, I'm a river person. I don't think I'd like the Pen... I don't even own a tv, so why would I want one in the bathroom?? ;-)

Bob, I forgot to ask, how tight is security at the Marriott? It would make our families feel better if they thought security was pretty good.

after 9-11 they had police in the drive stopping all cars...in june that was gone...i don't really see it as an issue honestly....it is so removed from things...sukhumvit is more the tourist area imo....but you never know...

there is only one guard and he does not do much at nite....walk through the garage etc.. i am sure there is some you do not see....there is tons of staff and they keep an eye open as well....

not an issue....how is the security at your house??

we were just at the marriott and they had tight security in terms of incoing vehicles, checking trunks and under hoods. it seemed a little silly somehow, especially because the peninsula was not taking such precautions.

Hi LA_FadeAway,

Tell your families that every car gets checked by two security guards at the BKK Marriott before entering the premises (we were there for five nights just last month).

Then enjoy your stay at the Marriott!! My picky family of four (adults and young adults) LOVED it and had a ball! If you want to read more about the Marriott, you can read my posting on Bangkok under terryr...or better yet, read anything by rhkkmk about the Marriott, who is fodors's expert on this hotel.

Thanks a lot you guys! Hearing that they do check cars entering the property really goes a long way to comfort the parents. They tend to panic when we travel. They worry about plane crashes (mom won't fly ever), crime, terrorism, tsunamis, you name it!

Alibi13, my guess is that the Penn doesn't feel like a target, since they aren't one of the big American chains like Marriott and Hilton (both of which have been targeted in the past).

Bob, I hear you about my house! Living in L.A., I figure we have a bullseye on us, but it least we're out in the suburbs, so probably not as much of a target here. For some reason, the parents only tend to freak out when we travel to other countries. For example, NYC... no problem! Whatever, as long as I can reassure them that we take basic precautions it helps put them at ease.

I think I am leaning toward the Marriott right now! I just need to narrow down the dates I'll be there and make the reservations. Bob, have you found the HuaHin site to have the best rates or do I need to check some others?

i ahve found the hua hin site to have the 2nd best rates...there is another site asiavoyage24.com that sometimes has better rates, but i saw a report last year about problems with them so i stay clear....i have used HH for a number of years...jamesA put me onto them and now i champion them and the marriott....two peas in a pod...

frankly if you stay here you will never want to stay any place else in bkk except one of the more lux hotels: pen or oriental or maybe the 4 seasons or hyatt or sukathai or a couple of others...

some complain about the boat ride....we actually prefer it in many ways and relish it each day....10-12 minutes of bliss on the river and the return with the cold towels and ice water is fantastic....