I'm traveling to BKK for the first time with my family (i.e., husband and two teenage boys). We'll be there for 6 days, and I've booked a few days at Chakrabongse Villas. My question is whether that is a good place for the teenagers: we'll stay in a high rise, modern hotel the rest of the time; this would be a change of pace. Are they in an easy place to come/go? What do you think of them generally? Also, any recommendations for the rest of the time? We've bitten the bullet and decided to pay for two rooms, and would pay the price of the Peninsula or Oriental if it's really worth it, but is it? Thanks.

with kids, especially with teenagers, i would not find that a good place...it is sort of remote to the activity of the city, being down on the river by itself...

i would strongly suggest that you look at the marriott resort and spa...it is perfect for teens...they can come and go as they wish around the property and they will find quite a bit to do there plus the pool area is supurb...you will also need two room there...you do not say when you are going...until oct 31 they have some good specials on the hua hin site..

i would book through huahin to save money:

www.huahin.20m.com

do a search here and you will see how many people love the place with kids...

the boys can also take the boat over to the mall near to the skytrain station for snacks, etc...

take a look at it...it is simply the best for a family with or without kids and it is far less than penn and oriental in cost....they are 5* and i think you would find this a true 4*

Do these people get paid to push the Marriott all the time? It's a nice place to be sure, but there are a lot of nice places in Bangkok.

The villas are right on the river, next to Wat Po. They have their own boat dock, and if I'm not mistaken they have a boat with driver for guests' use. You can get to the Skytrain in about the same time it would take from the Marriott.

Both Wat Po and the Grand Palace are a short walk from the villas. On the other side of Wat Po is Saranarom Park, which has tennis courts and a sort of 'muscle beach' gym area. At night there is a huge sweets market in the streets around Wat Po. Unless your kids are video game junkies or complete brats, they'll find something interesting to see and do.

michael...i push the marriott for all the reasons i have listed above...it is far nicer in every way than a small hotel along the river which basically offers nothing but relaxation and for kids i felt it would be a huge mistake...

yes there are many nice and wonderful hotels in bkk and i have tried many of them but i keep returning to the marriott for all the reasons i always state....i own marriott stock but that has nothing to do with my suggestions as the hotel is not owned by marriott...

i think the 'villa' would be a great place for a few days as poart of your trip, but not for adjusting to the heat and humidity of bkk with two kids immediately after arrival....

your comments raised the hair on the back of my neck....most of us give honest answers to the questions asked based on the info given...

It's a difficult choice. I thought Chakrabonse was totally unique and beautiful, but also overpriced in the high season. If you have to get two rooms, that would be pretty expensive.

Depends what kind of people your teenagers are, I suppose. Do they like big resorts with lots of people around and things to do in an easy environment? Or are they adventurous and prefer somewhere unusual? Do they like quiet and privacy? Chakrabonse is a quiet and mellow place. You'd have a nice pool pretty much to yourselves and a fantastic view of the river action. You'd have to go out to explore, but it's in a good location for sightseeing.

I LOVE Chakrabongse and am always happy yo know people are contemplating staying there since I first recoed it. Incidentally it was in Time or some other magazine recently as a great place to experience Thai style living. I think your teenagers will enjoy it for a couple days and esp the proximity to the sights will be useful. Having said that I also think more than 2-3 nights may be pishing it so I would reco something else. I would suggest the Four Seasons for the balance trip - I love the hotel and the location in the city will be just right after a few days on the river. You could also cosnider a few nights at Emporium Suites, a fab service apt, again with a great location, if you find the FS expensive.

Thank you all for the input about Chakrabongse villas. It really helps because I can't seem to find anything on them other places. BUT: We now have a new wrinkle: we can't decide whether to stay in Bangkok for the six days, or fly directly to Chiang Mai or south to a beach, giving us 2-3 days there and then 3 in Bangkok at the end. Are we crazy? There is so much to see/do in bkk, but the slower pace and culture of Chiang mai is appealing, as is the beach! If we do go to a beach, which would you recommend (with active teenagers)? I love this forum, and I love your opinions!

I would spend the full time in Bangkok. If you feel you must do two places go to Chiang Mai -- lots of things for teenagers to do there.

I also have a feeling that the chakrabongse villas may not be the right place for you from what I have read. It sounds lovely but your sons may not be into the "romatic" feel of the place and may want someplace where there are more actities. I am passionate about the Oriental and have seen lots of teenagers there. Another good choice might be the Marriott -- only issue there is its location. I would pass on the Peninsula.

If u arre inclduign a beach I would make it Koh Samui or Phuket. Personally I do not hink CM would appeal to teenagers - it is a laidback chram small town experience. Both KS and Phuket your kids will be occupied with beachy stuff I am sure. If you do reduce your time in Bkk then ditch Chakrabongse and do your balance time at a big hotel. What rates are u getting at Oreintal and Pen?

With a mere six days, I'd spend it all in Bangkok. My first trip to Asia I spent 9 days in Bangkok and I spend at least five days there each trip even now - 20+ years later! If you had more time, you could add another location, but with this short a trip you don't want to spend any more time at airports than you have to!

Stay in Bangkok the full six days! Happy Travels!

Thank you thank you...as for rates, I have gotten quotes of $266 per night at Penn (grande deluxe room) (total of $532 for 2); $269 for Standard river view room at the Oriental (total of $538) and $173 for a junior suite at the Marriott, where we could get a second room for about $125 (total $300). So are the Oriental or Peninsula worth that much more?

What would be a perfect hotel to you?

With teenage boys I woukd got for space more than anything else. (Also, your sons may find the dress code at the Orinetal a bit restrictive - they can frown upon shorts in the lobby tho are more likely to do that with non guests rather than hotel guests.) I love the Oriental but I'm not sure it is a teenager oriented hotel. Personally my Bkk favourite is the Four Seasons but that's subject of another post! I'd say go with the Marriott and splurge on some other stuff while there - lots of opps to spend money in Bkk!

That's settled: we'll stay in Bkk the whole time, with maybe a cycle tour to the floating market or an overnight at River Kwai. Ohhh, a perfect hotel for me would be a place that transports me to the place where I am: and that's not usually the place as it is, but as it is in my imagination or perhaps once was. Therefore, the Chakrabongse villas...which I think are Thai structures with a whiff of a bygone era. But with teenagers...so in lieu of my preference, I'd like to go with a place that offers all of us to do our own things: pool area would be important, though we'd be more likely to be running around seeing everything than sitting by the pool; the boys like any gadgetry such as cool electronic touches in the rooms (which I hear so much about at the Peninsula);good food and access to shops would be nice for me. Finally, the public spaces should be very nice. Have I hit on any particular places?

I might suggest the Pathumwan Princess which has a terific location, right by the skytrain, next to the huge well known MBK shopping centre and within walking distance of Siam Square with its many shopping areas (Siam Center, Siam Discovery and maybe the new giant Siam Paragon centre will be open. Nearby there are cinemas including a really luxurious one that has a giant sized screen and fully reclining seats. Easy to get to the attractions by using a combination of skytrain, subway and river ferry. This is not a 5* property but a good 4* one.

I'd go with the Bangkok Marriott

To be transported to your image of thailand of old you really need to stay on the river. Bangkok Marriott has a great pool, has a thai feel and is good for teenagers. Seems like a no brainer to me -- especially since almost everyone who stays there has a very positive experience.