cheap accomodation in bangkok on the river?
 

Hey again everyone. I keep hearing all you fodorites say that you must stay on the river in Bangkok. Now, i've no clue why the river is so great, but i have the utmost faith in everything you guys stay so i guess i will :) My question, however, relates to my budget. is there any cheap accomm on the river or is it all fancy hotels? i'm on a budget but am willing to spend some money in BKK. even so, the cheaper the better!

How much are you willing to spend?

I was looking at staying at the Woodsland Inn which isn't ON the river, but a block or two away (address is 1158/5-7 Charoen Krung 32 Road, next to the post office along New Road and a few blocks away from the Oriental and Shangri-La). The rates started at 520 Baht for a single economy room and went up to 1200 Baht for the VIP room with a queen size bed. It looks simple but clean and decent. Has anyone stayed here and able to give a first-person account?

Look up "Woodlands Inn Bangkok" on Google and you will be pleasantly surprised by what is on offer, though admittedly it is not right on the river.

I might give it a try next time I am in town in preference to my old standby the "Atlanta".

Harzer

We've used the Royal River Hotel a couple of times and it's a very decent value. You can book it through Northwest World Vacations without a flight. There is currently a "Fifth night free" promotion. The website is:

http://www.nwaworldvacations.com/hom...geIndicator=ho

The hotel's own website is:

http://www.royalrivergroup.com/index.htm

(Note that there is also a Royal City Hotel, so make sure you're looking at the right one.)

It's a nice hotel and the breakfast buffet is wonderful, along with eating out on the terrace overlooking the river. The immediate neighborhood isn't all that interesting but cabs are very cheap in Bangkok.

The cheapest would be either the Royal River or the Riverside which are close together. Both are quite far up the river past the Grand Palace but there is a river fery stop close by and you can use the ferries in the daytime for transportation. As the above poster said taxi are cheap and it is a fairly straight run into the more tourist areas and to Victoria Skytrain station. But the bridge to the other side can be at a standstill during morning/evening rushhours. Rates are under $40.

At around $45 the Menam Riverside is a good place (renovated 2005) and in a much better position to the skytrain although you will still need a short taxi ride to get there as it is too far to walk. The river ferries stop at a pier close by. Nothing of interest in the immediate vacinity. This would be my choice over the others.

If you can afford a little over $80 then a 1 bedroom at the Centre Point Silom Apartments is ideal. While not right on the river it has a good view of it. Great location by the Shangri-La
hotel, walk to skytrain/river ferry ans sits on top of a Robinson Department store.

Note that the above rates include the 17.7% tax/service charge and include breakfast.