Has anyone been to the Davis Hotel, which I believe opened in July 2003? Anyone heard anything about it? It is supposed to be the first luxury boutique hotel (although at well over 100 rooms it doesnt really fit my definition of boutique).

Going to be in Bangkok in mid-October and would be curious re any feedback. Suggestions regarding other boutique hotels in Bangkok, if such exist, would also be appreciated.

The Elegance Suites is probably what you are after, about USD45, very nice rooms, but I guess about 60+ rooms anyway, cheaper is La Residence. Bangkok has a large number of hotels but as a busy city land is at a premium and most building go 'upwards', hence lots of rooms. If you want a less 'hotel' type place I often put business visitors in the Elegance Suites, good value!
The 'Davis' sorry I haven't heard of, I live in BKK, but maybe I missed any advertising/promotion they have done so that doesn't mean they aren't good or popular. Unless someone else can post that they have stayed it might be better to check-in to an established place, you can always go and take a look at the new place and then move if you wish.
The 'Elegance' should be on most sites, for BKK local try

www.balithai.20m.com and click on Bangkok

jamesA---out of curiosity i did a search on davis and found it at 88 sukumvit 24....does that mean soi 24? it did not show pictures or anything..

bob

The Davis Hotel is situated on Sukhumvit soi 24 I think and they have only been open for a few months. Saw it briefly and the hotel look really nice. Sort of a Thai with Balinese style. A friend attended the opening and he said it the rooms were very nice. I recall my friend telling me that the room rate was around $150 per night for the opening promotion.

If you need the phone or fax number then leave a message here and I'll get it for you.

I think I may go and check it out, if it's Thai/Balinese style that sounds nice, but what a name! Still I guess if it can be pronounced not so bad!

james---i have spent quite a bit of time on their site today and it looks really nice.....anxious to hear your observations...i am considering it for a few nites on my next trip...

can't beat the prices?? take a good look at the pool and let us know what you find....

bob
boston

Thanks for all your thoughts. I sent them an email to enquire about availability and they said they had superior rooms available for 3,000 baht (normally 6,000) and Design rooms for 3,500 (normally 7,000). I think I am going to jump all over this, looks like a great place to recover from jet lag.

Anyone have any views on the surrounding area? I have only stayed in Banglamphu and around Lamphani.

great location...right in the middle of things...great restaurants on near-by sois...crepes and co on soi 12; rembrandt hotel restaurants on soi 18, etc, etc....near by to emporium shopping

make sure you post here as to what you thought because i definately want to stay there a couple of nites if you think it is a good place....
bob

have had very pleasant e-mails with the hotel over the last day or so....they have very good rates through fall, 2004 at 50% reduction, making it very affordable in central bkk, if it is as nice as presented....

Have booked for mid-October. Great price and I have been assured all the facilities are open. Looks like a great place to get over jetlag

Apparently GWB Jr. and others will be in Bangkok while we are there so I was particularly eager to avoid the large American-owned chain hotels.

Will post regarding our stay.

Most people in Bangkok have made holiday plans to leave Bangkok during the APEC meeting, Oct 17 - 22?. So many head of states, presidents, prime ministers, ministers, member of parliaments etc. and all with a huge entourage of VIPS and CEOs. What will happen is that there will be road closures and police escorted motorcades for the various different VIPs and that will make it hell to drive to any where in Bangkok.

I was worried about that, but it sounds like it might be worse than I anticipated. Unfortunately, I bought the tickets and cant change them. My hope was to find a hotel (like the Davis) which is a bit luxurious, off the beaten track (so not filled with dignitaries, etc), and relatively contained, so if Bangkok is a nightmare we can just hang out in the hotel.

Not optimal, but such is life. Any further news regarding the conference would be appreciated. Are demonstrations planned (as would be the case in Europe and probably the States) or is that unlikely in light of security issues?

No demonstration plan - as far as I know. The government is really cracking down on everything in preparation for the APEC meeting. Temples, touristy sight and shopping malls, Emporium will be your nearest, will be open and when there are no VIPs on the road traffic will be non existent.

We last had the Euro - Asian summit a few years ago and everything was ok except for when the different head of states hit the road. This time there will be events held in 7 different cities so I'm off to Hua Hin - nothing plan there yet!

not sure if your into the red light sceen even as a tourist too pat pong.. but word is many places will be clossed.. and even now most women have been wearing full bikinies.. which only happens durring big world events.

Actually Hunaman that's a good idea, I think we'll take the chance for a break too and load up family & pets down to Hua hin for a week.
I must grab some time and check out the Davis, if so will post back.