Sorry, if it's YOUR trip to Bangkok, then by all means, either the Oriental or the Penninsula. (The Marriott would also be a consideration, but you might want to go for one of the corner suites that front the river and the pool on two sides). My overwhelming choice is to be on the river, it's just more pleasant and relaxing and you can watch the action going by, and hope on boats to avoid traffic jams. You could also consider one of the river rooms at the Chakrabongse Villas which front the river.

Cicerone, Well, since we've switched gears for a moment to discuss my trip to BKK (actually our friends will join us in BKK after HK), what is your opinion of the Sheraton Royal Orchid? I am currently holding a booking at the Marriott, but am having second thoughts. Although it gets good reviews, there are a couple of things that bother me. Reading Trip Advisors, many, many postings mention the hard sell to upgrade rooms for an added fee at checking-in, pushing extra drinks at the pool, upselling spa services, etc. as if the staff is on a hardcore incentive program. Secondly, there were postings regarding the hotel billing in US dollars for the extra currency conversion fees, rather than billing in BHT allowing for a more favorable credit card conversion fees.

We have been treated quite well at Sheraton's in many locations. In fact, upgraded to a huge oceanside suite in Tahiti -- at no extra charge. I can book the Sheraton, King Executive Suite, Riverview for only $120. Seems like a good location and a reasonable hotel for all.

Your thoughts?

Just to complete....I did consider Old Bangkok Inn -- a little too funky for our taste and not on the river. As for Ch. Villas, the river room is $260 per night and I've heard from a friend who's been there that the noise from the river makes conversation in the open air decks (the most charming part) quite impossible. Really too bad as it is a lovely place.

A poster on this board named Kathie likes the Royal Orchid and stays there fairly regularly, and may be able to give more specific information on current room standards. I have not stayed there in more than 10 years myself. I am not crazy about the pool and outdoor areas, too small, too much concrete and tile, and I don’t like the lobby areas. The pool and river areas at the Marriott are really my favorite things about the hotel, the pool is huge, and there are trees and shade, hard to find in Bangkok. With regard to the Sheraton, I recall the rooms being of a large size. The price seems good. The Sheraton is of course more centrally located to things like the Skytrain stop on the river, the shopping area by the Oriental, etc so does have that advantage too. I have not stayed at the Marriott in a few years, and at that time there was no hard sell, so can’t speak to that. Others on this board who have stayed recently may be able to give more specifics on that. I always found the staff really really friendly and helpful, esp the restaurant and bar staff. If you take an upgraded room, they won’t of course try to up sell you... with regard to the billing, it has long been my understanding that due to the few remaining foreign exchange restrictions in Thailand, it is actually illegal for a Thai resident (i.e., the hotel) to bill for or receive payment for services to be rendered IN Thailand in another currency unless they have prior approval from the Bank of Thailand, which I don’t think the BOT gives in any case (they may be quoted as such but not actually billed; quoted rates are charged in Thai Baht at the prevailing exchange rate on the date of check-in), so a brief word with the front desk staff that you need the bill issued in Thai Baht as per local law requirements may solve the problem. I would cite Chapter 18 from the Exchange Control Act (1942). (I am curious as to how they are doing this under Thai law, I have not seen this at any other Thai hotel.) You might also want to get a confirmed rate in Thai Baht, rather than US Dollars, and again insist that the bill be issued in Thai Baht as per the confirmed rate. The Marriott Riverside is a franchise, and is not directly managed by Marriott, and so the staff may be trying to get away with things that are not normally procedure (i.e. the up selling and the charging in foreign currency). Having read about ¼ of the tripadvisor comments, only 2 that I saw were about billing in other than Baht, and it appears that they are doing something quite sneaky on the billing, but you can object to it, and you should. Just insist on paying in Baht.

Interesting about the noise at the Chakrabongse Villas. I can see where that could be the case. The noise on the river during the day can be pretty intense with all the boats.

Wow, CC! Are you a lawyer living in Asia? I don't think many could quote chapter and verse on the legalities of converting BHT to USD in Bangkok.

Thank you for the insight. I think we may take the Sheraton for the location. We won't spend time at the pool, so either would be fine in that regard. In any case, we will be mindful of the rates and currency conversions throughout our trip.

Again, my thanks for your valuable assistance. May have more questions before we depart in November. I hope you'll be around.

TC---i hate trip advisor....so often the info is just not correct or people seem to have an axe to grind...

marriott....there is no pressure what so ever to upgrade at check in....in my staying there maybe 40 times i have only been asked once if i was "interested" in an upgrade....no pressure what so ever...

same at the pool....the pool boys and an occasional woman are the most friendly and accomodating people you would want to encounter....they never force anything on you....they love to talk and be friendly as does the entire hotel staff...

this is why i have made it my major hotel of choice in bkk...

the only negitives i might sight is that the local area is boring and holds no interest for the tourist...

the hotel restaurants, while ok, are nothing fantastic or unusual and maybe a bit overpriced..

the attached mini-mall is a plus with tons of services and inexpensive and good restaurants...

RH; I know what you mean about Trip Advisor. I always read with a critical view -- knowing that what some people find unbearable, others think is just fine -- or what some will say is spectacular, I would think just o.k. I tend to be a person who isn't easily offended by hotels. What I look for are patterns to emerge in the postings. The up-selling of room grades was posted over and over and over again regarding the Marriott. There must be something to it. Even those who loved the hotel otherwise, mentioned this one thing. Who knows??