simpsonc510

The Italian restaurant (Sacz) located in the lobby at Majestic Grande is a very nice place. You should give it a try, since you are staying right there. MJ also has a nice buffet on about the 7th floor (pool floor) that wasn't too bad as well. I had a tour of MJ and saw the spa, the pool, several types of rooms, etc. It's a nice hotel. It is convenient to the skytrain, which is always a plus feature.
Carol

rhkkmk

peter...--the show is fantastic...its about 1.5 hours...it is held in a small theatre with indivisual seats, folding charis, in a semi-circle....there are perhaps 15 rows...i sat front center....one of the girls sat on my lap and kissed me...quite fun....

the seats are set up in twos with a small table with a lamp between you...the 8:15 show includes one drink per person...

the music is lip sinc (sp) to mostly american favorites....there is a huge cast...tina is there and so is marilyn...usually there are a group of older japanese,mostly women, who really enjoy the show...there are a couple of fantastic japanese inspired skits...lots of cleavage, and my wife, a nurse, was unable to detect where other male parts were housed....haha

some are beautiful "women", others are exotic...

there is picture taking with the stars in the back at the end...

i think there is another show later or maybe earlier, which includes a buffet...that must be held elsewhere...i would do the 8:15 show with the drink only...that is what bill suggested and i agree with him...

easy access to asia hotel from the skytrain so no need to even go outside...

i made my res on line and even picked out my own seats...i did it very early...they take credit cards and you pick the tickets up at the box office...

lots of fun....

there are also similar shows in pattaya and phuket i believe...

of course there are free shows all along sukhumvit, expecially on soi 4...

do it and you will love it....we roared with laughter and fun....well worth the small price...

bkkmei

Sorry for the late reply.
For mahanaga, my husband and I were looking forward to a very nice romantic dinner to celebrate an occasion. I'll copy and paste from a blog I have:
"We started with calamari rings in mango sauce. Nice - but so few rings at around 300 baht! I could get triple the amount for half the price at as good (if not better) a taste eating in Old Cedar. We also had lamb and aubergine salad - now this was worth it - practically a meal in itself, smothered in deep fried lemongrass, very strong dressing to go with the lamb - it was good.

For mains, we had scallops with vegetables - the scallops were big and juicy. And sea bass deep fried with ...hmm I've actually forgotten. The waiter warned us it wouldn't be a fillet but ...different. It was like that Thai crumbly fish bits that are vapourised in hot deep oil. OK but what a shame to waste sea bass like that. Oh well, our fault. We were warned.

We finished up with some dessert. I had a macadamia brownie with icecream. I kid you not, 2 2 x 2cm squares came out - miniscule!! Were they running low? My husband had some creme caramel thing in a pumpkin shell.

We asked for the bill. It took ages. Everyone was now fully preoccupied with a table of ten next to us. We went to the paying area and were shooed away abruptly and rudely by some old woman behind the counter. My husband later complained to one of the 'managers' but sod it, they know their priorities - the manager hustled us out. Table of ten it is then, eh?

I really wanted to enjoy the food and the restaurant - it was supposed to be a celebatory dinner - but I couldn't help feeling that while some bits were good, nothing was divine, and the service at the end was dismal. And at almost 3000 baht, there are a zillion other restaurants which would have done a far better job. Go somewhere else."
Kathie - the service was fine (like many other places in Bangkok!) until the big group arrived. No, they weren't a tour group - but a group of 10 beats a couple! I think they describe themselves as fusion. Don't think lamb chops are usually on a thai menu - but I could be wrong!

I like Face too - lovely atmosphere. Only eaten at the Indian side though.

I've not been to Calypso cabaret, but have been to the one opposite Sukhumvit Soi 31: Mambo's. Immensely enjoyable - I'm sure either way you'll have fun.

althom1122

As Bob said, Calypso Cabaret is really a lot of fun. Even though two chairs share a small table, I don't think you'd feel uncomfortable going alone. The chairs face the stage not each other, so in fact, the tables are kind of a separator. And given the atmosphere, it would be easy to talk to your tablemate - or not. Lots of tourists, very fun atmosphere. My daughter (24) would point out certain ones and say - "he's definitely had surgery" or "he's just had hormones" or "that's just a guy who has maybe just started hormones" - she loved it. Quite a few were really pretty. When "Tina" came out (3 Tinas, acutally, I think), we laughed and laughed. There are a few pictures of the show on my photo site at the end of the Bangkok album:

http://kbutler8.photosite.com/

It's just a fun Bangkok thing to do. Go for it. And as Bob says, since it's at the Asia, which is right on the Skytrain, access is super easy. We hadn't made reservations on-line ahead of time, so we asked our hotel concierge when we arrived in Bangkok to make them for us (three weeks hence, since we were doing it at the end of our trip).
Karen

dkerr99

Thanks all for the feedback - this is really helpful.

another question - I think since our hotel is right next to the skytrain, we will take it as much as possible. Any sense how long it takes to go end to end? It looks like we are close to end of line, and the weekend market is at the other end. Is it as fast as a typical subway? I don't have any sense on how long travel time wil be (I know if I take taxis in Bangkok in busy periods it can be a long time.)

other question - it appears (looking at a map) that our hotel is close to the suan-lum night market - has anyone had good experiences wandering / shopping there?

Thanks!!!

orgy7

I think taking the BTS to jatajuk market is your best bet it's faster and cheeper then a taxi. after shoping you may decide to take a taxi back or jump on the BTS again. MOCHIT is the last station so even if you have some bags you are almost guaranteed a seat.
-----
As I usually suggest that JT should be combined with shopping in MBK. (shopping district). the museum is about 2 shorts blocks away from MBK and the tour takes only 30 minutes. the grand palace should be combined with an other atraction located in that part off town or river atraction. (Wat Arun)

Gpanda

Orgy7 has given very ggod advice on the weekend market as well as the JT house. It's easy to get to the market by Skytrain and if you buy enough stuff, a taxi will be available. Make sure the taxi uses the meter. JT House is about 3 blocks from MBK.

simpsonc510

dker99

I enjoy visiting Suan Lum night bazaar as well as Jatajuk. I actually prefer SL over the hot crowded weekend market. But, you will find good shopping at both. The weekend market has more variety though. You can find just about everything!!

I like Suan Lum for an evening of shopping and fun. It isn't as crowded, and there are plenty of shops. There is a huge entertainment complex with food and beer, when you need a breather!! If you have a group of people, you can get a table where some sit and relax while others shop and bring back packages!

Enjoy your trip. You will be there about 3 weeks before I arrive. Make sure you don't scoop up all the bargains... LOL I have shopping to do!

You have been given good advice about riding the skytrain TO the weekend market, but then opting for a METER taxi for your return, if you have lots of packages. The ride should not be more than 15 minutes, I wouldn't think. The skytrain is sleek and modern, and gets very busy during Jatujak times! You might be standing all the way there, but hopefully will get a seat on the way back, with hands full of goodies!

Carol

Bella_Bluebell

When I went to the weekend market and bought lots of curtains and other homewares, the vendors were happy to deliver for the hotel for free (I'd obviously paid too much money )

BB

SueHuml

Re The Calypso Cabaret.. Looks like a lot of fun. I note its in the Asia Hotel, and right at the skytrain, however, I've even been through the archives to find the address with no luck. Perhaps someone can post the skytrain stop, or address of the Asia hotel. Thanks
Sue

BradinBangkok

The Asia Hotel is at the first stop north of Siam BTS Station (Ratchathewi: N1) on Phaya Thai Road. You can walk into the Asia Hotel via skywalk from the Ratchathewi BTS Station.

You can also easily walk from MBK or Siam Discovery. Just cross the Elephant Head Bridge. Asia Hotel is on the left hand side.

Peteralan

Thanks for the info on Calypso Cabaret which has definitely decided me on going. Bob ,I could tell your wife where those parts are put but it might shock her!

rhkkmk

nothing shocks her....wastebasket??

fauncey

Thank you for all the info on the Cabaret show. I was about to ask. Is the Asia Hotel near the Patpong district, which is where we want to go after the show?

Gpanda

It is impossible to imagine shocking someone who has been married to Bob for untold years. She has no doubt observed every manner of personal degradation.

rhkkmk

no patpong is not near asia hotel, but you can take the skytrain to a stop not far from patpong....maybe a 20 minute ride give or take

Peteralan

Bob, lets just say there's a lot of sticky tape involved!

rhkkmk

O U C H!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!