I am taking a trip to Thailand in December with my husband and two teen kids. We only have 48 hours in Bangkok, so location matters. I will be using points, so I need help choosing either:

1) Renaissance Bangkok - 518/8 Ploenchit Rd 10330, or

2) Four Points Sheraton - Sukhumvit 15

When I look on a map, they seem relatively close together. Are they actually? Or does it just seem that way to someone who has never visited Bangkok before. Is there a big difference in neighbourhoods? I bought the Nancy Chandler map, and I see Soi Cowboy very close to the Four Points. Am I close to (in) the red light district there?

Any suggestions on good restaurants (thai) nearby would be appreciated.

Thanks for your comments!

I would choose the Renaissance. I have not (yet) stayed there, but it is our pick for our next trip to Bangkok. It's a very good location.

Soi Cowboy is a red-light district, though I can't remember exactly where the Four Points is.

The Renaissance will also be a much nicer hotel.

We stayed at the Renaissance last November. We have been to Bangkok half a dozen times but were very pleased with both the location of and service at the Renaissance. Don't know much about the Four Points...

Craig: I understand the Grand Millenium is close to the Ren. Did U see it or go past it? My friend is going to BKK in Nov. and wants to stay at the Ren. so you would recommend it, correct?
Thanks!

I have not stayed at Renaissance in Bangkok, but have stayed in numerous Renaissance Hotels in the USA and Europe. They are usually very nice. I have stayed at Four Points, and found it to be comfortable. I booked a junior suite. There are some complaints about noise from the lobby bar, but I did not notice that.

The location of the Millenium is very close to soi Cowboy, if it is the one I'm thinking of. Four Points is probably a 10 to 15 minute walk to soi Cowboy. Renaissance is in the area with the big malls and shopping.

I too have stayed at the Rennaissance and it's location ( for downtown Bangkok) is fabulous.

Thanks for the comments everyone, and Simpsonc510 for your assurance that there was nothing too bad about the Four Points.

I know the Renaissance gets generally great reviews, and probably has a better location. How far on the ground is it between the two hotels? Walkable/short taxi distance?

Normally it would be a no brainer (maybe it still is ). However, it is 80,000 Marriott points for 2 rooms x 2 nights, or 14,000 Starwood points for the same. It seems like a very good points rate at the Four Points....and I have a much easier time using Marriott points. I will have to ruminate...

Thank you.

You could walk between the two, but probably not comfortably in the Bangkok heat! I've walked from Sukhumvit soi 8 all the way up to Siam Discovery mall. It took a long time, and it was in the early (cooler) morning, and this was years ago. I would not do it now! I would probably want to taxi between the two hotels....

The section of Sukhumvit where the Four Points is located has a lot more street vendors and street food and small souvenir shops, etc. The Renaissance neighborhood is more "big" business oriented, if that makes sense.

The walk to the skytrain is probably slightly shorter at Renaissance. Four Points is fairly close to Terminal 21 and the Asok BTS station.

And thank you, poutine, for the link to the brand new Marriott on soi 57, in my own thread about returning to BKK!

Thank you for the info simpsonc510. I feel better about the Sheraton now.

Enjoy Bangkok, and hope you are happy with the Marriott 57. I know the exec lounge is now open there, but I don't know how it works for those in the apartment section.

Bon voyage!

If you are concerned about points, can you get a good deal on the Sheraton Royal Orchid? It's on the river and often has good specials for those using points.

Poutine,
I live about 200 meters form the Four Points. I've never stayed there but it seeems nice enough. It's true that this part of town is more low rise and has more street vendors. It's also a little more...hmm...active at night.
The Ren is in more of a business part of town. But shopping is more accessable. Central World is walking distance and Paragon and MBK are a short taxi ride. It's also more low key at night. Transportation access is more or less equal.
If I had a friend coming to Bangkok I would probably go with the Ren.
A few notes. You could conceivably walk between the two but don't; it's too far. The skytrain is about a 5 minute ride and not expensive. That plus Bangkok is full of taxis 24/7 and they are extremely cheap. Cowboy is about a 10 min walk from the Four Points so red lights are close but avoidable. There's also a much bigger (less avoidable and and wilder) red light area the other way about mid point between the Ren and the Four Points. All of this picks up after dark and is not really too noticable during the day. For it's size Bangkok is pretty safe so don't worry about this. Just use normal care and discretion.
As I said, I live here so if you have specific questions drop a line and I'll try give you some answers.
Mark

there is no comparison in the hotels... Ren is a 5* hotel and Sheraton is 3* by normal hotel comparisons...

I would not walk between them..

soi 4 sukhumvit is an adult entertainment area and is not far from soi 11, but on the other side of busy sukhumvit rd... the jw Marriott is almost next door...

you would be happy at either hotel quite honestly...

the Marriott courtyard is near the renaissance and would be of similar quality to the Sheraton...

consider the Marriott mayfair, not far from ren....its a serviced apartment and very very nice on a very nice street... you could get a 2 bedroom apartment there with points... that would be my choice....

I am staying 8 days at the Ren in early dec this year on pts...

For me I would choose Renaissance Bangkok , the hotel is clean and nice located near BTS and shopping mall > Central World and easy to reach to nightlife area like Nana, Asoke.

I agree with RiniRabbit, Renaissance Bangkok is located in the center of Bangkok and more convenience to travel and sightsee around.