Firstly, I must say how much excellent information I have received here. In fact I have been reading this forum almost non-stop for 7 hours today. Poor hubby even had to cook dinner and I managed to stop reading for a few minutes to eat it!!!!!
I do have a few questions.
I shall be arriving in Bangkok on 6th April,up to Chiang Mai on the 9th and leaving for home on the 15th.
The main one is about my chosen hotel. I haven't booked it yet but I do like a Radisson and though the one in Bangkok is not in a good situation, I would be taking taxis in any case as I broke my back a few months ago and it still isn't 100%, but it's not bad enough to stop me from travelling!!! I shall be on own[husband won't fly] and I have confirmed my booking in Chiang Mai----Baan Orapin--so I thought a large hotel in Bankok would be a nice contrast. Would a different hotel be advisable?
I'll keep my other questions for another time.
Many thanks.

Mise-
Could you give us a price range of what you'd like to spend?

On the high end, I really like the Peninsula Hotel which is right on the river. We'll be staying there again for 2 nights this trip.
For mid range, I just won the Westin Grande on Priceline for $90. This one is supposedly a 5 star in the Sukhumvit area. We'll be staying there for 2 nights as well (to save a little $$).
On the low end I can't really recommend anything in particular but there are dozens of choices in the $40-$60 range.
Sorry I don't know anything about the Radisson.
I recommend you book asap as your dates are during a holiday week; Songkran is April 13th and Bangkok is going to get busy during that time.

The Radisson is really to out-of-the-way. I rarely see taxis queued up there, so getting around may be just too much hassle. Plus, it's right next to freeway, which may make it a bit noisy.

I have the Radisson as starting at $44. For about this price, you could get the Century Park, Fortune Mercure or even the Davis. The Arnoma is also an option and costs even less.

mise
Just incase you decide to stay at the Radisson just wanted to let you know that we have stayed there a few times for one reason or another and have always found it was fine. Never had a problem getting a taxi and the rooms are not noisy at all. No you can't just walk out the door to a shopping mall but we would just jump in a taxi or walk and never had a problem Yes there are lots of much more well located places but if you do end up there you will be fine I am sure.
Happy travels.
J

a lady alone might want a more centrally located hotel i should think....don't stay way off away from everything....try something along silom road like the holiday inn or the sofitel or the evergreen laurel....

myself i prefer the river locations and specifically the marriott resort and spa...

the centre point silom is also nice for a serviced apartment and quite reasonable and well located both near the river, shopping and eating as well as right next to the skytrain at taskim...make sure you take a look at that...

look also at this hotel website...

www.huahin.20m.com

rates include tax/service (17%) and usually breakfasts....good buys...hotels are arranged by locations...

skip the raddisson....

Thanks to all who replied. I couldn't find this thread or I would have posted sooner.
Well, I took the advice offered and 'skipped the Radisson' and I read so may reviews that I have gone cross-eyed. In the end I plumped for a hotel on Sukhumvit and I chose the Amari Bouvelard. I have booked it.
On another subject, I read such positive reviews and knew folks who stayed at the Baan Orapin in Chiang Mai that I booked it on personal recommendations and then read a terrible review from a Chiang Mai 'expert' on Trip Advisor who hadn't even stayed there but said that it was on a noisy street, dark rooms, average furniture and no real garden. It really depressed me.
Thanks again.

Hi Mise,

Don't feel depressed about your choice of Baan Orapin. It is a lovely B&B with friendly, helpful owners.

I have stayed in two different rooms there and the villa.

Yes, it is located on a fairly busy road, but one of the rooms I stayed in was closest to the road and the traffic didn't bother me at all.

Dark rooms - the rooms I was in had wooden floors and some dark furniture but that is counterbalanced by plenty of windows so lots of light.

As for the furniture - I thought it was very in keeping with the style of the place.

Not really a garden. Maybe in one sense, but it does have a wonderful green, lush, tropical feel about it. An oasis in a good location in Chiang Mai.

Some new rooms have been completed since I was there and so I can't comment on them.

Hve you had a look at their website?
www.baanorapin.com I know it is difficult to get a sense of a place from photos but it is worth taking a look.

One more thing. I found their beds very comfy and slept well there and so hopefully you will find the bed suitable for your back.

I can so relate to your non-stop reading of this forum. I did the same before my trip.

Have a great time

Thanks Kippy. Most people are kind, so it's depressing when one comes across someone like that.
Never mind! Your description of Baan Orapin has delighted me.
Thanks so much.

we stayed at Amari Boulevard on Sukumvit in Dec last. Room fine- reasonable size and fierce air-con which we needed. Pleasant roof top pool; excellent buffet breakfast and obliging staff; internet access from hotel lobby.

Thank you. This sounds nice and positive.

mise - ignore the report from the trip advisor Chiang Mai expert.

There are so many positive reports on Baan Orapin and you can find a negative report on virtually every single hotel/guesthouse. As you said, he hasn't even stayed there so all he can comment on are his observations of the aesthetic, not on service, atmosphere etc.

We are staying there in July and cannot wait! I hope you will report back,
BB

Thanks BB.
I am travelling alone and so my accommodation is more important than usual.

Mise, We stayed at the Baan Orapin in Chiang Mai just last month and we LOVED it!!

I emailed Opas before I arrived and told him I was a light sleeper and wanted a quiet room. We were just one unit away from the road and it was perfectly quiet.

The foliage around the place is beautiful and it also blocks some of the noise from the road. The grounds are very well cared for. There was never NOT someone raking up the leaves!

We stayed in one of the rooms in the older buidling. Opas actually upgraded us to the suite with no charge. It was very roomy with a nice living room, kitchen and separate bedroom.

I also took a look at two of the rooms in the newer building out back and they were both beautiful but I didn't think I had missed out by staying in the older building.

The breakfast is served out on the back deck and it was very good.

The owners are soooo nice! In the evening they light a mosquito coil in front of your door so the mosquitos won't come in when you get home in the evening.

The location is great! We were so happy that we hadn't stayed on the busy side of the river! As you walk out and to the right you will come to a little foot bridge so you can walk across the river.

I have some photos that I will be posting later.

Enjoy!

Tamara

The breakfast is

Thanks so much for this Tamara. I am feeling so much more confident now.
I think however, from your post, you were cut off in your prime!