Kathie

The Chateau de Bangkok is not in the same league as the Hotel Plaza Athenee. If you read Guenmai's other posts about it, it sounds perfectly adequate, but not in a very interesting area.

Guenmai

Richard, there's absolutely no catch in the price of the Chateau de Bangkok. I paid less than the $50....just in August 2004. As I stated before, I paid 1800 Baht for a jr. suite with kitchenette. To stay in that neighbiorhood, I think the price is excellent. If I'm going to pay more for a hotel then not only does the hotel need to be really good, but the neighborhood around it,too.I personally wouldn't pay the Plaza Athenee price to stay in that neighborhood. I like to walk and explore as well as take the sky train. In that area, one really needs to take the sky train to get anywhere interesting...although not too many stops on the sky train to the shopping areas. I usually stay at the Four Seasons for superb hotel quality and great location.But whenever I'm in BK, I stay at many different hotels in different areas to try new experiences and then save the Four Seasons for my last 4-5 days.You stated that you need a hotel with LOW rates that's why I suggested the Chateau de Bangkok by Sofitel which is definitely NO dump although the prices are low.You could always check in and then if you don't like it, walk across the street to the Plaza Athenee or vise versa. Happy Travels!

orgy7

what...

the athanee and chateu de bangkok are in the same nighberhood they are about 2 short blocks away from each other.

And the athanee is a good 10 minut walk from the hyatt.. too get too hyett you get off at chit lome station or (ratchadmri) and too get too the cheteou you use the phlonchit station..

Guenmai

Orgy...The side street that one drives up to get to the the Chateau de Bangkok is on is the same street that part of the Plaza Athenee is on. I remember it very clearly when the driver was driving me down the street.I saw the sign saying Plaza Athenee and even took note that that's where the Plaza Athenee was...for future reference. Now as to where the FRONT entrance of the Plaza Athenee is I don't know if that's on the same street or not. Happy Travels!

Walter_Walltotti

Even in the big upscale hotels (i.e the ones you have identified) I woudn't drink the tap water. Ice cubes should be fine in these hotels. I've never had a problem cleaning my teeth with the tap water either.

Most of the hotels you've identified will probably pop a couple of bottles of complimentary water in your room (some will even replenish them free of charge - although they might not tell you)

Janak626

I have gotten so much useful information from reading the postings here. RIchard & Kathie: special thanks to you both. While I am waiting to hear back from the BKK travel agent, I've yet to book a hotel in BKK in early April. However, I have surfed the hotel sites for hours and hours and hours. I've found that planetholiday.com to be far cheaper than any other site. I'm wondering if it is problematic as no one else has referred to it or suggested it to trip planners like me. I've narrowed it donw to the Pl. Athenee (neighborhood?)or Royal Orch. Sheraton (river life, etc.).... I'll be with my 17 year old daughter who will have spent the previous 2 months in Chaing Mai,then touring via youth hostels. which hotel or.....??? thanks

rhkkmk

here he goes again!!! please take a look at the marriott resort and spa...it is perfect for a 17 y.o.

rhkkmk

i just looked at planet site...i did not find it as inexpensive as www.asiavoyage24.com which includes all service, taxes and usually breakfast....

Kathie

I'm (of course) partial to the river, and would always recommend a hotel on the river over any other area of Bangkok. I don't think it matters all that much which hotel on the river you choose, though we all have our favorites. Choose the hotel that will give you the best deal.

orgy7

remember that all these booking agencies negotiate rates with the hotel so each site may have diffrent prices so DON'T fall in love with one site.. I think checking out 3 sites that you trust is a good idea..

also many sites specialize in difrent things.. I tend too check out www.asiatravel.com and they specialize in packege deals.. but thier prices on lux on day bookings are steep.

the planetholiday site seems too have good starting prices for the lux's.. I just checked out asiavoyage24 and once again each site had diffrent deals on difrent hotels.

Kathie

orgy, you are so right about comparing prices on different websites! There are huge differences.

Bob, by the way, I've decided I have to visit your beloved Marriott Resort and Spa on my next trip to Bangkok. You enjoy it so much I have to take a look!

rhkkmk

hope you enjoy it....its not as lux as some but it is certainly equal to the ROS....its lobby is plain but the gardens are very nice and the staff is fabulous....i will tell them you are coming....

TracyB

I think rhkkmk that you will soon have everyone going to the Marriot Resort and Spa..I am also planning to stay there when we go in November..Which by the way, is Novemeber a good time to visit BKK? And for that matter, is November a good time to visit Angkor Wat and Vietnam..It is just our regular month that we travel..Would January be better?

cjackson

Bob - I'll be there next Tue!! I figured that dropping your name will automatically get me all sorts of gifts, upgrades, presents, services, etc ;-) I heard you're applying for that PR position they have open...

rhkkmk

cjackson---it will get you nothing other than a swim in the pool---or is that a throw into the pool in your clothes....
would you be willing to do me one favor??? i have been trying to contact the woman at the desk on the lower level who sells time share at the jw marriott in phuket.... she does not return my e-mails...maybe i have the wrong address....would you ask her to contact me at [email protected]......i would like to arrange a visit in may/june to the facility....
in advance thank you very much...

visit my tailor....jack---upper level of the mall overlooking the large parking lot at the marriott---monet il sarto is the shop name....he is fantastic...tell him i say hello ...


tracy....november is the best time imo...we usually go in nov/dec.....jan is just as good, maybe a tad warmer---warmer you do not need....generally i think bkk is best from 3rd week of oct to late jan.....

cjackson

For the man who steered me to the best pool in BKK, no problem! And we're visiting Jack for sure. Will post as the opportunities arise...

rhkkmk

cj---there are two tailor shops on the upper level of the mall...jack is in the one away from the hotel, our nearer the street....the hotel laundry next door to him is excellent as well and at 1/2 the price of in room laundry pick-up-----same service exactly...

the desk is just inside the left hand door to the lower lobby in the main/central building directly behind the pool area...thanks a bunch....

if you buy wool from jack look it over carefully as thai wool is not as good as ours....usually it says british, but i don't think it is...i think it is thai or chinese...

cjackson

Gotcha. My notes are updated!

Travelnick

Stayed at Plaza Athenee for same price in October and Nai Lert Park for $89 in Nov. Would go to Nai Lert before Plaza because the grounds are gorgeous in Nai Lert Park and totally newly renovated in very trendy way. They are very close to each other using same skytrain stop. Also checked out all hotels you originally mentioned except Landmark plus others. For me Nai Lert top, then Plaza (which by the way has beautiful pool as well); Intercon (great shopping location), Marriott and Westin about equal, and Rembrandt last - bit dated but yes, is cheaper. Sofitel Silom Rd is also very nice for rooms and great value if available at around $65., but pool is rubbish.

rhkkmk

cjackson...i heard back from the marriott person about phuket....the person i heard back from was from the jw marriott....which hotel did you stay at?? my comments were about the marriott resort and spa on the river, so perhaps you stayed at the other one on sukhumvit road...sorry if i misled you....

bob

thanks for helping in any case