Hi there,
I am heading there to Bangkok in a couple of weeks and am trying to book a hotel for two nights near the airport. Actually, it dosen't have to be near the airport, just easy to get to as I am landing at midnight. This my first trip to Asia and am planning to travel through Cambodia and Vietnem as well. Can antone give me some advice and tips?
Thanks, Rod.

There is not much to do or see near the airport so I would look at a hotel in central Bangkok. At that time of night you will be able to get to most of the major tourist areas in under 40 minutes. THere will be heaps of transport options even at that time of night.
If you could let us know your budget and likes/dislikes as well as your preference of being close to shopping centres/restaraunts/nightlife/transport etc.

Thanks shanek,
I am flying in at midnight and my girlfriend is flying in the next day in the evening, so my thought was that I would stay near the airport and meet her there when she comes in. Do you think I should go into Bangkok and get a place? Should I go back to the airport and get her the next day, or is it easy for her to just meet me in the city?

As far as my budget goes, $50/night range is what i'm thinking.
Thanks for your help,
rod

I would say to go into the city. It is very easy to get a taxi at the airport, so your girlfriend should be able to do it easily alone.

You might take a look at www.sawasdee.com and browse for hotels in your price rage. Then come back and ask about specific places.

I would not go back to the airport to collect the GF. It is very easy to arrange transport. If you're really concerned, you can arrange for a car through AOT when your at the airport or AACLimo. AAC will be waiting for your girlfriend with a sign with her name on it. Of course, it would be easy and much cheaper for her to take a taxi.

On the hotel, it depends on your budget. As kathie suggested, you should look at Sawadee.com and check out hotels in your price range. many of us have booked through this website and been very happy. If you post the name of your hoped for hotel here, we will tell you of our experience with it.

There are a couple of cheaper places near the airport. Queen's Garden Resort and Convenient Resort are $27 each. The reviews I read are mixed, but it seems ok. They are both 10 minutes from the airport.
What do you think?

I think if you want to do anything in Bangkok it makes no sense to stay out by the airport.

i agree with kathie....plus i hope you know that a $27 hotel is going to be very basic...

Don't stay out at the airport. You won't get anywhere there in your price range anyway. Check out this place. Great fun.

http://www.shanghai-inn.com

I agree.
We have accomodations set in downtown Bangkok once we get there, but because I was getting in late at night and she was coming in the next day, I thought I would stay near the airport that night, meet up with her and then head into the city. Does that make sense? If not, tell me.
I've been told that a taxi into town is about 30 bucks, so I would just sleep near the airport when I get in.
Also, I haven't planned our trip yet, but we plan to visit temples, beaches, Cambodia and Vietnam. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. We are novice travellers and need advice. I'll admit that I am 25 per cent anxious/75 per cent excited about the trip. You've been there, so can you put my mind at ease?
Thanks guys,
Rod

Have a look at the Majestic Suites. Great hotel, near the skytrain and plenty of restaraunts/Bars/Entertainment and within your price range.

Shanek,
The majestic suites looks good. How far from the airport?

Probably half an hour

Really, don't make a decision on where to stay based on how far from the airport. You want a place that you'll like and is convenient to public transport - especially the Skytrain.

Hi, rodway:

I've just returned from Bangkok and can tell you that a taxi ride into town - depending on where you are going - will cost about 350 to 400 baht (at an exchange rate of slightly under 33 baht per dollar). That's about $11-$13.

What you do is walk straight out to curbside and you'll see a bunch of taxis. Just walk up to a METERED taxi and tell them where you want to go. (Downloading the hotel location from the internet and having it written out in Thai would help a lot).

The 350-400 should include the Expressway fee. If you go purely by the meter, then expect the taxidriver to ask you for money to pay the Expressway fee, then at the end of the trip you pay whatever the meter says.

Before you go out to curbside, exchange some of your foreign money for Thai baht. The rates at the airport are the going rate, you will not get more baht by waiting to get into town to exchange your money. I arrived at midnight also and there were still several bank exchange desks open, so you should have no problem there.

There are well dressed women who will try to sell you a trip into town for 1000 baht. Sounds like you don't need their services! Just keep right on walking out to the curb.

Your girlfriend can do the same the next night.

Listen to the regular Thailand travelers on this board and stay in town. There is absolutely NO reason to stay near the airport.

Sorry i can't help you with a hotel in your price range, but sawadee.com is an excellent hotel site for Bangkok. They have the best rates that I've seen so far.

You might also want to check Lonely Planet's Thorm Tree, if you haven't done so already.

A good hotel in your price range is the Bossotel Inn which gets fairly good reviews. It is down by the river and an easy walk to either the skytrain or river ferry. http://www.sawadee.com/hotel/bangkok/bossotel/

Thanks easytraveler,
That's what I needed to hear. I will get a houtel/hostel in the city.
Rod

Hi Rod,

Our family was in Thailand two years ago and we met up with some friends who stayed here www.suk11.com it is a funky place with a lot of Thai style...there is also a great restaurnt downstairs. It isn't far to walk to the Skytrain and their room was clean but not fancy.

We were considering staying there when we go back in June, but we are going with some friends who aren't 'into' it so it looks like we will end up staying somewhere else.

We are in our late 30's and don't really care to stay in places that are exactly like a hotel in the US...it may not be what you are looking for but I just thought I'd mention it.

Have a great time!

I'm glad Scotters mentioned the Bossotel. It's near the river, which is the area many of us prefer to stay. It's one of the very few budget hotels in the river area.