I will be in Bangkok for 5 days in February and the JW Marriott is sold out. What would be a comparable option, and should I stay in the river instead? It will be my first time in Bangkok and I'd like to have easier access to the cultural sites. Thank you for any input!

Stay on the river. Stay on the river. Stay on the river.

Personally, I like the Royal Orchid Sheraton. It has a great location, all the rooms have a floor to ceiling river view. If you stay in the Towers (I always do) you'll get breakfast, drinks and canapes and laundry included in the price of your room.

Many of the places you'll want to go are easily accessible via the river. If you search on this borad, you'll find my review from my November stay at the Royal Orchid.

for heaven sake don't stay IN the river or we will never hear from you again....i like the river location: marriott, peninsula, shangra-la, oriental or sheraton...up the river further and a budget place but decent is the royal river...

on sukumvit there is the jw, the landmark, the sheraton grande and the westin grande...near-by are the hyatt, four seasons (regent), hilton and some others....including the new conrad...a small botique hotel has opened called the davis hotel....there is also the sukathai and the banyon tree in the city center....there are tons to choose from ....

Thanks for the imput. The Royal Orchid is a bit pricey for me, but I'll research other options. Kathie, I did check your report, excellent!

Have stayed in both the Landmark and the Marriott Resort and Spa. I liked the setting of the Marriott and the convenience and beautiful rooms of the Landmark. Landmark is beside a skytrain stop and the Marriott has its own boat which will take you over to the stop for the river ferries, which is also the stop for the skytrain.

Have you tried to see what you can get on Priceline.com in the river area citing a 5 star. This area covers both the river and the business district, Sathon Road. We stayed in 3 different hotels in bangkok in Dec at 3 diffent stages of our perigrinations. All 3 hotels were wonderful in thier own way.
We tried the Peninsula, not through Priceline though, and then the Banyan tree and the Sukhothai. All fantastic!

You can't choose your hotel on Priceline.com but any 5 star is worth your bid if it is accepted. We got the Banyan Tree for $65 per night, excluding taxes and service.

Access to the river was very easy either by cab or sky train.

Marriott Resort & Spa. Especially if you're a Marriott fan. We paid less than $100 US a night with upgrade to a junior suite with balcony & concierge room (kind of a misnomer at this property 'cause it's a fenced off section in the main lobby - but still nice) access.

Peaceful & easy to get to town with a drop off under the Skytrain.

Hard to beat!

dddick.at.bellsouth.net if you have any questions we can help you with (sorry for the ".at." instead of "@" but I posted my business e-mail and now get 100 spams a day)

/Dale & Kathy
Baton Rouge

Thank you all for your great help. I got a room at the Royal Orchid for $142 a night through Planetholiday.com
I searched in many different sites and this seams to offer great deals. Thanks to all!