Hello -- we're headed to Thailand in Feb. and are starting and ending our trip in Bangkok. Can you suggest any great places to stay? Details on location or what makes them a reco would be greatly appreciated. We're willing to pay $200-$300 for hotel a night. Also, has anyone had experience with the Chakrabongse House? I'm torn between doing something luxurious like the Peninsula or Oriental or something more unique like the C. House. Thanks in advance!

mel,

Great question! I often have the same dilemma...luxury vs. uniqueness.

Interestingly enough, Chakrabongse Villas was actually the place I was torn between (that and the Peninsula) for our upcoming trip. Settled on the Pen, but that has a lot to do with the fact that we stayed at Old Bangkok Inn last time we were in Bangkok and we definitely got to experience a smaller, more local kind of place then.

I think the best way to go, if you can, is to do both. Stay at the Pen upon arrival. You'll appreciate the luxury when you're jet-lagged and worn down from a long trip. Then, on your way back, stay at Chakrabongse and take in all the local flavor. BTW--I hear their villa right on the water is the ONLY way to go there.

Best of luck planning--happy travels!

the penn is fantastic....the conrad is very nice too but not on the river....for less is the marriott resort and spa also on the river...

I, too, considered Chakrabongse Villas for our stay in BKK for the same reasons. An aquaintance in Bangkok toured the villa on our behalf. He thought it was quite noisy. Stated that it was difficult to converse on the terraces with river traffic noise. At the end of the day, we decided on the Royal Orchid as a cool, quiet oasis from the heat of Bangkok.

Wow -- great info. Many thanks. I really like the idea of doing a nice, luxury hotel and then something a little more unique and tied to the area/culture. The Penn is topping our list right now as a place to stay right when we get there, but any other of the big ones that everyone talks about worth looking into?
As for smaller/more unique places, can anyone reco some in that category? We've not come up with too much yet and would love something quaint and truly special.
Thanks again!

The Arun Residence has 5 rooms and a stunning view of Wat Arun - the Arun Suite has a very large terrace that you had to pry me off of! The room is small but nice.

www.arunresidence.com

Do both...for years I've stayed at more than one hotel on the same trip. Happy Travels!

I agree with Guenmai. Stay at both. First the villas and then the Pen.

metropolitan on sathorn is very nice and different as is sukathai (sp) up the road...another is the shangri-la...

for pure lux, i do not think any of the small places qualify...

Yes, the Metropolitan is very nice. I've stayed there. The rooms don't feel like hotel rooms to me. My standard room felt more like a VERY hip studio apartment. The bathroom was absolutley wonderful and the spa soaps/shampoos etc that you get were the best I've smelled anywhere. This hotel is real big on relaxation/spa etc... The two-story/split-level suites are fabulous and again are more like an apartment...with a diningroom area and a butler who will serve you dinner in your diningroom. I'd definitely stay there again. They also have free Mac computers in the lobby for guests to use...which saves a lot of time and money.
The Sukothai is also beautiful...the only thing is that if you get a junior suite, there's no TV in the bedroom unless different junior suites have different layouts. I've seen a lot of rooms there. The TV is in the livingroom. I personally need to wind down with some trash TV before going to sleep. Smiles. The owner of the Metropolitan also owns Giri Begawan(sp?) and Uma in Bali. Happy Travels!

guen---do you watch those pay movies for travelling salesmen??

Have you been reading the thread Boutique/Unique lodging in Bangkok? It's an active thread and has lots of suggestions for such places.

Bob...my definition of "trash" TV is sitcoms,some talk shows, and soap operas. Happy Travels!