guen, its those feathers in your hair that cause the looks!! haha

happy travels

I really like the relationship people have developed on this site. There's some gentle teasing (which gives me a chuckle) but overall people are so helpful here. It's a real bonus to newbies like myself to be able to learn from the experienced ones.

rhkkmk - 12 times in 12 years??? Holy crap! I hope my husband and I get to be as fortunate as you later in our life. We only travel abut twice a year now (definitely once in the winter to somewhere nearby and warm to get away from the Canadian cold). I'd love to be able to go to far away destinations every year but it's tough for my husband as he can't seem to find the time to get away from work very long (I'm a housewife so I'm always ready to go). I hope you'll post your India trip here. I'd love to read about it (as I am sure there are many other people who would too). A trip to India would be fantastic. As a matter of fact, I'd love to go anywhere (except maybe Las Vegas).

BTW, how do the service apartments work? Are there daily cleanings and towel/linen changes provided?

i have not stayed in a svcd apt yet, but i have visited a few and hope to spend the winter in bkk in one in 2008....they are very similar to a hotel...there is a front desk, there may or may not be a restaurant, there is usually a pool and a gym...the usual stuff...

some apartments are long term rentals and some only a few days, all in the same building...

there is maid service, in most cases every day...there is a small kitchen in most units...some units have 3 or 4 bedrooms, a living room a dining room, and of course the best thing a combo washer/dryer....and often a dishwasher too....there is a nice living area and a seperate bedroom to most smaller units...take a look at centre point.com for some info....more upscale is the ascott group....

others who will report here will tell you more first hand info...

we have looked at two centre points: silom and luang suan as well as the marriott mayfair on luang suan...there are tons of places that offer this service in bkk including some of the hotels: shangri-la and conrad....

they are quite affordable, but generally do not offer all the services of a standard hotel...

Bob...behave yourself. We just might be sitting next to each other again at the Boston GTG...I'd hate to accidentally drop my plate of food on you! Ha...Ha...Ha...Happy Travels!

Haliburton...Serviced apartments are great. As I mentioned before, I vacation in BK regularly and usually stay at the FS Hotel, but during my August 2005 trip to BK, I went over to the Emporium Suites(emporiumsuites.com) and negotiated a price with the person in charge over there for my Dec 2005/Jan 2006 trip. See rent increases fall on Nov 01st...in that particular building. So, I got the price frozen before the increase. I had an 80-square meter,studio apartment with a kitchen as a separate room with a door that could be closed...so no kitchen smoke filling up the entire apartment....I also had a washer/dryer combo and a very big full terrace. I was nearly 40 floors up and with an incredible view. I loved the place and will be on the same floor, probably same apartment, in August and also again in Dec/Jan. What I did a couple of years ago was went on moveandstay.com and pulled up the list ...very long list with photos...of different serviced apartments. I printed the list and then checked off the ones that were of interest to me and then on each trip just went around and checked out different ones until I found a building that felt like home. You can visit quite a few in a day if you go to ones in the same location. There are about five on the same street...the same street that the Frazer serviced building is on...pull it up on the computer.... The only one on that street that I didn't get to see was the one that's owned by the French company Accor...Natureville... I think it's called. You have to stay a month in order to stay there. I went into the lobby and it was very nice, but they wouldn't show an apartment. The one on that street that I personally liked best was Frazer. It was brand new when I went to see it in Dec 2005. I have written about serviced apartments in my trip report under the thread,"Siam Ocean World". Type it in the "Search" box and it will pop up. Happy Travels!

guen---smoke from the kitchen?? dinner must be ready...time to make reservations...haha

happy travels

Bob...you wild and crazy guy...I bought the cheapest toaster that they had at the Emporium Mall's department store... next door to my apartment building...a $15.00 toaster...well...you know how bread is in Thailand...worse than Wonder bread. So, I popped a couple of slices into the toaster forgetting that it wasn't the 50-grain,torpedo stuff I eat at home and then set the toaster to the dark setting and almost set off the smoke detector...smoke everywhere. That's one reason I chose an apartment with a kitchen as a separate room and with a door... which is very rare in Bangkok. I hate open-space type of kitchens...open to or in the livingroom space. Even at home I have only lived in places where the kitchen is a complete separate room...that way if guests are over, they don't have to smell all of the kitchen smells in the livingroom...especially onions,garlic,etc...and you know how strong Thai food smells can be. Happy Travels!

Guenmai, I just read part of your post on Siam Ocean World. Your mention of Tamarind Cafe interested me. Both my husband and I are vegetarians (lacto-ovo vegetarians - no meat, no seafood, but dairy and eggs are okay - I take it this shouldn't be a problem in Thailand, Laos or Cambodia). Is this veggie place anywhere near the Sofitel Silom? Is it more of a cafe style or a nice sit down romantic dinner place? I think we're going to end up staying at the Sofitel Silom - still not sure yet (we've had some good experiences with the Sofitel chain in the States so hoping Sofitel Silom will be on par in terms of quality). We're the type of couple who probably will go back to our room several times during the day so boat shuttle will be a hindrance on time (and we're only in BKK for 3 days!). Oh! I also liked your talk of breakfast buffet at the Four Seasons. I'm going to have to go and try it (I'm a big banana bread lover too). Do you recall the cost for the breakfast buffet? Do they have a lunch buffet as well?

My husband and I made our first trip to SEA in March, and stayed at the Marriot Resort for the 3 days in BKK. The ride on the river from and to the hotel became a highlight of the trip, not a nuisance. We loved staying there, and when we toured, we did hire a guide for one of the 3 days. We went back and forth on the river twice a day - once to tour, and then once to go to dinner. It was marvelous.

Sharon,

May I ask who your guide was and whether you would recommend him/her? How about cost? Would you recommed we go with a guide given it's our first time there and we only have 3 days there (actually, only 2 days since 1 of the day, we're going to Ayuthaya).

Haliburton33
Welcome to our friendly forum! Yes, there is bantering back and forth here, but it's all in fun. A number of us have met face to face, in places like Boston and Bangkok, and we have become friends. Guenmai and I will be seeing each other for our second time, this time in Bangkok in early September. We met last October at the GTG (get together) in Boston. Although we didn't sit at the same table (no food spilled in MY lap... ha ha) I know that we will enjoy having lunch together in Bangkok soon. Then, we will meet once again in Boston this October for the next GTG there.

Bob, Andy, Craig, Laurico, orgy7, and a number of the "regulars" here have met face to face at various places and at different times. It's a lovely group of people! I'll be stopping in Honolulu for a GTG there, on my way to BKK in late August! I already know one of the couples who will be attending that one, as we met in BKK!

Re: apartments. I've stayed in serviced apartments in several different locations. I really like having the space, plus the separate kitchen, as guenmai mentioned. Yes, they are serviced daily. I've stayed in one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. I've stayed on soi 4 (Nana) at a place called the Omni Tower. I've had some nice apartments there, with separate livingroom and bedroom. I've also stayed at the Grand President on soi 11. That's where I'll be staying on my next trip to BKK, but only after spending my first two nights at the Marriott on the river for the first time. Grand President apartments are a little bit more lux than the Omni Tower, and the price is slightly higher as well. This time I will be staying in a smaller "studio" with kitchen/living and bedroom all together in one room. I'm only there for 7 nights so it will be just fine.

I've also stayed at a very simple place called Patumwan House. No pool, no frills, no gym, but spotlessly clean, and run by some of the friendliest Thai people. Apartments there are very basic, but well maintained. The kitchen is located within the living area (so no hiding the smoke here guenmai... ha ha).

I will be making my 10th trip to BKK, after making my first trip in the summer of 2001. I've been going twice a year, and am always so happy to get back there. My son (bradinbangkok) talked me into going, along with his father (my DH), and now all three of us try to get to BKK as often as possible. We don't always get there at the same time, but that doesn't really matter now. We all know what we like to do there, and we have lots of friends there as well.

With all the great information you will get here on fodors, I hope your trip to BKK and other parts of SEA will be a very pleasant experience.

Carol

By the way (BTW) I wanted to comment on hotels. I've stayed along the river at the Oriental and the Peninsula, but after traveling to BKK so many times, I know that I prefer to be closer to friends and things I like to do (shop) so I prefer to stay in the Sukhumvit area. I've stayed at the Intercontinental and find it to be very nice, as well as located right in the heart of great shopping. I would also consider places such as the Landmark, Rembrandt, the Four Seasons (guenmai's favorite), the Hyatt Erewan, or the Majestic Grande. There are so many many options!!

Haliburton33- Tamarind cafe has delicious food as you've read from my trip report. It's not near Silom. It's walking distance from my apartment building which is at the Prom Phong skytrain station attached to the Emporium shopping center. Tamarind Cafe is on soi 20 which is about half way between the Asoke and Prom Phong skytrain stations. You should order Nancy Chandler's map of Bangkok...nancychandler.net so that you can really get a layout of the city. It's a very informative map. I think it's sold on amazon.com also distantlands.com has it if you contact them they can mail it out to you. When you get to soi 20 off of Sukumvit Rd.,then you walk about 300 meters into the soi and it's on the left side of the soi. You'll see Bei Otto German deli as you enter the soi and then further into it, you'll see Koi restaurant on the right side. it's a little past Koi. For three decades I've basically eaten either fish or vegan or a combo of both and for many years I was macro. I chose to keep the fish in since I like the taste of it and it makes travel easier. In Thailand, just make sure that there's no meat/poultry broth(or tiny pieces) in the food or little pieces of fried egg. As for the Four Seassons, they do have a special Sunday brunch which I've never gone to. The regular buffet breakfast is wonderful and it cost about US$16.00. I've had a lot of buffet breakfastes in BK, but this one to me is the tastiest. It is served in the Biscotti restaurant which is also one of the best Italian restaurants in Bangkok...great for dinner, but I suggest a reservation if you eat dinner there. It's VERY popular. Go on chicasia.com for a list of restaurants in Bangkok. Happy Travels!

Haliburton 33-You can take the skytrain from the Silom area and get off at Asoke and then walk east. Soi 20 should be marked on Nancy Chandler's map. It'll be about a 15-minute walk. The restaurant is small and really good for lunch. It doesn't open until around 1PM, I think. I've written the times in my trip report. On Saturday, it opens at around 10AM and is open all day. It's well worth going to...the owner is a French woman/chef from Tours,France. Happy Travels!

I'm lovely, lol, ya right.

for those people who have never been to bkk and stay for 3 days or less, I usually suggest that they stay in town.. But for those that have visited bkk many times, the marriot spa is seems nice.
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As far as being mistaken for a lady of the night goes, most prostitutes wear jeans and T-shirts. so you obviously cant tell who is who. People can spot a "lady" more by the way she acts then buy what she wears.

I think you should refrain from holding hands with your guy as you walk down the street. this seems to be an act that the girl does to show, "this is my catch. lay of girls"
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The Sofitel should be a good choice.

if you shop around you will find lots of veggie restaurants in bkk....you have to be careful however as so much of thai cooking is done with fish oil....you need to do a lot of research then on your eating beforehand....they will not understand it when you say no meats, etc to them...

there are many buffets in bkk at all meals...every hotel has them: breakfast, lunch and dinner....they are often the best deal...many of us stay clear of them to some degree based on health concerns....i.e. how long has the food been sitting out there???

sofitels differ in quality around the world,,,

silom road is a great road to be on with lots of shopping and several good restaurants, so if you must stay there you won't be unhappy....i'm sorry if you feel that the marriott is not for you...

i think when you see how difficult getting around in bkk can be that you will not return to your hotel as often as you think you will...you also will waste lots of your precious time, of which you don't have much with only 3 days...

It's a shame that getting around BKK isn't so easy. I really do appreciate all the advice that everyone has given me. THANKS AGAIN! I looked up the Marriott for the period we will be in town and the cost is US$143/night. Although the Cdn currency has appreciated this year relative to the USD, it's still pretty pricey. The Sofitel Silom is only US$105/night (I know, you can't compare the two hotels). We can probably afford to stay at the Marriott since it's only 4 nights but we would have to cut down on quality of other hotels in the other cities we're going to (Luang Prabang, Siem Reap and HK). Due to the much higher cost of the Marriott and the location, it seems to make more sense to stay more centrally located (afterall, we don't have that much time in BKK as it is) - sorry rhkkmk. Our budget for this whole 17 day SE Asia trip for the two of us is US$8,000 (it's not high but it's a step up from backpacking). We've already spent almost half of that already on the airfares to all the destinations (all been bought already). So it doesn't leave us with too much money left. I'll keep looking into some of the other service apartments mentioned on this site.
Are there any "regulars" here from Canada (more specifically from Toronto)? It sounds like most of you are from the U.S. How long having you guys been "chatting" with each other?
Carol, how do you find the time to go back to BKK so often? At least with rhkkmk, I understand he's semi-retired. Sorry, I'm not trying to be nosy but you regular travelers are my new heroes. I'd like to be like you guys and am just trying to figure out how people do it.
I feel I've made some friends here so thought I should share a bit more info about myself. I'm 34 (Asian married to a Caucasian as mentioned earlier), born in Laos, moved to Canada shortly after turning 1, first time returning to the region of my heritage, 1 kid (but not the human kind, he's a K-9), have always loved to travel and can now start doing a bit more of it. Mostly traveled to the States and Europe, practically none in Asia or Latin America. Willing to go anywhere (except Las Vegas). And as a Canadian, I'm generally friendly unless you've caught me bright and early in the morning without me having a chance to have a diet coke first.

not a problem not to stay at marriott...i just love it so much that i don't want anyone to miss out on a bargain and nice place...

the sofitel is not exactly what i would call middle of the city...that would be in the sukhumvit area...sofitel is not all that far from the river...just a warning for you...

the serviced apartments are fantastic...you would like them...the centre point silom is very well located...they have several more in the center city: luang suan, wireless and one on a sukhumvit soi....

the omni where carol has stayed is right in the middle of the central area..

can certainly appreciate saving money....it is one way that allows us to travel as much as we do...

have you checked out the discount hotel sites, like www.huahin.20m.com.....you save tons with them....the 17.7% tax and service charges are included...

what hotels have you choosen in your other destinations??

oh, isn't canada a usa suburb??

Getting around Bangkok now is a lot easier than it used to be...as in ...during the pre-skytrain/subway era...not long ago...when it was a REAL mess. I used to just walk long distances in the heat instead of sitting in taxis in traffic forever. Just in December, it took me nearly half an hour to go about one long block down Sukumvit to get to another main street that the driver needed to go out to get me to the river area where I needed to drop off some fabric at my seamstress. Had I not had so much to carry, I would have been on the skytrain. Hotel location is important in BK...so since you're on limited time, pick one that's near a skytrain station. Happy Travels!

Ha! Since our new prime minister (aka Bush Jr) took over office earlier this year, I'm starting to think we are a suburb of the US!

The only place we've booked so far is in Luang Prabang. We're staying at the 3 Nagas so we can watch the line of monks from our hotel room balcony early in the morning.

Any accomodations suggestions for HK and Siem Reap for around US$100/night? The ones I'm contemplating are Standford Hillview in HK and Days Inn Angkor in Siem Reap but nothing concrete yet. Hey, in HK, is it better to stay on the Kowloon side or the side? We're in HK for 4 days too.