Is boat shuttle at Marriott a hassle?
Jul 13th, 2006, 06:46 PM
#61
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hal---here goes...
yes we got the braclet and a ton of other stuff...and she already has a list and pics for this fall...can i have a loan from you??
we have dealt with thai stone for 10 years...our best man has dealt with them for 25 years...we find them totally honest...it is a small dumpy place...really dumpy....they are all family in there however and very nice....location: in the lobby of the nana hotel, soi 4, sukhumvit rd--best time to go is 10-8 monday to saturday...open some sundays i think...we see porn or mr lee...excellent english...
sapphires are very cheap in thailand...many come from there...they have them in all colors and all shades...karen likes dark blue ones although the lighter shades are more expensive--lucky me...kathie has quoted sapphires in bangkok at 1/3 the price of usa i think...
i hate pools if the truth be known...i am an ocean guy....but i love the pools in bkk as the water is warm but cooling...it is the only way outside that i can feel totally cooled down...i'm a big guy
its not that i did not like LP, i just was disappointed...i expected more...i am very glad that i went there...it is the perfect place for R&R and some sites and some shopping...i found the food only so so, except for the elephant rest. on the side street...i would go back to hang out...i did like the pansea...
shopping...both cities are different...HK is mnore organized and more expensive, although there are some fab bargains in HK--cashmere, knits, antiques, among the items i like..
bkk is a shoppers paradise: home goods, cheap clothing off the rack for very small people, custom made clothing, jewelry
if you see something that you like, buy it immediately...you might not see it again....the shopping is completely different in the two cities...
our favorite book on shopping is ron krannich's the treasurers and pleasurers of myanmar and thailand....he also has one on hong kong i think...available on amazon used...very reliable...and accurate...also a good restaurant section in the thai book
i will gladly send my pics of two trips if you send me the address:
[email protected]
yes we got the braclet and a ton of other stuff...and she already has a list and pics for this fall...can i have a loan from you??
we have dealt with thai stone for 10 years...our best man has dealt with them for 25 years...we find them totally honest...it is a small dumpy place...really dumpy....they are all family in there however and very nice....location: in the lobby of the nana hotel, soi 4, sukhumvit rd--best time to go is 10-8 monday to saturday...open some sundays i think...we see porn or mr lee...excellent english...
sapphires are very cheap in thailand...many come from there...they have them in all colors and all shades...karen likes dark blue ones although the lighter shades are more expensive--lucky me...kathie has quoted sapphires in bangkok at 1/3 the price of usa i think...
i hate pools if the truth be known...i am an ocean guy....but i love the pools in bkk as the water is warm but cooling...it is the only way outside that i can feel totally cooled down...i'm a big guy
its not that i did not like LP, i just was disappointed...i expected more...i am very glad that i went there...it is the perfect place for R&R and some sites and some shopping...i found the food only so so, except for the elephant rest. on the side street...i would go back to hang out...i did like the pansea...
shopping...both cities are different...HK is mnore organized and more expensive, although there are some fab bargains in HK--cashmere, knits, antiques, among the items i like..
bkk is a shoppers paradise: home goods, cheap clothing off the rack for very small people, custom made clothing, jewelry
if you see something that you like, buy it immediately...you might not see it again....the shopping is completely different in the two cities...
our favorite book on shopping is ron krannich's the treasurers and pleasurers of myanmar and thailand....he also has one on hong kong i think...available on amazon used...very reliable...and accurate...also a good restaurant section in the thai book
i will gladly send my pics of two trips if you send me the address:
[email protected]
Jul 14th, 2006, 03:48 AM
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Hal, I think you'll really like LP - a complete contrast to BKK & HK. A quiet, laid back small town feel between two rivers. Lovely to just walk around. Gentle, warm, friendly people, monks and temples everywhere. Lots of beautiful woodcarvings and silk weavings. We loved the restaurant at the 3 Nagas, but since you are a vegetarian food may be a bit of a problem for you in Laos - Buffalo is very popular. But noodle dishes are always available & there were many eggplant dishes, but can't remember if they had meat in them.
As far as the river hotels being inconvenient, it depends on what you want to do. Many of the best things to do in BKK are on the river - the Grand Palace, Wat Po, Wat Arun & the flower market. On the other hand, if your main interest is shopping, being in center city will be more important, but then you will be quite a distance from the other sites and activities on the river. Personally, I would find staying in the Silom area where the Sofitel is a hassle & unpleasant. I think the area may be a little seedy. We like being able to escape the heat and traffic of the city by going back to our hotel on the river for a break. The Marriott may be too far away from the sky train for you, but I think you should consider other hotels or serviced apartments on the river nearer to the skytrain. Take another look at Centre Point Silom on sawadee.com, which is in your price range & has received lots of great reviews. I think it will give you the best of both worlds - good location, near the river, & more convenient to a skytrain station.
As far as the river hotels being inconvenient, it depends on what you want to do. Many of the best things to do in BKK are on the river - the Grand Palace, Wat Po, Wat Arun & the flower market. On the other hand, if your main interest is shopping, being in center city will be more important, but then you will be quite a distance from the other sites and activities on the river. Personally, I would find staying in the Silom area where the Sofitel is a hassle & unpleasant. I think the area may be a little seedy. We like being able to escape the heat and traffic of the city by going back to our hotel on the river for a break. The Marriott may be too far away from the sky train for you, but I think you should consider other hotels or serviced apartments on the river nearer to the skytrain. Take another look at Centre Point Silom on sawadee.com, which is in your price range & has received lots of great reviews. I think it will give you the best of both worlds - good location, near the river, & more convenient to a skytrain station.
Jul 14th, 2006, 06:34 AM
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Bangkok is a much better city for shopping, prices are better and there is more ready availability of crafts and unique items.
I was not the one who stayed at 3 Nagas. I stayed at the Pansea (and loved it). Part of the reason Bob wasn't thrilled with LP was that he has hurt his back, so didn't do many of the things that make LP special. I loved the Pak Ou caves (not everyone does) as well as the boat trip. We went out to both waterfalls outside of town as well as the silk-weaving co-op. We also happened to be in LP at the time of the Hmong New Year and were able to visit a Hmong village where the new year's celebrations were going on. Hmongs from all all over area came to the village for the celebration. We were the only visitors. By the way, we spent a week in Lp. Also, do make sure you visit some of the wats off teh tourist track in town.
If you want to look at photos of all of those places and many more: www.marlandc.com
I was not the one who stayed at 3 Nagas. I stayed at the Pansea (and loved it). Part of the reason Bob wasn't thrilled with LP was that he has hurt his back, so didn't do many of the things that make LP special. I loved the Pak Ou caves (not everyone does) as well as the boat trip. We went out to both waterfalls outside of town as well as the silk-weaving co-op. We also happened to be in LP at the time of the Hmong New Year and were able to visit a Hmong village where the new year's celebrations were going on. Hmongs from all all over area came to the village for the celebration. We were the only visitors. By the way, we spent a week in Lp. Also, do make sure you visit some of the wats off teh tourist track in town.
If you want to look at photos of all of those places and many more: www.marlandc.com
Jul 14th, 2006, 08:09 AM
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And a note about jewelry shopping. I also have a jeweler in Bangkok, one I've been using for over 20 years. Let me know if you need that name and address. My experience is that you can buy loose sapphires in Bangkok for one-fourth the US retail price (one half the US wholesale price).
Jul 14th, 2006, 11:10 AM
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Hi everyone,
I've looked into the hotels kindly suggested by everyone. The Landmark is too expense for December (cheapest room was US$140/night) - u guys have EXPENSIVE taste! Centerpoint Silom's website looks good but when I went onto tripadviser and saw someone's candid photos of their room, it looked really dated and "dirty" (the carpet was all dark and dingy and the bedroom was a throwback to the 70's - maybe this particular traveler just got a bad room?). Doesn't sound like you guys are too keen on Sofitel Silom (that's okay). Then I went onto the Grande Majestic website and it looks great and better yet, the price is in the right range! Thanks Bob and Carol! Has anyone had any personal experience with this hotel? Do the room photos on the hotel website ww.majesticgrande.com look anything like the rooms they give to guest (we had a bad experience in Paris with this - walked into our hotel room and knew immediately that the photos on hotel.com were not even from the same hotel we were staying in!). What about location of the Majestic Grande (it's on Soi 2 and Sukhumvit) - good location, bad location? Is it far from skytrain or underground?
Guenmai - thanks for directing me to Nancy Chandler - I'm going to order a map from her.
Bob - I'll look into the Ron Kannachi treasure book although I'm wondering if I even need one since I've gotten so many great places (shops and restaurants) from your trip report from last year. I've also got a quite a few from the other veterans as well. Bob, I'll also pop you an email soon with my address for the photos. THANKS!
Kathie - fire away on the jeweler. Hey, since we're on the topic of jewels, has anyone had any bad experience in getting ripped off when they purchased jewelry (either set or loose) from BKK? I've only purchased jewelry from overseas once (a pink sapphire/diamond bracelet from Aruba). I always worry about buying expensive things like jewelry from oversears but that's only because I hear all these bad stories about people paying a fortune for fakes. Kathie, will your jewelry also set the loose sapphires for me? Canadian jewelers charge a fortune for setting (no point in buying loose stones if I can't afford to have them set and wear them).
I've looked into the hotels kindly suggested by everyone. The Landmark is too expense for December (cheapest room was US$140/night) - u guys have EXPENSIVE taste! Centerpoint Silom's website looks good but when I went onto tripadviser and saw someone's candid photos of their room, it looked really dated and "dirty" (the carpet was all dark and dingy and the bedroom was a throwback to the 70's - maybe this particular traveler just got a bad room?). Doesn't sound like you guys are too keen on Sofitel Silom (that's okay). Then I went onto the Grande Majestic website and it looks great and better yet, the price is in the right range! Thanks Bob and Carol! Has anyone had any personal experience with this hotel? Do the room photos on the hotel website ww.majesticgrande.com look anything like the rooms they give to guest (we had a bad experience in Paris with this - walked into our hotel room and knew immediately that the photos on hotel.com were not even from the same hotel we were staying in!). What about location of the Majestic Grande (it's on Soi 2 and Sukhumvit) - good location, bad location? Is it far from skytrain or underground?
Guenmai - thanks for directing me to Nancy Chandler - I'm going to order a map from her.
Bob - I'll look into the Ron Kannachi treasure book although I'm wondering if I even need one since I've gotten so many great places (shops and restaurants) from your trip report from last year. I've also got a quite a few from the other veterans as well. Bob, I'll also pop you an email soon with my address for the photos. THANKS!
Kathie - fire away on the jeweler. Hey, since we're on the topic of jewels, has anyone had any bad experience in getting ripped off when they purchased jewelry (either set or loose) from BKK? I've only purchased jewelry from overseas once (a pink sapphire/diamond bracelet from Aruba). I always worry about buying expensive things like jewelry from oversears but that's only because I hear all these bad stories about people paying a fortune for fakes. Kathie, will your jewelry also set the loose sapphires for me? Canadian jewelers charge a fortune for setting (no point in buying loose stones if I can't afford to have them set and wear them).
Jul 14th, 2006, 01:07 PM
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Hali..
I've had a personal tour of the Majestic Grande and have posted photos at this link. It seems to work OK.
http://www.cjscollection.com/album2.php
You can get a slide show of Thailand by clicking on the box above the photo on the page. The Majestic Grande, as well as a number of other hotels and restaurants are in my photos there.
Carol
I've had a personal tour of the Majestic Grande and have posted photos at this link. It seems to work OK.
http://www.cjscollection.com/album2.php
You can get a slide show of Thailand by clicking on the box above the photo on the page. The Majestic Grande, as well as a number of other hotels and restaurants are in my photos there.
Carol
Jul 14th, 2006, 01:24 PM
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I added two photos at the very end of the slide show on my site. One is of a Majestic Grande suite and the other one is of the lobby.
I would stay at this hotel without hesitation (if I didn't prefer to be in a service apartment). The location is just a short walk to the skytrain station.
Carol
I would stay at this hotel without hesitation (if I didn't prefer to be in a service apartment). The location is just a short walk to the skytrain station.
Carol
Jul 14th, 2006, 02:44 PM
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Lots of people had had bad experiences buy jewelry in Thailand. But then, they fall for the "special governemnt sale, today only" with the confederates who tell you that they come to Bangkok every year to buy jewelry to re-sell at home and pay for their trip... Never go to any jewelry store that a cab driver or tuk-tuk driver wants to take you to! But if you use common sense (one of my favorite signs was "Do not buy jewelry on the beach as you would not in your own country"
and have referrals you can buy things for VERY good prices.
My jeweler is SJ International. Call them and they will send a car for you (free - and no pressure to buy). When you get there, ask for Lily. And if you tell her that "Kathie from Seattle" sent you, the prices will drop significantly. I'm at work right now and don't have the card with me. I'll have to post the phone numbers and address when I get home. The info has been given many times on this board, so a search may turn it up. You may also see my story about having an earring jacket duplicated in Bangkok for a quarter of the special price my jeweler here in Seattle was willing to do it.
Yes, they do set stones, and they have lots of ready-made jewelry.
and have referrals you can buy things for VERY good prices.My jeweler is SJ International. Call them and they will send a car for you (free - and no pressure to buy). When you get there, ask for Lily. And if you tell her that "Kathie from Seattle" sent you, the prices will drop significantly. I'm at work right now and don't have the card with me. I'll have to post the phone numbers and address when I get home. The info has been given many times on this board, so a search may turn it up. You may also see my story about having an earring jacket duplicated in Bangkok for a quarter of the special price my jeweler here in Seattle was willing to do it.
Yes, they do set stones, and they have lots of ready-made jewelry.
Jul 14th, 2006, 06:52 PM
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also do not buy "gems" on the street or in open stalls in markets...mostly plastic or glass...
all jewelers will mount things for you in bkk for an unbelievable price....they also do repairs and duplicate that missing earing for a very low price....we always gather stuff to take for repairs and take friends stuff too...
the majestic location is fabulous...right next to the jw marriott and about 2 blocks from the nana skytrain stop and not far from the next one too---is it called plenochit??
one fodorites' daughter stayed there recently,...i will ask her to comment for you...
the place is less than 2 years old...its very convenient...
i have toured the cp silom...the rooms are very nice and 1990's, not 1970's....the beds seem comfy...i sat on two...remember the price you are paying---its not the ritz!! and paris is paris and they will rip you off if they can and they do...
all jewelers will mount things for you in bkk for an unbelievable price....they also do repairs and duplicate that missing earing for a very low price....we always gather stuff to take for repairs and take friends stuff too...
the majestic location is fabulous...right next to the jw marriott and about 2 blocks from the nana skytrain stop and not far from the next one too---is it called plenochit??
one fodorites' daughter stayed there recently,...i will ask her to comment for you...
the place is less than 2 years old...its very convenient...
i have toured the cp silom...the rooms are very nice and 1990's, not 1970's....the beds seem comfy...i sat on two...remember the price you are paying---its not the ritz!! and paris is paris and they will rip you off if they can and they do...
Jul 15th, 2006, 10:30 PM
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So how much do you want to spend? remember that a $50 hotel is equivalent to a $100 hotel in most countries. Bangkok is world renowned for offering the best values for hotels. Even the Oriental and Peninsula which are considered some of the top hotles in the world offer a great value compared to anything offered in the US or Europe.
the sofitel is near patpong red light district, but it's not that bad.
Ya fodorites have lots of loot. I'm probably the poorest OG fodorite here but tthat's cool.. I tend to help out the budget travalers and backpackers that get lost and end of up here..
the sofitel is near patpong red light district, but it's not that bad.
Ya fodorites have lots of loot. I'm probably the poorest OG fodorite here but tthat's cool.. I tend to help out the budget travalers and backpackers that get lost and end of up here..
Jul 16th, 2006, 05:19 PM
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Orgy, the budget is US$100/night.
Carol, thanks so much for the photos. The rooms look fine at the Grande Majestic and price is right up our alley. In the end, I suppose it doesn't really matter so long as the location is decent and the rooms are clean and comfortable. It's not like we're living there forever - it's only 4 nights. Just a curiosity, what did you think about the size of the rooms at the Majestic?
Kathie - thanks about the jeweler. I'll have to look up your story about the earring jacket and look up your photos. BTW, is Bangkok cheap for any other gems besides sapphire? How about good quality diamonds?
Carol, thanks so much for the photos. The rooms look fine at the Grande Majestic and price is right up our alley. In the end, I suppose it doesn't really matter so long as the location is decent and the rooms are clean and comfortable. It's not like we're living there forever - it's only 4 nights. Just a curiosity, what did you think about the size of the rooms at the Majestic?
Kathie - thanks about the jeweler. I'll have to look up your story about the earring jacket and look up your photos. BTW, is Bangkok cheap for any other gems besides sapphire? How about good quality diamonds?
Jul 16th, 2006, 06:00 PM
#76
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As for other kinds of jewelry, rubies are also a good deal, as they are mined in Burma and in Thailand. Diamonds are internationally priced, so you won't get much of a break on those. You'll find that all hand-work is inexpensive, so having gems set and having jewelry cutom made is well-priced.
Jul 16th, 2006, 06:11 PM
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I decided to find my account of the earring jacket for you. This is from my November, 2003 trip report:
"Of course, I paid a visit to my favorite Bangkok Jeweler, SJ International (125/8 Sawankhalok Road, Dusit, Bangkok, phone 02-2432446; call for pick up at your hotel). I timed the ride from the Royal Orchid, it took us 20 minutes to get there, leaving at 10 am, and about 25 minutes to get back to the Royal Orchid leaving at about 11:30. One indicator of price: I lost a ruby earring jacket a few months ago. The jeweler here in Seattle who sold me the pair could replace it at a discount for me for $540. I thought the price was outrageous, and took the remaining jacket along with me to Bangkok. The price from SJ was US$120. SJ was very apologetic that they had to charge me so much to duplicate it, but it was an unusual design, and it had to be done by hand. "
"Of course, I paid a visit to my favorite Bangkok Jeweler, SJ International (125/8 Sawankhalok Road, Dusit, Bangkok, phone 02-2432446; call for pick up at your hotel). I timed the ride from the Royal Orchid, it took us 20 minutes to get there, leaving at 10 am, and about 25 minutes to get back to the Royal Orchid leaving at about 11:30. One indicator of price: I lost a ruby earring jacket a few months ago. The jeweler here in Seattle who sold me the pair could replace it at a discount for me for $540. I thought the price was outrageous, and took the remaining jacket along with me to Bangkok. The price from SJ was US$120. SJ was very apologetic that they had to charge me so much to duplicate it, but it was an unusual design, and it had to be done by hand. "
Jul 16th, 2006, 09:33 PM
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Hi Haliburton33,
Just back from vacation and have read your inquiry about the Majestic Grande Hotel. Our oldest daughter, who was living in Thailand this past year, spent time there with a girlfriend who was visiting, and I wrote a thread on Asia Fodor's about her experience there. Please do a search under Terryr's daughter's report on the Majestic Grande in BKK which will get you to my write-up of 4/06.
My husband, our younger daughter, and I went to BKK over the Christmas holiday to see our older daughter, and we all had the pleasure of staying at the Marriott Resort and Spa which we loved! Our experience at the Marriott is very much a part of our family's overall positive memories of our first-time trip to Bangkok. The rooms at the Marriott are much bigger than at the Majestic Grande, as our older daughter described, but she enjoyed her stay at the MG very much...and it was so close to the shops and nightlife.
By the way, I also posted a thread about our visit to Siem Reap, also back in December when we were in SEA, and you can also read that one if you search under Terryr's report on Siem Reap.
You're in for a real treat this December!...the next time I return, I am heading over to SJ International Jeweler's as recommended by Kathie as well as the one recommended by rhkkmk/Bob.
Terry
Looking forward to seeing the rest of you Fodorites at the Boston GTG!
Just back from vacation and have read your inquiry about the Majestic Grande Hotel. Our oldest daughter, who was living in Thailand this past year, spent time there with a girlfriend who was visiting, and I wrote a thread on Asia Fodor's about her experience there. Please do a search under Terryr's daughter's report on the Majestic Grande in BKK which will get you to my write-up of 4/06.
My husband, our younger daughter, and I went to BKK over the Christmas holiday to see our older daughter, and we all had the pleasure of staying at the Marriott Resort and Spa which we loved! Our experience at the Marriott is very much a part of our family's overall positive memories of our first-time trip to Bangkok. The rooms at the Marriott are much bigger than at the Majestic Grande, as our older daughter described, but she enjoyed her stay at the MG very much...and it was so close to the shops and nightlife.
By the way, I also posted a thread about our visit to Siem Reap, also back in December when we were in SEA, and you can also read that one if you search under Terryr's report on Siem Reap.
You're in for a real treat this December!...the next time I return, I am heading over to SJ International Jeweler's as recommended by Kathie as well as the one recommended by rhkkmk/Bob.
Terry
Looking forward to seeing the rest of you Fodorites at the Boston GTG!
