blairfell

Hey, we're going to bangkok, Yangon, bagan and Luang Prabang in August. Can anyone recommend good budget hotels for Bangkok, Yangon and Bagan? We'd like some place with wifi, character and AC in a fun area with public transport. Suggestions?

Smeagol

What do you consider Budget?

Kathie

How much per night do you hope to pay?

Note that Myanmar is no longer a budget destination. Due to a surge in tourism and insufficient numbers of hotel rooms, prices are up sharply - now the highest in mainland SE Asia. There is basically no public transport in Myanmar.

In Bangkok, just choose hotel near a sky train station. Take a look at a local Thai booking site: www.sawasdee.com Lots of option. The backpacker "ghetto" of KSR is not conveniently located for public transport.

Not much is "budget" priced any more in Luang Prabang, bur the prices aren't as high as in Myanmar.

blairfell

30-40 per night

Kathie

30-40 what? Euros? Pounds? Dollars? (US, Canadian, Australian?)

blairfell

Thanks. Is there any place that is particularly colorful in Bangkok. I will be writing in the mornings so would like a nice cafe nearby or in the hotel where I can sit and write. Are the other websites for hotels that are good... Is Agoda dependable?

blairfell

Sorry 30 or 40 USD per night is our budget

Kathie

Yes, agora is dependable. Remember to read all the fine print on any booking site - some rates must be paid in full at the time of booking, others can be cancelled without penalty.

IMO, everywhere in Bangkok is colorful. I prefer to stay on the river where the river traffic is endlessly fascinating.

blairfell

Great suggestion per the river. I heard Sikhumvet is the other good place to stay. Is the rainy season going to be a big problem?

LancasterLad

Kathie. The public ferry (Pier 13) makes the Khao San/Banglamphu area very convenient to link up with the Skytrain at Saphan Taksin.

It might be a bit of a problem after 1900 when the public ferries stop for the night, but Khao San is so vibrant after dark that for 1000s of folk (like me) it's the place to be. And it's a lot better value than either Siam or Sukhumvit.

Our favourite mid-range hotel is the New Siam Riverside. Here's my review on TA last year...

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...e-Bangkok.html

If you want a budget place somewhere a bit closer to Silom or Sukhumvit then have a look at...

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserR...l-Bangkok.html

blairfell

Thanks!

simpsonc510

If you opt to stay in the Sukhumvit area, anyone of the many coffee shops would be fine for sitting and writing. In particular is Holly's Coffee located very close to the Sofitel (ASOK skytrain station).

LancasterLad

I'd imagine that any coffee shop anywhere in Bangkok would be fine for sitting and writing.

Though preferably the location shouldn't be in the middle of heavy traffic or noise. Sat on my mid-range hotel terrace overlooking the mighty Chao Phraya would be my ideal spot.

blairfell

Beautiful idea.

Prachuap

Admiral Suites Bangkok is around $40 and rooms are good. Google it. You can book direct at the best rates. Soi 22 which has decent street food and is away from the sleaze on lower Sukhumvit sois.

Soi means side street in case u didnt know.

I normally agree with Lancaster Lad but this time I dont. Not a fan of KSR. Bit of a boring backpacker hangout.

Ibis Riverside is also around $40. Another option. Catching ferries is a good way to see the city.

Prachuap

I went into a pharmacy on KSR and they charged double what I would pay elsewhere in Bangkok.

Food wasnt very good either in that area.

Not sure why bps love it.

crellston

Khao San Road is not my idea of a great place to stay as it is a little too busy for my tastes but 20 something backpackers love it.. Each to their own. There are some nice places around that area but not actually on KSR and staying somewhere near the river is always a good idea. Different people have different ideas of what constitutes a good area to stay. That may be a wide variety of local restaurants, proximity to temples, markets or the river or maybe being close to public transport Avoiding an area because of prices in a pharmacy in the area is however a new one to me!

Blairfell - in addition to the booking sites mentioned, I suggest you have a look at www.hostelworld.com or www.hostelbookers.com - not just hostels but smaller hotels as well. The reviews are generally pretty accurate and the booking system efficient.

blairfell

Thanks everyone. This forum is amazing.

LancasterLad

Yep, whatever area you choose to stay and socialise, you need to be careful that you choose the right place for you.

When I say Khao San, it's because everyone's heard of it. If I said Banglamphu, then the chances a newbie to Bangkok wouldn't have a clue where it is. Khao San is in Banglamphu, but the latter covers a fair old radius, and with the odd exception perfectly acceptable quality within that radius.

My choice of hotel in Banglamphu, as I've mentioned above is the New Siam Riverside, right on the Chao Phraya River, and only a 100 yards from Pier 13 for the public ferry. It's about 400 yards from Khao San, with dozens if not hundreds of places to eat in between, some I'd avoid but most I'd be happy to try.

So far as eating goes in Banglamphu, then it's a case of taking the usual precautions...

- If the place is empty then avoid it;

- If it's full of locals then definitely try it;

- If it doesn't display a clear menu then avoid it;

- If there's a tout on the door then walk past;

- Have a look in the toilets first as they often given an indication as to what the kitchen looks like;

- If the bar area has fat-bellied, red-faced westerners sat at it with a Thai girl hanging round his neck, then definitely avoid it. But you're more likely to witness that in the more fashionable parts of the city;

- The street food stalls in Banglamphu are inevitably busy, they wouldn't survive if their cooking was unhygienic. They are v.cheap, and I've never had a reason to complain other than the fact that some of them insist you buy a beer too.

It's quite easy to find a nice hotel in places like Sukhumvit or Siam, only to find that most of the rooms are rented out on an hourly basis!

indo_traveller

We stayed in a budget style hotel central Yangoon in February

It was just around the corner from The Strand hotel along the strand.

The people running the hotel veery friendly and helpful

Cost about 50$

I can dig out more details if needed.

There are some great places to see in Myanmar on Moving Postcards

http://www.movingpostcards.tv/myanmar_-_burma/