Which would you choose. Positve negatives of the three. They're in the same area correct? I would save some staying at the Sheraton. Thanks for any advice

Same area, no. The Marriott is a long way down river from the other two. Some see that as a problem, even though the hotel does have a free river shuttle to the sktrain pier, as do the other two hotels.

The Sheraton is the only one on the "right" side of the river. The only advantage that really brings is that there are good restaurants and shops within walking distance of the hotel, and it's a bit easier to get to/from when the boats aren't running (at night). If you can get a Towers room at the Sheraton for a price competitive with the other two, then it would be the best choice.

I've long stayed in the Towers at the Royal Orchid. It's my "home" in Bangkok. The Towers rooms are more expensive as they include breakfast, afternoon canapes and cocktails, internet access in the club, etc. You also get more personalized service.

The regular rooms are fine, though not very interesting except for the stunning view of the river.

I love the location, as you are right on the river, can take the water taxis to a number of wats, can take the hotel shuttle to the Skytrain which then gives easy access to the whole Sukhumvit area for shopping and restaurants, As Michael says, there are a number of good restaurants within easy walking distance of the ROS. You are also next door to River City, the Arts and Antiques mall.

Being on the "right" side of the river is very helpful should you want or need to take a taxi.

the hilton and sheraton are opposite each other on the river...both have boats to the skytrain, but not as often as does the marriott, which is every 15 minutes...

each hotel is very different....hilton is the newest...marriott has the best pool area, but sheraton has two pools, one of which is very nice and the hilton has a pool on maybe floor 6 that is very unique and overlooks the river....

we found the rooms at hilton to be a bit odd and some are quite far back from the river itself....they have very little thai feeling....sheraton rooms are ok....marriott rooms have some thai touches..

i love the river boat ride to marriott at the beginning and end of the day...you really see a lot of river life....marriott is a bit of an oasis and we think the air is cleaner and cooler a bit there...

bottom line is you would be happy at any of them...

I was booked at the Marriott, but have now moved to the ROS. 2 reasons: It is on the "right" side of the river and I saved a lot of money. Thru October 31, 2009. Stay 2 nights 3rd is free promotion going on at the ROS. My booking at the Marriott was a king bed, high floor for about $495.00 for 3 nights total. My new booking at the ROS is a king bed, high floor, premium deluxe, but no breakfast $324.52 for 3 nights total Money saved will go for Tong

A "high floor" at the Marriott? Isn't that a contradiction in terms? I thought they were participating in the 3rd night free promotion as well. Most hotels in Thailand are.

JeffyJ... just curious...
Did you take a look at the Shangri-La? It has the "best" river location, as it is on the "right" side, AND it is next to the skytrain station. No taxi necessary, no river shuttle necessary; just a few steps out the door and you are boarding a skytrain that will whisk you away, above the traffic of Bangkok. I've not stayed there, but it is mentioned very often here.
Carol

simpsonc510 I would love to stay at the Shangri-La; however thats $100 more than all the others----staying 6 nights , I would rather use the $600 on something else. You all have been so helpful thank you so much. So helpful that I still don't know which to choose. Does being on the opposite side of the river really matter? Does it take that long? A pool, a really nice one gets major points for me. How far down is the Marriot from everything else? Can you walk to the Sky train from any of them (once you're on the right side of the river that is). Thanks again everyone. I gotta make up my mind fast I leave in 2 weeks.

Both the Marriott and the Royal Orchid Sheraton have very nice pools. Relaxing escapes from the frenzy of BKK. You can walk to the skytrain from the ROS, but there's a ferry every 1/2 hour and it's easy to time your trips to the skytrain. The deal noted above for the ROS looks very good. We always stay there with points and love walking to some really good restaurants, e.g., Gallery Cafe, Harmonique, Tongue Thai.

Between the ROS and the Marriott, I would just be guided by price and get on with planning the rest of the trip. You will be fine, either way.

As to the narrower question of whether the Marriott's location is disadvantageous, we fall into two camps with very different opinions. Like rhkkmk, my husband and I love the fact that the Marriott's location requires us to take the (about 15 minute) hotel boat ride to the Taksin bridge before we head out on the Skytrain or water taxis. That relaxing quarter-hour is actually a dividend rather than a burden to us. The boat service is frequent and the staff are very charming and welcoming. When you are going out for the day, it feels like a peaceful transition time. When you are returning, it feels like coming "home" once you step on board your hotel boat.

It is a matter of personal preference. We prefer to move slowly and savour things at a relaxed pace; what we like, you may find pokey. If you are fast moving and high energy, you may well find that the regular boat ride -- what to me is an opportunity to observe river traffic and riverside life at different times of day -- is a nuisance.

marya_ not to butt in but once Marriots ferry drops you at the "right" side of the river can you walk to the Sky train or do you have to take a shuttle as well. I'm having the same problem deciding to stay on which side of the river. Do you have to take a shuttle with all three hotels to the sky train? Thanks. Sorry Jeffyj for stealing your post.

Running late so will just say that the Marriott boat drops you right at Taksin Bridge which is the terminus of the Skytrain's Silom line. You exit the pier, walk a few paces, go up a set of stairs and you are at the Skytrain stop. 1-2 minutes and very simple.

You can also transfer in a few simple steps from the Marriott boat to water taxis or hotel boats. The boat landing area is small but very busy. The Shangri-la Hotel is right there so you can always find a taxi there if not near the boat landing.

Hope this helps and that others can describe transportation options for other hotels.

Mo & Jeffy

No problem with the "other" side of the river, regardless of which hotel you select. They all have shuttle boats that will drop you off at Taksin pier, which is on the ground, directly under the Taksin skytrain station. No shuttle needed. Just climb the stairs to the station.

The boat ride down the river to the Marriott is really not bad at all... rather relaxing I would say. The ride to the Sheraton or Hilton is not as long. Montien Riverside? It's waaaaay up river, I think. I would not choose it!!

Let price be your guide, if that's important to you. You will be happy with which ever one you select. Staying along the river is nice for first-timers to Bangkok. I've done it myself, actually 3 times. Now, I've moved "into" the more central part of Bangkok and am really enjoying being much closer to friends and shopping.

Carol

the only hotel easy to access the skytrain by foot is the shangri-la....you can walk from the oriental and the sheraton but i suspect it would take 20-30 minutes and in that humidity its ugly...

all the hotel boats pull up to a pier sort of under and overpass....the skytrain station is just 100 meters from the river and up a set of stairs...

I've narrowed it to Marriot and Sheraton but I am stuck there. My question is if you still have to take a shuttle from the Sheraton to the Sky Train whats the big deal with the ferry from Marriot----more time. When you say shuttle I am imagine auto mobile ;however some of you say Sheraton to sky train by boat shuttle. Sorry to sound so thick headed.

The shuttles referred to here are boats.

There are three differences in the convenience of location between the ROS and the Marriott. One has to do with the length of the boat ride to and from the dock below the skytrain; the second has to do with the convenience when you need to take a taxi - the Marriott drive includes a bridge which can be very congested and can take more time; the third has to do with what is within walking distance from the hotel. Basically, there is a mini-mall close to the Marriott. From the ROS, there are a number of good restaurants within walking distance, Gallery Cafe, Harmonique, and Tongue Thai are three. There is arts and antiques shopping next door to the ROS, there are silver shops along New Road which is walking distance, the shops at Oriental Place are walking distance. The water taxis are also more convenient to the ROS.

People either love being "out" of the city at the Marriottt (you aren't truly outside of Bangkok, but it feels very different than the closer-in locations) or it drives them crazy. Only you can decide what is right for you.

I've not stayed at Sheraton, but I believe the others are talking about the boat shuttle from there to the skytrain station at Saphan Taksin pier. Same place the other hotel shuttle boats launch. From the Sheraton, you could also take a taxi (but I wouldn't bother with that... Bangkok has lots of traffic). Boats are handier! They don't encounter red lights that stay red for several minutes.

It takes a little bit longer (not much) to get to and from the Marriott. But the ride down the river is relaxing...

Shuttle=ferry. Another aspect to staying at the ROS is that if you're in a hurry, Taxi's are much quicker than to/from the Marriott. Don't agonize too much. Both hotels will suit. Just decide and move on. You'll be pleased whichever you choose.