those rates would be about equal then as breakfast is about $10-15 each....

i do not find the sheraton to be well located for public transportation...they do not have a boat to the taskim pier and the walk is boring....you can take another public boat from the pier for a small fee....the marriott boat takes you directly to the taskim pier every 15 minutes for free....i hate to keep harping on the marriott, but for my money it is the far superior hotel, and i love the 10 minute boat ride to taskim

The Menam Riverside is a nice hotel. www.asiatravel.com usually has some good package rates. The hotel provides a free shuttle bus to the River City shopping center where you can take the water bus or the Sky train.
You should also check out http://p070.ezboard.com/fpricelinean...abiddingfrm262 and consider bidding on a 4* Priceline hotel. I got a great price on the Marriott Resort on the river last year, but I don't remember the price.

The Royal Orchid Sheraton is where I always stay. I do opt for the Towers because of the extra amenities (breakfast, evening drinks and canapes in the Club, free laundry, etc). personally, I think the location is great. You're right next to the pier for the water taxi. And having River City next door is very convenient. Bob loves the Marriott, it's his home away from home.

I've never stayed at either the marriott or sheraton but have been to both. I agree with kathie that the location of the Sheraton is great.

I think they should pay Bob...he's their best cheerleader/tour director! I may not use Expedia after all--that good rate didn't include the extra fees and taxes, so am checking on the sites some of you gave me.

i can only call it as i see it, and i find the sheraton to be a 6 and the marriott a 9 on the 10 scale...i like being next door to river city as we buy a lot there, but i find the sheraton to be boring....you could just as well be in des moines as in bkk if you did not look out the window....the suite we had was adequate, but slightly worn around the edges and not furnished well....we won't even go into the chemical smell from their renovations that drove us from the hotel....
the marriott is not perfect but has thai touches from the time you enter the property and aims to keep everything tip top with little or no customer inconvenience....they are cheaper also....i love the ride on the river every day as well...i will never win as the sheraton has tons of friends, but i will keep reminding fodorites how good the marriott is...

i find the hua hin site to provide excellent service

These debates go on and on and one day I'll have to try the Marriott and see, since rhkkmk really likes it. I just haven't managed to make the effort, but one of these days. For my next visit, I am going to try the Sheraton Grand Sukhumvit, which is another story.

I still find that the Sheraton Orchid is a good choice because you are better located for taxi travel, plus you can walk to the local river-bus pier that is practically next door and it takes you to the Taksim Pier/Sky train and also to the Royal Palace.

In Bangkok, it's always fun to try another hotel next visit.

boron...you are correct in everything you have said about taxi availability and walking....i think you will love the sheraton grande---have to admit i have been into it a couple of times to use the bathrooms only....someone wrote recently that it has a great pool area....i will be interested in your review which i hope you will post here....i intend to go in this trip and look at the pool area for myself...it is much newer than the orchid so should be an improvement, but of course in my opinion anything is up....

rhkkmk,
I'll let you know about the hotel and espeicially the pool, which was recommended as a very good choice for BKK in the city area. I'll be in BKK for only 2 days (it's on return from Oman to home in Tokyo) so wanted to try a city hotel and enjoy a little Thai resort ambience in BKK.

Next time, the Marriott without question.

i know quite a few restaurants in the sukhumvit area so if you want suggestions, tell me what you like and i may have some insight for you...type and cost???

Bob, While you're in the restaurant suggesting mood, I'd love some ideas too. Places on or by the river? We're starting in Bangkok, so will be ready for the cuisine of the country. Heading for Sukothai, Chiang Mai, then onto Cambodia and Vietnam.
Would love more suggestions now that I've booked the hotel. Thanks!

rhkkmk,

Thanks for the offer. I usually eat Thai and prefer low-key to mid-range places. This time, especially since I'm traveling single, if you could suggest places where lone-travelers wouldn't feel out of place, I'd really appreciate it.
Thanks again.

will post tomorrow

seems like you primrily want to know about thai places...

harmonique is my all time favorite, but it is near the river...it is on a soi which is just to the left of the main post office on new road, which is the main street one block in from the river...it is very reasonable and fantastic....service could use some help but the food is great....dinner for 2 with beers is about $20...

in the same area is tongue thai...it is located just opposite to the oriental place building...i have not been there yet but many like it...will visit in june...

the yok yor restaurants on the river are popular, although i have never been...

gallery cafe just around the corner from the sheraton orchid is very very good and also thai

many like lemongrass which is on soi 24, sukhumvit rd...its best to have a reservation

baam khanitha on soi 23 sukhumvit rd is fantastic...res. absolutely necessary....

the spice market in the four seasons hotel is good...

ruen thai on the 5th floor of the hyatt hotel has a fantastic thai buffet eat from the menu lunch...

thanjing in back of the holiday inn on silom is very nice in an elegant thai house

cabbages and condoms on soi 12, sukhumvit rd is a favorite of many, although i found the food only so so...the shop is interesting ...

other non thai places that i like are:

crespes and co on soi 12, sukhumvit is a favorite

biscotti in the four seasons is our absolute favorite bkk rest....

the dim sum lunch in the conrad hotel on the 3rd floor is fantastic...

the sunday brunch at the indian restaurant in the rembrandt hotel is unbelievable

senses in the gayforn plaza is very good...

the lord jim in the oriental has a fantastic buffet luncheon...

soi 23 sukhumvit has lots of good restaurants...all along the soi off of sukhumvit you find tons of great restaurants...

we do not eat from street vendors at all

two corrections for typing errors:

crepes and co

gaysorn plaza

Wow! rhkkmk, that's a terrific list. It looks like I could eat for weeks but unfortunately all I have this time is a mere 2 days. I've printed it already and its going in the suitcase. I'll keep if for reference when I'm in BKK again.

Thanks a lot.

Boron

Have not seen a plug for the Penn in a while so I'll drop it here.

The Penn..... a 10!

bill---is that the penn in manila??