excited_confused

Hi, we have a 2 night stay in Bangkok on our way in to Phuket and one night on our way back. After doing a lot of research, have narrowed down my choices but can't seem to settle on one so as usual, decided to turn to Fodorites for help! I am trying to decide between Le Meridien, The Westin & the Holiday Inn (executive Club room) in Bangkok. They are all around the $120-140 range, Westin being the highest. The Holiday Inn is the only one that includes breakfast but of course, the other hotels are better. I really like the Meridien, just not sure of the location, if we will be uncomfortable being that close to the red light area etc although the corner room looks amazing!

On the way back, thought we would stay on the river, maybe the Ramada? That is about $100 per night.

In Phuket, I am trying to decide between the Hilton, Le Meridien & the Movenpick, all at Karom Beach. I want to stay in the Patong/Karom/Kata area. Want something on a nice beach, preferably with a sea view & not too crowded, though not dead at night either.

Any input that would help me decide would be great! Thanks in advance.

simpsonc510

Le Meridien Phuket is on its own stretch of beach, which means having to leave at night, by taxi or tsongtau (truck with benches in back) to get to somewhere to walk around. I really like Kata Beach, personally. You do not need to take a taxi anywhere. The beach is busier, yes. Also, Kata Noi (KataThani Resort) would be a great choice, but also requires a (much shorter) taxi ride to get to Kata restaurants and shops and night life. I don't care much for Patong. I try to avoid staying on that stretch of beach, preferring to only go there for maybe an afternoon of walking/shopping.

Holiday Inn might be nicer than you think in BKK and the location is right at the skytrain station (Chitlom). I stayed here a few years ago and thought it was a great choice for that particular time I was in the city. I have since relocated to the Sukhumvit area, soi 8, to an apartment hotel instead.

I do not know where the Ramada is located along the river. I would also consider the Ibis, which I know for sure to be close to the Taksin skytrain station at the river. Ibis is the newest of the river hotels, if I'm not mistaken.

Enjoy your trip.

Carol

galactus

I'm assuming by the Ramada you mean the Ramada Plaza Menam since there are multiple Ramada's in Bangkok. In case so, excellent choice. In the first leg, I'm not sure why you are not choosing Ramada again, but among the three choices you are facing - the Westin is quite simply better than the other two.

In Phuket, again among the choices you are looking at - I'd choose the Movenpick for the staff and the gardens. Its a beautiful resort.

Smeagol

How about the millennium on the river in Bangkok? ( just up from the peninsula) their rooms are quite good value!

Kalil_Daoud

For Bangko on the first leg, Le Meridien is sort of in a not-so-desirable area and not near a BTS line.

The Westin is right by Asok BTS station but the rooms and service are mediocre, at least that's what I experienced in my two stays there.

The Holiday Inn (executive Club room): which one, lower Silom near State Tower or Ploenchit near the ICH? Either way, use Steve Sickel's F&F rate website for a better rate effectively getting a free upgrade and/or club access. See http://www.ihgfriendsandfamily.com/stevesickel

rhkkmk

BKK: the meridien is in an ok location really... yes, patpong is around the corner, but that should not bother you really... there are some decent restaurants in the area and lots of good shopping including the main jim thompson store at the corner with rama IV...

the hotel smeagol speaks of is a hilton

i'd like to suggest the chatrium instead of all the others, both at the beginning and at the end...same price range and right on the river, with bigger living space, nice balcony, and a very good breakfast---same price range...

there is also more than one holiday inn... if you are looking at the bangkok holiday inn on plenochit, then that is a good choice, but the HI silom is not....


other central hotels: marriott mayfair (i really like the neighborhood and its pool), and the marriott courtyard..


phuket: i really like the meridien...its pool is lovely and its beach is the best in the area.... plus it is easy to get to patong (horid place really).

any interest in the marriott in khoa lak? it has a fab rate and is just one hour north of phuket

MichaelBKK

The Ramada riverside is quite a long way from anything, and it's not nearly as nice as the Marriott. It's actually a very old hotel, although it only recently became a Ramada.

In Phuket, I would go for the Movenpick of the choices you listed. The Hilton is a really big hotel, and it's a far way down the beach from the restaurant area at the north end.

excited_confused

Thanks everyone for the replies, I guess I am still confused! Thanks for recommending the stevesickel website, the rates are lower than the ones I have found, how does it work? I also see the Intercontinental listed on there for $120, is that a better option? I was thinking of the Bangkok Holiday Inn next dooe & their rate for a Club Executive room is 2744 baht (about $90) so I guesss that is tempting! How are the rooms compared to the Meridien or Westin? I do like a 'Wow' factor in the rooms & seemed like the Meridien corner room would provide that but do not want to go with the Meridien if the location is not great. What sightseeing should we do on our first leg & what should we save for the 2nd when we will be staying near the river? Will really only have half a day for sightseeing on our overnight return from Phuket. I have booked the Ramada Plasa Menam since it was just under $100 per night, should I really be changing that? Will look into the Chatrium.
In Phuket, I am not really keen on the Hilton but it had the lowest rate, Both the Movenpick & Meridien are over $200 but I guess I will go with one or the other, will also look into the KataThani Resort again. One reason I was wary of the Movenpick was because we were sonsidering a villa & with the rains being a factor in July, didn't want to deal with the outdoor access.
rhkkmk, we are staying at the JW Marriott in khoa lak for 3 days for a wedding but will be in Phuket 2 days before that. Please keep the feedback coming, would love to get these booked in the next couple of days. Thanks again everyone!

Kalil_Daoud

This stevesickel F&F website is legit and it will work ... it's being used every day by people who have no clue who Steve Sickle is! Please note the PDF FF form on the website ... it is very simple/basic for a reason ... and need no one's input except placing "Steve Sickle" name in the appropriate line. This Sickle's FF webpage was allowed to the general public by IHG management (but not published) during the global recession to fill room with guests that'd otherwise go empty. This is an open invitation to all and obviously is still available. Steve Sickle who is an executive at InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG) would like to pass savings to everyone interested in staying at an IHG property. Please feel free to use his voucher. Just follow the instructions and you will be on your way to F&F savings. This should work with any ICH property ... the Intercontinental Bangkok is much better peoperty than the HI Bangkok. An ongoing discussion about this F&F rate here: http://milepoint.com/forums/threads/...-everyone.606/

Voyage Prive is offering the Indigo Pearl Phuket which is considered one of Asia's best resort for $649/7-night package. PM me if you need an invitation. http://www.voyageprive.com/fiche-produit/1084/1
7 nights in a Pearl Bed suite
Airport transfers
American breakfast
15% food & beverage credit
15% spa discount

Hanuman

The "Friends and Family" rate is what Borhkkmk) has been using for years and has pass on the information to a lot of people on Fodors via email. I guess the secret is out now!

Kalil_Daoud

I first came acrooss this F&F rate back in Feb. 2009 and been passing it on to other travelers on tripadvisor via emails also. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/inter...hg-hotels.html

rhkkmk

i personally would skip the menam.... while newly renovated after the name switch, it still is a 2nd rate property... chatrium is far nicer...

after the jw marriott in K/L everything will seem dreary....it's the best!!

the inter. is an older hotel, in the grand style, but very nice. i toured the HI, next door, right after it opened and was very impressed with everything but its tiny pool. don't stay there if you want/need a pool, but its location is fab as is the Inter.

sites: grand palace, jim thompson house, wat arun, boat rides on the river and/or a klong tour, wat pho, V-mek palace--if you do these you will have seen a good chunk of bkk. leave very little for your last day....you will run out of time.

simpsonc510

The intercontinental will have more of the wow factor than holiday inn. They have a great location!

excited_confused

OK. so given all the hotels are in the @120 range, except that the Holiday Inn room is the Club room, can everyone give me their first (& second choices) between the following -
Le Meridien
Intercontinental
Holiday inn

Thanks!

excited_confused

Sorry, forgot the Westin!

excited_confused

Would also appreciate a vote for the Meridien or Movenpick villa in Phuket, wasn't sure if getting to the villa might be a pain if it is raining since we will be there in July.
Thanks.

Hanuman

I have not stayed in any of the hotels you've mentioned, I'm from Bangkok, so I can only comment on the location. IMO the IC has the best location from your list. Also, since the IC and Holiday Inn are from the same company, the IC has higher room rates which normally mean a higher class hotel.

As other have said there are two Holiday Inns in Bangkok. The Holiday Inn Silom and the Holiday Inn Bangkok(right next to the IC).

rhkkmk

IC wins my vote

galactus

Bangkok
First choice - Westin
Second - Intercontinental

Phuket - Movenpick

Kalil_Daoud

The IC hands down!