I'm just going to be spending one night in BKK after visiting Phuket and Chiang Mai and will be leaving on one of the 6am morning flights. I am debating about where to stay. I initially though close to the airport or weekend market for convenience. (Hope to visit the market the day before leaving--is there a nice hotel in the vicinity?)

However, I am opening up my options for a splurge like the Pen. Is it worth it for only one night (and not a long one at that?) I also am looking for an easy place to get a taxi at 3am without an excruciatingly long ride to the airport (someone advised that at the Rama Gardens that can be a challenge.)

Advice on hotels? Thanks!

I stayed at the Rama Gardens on my way home from Hua Hin. I had a 7 am flight back to the US. My transportation (a driver and van supplied by the hotel) to the airport was included in the room price. It's maybe a 10 minute ride to the airport from the Rama Gardens.

go for the pen---it will put the best top on your vacation ever....currently the rate is as cheap as $140....request the breakfast in your room..its unbelievable...they will get you a cab...arrange it the nite before....we took the 6am n/w flight...up at 3, breakfast at 3:15, limo at 3:30...25 minutes to the departure lobby......

the jw marriott is also another good choice and puts you smack dab in the middle of things and an easy ride to airport---maybe 20 minutes at 3:30..

by the way i would skip the weekend market and do the sukumvit and/or silom areas which provides you all the shopping you want at all price ranges...chaing mai will have provided you all the market shopping you need, IMHO (not so humble)...

I appreciate this feedback, esp. about skipping the market. I have some more items to think over now...

I had been considering the Sofitel before I checked back on this post.

there are 2 sofitels, one is brand new, just opened in last 3 months...its near sukumvit and plenochit areas, near us embassy....other one is a convert on silom i think....of course there is their empty skeleton on the river across from the sheraton orchid, which i am sure you could get very cheaply...

staying in a a super upscale hotle is almost pointless since your only will be thier for a night pluss it sounds like you actully want too check the city out while your here..

the river hotels are just too far off... so the sukunvit and siam center area are good choices

i prefer the siam area since it's not as anoying as touristy sukkunvit.... check out asiatravel.com for good deals.. in a 4s star hotel which should be more then good enough..

i mena you your most likely going too have too wake up at 3 am too go too the airport so what the point of spending 150 pluss .. but everyone here knows im cheep...

For one night, stay at the Conrad. It is new, 5 star and its rates are incredibly low right now. With my AAA discount, I paid $87. I had to fly from BKK at 7AM and they arranged the transportation, etc.