Will be staying at the Oriental for just 3 nights and would like to know what the hotel does for breakfast and more, importantly what the cost is? I've been quoted, by my tour operator a good room rate for the hotel but the cost of the breakfast is separate and seems quite high. I was wondering whether it makes more sense to have room only and pay for the breakfast separately?

I couldn't find anything on the hotel's website.

Thanks to anyone who can help.

First, the Oriental is wonderful. I have been there many many times and it has always been about as perfect as a hotel can be.

You can have breakfast in two ways. The expensive way is the buffet which is lovely but only worth it if you want to eat a huge amount of food. Otherwise you can order ala carte for under $10. Whichever you select you will be outside on the river which is magical.

When are you going and what rate did you get and how?

The breakfast buffet will be a feast with a wide assortment of tropical fruits and eggs of every variety, bacon, sausage, etc. If you're used to a light breakfast (or even a normal breakfast) it may not be for you. Of course, if you fully engage, you can skip lunch. BTW, it's encouraging to see another member of the small Panda community.

Hi,

Breakfast at the Oriental is FANTASTIC! I can't remember the cost ( I think it was about £10) but we ordered the 'Oriental' breakfast (A La Carte) and just sat there for about an hour and a half enjoying everything. The service was excellent, as ever.

You can't stay at the Oriental and not have the breakfast, but you probally won't need lunch!

Milliemoo

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Basically I've been quoted a supplement of £19 per person for breakfast, which I think is expensive and thought it would be cheaper to pay for it separately each day!

I've booked the whole holiday through a tour operator here in the UK, all the rates I've been quoted for the rooms have been very competitive but it just seems that £19 p.p. for breakfast is very high!

We would prefer to have a big(ish) breakfast and no lunch - don't want to interrupt our shopping and sightseeing!

BTW, this will be our first time to Thailand, we have 3 days in Bangkok and then 5 days in Ko Samui. I will be trekking through these extremely helpful boards making many notes.

where are you staying in samui?? you will love both places

Hi, we are staying at Le Royal Meridien on Samui. We are doing Australia first - Sydney and Brisbane and then stopping in Thailand. We aren't actually going until November, but I'm so excited about the trip I'm organising and taking notes now!

the meridien is quite issolated...did you know that?? there is a wonderful restaurant near to it however, called the five islands restaurant...make sure you try it...it is a beautiful hotel, but going anyplace on samui will envolve at least a 30 min drive from there....no need to leave really...i'm sure there are tours and always taxis ready to assist you...another great reataurant, but not near-by, is the terrace rest. located on a hill overlooking a bay just south of chaeng beach (spelled incorrectly) on the main cicular road (main road around the island)...

everything at the oriental is very expensive...not surprised about the breakfast...it will be super however...

Thank you for the information, any hints and tips are so greatly appreciated. We are hoping to do a guided tour both in Bangkok and Ko Samui as I think as first timers, it will provide us with so much more information, rather than trying to sort ourselves out and not knowing the best and worst things to see!

If you are looking for a tour guide in BKK, we highly recommend Tan. We were also first timers, but didn't want a group tour. Several people on fodors recommended Tan as a private tour guide & it was a perfect solution for us. She was knowledgeable & fun. We used her to take us to the Grand Palace, Wat Po, the flower market & amulet market as well as on a Klong tour & it was very enjoyable to have someone explain what we were seeing as well as to give us insight on Thai Buddhism & the culture. We also did a trip to the River Kwai & Tiger temple with her. You can work with her to take you where you want to go & she can also make recommendations. Her e-mail address is: [email protected]. Her rates are also very reasonable: 1500 B for full day (750 for half day).

You can definitely have breakfast at the Oriental for way less than 19 pounds.

i can also suggest ratt for a tour in bkk...she can be found by doing a seach on this board....much has been written about her....be specific with her as to what you want to see as she will drag you everywhere over many hours...

Thanks everyone for the tour guide names and the restaurant suggestions. There is nothing better than personal recommendation. We also prefer a personal guide rather than a tour group.

How far in advance would I need to email and get a day tour booked.

Thanks

as far as guides/drivers are concerned, the more in advance the better....ratt had to turn down lots of people this fall according to posts here...

I agree with rhk. When are you going? You should give yourself time so that you get the exact dates you want & have time to exchange e-mails regarding what you want to visit, etc. Tan's English is very good. She was a journalist/photographer until the newspaper she worked for went out of business in the economic crisis in Thailand in 1997. If you contact her tell her that Rob & Carole from Connecticut say hello.

We will be going now in December, not November as we'd first decided. Work commitments mean we have to push back a couple of weeks!

Everything is now booked and confirmed and we will be in Bangkok from 28th to 31st December. Reading this board, I get the feeling it isn't long enough but I have a feeling we will want to go back!

Because of our limited time in BKK we are only going to have 2 days to choose from for our trip so its pretty imperative that say, Tan or Ratt are available for that day. We arrive Weds morning, have Thurs and Fri full days and virtually all of Sat but leave on the midnight flight back to London.

I obviously don't need to book now but would Oct/Nov be OK, do you think?

Those dates are the peak tourist dates of the year. I think you will have a problem getting who you want if you wait until October or November. I booked Ratt in July for the following December and only got her for some of the dates I wanted.

That's very helpful Gloria, thank you. I will make a large diary note to get in contact in July, or earlier maybe. I really don't want to miss out as I've read such good things about these guides.

as kathie usually points out many of these people are drivers who do limited guide work....they are not full fledged guides...they provide just the right amount of info for me however..

Tan is a licensed (TAT) guide. Her fee is for guide service. She will make arrangements for transport (taxi, boat, car & driver) depending on where you are going and what is the best way to get there. Ratt is a driver.