We are booked at the Oriental for our last overnight stay in Bangkok, but our flight doesn't actually depart until 1am the following evening/morning. The Oriental advised me they can extend our check out till 6pm for 1/2 the room rate. I'm thinking this might be worthwhile and then we can just have our final dinner at the Oriental before leaving (I'm guessing we should leave the hotel about 10/10:30pm for 1am flight back to NYC). Has anyone had experience with this?
Also, out of all the wonderful restaurants at the Oriental, which is recommended for that last night (will be a Fri). Looking for a tasty and a leisurely meal (since we have some time to kill!). Right now leaning towards China House! I think someone mentioned their BBQ with dancing? Maybe we'll do that the night before..

We left at the same time on Korean Air, flying back to LAX. Sounds like the Oriental is offering you a very good deal.

I doubt that you could miss on any dish at the China House. Ah, my mouth waters at the thought.

I was looking a the package deals/special offers section of the oriental website. I believe they had a deal that included late checkout in the rate. Any btw, the rates from the Oriental website were much, much better than any other website.

Go for the Peking Duck at the China House. I've had it there quite a few times and it's still the best meal I've ever had.

China House is wonderful. Their Peking Duck is legendary.

BBQ and dancing is not the China House, I think you are referring to the riverside BBQ at the Oriental.

Yes the riverside BBQ--is that good as well. We'll do that the night prior maybe. Thanks for the feedback, I think we'll go for the late check out option followed by Peking duck before the dreaded 17 hr flight back home!

We checked out of the Oriental at 6 and then took the dinner cruise. It got back to the hotel just before 10pm, we went for a quick drink at the Bamboo Lounge and then left the hotel around 10:30 for the 1am flight to NYC. The food is not great on the cruise but it was lovely going up and down the river at night. We have eaten at China House and love the food but it won't be a LONG, leisurely dinner. I would recommend Lord Jim or if you have tons of money, Le Normandie.

from dc--did you think it was worth it (to pay half the room price for 6 hrs)?
My bf is not convinced, but I think it's worth it.

Seems like a lot of money for 6 hours- better to leave your bags at the hotel and go out and catch a few movies, maybe a massage etc.

I think we hung around the pool in the afternoon and then changed clothes in the bathroom at the pool. We had dinner and I got my nails done at the excellent beauty place in the Oriental "mall" across from the entrance driveway and then off to the airport. The dinner cruise sounds great but I would be worried that the boat would have a problem and I would miss my flight. But it is a good idea. I would not pay 1/2 unless we could check out at 9/10 pm.

We didn't pay anything for the late check out because we booked through American Express Platinum Travel Service and they allow late check outs. I would not have paid 1/2 the room rate for 5 hours. Maybe when you get there you can negotiate for a bit later checkout, especially if you are taking their own dinner cruise, they might be willing to give you a few extra hours. Last year, when we checked out at 6 and had a late flight, we went to the spa and had massages and then had dinner at the open air restaurant. But in any case, I think they have a shower room you can use if you check out early.. so you could do the pool and dinner at the hotel without paying the extra... would you be in the room much before 6pm anyway? If it is just to shower and do a final packing, I'm not sure it is worth it because you still have to leave well before going to the airport.

Uusally a better option than paying for a late checkout (or if the hotel is full and you can't do one at any price)is to leave your bags and make arrangements to shower and dress in the fitness center when you are ready to go. These are often empty in the evening when you are ready to shower and leave. Most 5* places will have lockers, great showers, shampoo, and hairdryers; some like the Pen in Bangkok also have padded benches (nap anyone?)hot tubs, and steam rooms.

Just make sure you put your travelling outfits on top of your bags...nothing more embarrassing than digging through your bags on the floor of the left luggage room! ;-)