I will be staying at the Peninsula Hotel in December and have been told by others that the location is inconvenient. Does anyone have a different opinion. Also, how long does it take to get from BKK to the hotel, and what would the approximate cost be. Thanks.

Inconvenient for what? The riverside location is excellent for sightseeing. The hotel runs beautiful shuttle boats back and forth across the river to the Skytrain stop, to the Oriental Pier, and to River City. Boats run often.

From the airport to the hotel time depends on the time of day and traffic. Maybe 30 minutes, maybe an hour, maybe more, maybe less. If you arrive in BKK at the currently used airport (no one seems sure when the new one will be open) and the traffic is bad and the bridge is jammed up, there is a reception on the other side of the river as well where the car will drop you. Of course, if you use a taxi or other airport booked transportation you won't have the comminication with the hotel about traffic conditions and your arrival...if this is important to you, you'd be best getting your airport transfer directly from the hotel.

We've stayed 3 times at the Peninsula, and this past trip we stayed for free with points at the Conrad in Sukhumvit. For us, the Peninsula was better located, and a better hotel as well, by far.

Costs from the airport...taxi maybe 200 baht plus tolls. Airport limo service, 600 baht plus tolls. Peninsula car service - not cheap, ask them about it. It's also included in some of their package specials, which is how we've always gotten it.

I love the Pen and don't find it inconvenient at all - I've stayed there 6 or so times and other times in the city centre. The only "delay" is crossing the river in the lovely teak boats from the skytrain. I find that the idea wind-down from the city - only takes 5 minutes.

Taxi from the airport is usually about 250 - 300 bt plus tolls - airport limo last year was 650bt(plus tolls - 60bt) for a toyota camry type car - roomier and nicer than the taxis but not anywhere as dear as the Pens cars.

By December you may be going to the new airport - so it could be a little dearer from there.

Its a great hotel and river watching is a great part of Bangkok.

I stayed at the Peninsula 2 years ago and loved the location. It's like being in an oasis in the middle of the bustling busy city!
So easy to take the boat to cross the river and then take the Skytrain. I wouldn't stay in the middle of Bangkok. When I go to Bangkok again I will stay either there again or at the Bangkok Marriot Resort. Can't think of a better place to stay in Bangkok. You will love the Peninsula and the location, don't worry!

Not at all inconvenient! As far as I'm concerned, it's the best location in all of Bangkok because it has the best view. As others have said, the shuttle boats run every few minutes so you never have to wait more than a few minutes to cross the river. I've stayed at the Pen several times, most recently a few weeks ago, and was never inconvenienced by it's location.

If your time is really, really tight and all you plan to do is shop and eat in the central shopping area and/or along Sukhomvit, then by all means, the Penn will be less convenient. It also takes 5-10 minutes longer to get to the Penn from BKK. You haven't said however, how long you will be in Bangkok. If you have the time, why don't you try spending some time on the river and some time in or near the shopping district. There are many fine hotels in both areas.

The pen is one of the finest understated elegant hotels I have stayed in. A grand Deluxe fllor on tje 12 flloor was $212 inclusive tax/service plus $12/person for a fabulous buffet breakfast (I usually hate buffets) because I eat too much and lines waiting for omlettes. No lines at Pen during a 6 day stay in April. I think breakfast may be included from Julyuntil Dec.15th. The coutesy of the staff is what ranks it so high on most lists of the best hotels. It is NOT inconvenient and with the cost of a taxi cab about $2-$3.50 at the very most and well Air Conditioned it makes it more convenient. The Pen boat runs so frequently from one side of the river to the other that between 8AM-11PM you might wait 5-7 minutes. Enjoy.

every hotel in bkk has problems with locations as the city is so big and where you want to go is never near to your hotel....transportation is easy from every hotel...taxis are cheap and there is public transportation like the skytrain which is very comfortable and cool and easy to use...it is a 5 minute boat ride from the hotel--gratis..

from the airport to the hotel, the limo svc is about 800 B ($20) and a taxi will be under 400...take the limo...i like AAC limo at the airport...the hotel will also come after your for about $40++

I agree ACC us worth the $22+/- the Premier Taxis right next to regular taxi line are bigger, cleaner and almost as large as ACC and getting on yout way sometimes faster than ACC and cost abput $10USD each way.I use them not to save the money but to get on my way downtown faster after long plane ride from from US. I always tell them to take expressway.

I am actually at the Pen right now, looking out the numerous windows of our 25th floor grand delux suite, watching the sun set and all the city light up.

As part of our package, the hotel provides rounnd-trip airport transportation. It took us about 25 miinutes to get from the airport to the hotel at 4:30. This was lucky because we did not hit any bad traffic.

No matter where you stay you might run into horrible traffic getting from the airport. During your stay at the Pen, though, it is a perfect location. The views cannot be beat, and the service is impeccable. Not to mention the luxury of the rooms!

Some say that the Pen is on the "wrong" side of the river, but I have to disagree. From this side, you get incredible city and river views that you would not get most other places.

As others have already said, the frequent boats will take you across the river in about 5 minutes. The boats go to three different spots - the sky train, the oriental, and to river city shopping mall.

Do not let the location scare you away from staying at this fabulous hotel.

When we stayed at the Penn riding the hotels boats across to the skytrain was one of the best experiences for my wife- it was so relaxing.

Thanks for all the good advice. I am now really looking forward to my stay at The Peninsula.

Try their Dim Dim sum in their chinese restaurant, very good and very reasonable (except the tea was a bit pricey).

and you won't have to worry about making a reservation since the restaurant seems to always be empty,

Not true, the restaurant is not always empty. We saw at least as many people at the Pen's Chinese restaurant as we saw at the China House (which is usually pretty empty when we go but so what).

We skipped the China House as it was way too pricey for Bangkok. The food may be good but in my opinion not a good value. Now the good thing about the Penn is that if you happen to be in shorts and carrying a can of coke you will not be accosted by the doorman like some hotels- but I won't mention their name here. Trust me the value is there at the Penn's chinese restaurant- 5 star service, great dim sum, and the price is really reasonable- less people at times just means the staff gives you all the more service!!!

we have not found the china house to be any more expensive than any other "quality" restaurant in bkk...they all seem to be in the same ball park...its the O after all too...