Peninsula Hotel Bangkok Question
 

Does anyone have a favorite way to book or get information about this hotel in Bangkok? I have been unable to get through to them by phone, and they have no US 800 number that I can find. I know there are some travel websites that book this hotel but would like to use one that other travelers have had good experiences with. Thanks.

i have always booked my rooms with them directly through their website...do a yahoo search for the hotel name and that will take you right to it....currently they have a great deal at $140/nite....<BR>look at their packages which might include among other things a limo from the airport (or to the airport---great for 6 am flights), tea, skytrain pass, etc..<BR><BR>we had a package last november which gave us for $170/nite with 2 day minimum a grand deluxe room, breakfast, one way limo, 3 day skytrain pass, tea in lobby one day (which was as good as in england)..<BR><BR>the hotel is fabulous and no room isn't to die for.... try jesters for a nice meal with a fabulous view of the river and the competition across the river...<BR><BR>the rooms are beautiful and nicely furnished....all have river views...<BR><BR>have breakfast in the room one day...it is lovely and delicious...<BR><BR>you can also book rooms there on most of the asia room web-sites, usually for about $10 less per nite....i prefer to deal with them directly....<BR><BR>as soon as i reserved my room for last november, they reduced the price so i sent an e-mail and they reduced my price with no hastle....its a class operation, but then most of thailand is that way....

ask for a room up as high as they will put you

Thanks for the information. I generally prefer to deal with hotels directly also, but I had some questions about logistics/charges for having a 17 year old along, advantages of a suite over a regular room or some other combination. I could probably just email them with the questions. I use web sites primarily for bookings like this, but sometimes I feel like I need to ask I live person some questions and I found it hard to believe I could not find some phone number that would work.<BR><BR>Thanks again.

they do have both a nyc and an la hotel, how about calling them?<BR><BR>i found that e-mails i sent to bkk were answered promptly

I sent them an email; it is a simple question really. But thanks for the suggestion about calling one of their US hotels.

this just occurred to me: i don't know how familiar you are with the thai personality, but they rarely answer a question directly...and then the answer is almost always positive, leaving you asking yourself what question did i ask and does this response answer the question.....thus...don't be surprised if you don't really get a good answer from them....it will be an agreeable answer but perhaps not a clear one....<BR><BR>if your question is about an additional bed for the 17 year old...i think that one of the suites would be best for this as an additional bed in one of the deluxe or grand deluxe rooms would ruin the general feel....of course you are taking more money for an additional room or for a suite...<BR><BR>have you looked at the marriott resort and spa just down the river?? the 17 year old would love this---best pool in bkk and a more relaxing atmosphere for a teenager and a bit cheaper, still with the river feel...<BR><BR>maybe the pen has a room with an attached maids room which would work for you?? although i doubt it with a new style hotel...<BR><BR>better idea....you keep the nice room and give the kid $50 and send him over to patpong and ask him to be back when you are ready to leave....just kidding...

I actually have been thinking about the Marriott Resort for all of the reasons you mention. It just seems such a shame to go to a city where hotels like the Peninsula and Oriental are just priced just barely above the Marriott and not take advantage of it. That being said, you sound like you know both properties. How far apart are they in terms of quality (aside from the pool, which everyone agrees is the best around)? In New York, for example, one would be unlikely to bedeciding between the Peninsula and the Marriott. While both are fine hotels, they are worlds apart in quality (decent linens and reading spaces etc.) Is the gap so large in Bandkok? Although I would love to stay at the Peninsula, it is probably not as good for a family with a teenager. Any input appreciated.

Hi<BR><BR>Isn't it best to book hotels using places like www.asiatravel.com, www.planetholiday.com, www.hotelthailand.com etc? I have used these places and it has been cheaper doing this compared to booking through a travel agency here at home (in Norway).<BR><BR>Regards<BR>Gard<BR>www.gardkarlsen.com

I am familiar with both properties, having stayed at the Marriott about 15 times in the last 3 years and at the Penn about 5 times. I am a huge fan of the Marriott, but in terms of physical product, the Peninsula is superior. First of all it is only 3 years old, whereas the Marriott is over 12 years old, which means a lot in a hot and humid climate. The Peninsula also has all the latest gadgets like adjustable lighting, curtains which are electrically operated, etc. Finally, the Penn is a luxury hotel, while the Marriott is not, so in terms of furniture, bedding, etc the Penn is superior. Also, the Marriott has not had a rooms redo in some years, so some of the furniture is a little tired. (I have not stayed there in about 15 months, so someone may be able to confirm if they have started a redo on some of the rooms.) The pool at the Marriott is better IMO, as it is much larger and has some shade. The Penn's pool is very narrow and pretty much gets hot sunshine all day – not a plus in Bangkok in my view. The Penn's pool is also next to one of the main air conditioning units, and to me, the pool area is noisy because of it.<BR><BR>The Penn is a high rise, which means you can get great views if you are on an upper floor. The Marriott is 2-3 stories, and is quite green with palm trees. It has some lovely river views. Some people do not like high-rises, so that is another thing to consider. Most if not all of the Marriott rooms have balconies, a few of the Penn's rooms do, but if you are on a high floor I don't think you would use them much.<BR><BR>The Penn is better in terms of location. You are right at the heart of one of the main the shopping and hotel district of Bangkok, and right across the river from the Sky Train stop. The Marriott is about 20-30 minutes down river. They have a shuttle boat which will bring you up to the Sky Train and the hotels near the Penn, but it does add time to your journey each day. <BR><BR>I agree your son may enjoy the Marriott more, as there seem to be more children there, esp. in terms of the pool where the atmosphere is a bit more relaxed than the Penn. However, he would not be unwelcome at the Penn and if he wanted to go across the river and explore those neighbourhoods by himself, there is a lot more to see and do than in the neighbourhood around the Marriott. (Both are safe in terms of street crime, etc) Of course, the small shopping mall at the Marriott has a McDonadls, a KFC a pizza place and an ice-cream parlour, so with a 17-year old son this might be a real attraction, not to mention a money saver…..<BR><BR>If your son wants his own space and you don't want to get him his own room at the Marriott or the Penn, then do consider a suite and then get a roll-away. I don't know if either has 2-bedroom suites, but they definitely have 1-bedroom suites. The living rooms of the 1-bed room suites are quite large and could take a roll-away or your son could sleep on the sofa (I have done this at the Penn with a snoring sister, it was quite comfortable.) The 1-bed room suites at the Penn also have a half-bath in the living room, so he could have that to himself (except for showers). That might be a good alternative. The 1-bed room suites at the Marriott are in the corners at the front of the building and have nice terraces and great river views. They also have a good-size dining area and small wetbar. <BR><BR>

Thank you so much for such a helpful reply. You addressed all of the things I have been thinking about. The suites at the Peninsula charge $50 for a third person, which puts the current cost at exactly the cost of two separate rooms. The Marriott sounds compelling for all of the reasons you note, although will not be as luxurious. Although rates for the Orient and Peninsula are quite decent these days, it is hard to beat the $47/night people have been getting on Priceline for the Marriott. Will probably talk to our daughter and see how she feels about having her own room and then decide. Thanks again for the input; it helps to hear it from someone who has seen both.

Cicerone hit everything right on the head except that the marriott was about 2/3 finished with their room update in november 2002 when we stayed there last...
the regular rooms are adequate in size, but too small with a cot i think, unless a suite is bigger...they are not fancy but have everything you need and they are comfortable...they used to have a small sofa in each room (some may still, which makes into a bed, which would be perfect), but on my last two stays neither room had the sofa...ask about this...
use a triple a discount and you will save on your room (they don't ask to see the membership card---i didn't tell you to cheat did i)...the buffet is probably more expansive than the one at the pen, but the quality is slightly below the pen---better quality smoked salmon at the pen for instance--but it is quite good...they also have a bakery in the lobby and i prefer to get something there and eat it in the room as i can't eat too much at breakfast each day and then go out in the hot...also fabulous deserts in the bakery for when you return to the room at nite....
if you do go to the marriott eat in the mall at the thai family style restaurant on the first floor with the green awnings---its fabulous and only about $12-15 with beer for two....the tailor on the second floor of the mall---Money II is quite good---jack has made things for my wife and for me---i have had all my shirts from him for the last 5 years....(november's price---6 for $80. us)---bring pictures or know exactly what you want...

why not do what we do...stay at the marriott for a week or two and then finish your vacation at the pen for 2-3 days and use the limo to go to the airport
i paid $150/nite in november with breakfast at the marriott and $170/nite at the pen with breakfast and limo (1 way) and sky train pass (3 days) and tea (1 day)...still on web site...

the hotels are about 2-3 miles apart...the marriott being further down the river..the boat runs frequently to the skytrain (every 15 and takes about 15 min)..to river city shopping (sheraton) it takes about 25 minutes or less depending on the current (you won't believe how strong it is)...the boat men on both hotels are delightful and very accomodating---give them a good tip the first day and see how more accomodating they can be---so you are americans...send me an e-mail if you want more info: shopping, restaurants, [email protected] fodors in the subject space so i don't delete you
have a blast

My husband and I stayed at the Peninsula last July and loved it. I reserved through circleofasia.com as they had better rates than the pen's website that were inclusive of the 17%+ tax.
When I had some questions, I emailed the Pen directly and they responded quickly. I had told them it was our anniversary and when we arrived they offered us an upgrade to a suite for an extra $40 a night, which we accepted.
It was lovely and if you'd like to see some photos, check out my website at
http://www.wired2theworld.com
Look at the last days of the Cambodia trip pages for the Peninsula.

not to dispell your good luck, but the last two times i have been at the pen they offered us a suite upgrade for $40

Thanks again to all for the wonderful information. Trip is not until August, but will post our report. Not especially worried about SARS, but hope it does not get in the way of the trip! (Our flight to Phuket has a stop in Hong Kong....)

rhkkmk-
Oh, I didn't really think the upgrade offer was &quot;luck&quot;. :-)
In fact, I could have booked the suite for the same price online had I wanted to.
It was only after looking at the rooms that we decided to take the suite. We had been staying in a $20 a night beach bungalow the nights before and we were ready for some luxury at the end of the trip.
They also sent up a georgeous chocolate cake to the room. The service was excellent in general.