Hi,

The Oriental and Peninsula are gorgeous hotels in Bangkok but just too over budget for my hubby and myself. I really want to stay Riverside. Which hotel would you choose between Shangri la or Marriott Resort and Spa? Both are more reasonably priced? Also your favorite rooms with Balconies in either? Thank you soooo much for your help in advance.

every room in the marriott will have a balcony....not so in shangri-la...i will tell you however that it is really too hot to ever spend more than a few minutes out on the balcony, imo...

you will find the marriott to be slightly cheaper than the sh-la...it is also a bit more personal...the sh-la, is a beautiful hotel, but it is very spread out....the main rooms at the sh-la are much more grand, but you seldom use them...

the pool area and garden areas are much nicer at the marriott....there is a resort feeling to the marriott...

food is better at the shangri-la....both have fantastic breakfasts...

the marriott has a nice little mall attached with lots of tourist shops and services, including fast food, a bank, bakeries, ice cream, drug store, tailors, jewelers, etc...

try this hotel web site

www.huahin.20m.com

all inclusive pricing...

the bathrooms are nicer in all rooms in the marriott, some in the sh-la are quite old---not bad, just older style...

i like both hotels but marriott has an edge...

Thank you again rhkkmk!

One thing you may want to take into cosideration is location. The Marriott is 15 minutes down river by shuttle boat (provided by the hotel from Taksin piewr). The S-la is right there at the Taksin pier. This is the starting point for both the river ferry and the skytrain. I do note that no one ever seems to complain about the shuttle to the Marriott and some have mentioned that the S-la is a bit impersonal.

I have never stayed in either but I have seen both. The Shangrila is huge and has a very international commercial feel to it although it is deluxe. The marriott feels more intimate and perhaps a bit less deluxe feel. Shangrila definitely has the better location.

I, too, have never stayed at either one, but have been inside both. I would opt for the Marriott because of the resort feel. The Sh-La is really huge. Also, the pool area at the Marriott is nicer. The boatride down the river (with water and cool towel) is actually refreshing after a day of shopping or sight seeing.

Carol

Thank you all..Marriott it is then!!!

I save a bit of money as well!

With the money you save, consider the Lounge upgrade at the MS&R. You get a riverview room, perfect for morning coffee. I found that I could beg a couple of cups of coffee from the breakfast staff in the a.m. Sit on the balcony, watch the sun come up over BKK and the river.

Also, includes breakfast (featuring custom eggs and crepes), tea and/or cocktails in the afternoon (a nice way to unwind), and a couple of other perks.

Tips: make sure the porter shows you how to work the Gizmo Control Center which works the lights, AC, etc. It is almost inconveniently clever. Take your work-out gear. There is a very nice in-house gym available 24-7.

you will love the marriott i feel..i have just booked 14 consecutive nite in late november...great rate for long stays...

i do not feel the upgrades are worth the extra money...breakfast is fantastic however in the main dining room or out on the terrace