Priceline-hotels
 

Is it worthwhile risking priceline for hotels in January (for Bangkok)? If I select "riverside" (which judging by this board is recommended above and beyond other areas)--will I end up with something decent? What has been others' experience with this route? thanks~

Always always check biddingfortravel.com for hotel list and recent winning bids before using Priceline.

The moderator there aren't very friendly, but you can ask questions here if you don't want to follow her rules there.

I think for 5* Riverside usually comes up the Banyan tree (which isn't technically riverside at all) and occaisionally the Shangri La (which is, as it is adjacnet to the river).

I would explore the prices available for these 2 hotels at that time of year on the web(based on the cheapest room)and pitch a bid below these prices (don't forget to take account of the service charge Priceline adds). There's usually good guidance on the aforementioned site on what people are bidding successfully at.

If you get awarded either the Banyan tree or Shangri La and you get it for what you consider to be a good price I doubt you will be disappointed in either hotel, they both have exceelent reputations - and probably at Priceline Prices you may well consider it to be one of the bargain 5* stays in the world)

An alternative better bidding site is

http://www.betterbidding.com/

- slightly more laid back and friendly(but still quite informative) than the other site

i have bid for bkk riverside....since last summer there have been no recorded awards of 5* in riverside....only 4* and then it is the holiday inn silom....i paid $45 for it in june and paid $25 more to upgrade to club level upon arrival (now i am told that is $40)....someone just got HI for $50 in the last week..

it is a good location but somewhat bland as a hotel, although we were delighted to be on the club floors...huge breakfast and evening hors d'oeuvres and free drinks and internet...well worth it...room is nicer, bath is huge and mattresses are twice as nice...

other pricelines are 5* in sukhumvit area: westin grande, sheraton grande and jw marriott---$70-85+....all in same area and all very very nice....the westin is the least nice of the three and the most often awarded...

look at this site as an alternative:

www.huahin.20m.com

interesting tips on priceline! For those who are frequent bangkok visitors: if I'm arriving in bangkok for 4 days, then off to phuket for 4 days and back to BKK for 3 days, do you recommend i stay on the river both stays in bangkok--or it worth staying in different area for variation? I hope to stay in 4 star/5 stars--may give priceline a shot at least for first leg...

many like to move around and i have done that but i really love the river best...depends on your budget also....the sukhumvit area is nice to stay in with a whole different feel to it and tons of wonderful restaurants on the sois off of it...some of my favorites in fact...