glorialf

Just saw that you are going in the summer -- make sure you tell them when you make the reservation that it is your honeymoon since I am 95% sure you will get a free upgrade if you do since it's the low season.

Nontaco

Woohoo! Flight reservations made now for the Disovery Pass as well so pretty much set in stone. I've decided to stay at the Apsara in Luang Prabang - Les 3 Nagas seems to have doubled their rates, which is just a bit off-putting to be honest - I'm going to stay at the La Residence in Siem Reap, so I think that I won't stay there in Luang Prabang - and additionally, I'll be staying 5 nights total in LP but breaking up in the very middle with an overnight on a kayaking trip so figure makes sense to stay at one place and be able to store luggage there and not have to readjust on return. Then the La Residence in Siem Reap - was thinking maybe about Viroth's or even The One Hotel but figure the pool and the foliage, etc at La Residence will be welcome. Then fly to Pnom Penh for two nights...then to Bangkok. What level room do you think makes sense. I'm actually spending a ton less on this trip than we did in India with the lure of the Oberoi's in a few locations (Ranthambore, Udaipur and Agra) and a few relaxing days at the Aman property Amanbagh....and since its the honeymoon I'm all ears....but is there a level of room that is just right and a decent value and anything above that is kinda overkill and not really worth it?

filmwill

Just throwing my 2 cents in.

As a counterpoint, personally speaking (and don't kill me, folks), I find the Oriental decor to be a little too patrician for my taste.

It all really just boils down to a matter of what floats your boat. I think the difference between the Pen and Oriental is most comparable to the difference between Four Seasons and Ritz Carltons. One to me, is generally more modern and sleek and the other is more classic, frilly and lacy. But, by all means, both superior hotels.

The Pen is definitely not Thai-style, which is something I usually require wherever I stay in Thailand, but it's the one exception to the rule. The hotel is marvelous in every respect--and nonsense, staying at the Pen, there's no way you wouldn't know you were in Bangkok. It's a far cry from staying in Manhattan.

BTW, you'll probably get an upgrade at either hotel--it's usually the norm when you're spending that much money.

Either hotel you pick, you're sure to have a great time. Happy travels!

Nontaco

From everything I hear and read, both the Pen and Oriental are world-class hotels. But the Oriental seems much, much more expensive than the Pen. Almost to the point where you could get a suite at the Pen for what a superior regular type room would be at the Oriental. Is this really true? Is it justified, or is the Oriental just charging for unique a unique history but not necessarily delivering the goods beyond that to justify its inflated price?

Kathie

The Oriental isn't usually that much more expensive than the Pen check the Oriental's website for specials. Or page Gloria for info on how she books the "O"

ared2879

We went to bangkok as part of our honeymoon in august 2006. we stayed at the Shangri-La, which we really enjoyed. they did upgrade us when we got there, since it was our honeymoon. the breakfast buffet was fabulous, and there were more servers than there were people at the buffet at any one time. the pool & hotel itself were very nice. We ended up meeting a few other honeymooners that were also staying there.

a few other nice things -- we ended up getting in room massages on our first afternoon in bangkok, which was really nice after recovery from the journey from ohio to thailand.

we did two 1/2 day tours. 1 of the emerald buddha & golden palace. the other of the floating market. both were definately worth seeing.

as for the rain, it rained for about 2 hours in the 3 days we were in bangkok...hard but not for long. but maybe we just got lucky.

and my husband got 2 really nice suits made in 3 days (which we also got a great deal on -- along with a couple of free tailored shirts & some ties, since we also told the tailor it was our honeymoon).

the rest of our honeymoon we spent in phuket (we wanted some beach time after all the wedding maddness) & then stopped in hong kong.

one place that we ate (which we found in our lonely planet) in bangkok, was india hut. it was pretty good indian food, & we enjoyed the thai take on the food.

Nontaco

I love you Nontaco!! You are an amazing trip planner, and I can't wait for our honeymoon! Maybe you should become a travel agent

Nontaco

Hi everyone who has helped Nontaco! Thank you!! It means so much to both of us. I was wondering what we should wear to protect from mosquitoes, and on our feet. Sneakers or sandals? Waterproof shoes for the rainy season? Do we bring an extra sleeping net to ward off mosquitoes? And is it best to wear light long sleeves and long pants to keep off mosquitoes as well? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

ared2879

i love my keens as traveling shoes. they're open so my feet don't get too hot, and are super comfy for long days of walking.

we both took light rain coats with us that we were able to easily put into our backpacks, which were very handy when the rain did come.