mileaday

Will be extending our visit to Bangkok and was wondering about changing hotels for the last four days of our stay. Will be with a tour staying at the S-L first. Have seen much about the Marriott on this board and have always been happy with M hotels and treatment. Comments, please.

Kathie

I'll let Bob give you all the details, as he's the one for whom the Marriott Resort and Spa is his home away from home.

The biggest difference, perhaps, is location. The Shangri-La is right in the middle of things, between the Oriental and the Royal Orchid, convenient to the water taxi. The Marriott is a 15 minute boat ride up the river which may either strike you as ideal (out of the center of things) or inconvenient.

divediva

last october we stayed at both the shangri la and marriott on the river.

shangri la was very expensive for food, drinks, etc...5 star service but much more upscale atmosphere. it was closer to the skytrain but very crowded, noisy area of town...in fact we thought the cab driver was taking us for a wild ride on our initial trip to the hotel it was so congested and un-resort like.

at the marriott, we felt more comfortable walking around in shorts and slippers (flipflops...we are from hawaii) as it was more casual and quiet.
we are returning to the marriott next month ....cant wait!

rhkkmk

we have stayed at most of the major hotels in bkk and return over and over to the marriott....we find it to be the best overall bkk hotel and its grounds are by far the best and there is tranquility there as well...the pool area is fantastic...the attached mini mall provides lots of conveniences from a drug store and bank to mcdonalds and swensons ice cream...

the sh-la and marriott are not the same class...i put the marriott as a solid 4* by international standards...forget thai standards...the rooms are average size and the baths are marble and ok...the teak floors are very nice...all rooms are basically the same in the lower categories, except for suites...we had a junion suite last time which was nice but we would not do it again...the beds are fantastic marriott mattresses...the kings are huge!!

the boat ride, available free from 6AM to midnight every 15 minutes, is a wonderful treat and we look forward to it...it takes you to the skytrain directly next to the sh-la hotel...so you will be familiar with it...we do not find the location to be a detraction in any way....taxis are always available also and there are two nearby bridges to use into the city depending on where you are going...we use taxis about 1/2 the time..

\the staff at marriott is the friendliest in bkk imo,,,,

the food at the hotel is only ok, nothing special by international standards...none is bad, but it is expensive comparatively and only so so...but there are many different levels of eating there as well....

the breakfast is fantastic...it is one step below the sh-la in this area but a very small step...the sh-la breadfast is simply fantastic...make sure you have it...it you join their FF club you get it at a reduced rate or free, but maybe your tour includes this...

the restaurants at sh-la are fantastic and most quite expensive...

there are many very good local restaurants as well: harmonique, tongue thai, gallery cafe amongst them...the bar at the state building on the 60+ floor is fantastic at nite for a drink---corner of silom and new roads...

Guenmai

Why choose two hotels on the river and not try a hotel in another part of town? Happy Travels!