Should we split our stay in Bangkok or does this idea just sound stupid?
 

We arrive in Bangkok on Jan 20 and depart late night on Jan 24.

We are considering spending 2 nights at the Old Bangkok Inn and then splurging two nights somewhere on the River (Peninsula, Oriental, etc).

Is this dumb? Will we spend half a day transferring from place to place? Should we just stay put? I'm torn between staying in the 2 different areas and can't afford to splurge for four nights.

I'd go for it. Yes, it will require some of your time.

Is this at the beginning of an Asia trip, or is Bangkok your last stop before heading home? The reason I ask, if it is your FIRST stop, then I'd start with two nights along the river, just for the relaxation and ambiance, and then move into the Old Bangkok Inn which is more in the city center.

We are going only to Thailand and Bangkok is the end of our trip. We fly into Bangkok from Krabi on Jan 20 and we leave on Jan 24, on ANA to Boston.

please let us know how ANA is....we get good reports but noting concrete...

i would absolutely split the time....the transfer won't take more than one hour... plan to do it late in the afternoon when you will be sure of getting into the new room....just store your bags at hotel #1 in the AM when you go out for your days activities....take a taxi back to hotel #1 and keep it for the few mintues it takes to retreve and load up your cases and then go on to the new hotel...

my choices would be in this order:

peninsula
marriott resort and spa
shangri-la
hilton
oriental
sheraton

check to see if some hotels are having special offerings, like a stay 2 and get one free, or stay 3 and get one free, in which case you might want to stay all four days on the river and thus have a splurge plus 1...

puttaka
If you are from the Boston area, you really should come to the get together with fodorites on Saturday the 10th!!!! I'm flying in from Illinois, and I know others who travel (including Lucy from Hawaii) to attend this "event" every year.
Carol

Yes, go for it! We've done this on nearly every trip.

I think it's a great idea. We spent our whole time in BKK on our honeymoon at the OBI and while I loved it, it would've been even better had we split our time at the Pen (where we stayed the 2nd time we went.)

Both are perfect in their own right--so I think it's a fantastic idea.

If you check-out early in the morning, the transfer won't take all but a few minutes.

You MUST splurge at the Spa @ the Pen. Expensive, for sure, but the best massage I have ever had in my life.

It sounds like a good idea to me!

Wow. wasn't expecting this response but am now intrigued.

As for ANA, my Japanese friends travels it allt the time and raves.

Can't make the Boston GTG as I am out of town that weekend for family things.

OBI, is fantastic. For your second choice, I would go for Oriental or Shangri-La........The Krungthep Wing at Shangri-La is very much worth the splurge. Balcony suite is the way to go.....absolutely magical.
Very different hotels.......one pure Bangkok.....the other ultimate luxury.
Oriental also is very good, but maybe a little stuffy for some.

Yikes, the Pen is pricy! $296 US per night (before taxes) ($396 if you book a spa treatment) and with a two night minimum. On sawadee, its 9750 thai baht per night, everything included. Maybe I'll get a latestay deal? Or just head over there for a spa day???

I booked 4 nights at the Old Bangkok Inn (1 in a cheaper room and 3 in the Rose Suite, which is still just $160, everything included). I can cancel without penalty by Jan 6 - but I'd hate to tie up their rooms because they are such a small operation and I feel that's bad karma.

Really sorry you'll miss the GTG in BOS. Maybe next year... same time, same place(s)...

I hope you enjoy Krabi as much as I did back in August. It was my first time there, and I really enjoyed the naturalness of the area... not so contrived for tourists...

If my plans change and I end up in town, I will scoot over the bridge to Cambridge to catch you folks. I'll inform the host in advance.

My cousin who lives in SE Asia just went to Krabi and her pictures are breathtaking. Cannot wait.

Wow.. that Krungthep wing looks fabulous from the photos on the Shangrila site. I was drooling. you guys may have converted me.

the GTG is in newton this year but sat. nite we are similans on first street near the mall in cambridge at 7PM...

have you looked at the plaza anthenee? they have had a 3300 B deal all summer and fall and i think in jan it goes to 4800... a steal...

Wow, the Plaza Anthenee is gorgeous! Is is by the river? Doesn't appear to be....

Is $300 a normal rate for the Peninsula???

Plaza Athenee is not on the river. It is much closer to the Sukhumvit area (my favorite area) and fairly close to the BTS. It is a beautiful hotel, yes.

carol is right, but these rates are a bargain.....check out the rate on www.spg.com

have you checked out the penn site for their rates....they often have small packages available too...

$300 seems high but $225 is more the norm.....its worth every penny however... base rate for penn elsewhere is double