Seems to me you can be both well located for shopping and be on the river by staying at the Royal Orchid. It's location is great -- plenty of shopping at River City and on streets near it and the Oriental and it's on the river. I've never stayed there but I know the location since I stay at the Oriental and I think it's fabulous. And I gather it has a pool as well. So by staying at the Royal Orchid you can have it all.

I've booked Ratt for several days as well as her sister but have never used either. I checked my emails and her sister seems to drive a Benz One and she drives a Toyota.

Oops- sorry for previous message about Ratt. I meant to post it on a different thread.

Glorialf- yes if you stay at the Sheraton you are a bit closer to some shopping and on the river- its a good compromise in that you get both aspects- but again if you are a shopaholic- maybe stay at the Intercontinental which is right in the heart of the shopping and its right next to the Skytrain.

rhkmhk-FYI-I'm staying at the Marriott in January! It's perfect for what I want and need, which is precisely that little oasis/resort by the pool in the winter months! But Icuy is FROM paradise, she and her family don't necessarily want or need the oasis/resort atmosphere, I think.

Bill and orgy -- you have a point. I don't know any of the in-town hotels and would never stay there but that's because I have lived in Manhattan or Chicago my whole life so hub-bub and malls don't cut it for me when I travel. Thus I always stay on the river. And the stores there along with specific other stores like Jim Thompson and some crafts stores suit all my shopping needs. By the same token I am NOT a pool or a resort person and am not overly impressed with modern hi-tech stuff in rooms which is why the Oriental suits me to a "t". But I certainly understand if others prefer other places for varying reasons. As you said, we're all different and we all have different priorities and likes.

So I'd say Icuy would be best served either at one of the in-town hotels -- maybe someone can give some ideas of of "glamorous hi-risers" which is what he/she says they are looking for. Or. if they want a bit of both they should go for the Royal Orchid Tower.

i jsut suggested to someone else to stay at the jw marriott (soi 2, sukhumvit rd) to be nearer to shopping...that the intercontinental, the hyatt or 4 seasons would fit the bill....also a step down is the landmark hotel on sukhumvit....

the westin or sheraton grande would also fit the bill..

Thanks everyone, for the continuing tips. Still debating this one with self (and family) :-)
Lucy

Well, we've decided to stay at the Landmark..They have a 2 for 1 special on the Deluxe lifestyle rooms with Club privleges. Family decided that river experience can wait for next trip. We'll spend our time out and about and the proximity to shopping and Skytrain was the deciding factor.

We've booked Christmas brunch at Lord Jims and looking into a 1/2 day at the spa for all 4 of us.

Also booked Amazing Bkk Cycle 1/2 day tour.

We will do our own river tour on the public boats, plus use river to get to the main wats and palace. Other than that, we may just shop till we drop!

Anyone have ideas for a small inn or hotel with Japanese style rooms in central Tokyo?

We've stayed at Ryokan Shigetsu many times and like it, but thinking a new neighborhood (Shinjuku, Yaesu???) might be more interesting for a change. We will be using our 4 days in Tokyo to meet up with our former exchange students and Japanese friends, so want to be somewhere with subway, food, & shops nearby as we won't be doing as much "sightseeing" as visiting.

And BTW, thanks to ALL of you for your input. Although not heeding the advice to stay on the river, I have printed out tons of these threads and have gone crazy with my yellow highlighter on hints for sights, shopping, transport, etc!

This is not to say I'm done...still got 3 months of planning! :-)

Aloha,
Lucy

Lucy- do the Calypso Cabaret at the Asia Hotel- right on the skytrain route. We did it and it was fab, classy, and entertaining. You won't regret it!

Bill- is that the Ladyboys? My dancer daughter is really anxious to see them!

I guess I'm too late to put in my 2 cents for the Intercontinental Hotel in BKK. I've stayed there a couple of times and think it is the best shopping location I've found.

I can't imagine traveling from MBK, or Siam Center, or Siam Discovery with bags and bags (which I have done) and then have to take the skytrain PLUS a boat down the river to get to my room where I could toss all the packages. I'd be exhausted.

Where is the Landmark Hotel? I'm trying to place it.

Your daughters will go crazy with all the shopping in Bangkok. It's fantastic!!! Have fun!!

Carol

(I've been absent from this board for a few weeks... I was on a trip to Australia and the Cook Islands and Tahiti/Bora Bora.. ah, the retired life!!! Sorry, just had to gloat)

Oh, Carol, I'm so envious! Bora Bora is my idea of paradise! I have such vivid memories of staying at teh Hotel Bora Bora.

Carol- Loved your trip report!

The Landmark is across from the Nana station of the skytrain. I sort of had hotel overload, and the location and price were right, so I booked. I may reconsider later...

Icuy and Kathie:

To Icuy,
On my last (6th) trip to BKK in June of this year, I stayed at the Grand President apartment hotel. Our skytrain stop was at Nana, but we had to walk down the soi (alley) to the hotel. I think you'll be fine staying at Landmark as you are right on the main street.

I was reading in my journal after asking hubby about your hotel. I found notes on it. The Landmark has a few shops and eateries on the street level and down one and up one. A friend likes the Huntsman Bar in the basement there. Hubby and I shopped at the Asia Books store there on the second floor and had a sandwich at a pastry shop street level. Looks like a nice building.

You will be two skytrain stops (going towards Mo Chit) from the Intercontinental Hotel stop that I mentioned previously (Chitlom). The shopping at that stop is excellent.

You can go to the Central Chitlom dept store right from the skytrain. Just follow the signs. Gaysorn Plaza is also accessible from the skytrain walkway, but in the other direction from Central Store.

Go through Gaysorn Plaza, then go up one level, exit Gaysorn at the overhead walkway and go across the street to what used to be World Trade Center. There are a couple of big department stores there, plus many many smaller shops. You should enjoy this shopping center.

The Thai Craft Village is also behind Gaysorn, but on the same street rather than across the walkway. Just exit Gaysorn at street level and the craft stores are right next door. You can find some bargains here... and you can haggle over prices too.

If you go one more stop towards Mo Chit you will be at Siam Center. From this point you can go to Siam Center, Siam Discovery, and then cross the street on the upper walkways right into MBK (my favorite)! This is a bargain shopper's paradise. If you go to the "stalls" rather than the regular shops, you can haggle over the price.

Let me know if you have any questions about shopping. That's one of the main reasons why I visit BKK a couple of times a year.

Glad you enjoyed my trip report!

Carol

To Kathie,
Yes, Bora Bora was beautiful. The over water bungalows looked awesome. I didn't happen to stay in one.

I discovered the real southseas paradise on this trip though. It was Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, plus the neighboring island of Aitutaki! These are islands that remain the way Tahiti was about 50 years ago! Very laid back, quiet, not over developed, and really undiscovered yet. And the blue water in the lagoons there is absolutely gorgeous!

Icuy, There was a recent post by someone who just returned from BKK and described their stay at the Landmark. Use the search function and you will find it and probably other reviews of the Landmark by other posters that may be helpful.

Carol- Thanks you so much...your specifics are exactly what I wanted! I was so hesitant about going off the river, but am now feeling like this will be a great location, especially since shopping is a much higher priority than relaxing on this trip!

CFW- thanks, too. The recent one that talked highly about the landmark service has me very hopeful that this will really be a nice place.

Icuy
If you think of other questions, just ask! I've been to BKK 6 times now, and have stayed in a number of places and shopped a lot! I'm no expert on the city, but I've got 6 travel journals filled with little tidbits of information.

don't forget Emporium.. it is bangkok most upscale department store. and the mall has many designer shops.
lacated 2 stops towards on nut. (cant find my map but it starts with a p and is after Asoke station.)