Wondering if I could bother you folks again to some tips for my upcoming trip to BKK

1) I am using Agoda to look for hotel reservations. Do you guys use a different site for reservations?

2) I think I have cut my shortlist down to Prince Palace Hotel, I Residence, Heritage Silom Hotel, and Dynasty Grande. Has anyone here had positive or negative experiences with any of these hotels? Also, is there an I Residence and an I Residence Grande. Any comparison of these two hotels?

3) I am thinking about doing a cruise to Ayuthya, spending a night there, and returning to BKK the following day. Has anyone here done this? Any suggestions/tips/cautions?

Thank you so much for sharing any information that you might have.

#3...usually this is done as a day trip... i think accomodations would be quite sparce

#2 don't know any of those hotels

#1 i also us: www.asiarooms.com www.huahin.20m.com

I have watched Dynasty Grande being built over the years I've been coming here to Bangkok. It is only a couple of years old. I've been in the lobby bar a few times, and they have a nice terrace/outdoor restaurant where I always see people sitting and reading their newspaper and lolling over their cup of coffee. I think DG would be fine. Don't know the others.

If you want the Sukhumvit neighborhood, you might take a look at the Dawin (might be spelled Dauwin) on soi 4. It also is quite new, as is the new Ibis on soi 4. I think you could get very reasonable rooms at either one of these places.

Re: where to book I've always just booked with my hotel or apartment building directly. My current choice of location is on Sukhumvit soi 8, Adelphi Suites. It seems to get booked out though. Popular place. It is an apartment place, with both one-room studios and one-bedroom apartments. Both are reasonable, but maybe more costly than the the three I named above.

Carol

I usually book though www.sawasdee.com for Thai hotels. I sometimes use agoda or asiarooms

I've done the Ayutthya trip as a daytrip. Sorry, I really don't know anything about accommodations there.

Rather a "unique" choice for hotels you've asked about. If you are travelling alone then it should be fine but if you are coming with your family I would choose other hotels.

Ayuthaya - there is no need to spend the night there as the drive back to Bangkok is only 1.5 - 2 hours. There are hotels there but the hotels in Bangkok will be better.

Thank you all so much for your input. Yes, I am travelling solo; so I have some flexibility on where I stay. Thanks again!

People who have stayed at the Silom Heritage say it's very nice.

While sawasdee.com is good and reliable, over this last year most people are finding better rates and booking with Agoda.

While it's true most people do Ayutthaya as a day trip from Bangkok, there is actually a lot to see (if you're 'into' ancient temples and history), and there are now a couple of nice boutique hotels to stay in. Have a look at Iudia On The River and Ayodhara Village.

I also found out that Agoda has a "lowest price guarantee" if you find a lower price soon after you make reservations with Agoda. Be sure to read more about it on Agoda's website, but they will match another prices. I have had good luck with Agoda for several years. You can also earn points good for price deductions for future trips.

Hi geo. Can you tell us what attracted you to these hotels? If you can tell us what you want to spend and your preferred location I bet someone will come up with some nifty suggestions. You mention that your previous trips to BKK have been rather 'sheltered' - you may be leaving yourself open to just the kind of difficulties we'd all like you to avoid.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...l-Bangkok.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...m-Bangkok.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...e-Bangkok.html

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...e-Bangkok.html

I've lately been using:
www.latestays.com

which seems to have better rates than any of the above mentioned - all of which are fine, by the way.

Thank you all very much for your responses.

In selecting a hotel, I am looking for something that is clean, safe, in the moderate price range. I am looking for a high speed internet connection in my room (although I am on vacation, I still need to stay connected with work), a restaurant (I am sure I will get lazy at some point and just want room service!). Since I am traveling solo, I can afford to take some chances with the quality of hotel. I figured in BKK, a hotel meeting those requirements would be in the $40 to $60 range.

I picked Dynasty Grand because it is in the middle of everything (Sukhumvit), and its new. I remember spending a night at the Majestic Grande when that hotel was new. The hotel was really good, service was excellent, and the price was even better - around $60! I am hoping for something similar at the new Dynasty Grand.

I picked the Heritage Silom because if was also in a busy part of the city. Its right next to the BTS (Chong Nonsi). It was within my price range and had good reviews at on a few websites. While researching the Heritage, I came across I-Residence. It also seemed to fit the bill at a lower price.

I picked Prince Palace because it had a few good reviews. I think it is located between the Khao San and Silom areas. The price was right.

Thanks again for your help.