heymo

The task of choosing a hotel for our trip is becoming increasingly difficult...I have no idea what area of Bangkok we should stay. We'll be there from Dec. 25th(late)-28th, and from Dec. 31-Jan. 2.We would like something under $100 a night, and I myself would prefer something that has some character. After writing to the Arun Residence repeatedly, I have given up on them. I was looking at the Shanghai Inn, but I'm not sure if Chinatown is where we want to stay...would we be better off in the Silom area? Sukhumvit? AAAHHHHH.....my head hurts!

On another note- has anyone had any experince with the Romyen Garden Resort in Chiang Mai?

topdoggerel

We stayed at the Majestic Grande for $78/night via Asiarooms.com in Jan 07. It is modern, in Sukhumvit in a fascinating area with many Egyptian, Uzbecki, etc. restaurants nearby, had a very helpful staff and lovely views from the high floors, but might not meet your "character" requirement. That seems to mean different things to different people. But check their website. Very near the skytrain, by the way.

heymo

Thanks for the suggestion. I guess when I say I'd like a place with some character, I mean that it doesn't look like it could be anywhere- it has a flair for the country I'm visiting. Here's an example...http://www.bangkok.com/shanghaiinn/

Kathie

My recommendations for where to stay:

1. If you can afford it, stay by the river.

2. If not, stay next to a Skytrain stop. There are zillions (last I counted) of places to stay near the skytrain that are in your budget.

Don't ruminate too much about character and such. It's more important to have a place that feels comfortable and is easy to get around to do and see the things you want.

Kathie

PS Others who have stayed in Chinatown have reported it made getting around difficult.

In Chiang Mai, Baan Orrapin is your best bet. I know that Gloria already recommended it to you.

heymo

Thanks Kathie. Okay- I'll eliminate the Shanghai Inn, I don't want to have trouble getting to and from the place! tong recommended maybe staying at the New Siam II, but that got mixed reviews on the tripadvisor website.

I did look at the Baan Orapin, and it looks really nice. The Romyen was the very first place I saw when I was doing my initial research, and for some reason it has just stuck with me. Not sure why...I did e-mail the Bann Orapin to see if they have availbility, just haven't heard back from them yet.

simpsonc510

I would recommend staying in the Sukhumvit area because of its proximity to the skytrain and ease of getting around (altho traffic on Suk is horrendous at certain times). The skytrain runs ABOVE the street so you don't have to deal with the snarls. Chinatown is a little too inconvenient, IMO.

I just looked at asiarooms and saw that the Grand President serviced apartments on Suk soi 11 are in the $50-100 price range. I've stayed there before. They are really nice. Character? Not sure... although soi 11 has a character all its own, when you walk down this small street to catch the skytrain about 5-7 minutes away.

I doubt that Grand President would want to charge you extra for a "gala" affair on New Years Eve, since it is an apartment complex, not a hotel. Many of the hotels will expect you to attend their gala dinners and then add that charge to your bill, and some are very expensive!!

For very simple, no frills, but clean enough to eat off the floor, I've stayed at a smaller apartment place called Patumwan House. They have a web site, but I'm afraid it isn't very helpful at all! Best to contact them by phone, or maybe try e-mail. They do not have a pool. They have a very simple little restaurant with about 6 tables in the lobby, but it serves great meals. Nothing fancy, just very tasty and cheap. The price for Patumwan House is about $35-50/night. The location is very close to National Stadium skytrain station and all of the wonderful shopping at Siam area.

My web site at cjscollection dot com has photos of a number of serviced apartments and other hotels (such as the above mentioned Majestic Grande). Click on the photo gallery link on the left side of the page and then select the Asia album.

Carol

Scotters

Depending on how long you are in Chiang Mai you might consider a few days outside the city. A great place is the Baan Rai Lanna about a hour drive north. Very good reviews. http://www.baanrailanna.com/

Baan Orapin is fine but has no pool if that makes any difference. About a 15-20 walk to the night market. If you can't get a room there don't worry as there are many good places to stay at under $75.

heymo

Thanks, Carol. I looked on Asiarooms, and for the time we'd be there they are asking $97 per night. I was also looking at The Davis, and the Grand Sukhumvit.

Guenmai

Yes, definitely near a skytrain station or else you'll have a big headache in commuting around. I was first in BK back when the skytrain didn't exist. By having it now, it's made a world of difference. I can leave my apartment building and meet friends for dinner within 15 minutes by using the skytrain instead of the once 30 minutes or easily more. Happy Travels!

heymo

Since we're going to be in Bangkok for two days, go up to Chiang Mai for 3 days then back to Bangkok for 2 more days I think we're going to stay at the Grand Sukhumvit for the 25th-28th, and the Centre Point Silom for the 31st through the 2nd. Then it's off to Cambodia!

How does that sound? Do you think one of those places would keep some our luggage until we got back from Chiang Mai?

simpsonc510

heymo
That sounds good. I've not stayed at either one of those, but the Centerpoint gets good reviews. You should have a nice view of fireworks, if you can get a riverview room... maybe? I can't answer your question about keeping luggage... sorry.

Carol

heymo

Well, I decided to just stay in one location both times- so we're going to stay at the Centre Point Silom.I am hoping they may allow us to have a bag stored while we are going to Chiang Mai, that way we don't have to haul our scuba gear all over the place!
Thanks for all your suggestions!

Clifton

You might send the Centrepoint an email ahead of time just to check. I don't know if they would, but they're awfully accommodating on most things. We'd stay there, as well as Baan Orapin again. At Baan Orapin, I would recommend asking for a room a little further from the road. Nice place, the frontmost room was a little noisy at night.

vedette

I was just informed by Baan Orapin that at that time of year, they have a 4-night minimum stay.

Guenmai

The advantage of staying at two different places is that you experience two different areas of the city. Plus, it saves on commuting time. Before I moved into a serviced apartment building, I used to stay in 3-4 different hotels in different areas during one continuous stay in Bangkok. When I was finished doing what I needed to do in one area, I'd just move to the next and explore that area. Plus, I'd get a feel of different hotels that way. Happy Travels!

simpsonc510

I can certainly understand guenmai's moving from place to place, in order to take care of various things in BKK.

On the other hand, it sure is nice to unpack ONCE and stay put...

Carol

Kathie

If you are staying at Centerpoint Silom both times, I'm sure they will store you luggage. I've stored luggage with my Bangkok hotel many times (indeed, almost every year).

heymo

Thanks, Kathie (and everyone else!) I did write to them and ask if they'd store a bag. We'll see what happens. Now I'm on to finding a hotel in Khao Lak or Phuket!

Guenmai

Carol...The original poster is going to be in Bangkok twice...at the beginning and end of the trip. So, two different places is not a problem. Happy Travels!