We will be in Bangkok for 5 days total, split between the beginning and end of our trip to Thailand. What areas are best to stay in? We plan on going to see the Wats and Grand Palace, but assume those are journeyed to from anywhere in Bangkok.

More importantly, we'd like to be able to walk to (or take relatively short taxi/tuk tuk rides) to great restaurants (as suggested in posts here), some nightlife and shopping. Don't want to be anywhere where we (couple in 30's) don't feel safe. Or that gets desolate at night (business district). Lonely Planet has the city broken up into neighborhoods. Silom or Sukhumvit Roads? What is near the river?

Finally, any great recommendations for hotels with low end rooms around $100/night? Sawasdee.com has many options--too many!

I like the Sofitel in Silom Road, it's convenient for the Skytrain station, not too far from the River. From the river you can take one of the boats to the Grand Palace and other attractions. Swimming pool is very small however but for the money it's very good value. There are alot of restaurants/shops in this area. For a slightly higher rate, the Sheraton Royal Orchid is a very conveniently located hotel, right on the river, which in my opinion is the best place to be in Bangkok.

Sukhumvit is probably your best bet of the choices you gave for neighborhoods. The river is good for access to some of the main tourist attractions but the hotels are (mostly) high end. I don't find Silom convenient to anything. From Sukhumvit the skytrain is a good way to get to the Taksim Pier and the river taxis but being driven is another way to get around. Hiring a driver for the day (Ratt and others mentioned on this forum) works well for a lot of people but may not be the perfect solution if you are budget-conscious. Don't waste your time with tuk-tuks.

A couple of years ago my boyfriend and I stayed at The Landmark hotel on Sukhumvit Road. We had an enjoyable stay and it was ideally located for the skytrain (Nana Station). Would also recommend a restaurant called 'Cabbages and Condoms' which is not too from The Landmark.

Craig and Odin,

Thanks for your input. Our situation is a little different, because we may very likely have my parents traveling with us for part of the trip. They would prefer nicer accommodations and budget is not an issue for them. So I am thinking of putting them in an executive or club room at a hotel that we can afford.

As for a guide, we fully intend to use Ratt or one of her guides for a few days, thus I am not to worried about how to get to the main attractions in the area.

It's the time on our own that I don't want to find ourselves feeling locked in because the neighborhoood isn't good or because we because it takes entirely too much effort (because we are too far from desired destinations).

That said, we are fairly well traveled and I expect that in most areas, common sense will keep us from finding ourselves in less desirable situations.

The area along the river is the area I prefer to stay. You can take a water taxi to many attractions (Grand Palace, Wats, etc), and there are many good restaurants within walking dustance. I always stay at the Sheraton Royal Orchid. You can put your parents in the Towers (breakfast. evening cocktails and canapes in the club, and free laundry). The main part of the hotel is very reasonably priced, but is (I understand) of rather nondescript decor. I always stay in a suite in the Towers, and those rooms are really lovely. Every room has a full river view.

From the Royal Orchid, you can walk to the Gallery Cafe, Harmonique, (and if you are hardy) Tongue Thai and China House.

River City (an Arts and Antiques mall) is connected to teh Royal Orchid by overhead walkway.

The skytrain station is a short water taxi ride away.

Maybe if you would suggest what destinations you want to be close to, we can help you more. There are great restaurants both near the river and in the Sukhumvit area.

Two thumbs up for the Sukumvit area. The skytrain runs straight down the middle of the street, so transportation is no problem at all. Plus, there are some really good restaurants in Sukumvit area and it's right in the shopping area. As for Silom, I've never been fond of Silom. Hope this has helped. Happy Travels!

Thanks, all.

Craig, as for things we are looking to do while there, we are planning on 2 days with a guide (Wats, Grand Palace, Teak Palace, Jim Thompson's). Otherwise on our own, we would like to visit the night market; Pratunam Market; Flower Market; restaurants such as China House, Cabbages and Condoms, and Basil; will want to find a tailor or two (men's and women's clothing); visit Face spa.

Really, our destinations will likely vary, so we'll want something fairly central and easy access to Skytrain. Sounds as if Sukhumvit area is the recommendation from this board thus far. Guenmai, what don't you like about Silom?

Thanks all, for your input.

you don't say what month you are going??

prices are much cheaper for hotels from may 1 to oct 31....

on the river may i suggest the marriott resort and spa....good for both you and parents and the skytrain is a 12 minute free boat ride....

on sukhumvit and in that area you might look at the micacle grande....also any of the centre point apartments: wireless, sukhumvit and ruan ruandee are 3 of their locations...

on silom the sofitel is not bad...holiday inn is ok....but center point silom might suit you both perfectly....lots of room as they are serviced apartments....decent pool there too...right next to skytrain stop and robinson's department store and within walking distance of many good restaurants: tongue thai, harmonique, himiliu cha cha, gallery cafe, the major river hotels, china house and many more....sky bar....

i like this hotel site (all inclusive):

www.huahin.20m.com

I am leaning towards the Majestic Grande. We will be there in November. I know pricing is higher that time of year, but it works best for our schedule. From sawasdee.com it looks as if we can get rooms for under $100/night, and they have many higher end options for my parents.

Don't sweat too much. Either Sukhumvit or Silom will be good. Of the two, I would choose Sukhumvit. By any chance do either you or your parents have Starwood points? If so, there are two very good options.

The Sukhumvit and river areas each have their own good points, and I don't think you'll go wrong with either area. Sukhumvit is more convenient to shopping and Skytrain, the river area is a bit more laid back. Both areas are very, very safe.

As for your hotel issue (you're looking for reasonably-priced rooms while your parents are looking for a higher-end place), a very good solution might be the Holiday Inn and InterContinental hotels in the Sukhumvit areas. The Holiday Inn is reasonably priced -- almost sure to be within your range -- and a nice property, while the InterContinental is among the better hotels in Bangkok (though not in the same élite category as Oriental or Peninsula). The Holiday Inn and IC are next to each other and you can actually go from one to the other without stepping outside, and you can charge expenses (restaurants, for example) from one hotel to your room at the other.

- I think any hotel around ploanchit/siam area may be the best for you. ;

-Grand Hyatt
-Four season
-intercontinental

you would be within walking distance of pratunam market. and a short ride to lumpini night market.
-there are 3 BTS stations the the area

-try to avoid going on tuk tuks, try it once maybe to night market and after you've gotten gauged, and had an uncomfortable ride try to stick to taxix and mass transit transportation.

-what is your budget for acc

-----
on suk
the landmark is a good option for you

the holiday inn referred to above is the holiday inn bangkok on plenochit....there is more than one.. it was completely refurbished last year....we toured it in june and found it to be very nice....the pool is not very nice however...combining the two hotels might be a good idea...

For the person who asked why I don't like the Silom area...it's just that I don't find it very exciting. I find more to do...shopping/eating along the Sukhumvit route.But, of course if one is close to a skytrain station, then it's not a problem getting around no matter which hotel you choose. But, I agree with rizutto although I haven't personally stayed at either the Inter Continental or the Holiday Inn, but it's a very convenient area. I would go with his plan for your particular situation. I know where the hotels are that he's talking about. Happy Travels!

Sukhimvit is a long road. The southern end is further from the major attractions or the river.

I will vote Silom.

If Shopping, Siam Center area is better, near to both Silom and Sukhimvit too.

The apartment I rented was at the Emporium complex at Sukumvit soi 24 and in the 3 weeks that I was in BAngkok, I personally found that my restuarant choice, for one, was great in that area and it wasn't that many stops to get into the shopping areas at Chitlom/Siam/National Stadium BTS stops.Plus, the Jim Thompson outlet was east of me on Sukumvit and I could also go to the Thong Lor area. I was able to leave my apartment at 6:15PM to meet Isis,her partner,and Rizzuto at Face at 6:30PM. But, yes, it was a bit of a way from the river, but I didn't have a lot to do in that area anyway, so it didn't really affect me.If they're getting a driver to do those river activities, then it won't affect them either. I like to be near the skytrain so that when I shop I don't have to slep shopping bags too far. I still go with Rizzuto's plan for the original poster. They won't be as far east as I was at soi 24, but they can still easily get to some good restaurants/clubs that are east of the two hotels he's recommended. Happy Travels!