My husband and I will be in Thailand and Cambodia around Christmas. I've read several posts about many different places to stay, mostly higher end places than we want to stay. My biggest queston is what area should we try to look for a place? I'd like to stay someplace for under $100 per night. I've heard good things about the Arun Residence, but can't get them to answer my e-mails.

I want to book this week-any suggestions?

It depends on exactly what you want in the way of accommodation. Most Americans seem to want pampered and are happy to pay a fortune for it.

On short stays the Baiyoke Suite does me. Presently till October they are charging $26 a night for a large living room, air-con, TV, fridge, seperate bedroom, etc. There is an excellent buffet breakfast thrown in and meals ordered to your room are cheap. The hotel is fairly central being a short taxi ride (taxis are cheap) to Siam Square area (center of Bangkok) and 10 minutes walk to the Skytrain. The hotel has 46 floors and I usually ask for somewhere around 40 which has great views.

I don't know what they'll charge in December but whatever you decide, book early as the best and cheapest rooms go around this time.

Take a look at one of the websites for booking Thai hotels, such as www.sawadee.com and browse Bangkok hotels. While I love being on the river, you'll have a hard time finding a riverside hotel for that price. Make sure you are close to a skytrain station, as that will make a big difference.

When you find a place that catches your eye, come back and ask about it.

One point. Traffic in Bangkok is terrible so ideally somewhere near the Skytrain (BTS) like Sukhumvit/Silom/Siam Square or the Subway system (MRT) which are fast and air conditioned, or somewhere central.

We are staying at the Royal Orchid Sheraton in November. The cost is only $120 per night for a Tower room with the AARP senior discount. Don't know if you qualify for that, but you only need to be 50 years old. Other rooms were as little as $90 with the discount.

Wow - that's a great deal!

We're definitely NOT the luxury accommodation type. If it has a comfy bed, a working shower and air conditioning we'll be happy. I'd like to find one with some character, that's one of the reasons I liked the Arun Residence. Someone on here mentioned the Centre Point Silom apartments, and I am looking into those. I had thought about the Old Bangkok Inn, but it had too many mixed reviews both on here and on Trip Advisor. I'll check out Sawadee again- I looked on there once but I would much rather have personal recommendations!

Neither one of us qualifies for AARP discount(45 & 49)and for right now I guess that's a good thing!

Has anyone heard of the Shanghai Inn? I guess it's in Chinatown...not sure whether it's close to the SkyTrain or not, but it looks kind of interesting! http://www.bangkok.com/shanghaiinn/index.htm

It depends on what you plan to do mainly sightseeing, shopping or both. However as long as you are near (no more than 5-10 minute walk) a skytrain or subway station, it does not really matter the location. By the river and close to both ferry and skytrain are the Centre Point Apts. A 1 bedroom river view (90sqm) will be around $100 net with breakfast. City view is less.

Up around the main shopping areas of Siam Square and Ploenchit there are the Arnoma, Holiday Mansion and Evergreen Place Apts. A little north and a further distance from skytrain and subway in the Pratunam area are the Grand Diamond and the Indra Regent.

Around the Sukhumvit area there are the Bel-Aire Princess, Grand Mercure Park Avenue, Ambassador (tower rooms are best), Dynasty Inn Grande and the Manhattan.

These are just a few of the good hotels that are available under $100.

By no means consider the Baiyoke Suite as in my opinion it is a dump.

Don't rule out the Old Bangkok Inn.

Mixed reviews? It's #1 on TripAdvisor's Bangkok B&B list! It also made the Conde Naste Hot List last year. I've heard nothing but good things (maybe minus a very small handful of people) from fellow Fodorites who've stayed there as well.

Acutally, the only complaints I've heard are about the staircase in the Orchid Room (and, yes, it is steep!)...that's about it.

Take it from someone who's been there...it's a great bargain. Location certainly isn't the most central, but for the money, it's a VERY good deal.

My own budget list includes: Arnoma, Pinnacle Lumpini, Grand Mercure Fortune, Grand Hotel, and the Chaophraya Park. All are just a few steps from the subway or Skytrain.

If you splurge just a little, you can get the Holiday Inn or the Patumwan Princess for just over $100 right now. You may be able to get a good deal by booking now and checking the hotel's web sites.

Thanks for all those suggestions!

I'm surprised that nobody has suggested any of the numerous "boutique hotels" which have sprung up like mushrooms around the city. One nice one is Ibrik Resort, with two locations. It is around $100 if booked online. Another is Siam Heritage, near the Sala Daeng BTS station; it runs around $65. Almost next door to that is Tarntawan Place for around $70. Swana Hotel has contemporary decor, but being on the edge of Banglamphu is not close to the BTS, so you will have to use taxis and tuk tuks to get around.

Prices in US$ may change for the worse by then as the $ continues into decline- many hotels are now pricing in Thai baht, so don't be surprised if tariffs are higher in December.

Personally, I would avoid staying around Sukhumvit for reasons I won't go into here.

I forgot the Shanghai Inn in Chinatown, which is near the underground, and priced under $100 online. You'll know you're "not in Kansas anymore" with their hip, Chinese decor.