where do I want to stay in Bangkok for two nights in Jan.2008 that is decent, but priced right and situated right?

Gee, we need a lot more information than that to be of assistance!

What is priced right? US$50 or US$200?

What do you plan to do in Bangkok? Many of us love staying on the river, but if you are only there for shopping, then someplace along Sukumvit would be better.

January, of course, is high season, so making reservations soon is a good idea.

We found the Old Bangkok Inn to be VERY reasonable...www.oldbangkokinn.com

also what kind of hotels/atmosphere do you like? high tech? Intimate? Historic?Personal? Modern?

judo
I note that you have posted on the Europe forum in the past. Thailand is a real bargain when compared to prices in Europe! You can stay at a 4-5* for a fraction of what London costs. Do let us know what sort of hotel/serviced apartment you might be hoping to find. Are you shopping or sight seeing?

January is peak season so you will be paying some of the year's highest prices in BKK, but still a bargain when compared to London. Many places will already be booked, so do not hesitate at this point... Let us help.

I have been to Bankok before and will be there those two nights before meeting some friends. I think I really need a hotel where I can just wander around the neighborhood safely and just people watch. I am newly widowed so travelling alone is a new adventure for me. as for price I was thinking along the lines of under $100. a night,but if there is something wonderful ,I am open to suggestion.

You probably cannot stay along the river for that price. IMO the river is not the best place to just walk around and people watch anyway. Too many tourists! I hope the "regulars" don't flame me for that comment. If you are going to be a tourist and want sight seeing as a main goal, then the river is nice. If you want to mingle with the locals, you have a better chance elsewhere.

For people watching, I would suggest you stay closer to the shopping area of Sukhumvit. The malls and markets and craft places are busy all day long and into the evening, and there are plenty of dining options as well. You will not feel unsafe in this area, day or night.

Look at the Bangkok Holiday Inn (Ploenchit). I thought it was a good choice when I stayed there (traveling alone) in Feb of this year. When I returned in July of this year, I stayed in an apartment hotel (Somerset) very close by. The Hol Inn is next to the Chitlom skytrain station.

The Somerset Suwan Park View building is within about 5 mintues walk to two skytrain stations. Being near a skytrain is essential, IMO. Traffic in Bangkok can be a big problem. The skytrain is above the busy streets, and it glides right along in comfort and aircon.

Both of these places are just over $100 per night. The Holiday Inn is slightly more, but the Suwan 1-bedroom apartment has more room and includes breakfast buffet daily.

I have also stayed at the Intercontinental Hotel. More expensive, but also handy to Chitlom skytrain and shopping. BTW, the Hol Inn is right next door to Intercon.

Favorites along the river are the Peninsula, the Marriott Resort, the Oriental, the Royal Orchid Sheraton, and the Hilton. These are all priced much higher, but are 4-5* with better prices than Europe! I've stayed at the Pen and the Oriental, and prefer the Pen.

Let us know how we can help you in your planning!

Carol

We all have different preferences. I always stay along the river. For me, the river is the life blood of Bangkok. I walk a lot, and have walked much of the area along the "right" side of the river, and have walked into China Town from the River CIty area. I also like staying where I can take a water taxi to visit some of the wats.

Carol's a shopper, so she likes being close the the many shopping center along Sukhumvit. There are great places to walk there as well -some of the sois (side streets) have lots of interesting shops and restaurants.

So you'll have lots of options. You'll likely have to go a bit above $100 to get a really nice place, but there are plenty of acceptable places in your price range. There are some really special places to stay in Bangkok.

Old Bangkok inn looked very interesting.Does anyone have any thoughts? It appears to be near points of interest.

There have been several recent reviews of the Old Bangkok Inn. Do a search and you'll find some specifics.

I love Old Bangkok Inn. If you click on my name, you can read my recent honeymoon report where I talk about it extensively.

And another report on OBI was from Filmwill.

Kathie...I was about to chime in but you beat me to the punch

I'm a huge fan of the OBI, but I think everyone on here knows that from my endless droning about it.

Don't know if location matters to you, judo, since OBI is not the most centrally located hotel, but that never really bothered us. It was actually a bit more interesting taking a klong boat to the Sky Train.

Definitely a great place for people watching (right next to the Democracy Monument, so lots and lots of action happening) and it's absolutely safe. It's also fairly close to the Grand Palace complex which was a nice benefit for us.

Best of all, it felt like staying with family...they just couldn't do enough to make us feel more comfortable.

Good luck picking a place!

I too like OBI, but still my favourite is ROS.
Actually, after reading your second entry on this thread, I think OBI might be perfect.
Hope to publish a dedicated page on Bangkok hotels on our site in the next few days. Will post again when it's running.

Judo:

I admire your deciding to "get out on your own." BKK is a very safe city, and you should have no problem in most areas.

Carol made a good suggestion in the Somerset Suwan Park View -- we are booked there for a month in December/January, and chose it for its central location to shopping and the BTS. It is also close to Lumpini Park and we are looking forward to doing some people watching there.

So far as prices -- at the SSPV, a studio apartment might be less expensive than a 1-bedroom, and IMO will be larger than a hotel room. We have been to BKK several times, and always choose a serviced apartment over a hotel for this reason.

Whatever your choices are, go -- relax -- enjoy! BKK is a great city!!!!

mcbeanie

n the meantime I made a reservation at the Asia hotel becuse it appears to be central and can be cancelled easily. I'm grateful for any thoughts.

My daughter stayed at the Asia Hotel and thought it was a perfectly decent hotel in a great location. I visited her room...kind of basic, 1970's motel look, but spacious and very clean.

it is right on top of the skytrain station, and there is a canal boat stop there too.

My family travels a lot, and whenever any of us are in Bangkok, we stay at the Boss Hotel. It is practically next door to the Shangrila, but much, much less expensive. It is also very centrally located, and is very near to the river. The breakfast buffet is excellent, and guests from the Shangrila are frequently eating breakfast in the Boss Hotel restaurant, because it also costs just a fraction of the Shangrila's breakfast, and, they say, is much better. It is on a quiet street, so there is virtually no noise from traffic. Tuk tuk and taxis are easy to get, because of its location to the Shangrila.

I just discovered that I have the opportunity to stay at the Holiday Inn silom for points. Would that be a better bet than the Asia Hotel? Is it well situated? Or would I be better off hanging in with the Asia because of its proximity to the sky train. Considering that this ia just for two nights,I might be over-reacting

I know there have been a number of reviews of the Holiday Inn on Silom, so do a search. I think both Bob and Carol have stayed there are various times, so there should be good info here. It will be a couple of steps up from the Asia Hotel in terms of amenities.