jacketwatch

This one should be fairly easy to answer. . We will have 4-5 days in BKK in mid Oct. we would like a hotel in an area with nice shops and restaurants. Any advice on this and things to see and do would be appreciated. Thanks! Larry

Kathie

Well, I love to stay on the river. I find the river traffic endlessly fascinating. The air is clearer, it's a bit cooler (less hot) and it's so convenient for taking the water taxi. My home away from home is the Royal Orchid Sheraton Towers.

Craig

Larry, as you probably already know, there is no shortage of good hotels in Bangkok. On the river we prefer the Peninsula or the Krungthep wing of the Shangri La. While there are some shops and restaurants in this area, there are more in and around the central shopping district. We recently had a good experience at the Renaissance but have also enjoyed the Plaza Athenee and the Intercontinental. We stayed on the executive floors of these 3 hotels to take advantage of the lounge and included breakfast. The Four Seasons also gets good reviews.

Hope this helps.

juddy

Over the 15 years I have traveled asia, we have stayed in both the Shang Ra La: 89 Soi Wat Suan Plu, New Road, Bangrak Bangkok 10500, Thailand
+66 2 236 7777

And the Amari Boulevard Sukhumvit Road Soi 13 Pak Nam, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
+66 2 255 2930

Both of which I highly recommend, The Amari is in the city area, and is directly opposite a MRT station allowing quick and easy travel to all parts of Bangkok, theres also plenty of places to eat and drink, its also got a lovely roof top restaurant.

The Shang Ra la however is on the water, so you get to see abit more from your room...

jacketwatch

Thanks for the advice. Once there what would you recommend to see and do?

Kathie

Is this your first trip to Bangkok, Larry?

jacketwatch

Sure is.

Craig

Grand Palace, Jim Thompson house, Wat Arun, Wat Pho.

Kathie

I agree with Craig's list.

Also, have some really wonderful Thai food. We always enjoy Lana Thai at Face www.facebars.com but there are many, many other places as well.

Shop. If you like the Jim Thompson merchandise (there is a small store at the Jim Thompson House), you may want to visit the outlet store on soi 93. If you are in the market for jewelry, I'll gladly give you the info on my jeweler.

rhkkmk

we love the following on the river:

anantara riverside (former marriott), shangri-la, chatrium riverside, peninsula.

in town: plaza anthanee, st regis, four seasons, marriott sukhumvit park, emporium suites, renaissance, conrad, hyatt.

it really depends on your budget too?? most of these are $100-200 per night.. cheapest before nov 1 when prices change to high season.

there are many less expensive places too.

sightseeing:

grand palace
wat pho
wat arun
jim thompson house
klong tour of thornburi
v-mek palace (teak palace)
zoo
prasart museum (res necessary)


bkk is not a walking city because of the heat and humidity.

outside city:

floating market
tiger temple
fisherman village
many of us use tong (www.tourwithtong.com) to get to these places

food is fab in bkk and generally reasonable. we all have our favorite places..

buy yourself a general guidebook: fodors, frommers or borrow one from a library and you will get better ideas.

transportation is cheap..

jacketwatch

That is a great list. Thank you. Any idea about the weather there in mid Oct?

Kathie

Whenever I've been in Bangkok in October, it has been rainy.

I wouldn't bother with going anywhere outside of Bangkok since you only have 4 - 5 days, there is plenty to keep you busy in the city.

rhkkmk

it could be fabulous or a bit wet... wet probably does not mean all day, just part of it.. usually later in the day.

the later you go the better.

i arrived there on the 18th this year and it was hot with an occasional heavy shower... wait an hour and you are fine, usually. 2010 was a diaster..

simpsonc510

Good advice from fellow fodorites, as usual.

Bangkok is always hot, and yes you may get a shower during late afternoon. I am in the city right now for 3 weeks and we have yet to see rain. December weather is dry and less humid. I typically come to Bangkok the last two weeks of October each year and do not let the possibility of rain stop my planned activities.

My favorite place to stay is in the city center area. I no longer seek the 5* hotels, prefering instead to rent a serviced apartment. I stay at Adelphi Suites on Sukhumvit soi 8. The location is excellent; the sky train is maybe 2 minutes. Good eats right on soi 8. Shopping is a short walk to Terminal 21 and 2 stops on the sky train to major malls and the 5* hotels mentioned in other posts about city center hotels.

A favorite rainy day activity is to take in a movie at one of the gold class theaters. A la-z-boy style recliner awaits, with pillows and blanket and footies. If the movie isn't so good you can still relax and sip wine, eat pop corn or take a nap!

Carol

jacketwatch

Thanks for all the replies. It's good info to work with. I do appreciate it. We R excited about seeing Bangkok!