kdd

Hi,

We are planning a trip to Bangkok in early August. I currently have 2 bookings - one at the Shangri La and the other one at Hilton Millenium hotel, but I am not sure if there is another hotel that I should consider.

Per Tripadvisor all top hotels seem to have their share of "poor" and "terrible" ratings! I am not sure about the location of Hilton. Shang is pricier, but I don't mind paying more if it offers something special in terms of location, service etc. Is there a lot of differnce between the 2 wings at this hotel?

Any other options at a good location and amenities?

Please help!

Hanuman

Between the two I would choose the Shangri la and it's right next door to the BTS (Sky train transit) as well. The "Krungthep" wing of the Shang is suppose to be there premier wing so I would choose that.

The best riverside hotels are, IMO, the Mandarin Oriental and the Penninsula.

For non riverside, in the city centre, there's the Kempinski which I like. Right next to the premier shopping mall of Bangkok, good dining choices and BTS access.

LeighTravelClub

The Krungthep wing at the Shangri La is exceptional and well worth the extra money.

Smeagol

Totally agree with Pook the MO and Pen are fabulous hotels ( infact we have booked to go back to the Peninsula in November)
I have stayed at the SL and we stayed in the KT wing. Location can't be beat for the Skytrain etc and service was very good. The hotel didn't blow me away but I would stay there again if the price iwas right and definitely in the KT wing.

kdd

I just checked the KT wing. I need 2 rooms for 5 nights and unfortunately that puts KT wing out of my budget. So if Shang, have to settle for the main wing I think

MissGreen

Siam Kempinski. Within walking distance to 3 large shopping malls. Beautiful hotel.

rhkkmk

I like the anantara riverside and their free boat ride to the skytrain (12 min) is very nice... an alternative is chatrium riverside which I like a lot...

peninsula is my wife's favorite...

Hilton is ok but you would want a room near to river vs away from river... I find the rooms to be odd---odd shaped and weird configuration...

there is always the older royal orchid Sheraton too...

we stayed in the larger part of the sh-la a few years ago and it was nice enough.... you would be happy there...

the 2 best pools are at anantara and Sheraton---you will use them a lot..

try to get breakfast included with your rate..!!

Kathie

Between those two hotels, I'd choose the Shangri-La for sure.

Leburta

We stayed at the Sheraton Royal Orchid in May and liked it a lot. The service and restaurants were excellent, and the lobby and rooms had been nice upgraded from when I was there many years ago. We visited the Hilton Millineium across the way, and asked the front desk staff what we could see if we walked around the area. It was strangely telling that they said there was nothing to see in the immediate area, and they would not recommend it. This made me wonder if the area was unsafe.

Hanuman

Leburta - I lived near there for several years and the area is safe but there is no point of interest for tourists in that vicinity. Some little malls, nondescript temples and shophouses only.

rhkkmk

I find the area perfectly safe too... there are a couple of "local" markets in the area if you enjoy that...

MissGreen

I never find breakfast included in the rate. It is always $50 more for breakie in my experience.

Kathie

Miss Green, how do you book your hotels? I've been to Bangkok more than two dozen times since the mid-1980s, and I've always had breakfast included in my rate - actually, at every hotel I've booked in Thailand. Most of the booking sites like agoda.com or sawasdee.com include breakfast in their rates, and usually, the hotel's own site does as well. As you correctly point out buying the lavish breakfast buffet separate from the room is very expensive, usually in the US$25 per person range.

Yes, the area around the Hilton is safe, but boring. If you cross the river from teh Hilton there is plenty to do and see in the area. I usually stay at the Royal Orchid and walk to local restaurants and to Chinatown.

BillT

The Anatara riverside has the best pool in BKK and their shuttle boat stops at Asiatique which is a nice plus!

kdd

Thanks for all the inputs. All good choices. We have finally decided on the Shangri La. Seems to be at a good location and I am usually happy with the Shang so hope this stay is no exception!

rhkkmk

join the sh-la FF club and I think you get some good perks incl. free breakfast..

MissGreen

Kathie.. Sofitel Legend Hanoi on their website

Cheapest rate without breakfast:
EARLY RATE - Prepaid, 15 day advance purchase, no refund.
Secure online payment
View the terms and conditions for this rate
$190.55 average nightly rate. Breakfast not included.

Cheapest rate with breakfast
BUSINESS AT SOFITEL
The perfect package for your business stay, offer including breakfast and internet access.
Unrestricted change and cancellation
Breakfast included View the terms and conditions for this rate
$ 248.77 average nightly rate.

Yes, they are not exactly equal.. but more for breakie.

Kathie

Wow - that's the worst pricing I've seen for including breakfast. Of course, that's Hanoi, not Bangkok... but I always check the discount booking sites and the hotel's own site to find the best rate. Generally, the listings on sawasdee.com include breakfast, and most of the listings on agoda.com include breakfast.

HappyTrvlr

We had a wonderful experience staying at the Shangri-La last year. We were in the main building but
on the Concierge floor. Impecable service, warm and friendly staff. Perfect location. Friends crossed the river from the Peninsula to visit us. They wished they were at staying the Shangri-La.
The concierge floor included breakfast, snacks and sandwiches all daybday long, cocktail hours with hot buffet of snacks.

BillT

kdd- if you go to Asiatique-and you should- take the Anatara boat (not the public boat). It stops at Asiatique first before going on to the Anatara. The public boat will be way too crowded and packed in like sardines!