which is the best hotel in Bangkok?
 

My parents, my sister and her boyfriend, my husband and I will stay in Bangkok for 3D/2N in early Mar We're looking at Superior/Deluxe class of hotels for the sake of my parents, and now we narrow down the choices as follows, please suggest which is the best for us in terms of location, services, room quality, the comfortability of the bed and bathroom:

1. Sheraton Grande Sukumivit
2. Conrad
3. Westin
4. Peninsula
5. Banyan Tree
7. Four Seasons
8. Naturalville

This is urgent, pls reply your comment ASAP.

Thanks

Of the hotels you just listed, I would say the Peninsula would be my choice. I am familiar with most of the ones you have named. If you read my thread, "I'm Back in Bangkok" and go the bottom post, you will read my review of the Banyan Tree, which I just toured yesterday, including a look at the Presidential Suite. Nice hotel, but not one I would choose to stay in.

I like the Four Seasons for location near shopping and sky train. Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit would also be good for shopping location. Peninsula, which would be my first choice, is on the river and you must take their ferry across the river to a skytrain station if you want to shop at the biggest shopping area in the city.
Carol

of those you list the peninsula and the 4 seasons tie for the best all around hotel but because the penn is on the river i feel that it is superior...the conrad is the newest...

lots depends on what you inted to do in bkk during your time there as it is limited....so location will dictate this...

my favorite is the marriott resort and spa and your parents would love the garden there and the activity on the river...it is less expensive than most you have listed....

i am staying there 4 seperate times in may/june this year with my wife...

i do not like the sheraton, but many here do...it is nicely located next to a large shopping mall however...

both the penn and the marriott are across the river in thornburi, so you have short boat rides to the sky train...but these boats make it very convenient...

a good hotel booking site is: www.huahin.20m.com....scroll down to other thailand locations and then drop the window to reveal bangkok city...i use them all the time...

Hands down the best hotel in Bangkok is The Oriental. Many people think it's the best hotel in the world. It's basically over 125 years of timeless royalty - no other hotel can hold a candle to it.

I would definitely recommend that you stay on the river. That means you should consider the Pen (if you like new and lots of techno-gadgets) or the Oriental if you prefer old world luxury.

sheriton Grnad SUK is right off of asoke BTS station an dthe only mall is time square which is NOTHING.. but is is on Sukunvit bussy street.. it's basicly accross the street from the Westin..

I say go too Naturevil.. becouse I've never heard of it and would like too read a report about a place other then the pen and mariott

I'm someone who firmly believes that the Oriental is head and shoulders above all other hotels. However, it is also the most expensive. If you don't want to spend the extra money (and I think you should since I know you won't regret it), I would go with the Peninsula. The rooms are large and lovely. The location is on the river which is a must. I find it a bit too cold and impersonal for my taste but most people rave about it so I'm sure you'll be very happy there.

I stayed at the Sheraton Grande last September and it was wonderful. The room and bathroom are very large. The staff was wonderful, but that is probably the same everywhere in BKK.

The pool area was fantastic, all tropical with plants and mini falls. I felt like I was in some tropical paradise when out by their pool.

I will be going back this September with my son and plan to stay there again. Also, like it was said above there is a skytrain stop right by the hotel.

Another vote for the Penn. We've stayed at the Sheraton, Shangrila, and the Penn. You'll want the river...and you;ll like the service. The standard hotel room at the Penn isn't so "grand" and the hotel lobby isn't as magnificant as some other choices, but as "luxury" hotels go, it's one of the most reasonable for the service and location. The Oriental still makes me like I can't wear my back-back in the lobby....might be a false impression.

Of those you list I have stayed at The Peninsula & The Conrad. The Conrad wins hands down as far as I am concerned. In nice area on Wireless Rd, the restaurants are excellent & good value & the rooms superb and, being new are in pristine condition. The bathrooms are amazing. We stayed in a Classic Room (standard) which we booked at the airport on the day for 3500bht ($90. I was disappointed with the Peninsua last time I stayed as we were shown 3 room before we found one that was up to standard. Having said that, the Penn does have great restaurants right on the River. The Oriental is a bit staid for my taste.

The back pack rule at the Oriental is for security. If they know you there is no problem, I wore a back pack every day -- never had a problem. Strangers were stopped. Personally that made me perfectly happy. As for it being staid -- how staid is a hotel when the staff hugs and kisses guests they know and disco with the guests after midnight on New Year's Eve. I actually felt the staff at the Peninsula was much more formal.

One negative about the Oriental is the pool area is very small. I never go in pools so it's not a problem for me but if you want a large pool area this is not the hotel for you.

Maybe not deluxe, deluxe, but certainly we enjoyed a extremely comfortable stay, not to mention very friendly, at the Landmark Hotel in Sukhumvit Road - a 5 star hotel at a very affordable price in my opinion.

Well, my parents have ruled out Peninsula as they heard that they need to take a boat trip…....this no good to them, also there seems to be no shopping around that area, isn’t it?

My parents said hotel being conveniently located near subway/BTS is essential as we’ve only 3D/2N stay, it won’t worth to be stuck in traffic. So now we’ve trimmed down to the following hotels, please again vote:

1. Four Seasons (Is it near BTS, how long it takes to walk?)
2. Grand Hyatt
3. Conrad (Is it near BTS, how long it takes to walk?)
4. Sheraton Grande Sukumvit
5. Westin Grande Sukumvit

Thanks again

Of the 5 hotels you ahve mentioned IMO The Four Seasons is by far the best. The Four Seasons and Grand Hyatt are almost adjacent (one building in between). Both are well located from the BTS tho Grand Hyatt is a tad closer to the Chitlom BTs which is the Sukhumvit line and probably the one you will use. The Conrad is a couple minutes away from Ploenchit BTS. I like the Conrad and comp agree with the above poster's comments re how new everything is at the hotel - I would only comment it is decorated in a fairly modern, minimalist style which for example might not appeal to MY parents much.

I agree that the Four Seasons is the best amont those you mentioned but you really are missing something by not staying on the river. I can understand not wanting to be on the Thonburi side but do consider The Shangrila, Oriental or Royal Orchid. They are in very convenient locations.

I just wonder if Sukhothai Hotel will be a nice choice if one prefers elaborate Thai atmosphere. Personally I haven't been there but heard many others' praise for it.

Rachadamri (SP) BTS staion SILOM LINE.. is a couple cf yard from the four Seasons.. if you want one of the best thai style hotels in town which is actually near everthing except the river then your perents are smart coookies.

My parents are old and don't like to ride a boat trip which sounds not comfortable if there's raining etc.

I agree so much Four Seasons is a great place to stay. I liked the Biscotti italian rest so much that everytime I visited Bangkok, I definitely went there. The only drawback is that I have an impression that Four Seasons is a bit old now, they just changed the name from Regent to Four Seasons for 2 years, yet it seems no new renovation have every been made to the room/building, isn't it? So that's why I'm considering Sheraton Grande Sukumvit and Conrad, which are newer than Four Seasons. So my question is:

1. Given the old age of Four Seasons, does it still worth staying there because of its location and food?

2. Between Sheraton and Conrad, which one is better in terms of choice of restaurants around, room quality and location? (Conrad told me All Seasons Place adjacent to them is a great place for food, shopping, is this true?)

Please advise. Thanks again,
Daisy

the conrad is the newest...sheraton is maybe 8 years old...all are very lux...the 4 seasons keeps things up very nicely, but it is more of an old world hotel: quiet/restrained luxuary...

how about the peninsula...the boat ride is less than 5 minutes...the boats are very nice and your parents would love the experience, by the way...

the conrad is right in the back yard of the 4 seasons more or less, so it is the same neighborhood...the mall is right there and there are numerous restaurants all around that area and other hotels...

you better make res soon or you will be out of luck...march is next month...

The few minute boat ride is easy even in the rain. The boats are all covered. If they hesitate about the boat ride, I'd recommend another one of the river hotels, as Gloria says, the Oriental, the Shangri-La or the Royal Orchid. I always stay in a suite in the Towers of the Royal Orchid - you get full breakfast, drinks and canapes every evening and free laundry included in your room price. And it's right next door to River City, a wonderful shopping center for Arts and Antiques.

the CONRAD s actually a 5+ minute strll from PHLONCHIT BTS station.. and shopping is no big deal. the hotel is locatied in the EMBASEY "district"

if you want something more modoern and with direct acces too the bts (CHITLOM) try the inter continental or grand hyett.. both are expensive thus good, I guess. both are in the midle of the shopping district..

Intercontinental (formerly Royal Meridien) is a very nice hotel. I've stayed there and found it to be an excellent choice. The location is right beside Chitlom station and next door to Gaysorn Plaza (very upscale shopping). Nari Phand and Central World Plaza are just around the corner. You can't get a much better location for shopping!

The Grand Hyatt is right across the street from Intercontinental, and has a walkway to the skytrain. Have not stayed there, but it looks very nice.

Shopping next to Conrad is not one of the malls you read about on this forum. I assume that All Seasons Place has more shops there now, as I saw it when both it and the Conrad were new. The mall was very quiet and not filled yet. There is a great burger joint at All Seasons, if you long for such eats, called the Garage.

New does not necessarily mean better, Just because the Four Seasons is old does not mean it is shabby.

Well, Peninsula is definitely being ruled out, my parents are not impressed by the river view. For Intercontinental, I stayed there all times when I visited Bangkok, so we all want something new. So here's left for my decision (wow, they leave the decision to me, a bit heavy! he he!):

1. Four Seasons: (the hotel say they may be able to offer free upgrade depending on availability)

2. Conrad (we will have to pay an extra for upgradae)

Basically, the package for the 2 hotels are just the same and includes round trip flight, 2 nights stay, but for Four Seasons, it includes breakfast as well. So, if assume you are me, which would u pick?

Thx for your help.

Daisy

I would pick the 4 Seasons hands down.

The Four Seasons hands down. It's my home away from home. Happy Travels!

The Rajadamri sky train station is right across the street from the Four Seasons.The location is excellent.As for its age, the place still looks fabulous... however they are going to do some renovation...new carpets...I was told back in August.They've probably already finished. Most of the rooms are in an atrium setting so when you step outside you're in a covered area but with plenty of sunlight and greenery....not entering a dark corridor. Or you can get one of the few rooms inside the building.I've stayed in both. As for the Pen...I find it sterile and on the wrong side of the river and as for the Sheraton...hated it...although it was the Royal Orchid Sheraton not the Grande.Haven't stayed at the Sheraton Grande. As for being on the river, I'm personally not a river type and use the river only for transportation purposes. I don't like looking out my window at brown,murky water...it's not Barbados. It's a river of industrial brown. So, I can do without the whole river thing. Have fun wherever you stay, though. Happy Travels!

Glorialf...as for the backpack situation at the Oriental...some years ago my best friend and her young teen daughter met me in Bangkok. We went over to the Oriental to what we had planned...to have a drink and maybe even lunch. Well, her daughter was dressed very nicely wearing long peddle pusher pants and had a TINY purse that she was wearing on her back. Well, the guard,who was very rude, hollered at us and refused us entry onto the property saying that she was wearing shorts and carrying a backpack...which she was not. Then as he was refusing us entry onto the grounds, a man dressed in the whole colonial-style, safari style of clothing with the bermuda type shorts comes out of the hotel and gets into a cab... really making us furious....no short rule? Anyhow, last August while in BK a Thai friend and I got off the boat and went to the Oriental. A tall, 20-something,model-looking, European girl was standing in front of us with a HUGE BACKPACKER backpack on her back and strolled onto the property with no problem at all.The guard didn't lift a brow. She looked like a backpacker. We stood and watched her. I commented to my Thai friend of the situation. Well the girl walked around and looked at things and then came back to where we were standing and then left the area and walked on down the street away from the river. By then I was steaming.So much for no backpacks for security reasons... The guard didn't say one word to her.Happy Travels!

Guenmai-- All I can say is I've never had a problem nor have any of my friends who have stayed there. You did, and, understandably, you'll never stay there. But, then I wouldn't stay at the 4 Seasons after seeing it (unless it was a choice between it and the Conrad). But you feel about it the way I feel about the Oriental, Kathie feels about Royal Orchid and Bob feels about Marriott. That's what makes this forum fun and informative because there's no one right answer to anything.

Glorialf...I'm not saying that there's any one right answer to anything. It's all opinion and personal experiences in this forum. I'm simply stating my personal experiences with the Oriental. Who knows maybe one night I will stay there, out of curiosity, to see what all the talk is about.I have to first be allowed on the property before I can stay there, however. Happy Travels!

Guenmai-- LOL! Actually, since you have stayed at so many different hotels I'm wondering if you've tried any of the "boutique" ones like Ibrik or Changba something (can't remember the name). I don't mean the modern trendy hotels like the Metropolitan but the "thai" style ones that seem to be popping up.

Guenmai,

Thanks for telling us about that interesting encounter at the Oriental. Now, I know where NOT to stay next time I'm in town!

I heard they have an attitude problem, but jeez.

To Guenami and glorialf:

Could u pls give me the reasons for choosing Four Seasons, if the choice is between it and the Conrad?

To all others:

Conrad and 4 Seasons, which one you would opt for?

Thanks

Location, location, location! Four Seasons, hands down. You indicated that it is important to be near shopping. The Conrad is NOT near the shopping that is reported on all the time here on the forums. All Seasons Place is nothing to write home about. That is all the Conrad has in its favor, IMHO.

flip a coin.

as it is only a week or two away you may not have all that many choices...have you contacted the hotels to see if they even have room for you??????????????????

the conrad is very close to the 4 seasons so i do not see either as having a leg up over the other one, except that the 4 seasons has the skytrain almost across the street...if a pool is a concern, then i think the 4 seasons is not good in this area...we were very disappointed with it when we looked last summer...it made our decision never to stay there because of the pool.. have not looked at conrad pool...i did love the very friendly staff at the conrad in the lobby...4 seasons is sort of cold in the lobby, albeit beautiful...

the canrad and four seasona (on a map are not that close) and if ya wanted too walk from one hotel too the other it seems there is no way since a couple of huge embasy grounds (USA) are in the way .. sou you would have too take a verry long walk maybe even tuk tuk ride..

As i've stated before the conrad is about 5 minut walk too the BTS station but all seasons place including the Conrad offers a free shutle bus to the station...
---------
it's about location location and trying to listen to what the person that originaly posted is asking for and wants..

Haven't stayed at the Conrad, but did go there for dim sum lunch as Bob recommended. As Orgy says, the hotel is about a 5 - 10 min walk to the sky train, without much to see on the way except construction. We also thought the hotel was "cold" including the service at the dim sum restaurant. They rushed us and the attitude was very un-Thai. Haven't been to the Four Seasons but from what everyone says, that seems a better choice.

i walked down the side street next to 4 seasons and cut through some other properties and came out by the conrad after a few minutes...it is walkable.. roughly speaking it is in the same general neighborhood...its a great place to stay...

i found the staff to be very busy at the conrad dim sum lunch as you would expect in that kind of venue...i did not find them either warm or cold, just basically correct and probably overworked....four seasons staff are friendly enough but they do not ooze friendship like some thai places...this is exactly what i would expect from a world class hotel...polite, friendly but not oozing friendship...
i found the staff in the conrad lobby to be very friendly and helpful...several people greeted us and offered assistance....

again i will say that i think you would be equally happy at either hotel----NOW MAKE THOSE RESERVTATIONS or you are going to be staying at the YMCA!!!!!