Which is your favourite part of Bangkok to stay in
 

DH and I are planning a trip to Bangkok and Chiang Mai. I'd be interested to here which part of Bangkok Fodorites prefer to stay in, and perhaps why.
Thanks

Most people here seem to prefer the river (easy to start an argument if you ask which is best: Marriott, Oriental or the Penn). Second place would be the Siam Square area.

But, any hotel handy the Skytrain is good. You can get to most tourist sights by the train and boat.

we prefer the river locations....either the peninsula or the marriott resort and spa

definitely the river

This is sort of like asking what's my favorite thing on the menu at Hamersley's. I'd probably have to say the duck confit, but that doesn't mean I'd order the confit every time: the roast chicken is great, too, and then it's always a good thing to try something new.

Which means that if I were taking 10 trips to Bangkok, I'd probably head to the river 7 out of 10 times, then somewhere in the Hyatt/IC/Four Seasons triangle 2 other times, and the last I'd go exploring somewhere else.

For me, Sukhumvit! My friends are within easy walking distance from my current favorite apartment hotel(Adelphi Suites). The skytrain escalator is but a minute away. Siam shopping is very close. Good eating right in the neighborhood of the hotel. And NO TOUTS when I walk out the door!! That's a big plus for me. I hate being hounded by them when in the tourist areas!

I've stayed on the river several times, when I first started traveling to BKK. Now that I've made 13 trips, I don't want to be that far away from friends and shopping anymore.

Carol

That's a no-brainer for me...personally...Sukhumvit...around ...Prom Phong/Asoke skytrain station area. Second choice around Rajadamri where the 4 Seasons Hotel is which is one stop from the Siam skytrain stop. Happy Travels!

Carol...I agree...no touts and in the heart of things...really good restaurants and shopping. Happy Travels!

The other suggestions sound tempting but I can't imagine staying anywhere but on the river. We love the 2 level river view rooms in the Oriental's garden section. The constant activity on the water is mesmerizing to watch from the giant windows, especially after dark, and we love hearing the boat whistles. I have been 4 times now and just can't make myself try any place else, because this is so perfect. It is easy to go places by water or by the nearby skytrain.

Is the Siam Heritage in a interesting part of Bangkok?
close to restaurants etc?

Thank you all for your comments. I can certainly see advantages of being near the river and definitely like the sound of being near the shopping and restaurants and away from the touts.

I appreciate your input. Thanks!

Shaje...Asking this question is like asking which hotel is the best...The Oriental or the Pen...It will start up a lot of passionate, but friendly, arguing. Smiles. It's all in what YOU like. On my first trip, back in the 90s I stayed in the heart of town...on the land where Paragon Mall now is and had absolutely no problms staying there. Stayed there until they tore down the hotel.
I personally didn't get to a river hotel until around 2003...and I vacation in BKK about 1-2 times annually. So, I've stayed at the Pen, the Oriental, and Royal Orchid Sheraton, to try them and the area out. But, I'm definitely a in-the-heart-of-the-city person and soon returned to those parts of town...where I've been ever since. But who knows what you will like best.
Try staying half of the time in each area and then you will have experienced both. I used to stay in as many as three different hotels in three different areas on one trip to BKK. That's how I made my final decision as to where I like staying best. Happy Travels!

Guenmai I agree that it is a personal decision but not having been there I was trying to get a feel of what advantages people see in different areas so I can decide what will suit me best. I like your idea of trying a hotel near the river and a heart-of-the-city hotel to get a feel for the different areas. Thanks for the suggestion. I think both areas will have their advantages. I appreciate everyone's input.

Indeed, both areas DO have their advantages. If possible, take guenmai's advice and try splitting your trip between river and "heart" of the city area. We'll be happy to make suggestions!
Carol

I enjoyed staying at the Siam Intercontinental. It used to be at the Paragon Mall site.

If you're much older, stay on the river. If younger or very mobile, stay around Siam Square or Silom. That is where much of the action is at! We stay at either the Sofitel Silom, Swiss Lodge, & Novotel Siam Square. SS is more of a short taxi hop to places but the others are in the thick of it. Good luck :)

KM Loke...wasn't the Siam Intercontinental THE best? I cried crocodile tears when I left... a few months before they tore the place down to build Paragon. I miss the peacocks and the many acres of land to roam on along with waving at the Thai neighbors who lived in wooden, traditional structures right across the fence of the property. They'd sit out on their terrace and wave in the morning. And it was so nice being in the wing that only had two stories and no elevator. Happy Travels!

LOL, Mango!

I'll have you know I was I was young when I first visited Bangkok oh so many years ago. We stayed on the river and I've been a river person ever since. A lot depends on what you want to do in Bangkok. If you are a shopper, it makes sense to stay in the Sukhumvit area, though that area is easily accessible via skytrain from the river hotels. The river hotels have easier access to many of the major wats via the water taxis.

Hi Kathie- it seems that the only people that stay on the river are families and geezers!! Sorry if I'm wrong about you :)

Mango
I had to lol when I read your post about "older" people. I knew you would get a reaction to that one!

If you want to sit on your balcony or at your big floor to ceiling window and watch the river traffic (and yes, it is fascinating) then by all means, stay on the river.

If you are in Bangkok to do the sights, and since many of the major ones are along the river, then by all means stay on the river. You don't have to be an oldie or a family to consider this option.

If, however, you are in Bangkok to enjoy the uniqueness of the city, the markets where you can bargain 'til you drop, the fabulous upscale mall shopping, the diversity of dining options, and the friendly Thais who are NOT touts who smile and speak to you when you are walking down a small soi, then please consider Sukhumvit!

As always, this is just my opinion.
Carol