Bangkok Hotel Tips by stappm

Honestly I love this hotel and went back twice in 2005. And once so far in 2006.

The Resort and Spa is one of 3 or 4 luxury hotels on the river in Bangkok. They have a river shuttle that was convienent and brought you right to the Sky Train. The Sky Train Dock was also a great drop off location for Taxi's and Tour Bus' (make them pick you up at the hotel) as traffic in the afternoon can be insane and by car, the ride over the bridge could be 45-60 min. The boat is quick and they serve water with cold fresh towels on the ride. The Sky Train is clean and will take you anywhere you want to go. The Resort has a beautiful spa, but the spa's across the street at the mall are better, massage was GREAT! and less expensive. The Marriott has a tendency to trap you at their hotels/compounds so you use their services and eat at their restaurants. It has pros and cons - the facilities (5 restaurants/spa/fitness ctr) are VERY western (including the prices.) However it was a nice retreat at end of a long day and the place is so big you didn't feel trapped. The hotel will try to get you to buy the breakfast and hor'derve drink special and tack it onto the room charge daily. Don't do it. It was an additional $65 US and not worth it AT ALL! Unless you are big drinkers.... We only regularly ate the breakfast - which for 2 was less then $25 US a day. We stayed in a deluxe room and it was fabulous. Great in room Jacuzzi tub, nice view, good service. Make sure you ask for discounts - car clubs, friends and family, airline, corporate, try them all and chances are one will work. WE were 2 women traveling alone and didn't have any problems. The hotel is also nicely situated far from the Sex Industry scene of the downtown area. However, though nothing to fear, sex for sale and it's buyers are very obvious everywhere in Bangkok.

Unique Qualities: Beautiful Pool
On the Water
Free, convienet water shuttle
Easy access to everything
On the Water, is the best place to be.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Phone: 66-2-4760022
Address: 257 Charoennakorn Rd Thonburi
Directions: Thonburi side of river. When we 1st got there we thought we were too far away from downtown, however with the river shuttle your not. Plus later we stayed downtown and wished we were back on the river!

Hmmmm, was not impressed with the JW Marriott. We had to stay here returning from Phuket on the way home. Decided to shop some more in Bangkok and thought staying downtown would be more convenient. We were wrong. Nana Entertainment Plaza is across the street from this hotel. And unless you are interested in the Go Go girls and all the pleasures it offers, I would pass on this location. Although the amenities are well suited to the business traveler (great business center and conference rooms.) The pool and fitness center were left lacking, however I did participate in an Aqua Aerobics class that was quite fun. And no spa massage services - one cannot go through a day in Thailand without a Thai massage (I'm referring to the ACTUAL massages, lol) After day 2 we were definitely starting to feel a little trapped inside at night.

Unique Qualities: Homeless sleeping on street outside. Which is in every big city location - well every one I've been to...

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Address: Thanon Sukhumvit
Directions: Downtown, so to speak.
Website: www.marriott.com

This is a nice hotel, hard to pass up Westin's Heavenly bed, and the service is always good. But in Bangkok, I really like the ambiance of the Marriott Resort and Spa on the River. Plus it was priced a little better (better value too).

The Westin is a good location, Sukhumvit is "downtown" and shopping is close Emporium (HIGH end western retail) is walking distance and Siam/MBK are a short train ride away.

Unique Qualities: Pool was ok. Showing a little age. While I was there the Spa was undergoing renovation and was relocated to a suite on a guest room floor. That was very confusing to me and I kept wondering if it was services "for men only." It was not the best massage I've had in Bangkok, especially at Westin prices..
In room internet access was nice (expensive though). The lobby is on the 7th story of the building..... hence private... and the doormen were impeccably helpful.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$120-180  » Currency Converter
Phone: 662-651-1000
Address: 259 Sukhumuit Road Wattana

I toured a room while I was staying at the Westin, and it reminded me of the room at the M Hotel in Singapore. Clean, contemporary decor. And reasonable priced.

So when I had to spend 1 night in BKK to travel home in the morning, I stayed at the Novotel. However the room I received was NO where near as nice as the room I had toured. And looked NOTHING like the room view from their website....It smelled bad, and the door would not close. I switched rooms and the second one was much better. - still smelled.

Room was slightly dated and worn. I would not stay here again. The location is VERY congested in the early evening. However you are close to shopping areas and there are lots of tourists here. Hard Rock Cafe in walking distance.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Address: Siam Square Soi 6, , Bangkok, Central

Honestly I love this hotel, went back twice in 2005 & 3 times in 2006. It is one of the best places I have ever stayed, ever! I dream of being there!

The Resort and Spa is one of 3 or 4 luxury hotels on the river in Bangkok. They have a river shuttle that is convienent and brings you right to the Sky Train. The Sky Train Dock was also a great drop off location for Taxi's and Tour Bus' (make them pick you up at the hotel) as traffic in the afternoon can be insane and the ride over the bridge by car could be 45-60 min. The boat is quick and they serve water with cold fresh towels on the ride. The Sky Train is clean and will take you anywhere you want to go.

The Resort has a beautiful spa, but the spa's across the street at the mall are better, massage was GREAT! and less expensive. The Marriott has a tendency to trap you at their hotels/compounds so you use their services and eat at their restaurants. It has pros and cons - the facilities (5 restaurants/spa/fitness ctr) are VERY western (including the prices.) However it is a nice retreat at end of a long day and the place is so big we didn't feel trapped. The hotel will try to get you to buy the breakfast and hor'derve drink special and tack it onto the room charge daily. Don't do it. It was an additional $65 US and not worth it AT ALL! Unless you are big drinkers.... We only regularly ate the breakfast - which for 2 was less then $25 US a day. We stayed in a deluxe room and it was fabulous. Great in room Jacuzzi tub, nice view, good service. Make sure you ask for discounts - car clubs, friends and family, airline, corporate, try them all and chances are one will work. WE were 2 women traveling alone and didn't have any problems. The hotel is also nicely situated far from the Sex Industry scene of the downtown area. However, though nothing to fear, sex for sale and it's buyers are very obvious everywhere in Bangkok.

Unique Qualities: Amazing gardens!
Beautiful Pool
Excellent Views.
Wonderful Staff
Great Fitness Center!
Charming Hotel

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$120-180  » Currency Converter
Phone: 66-2-4760-021
Address: 257 1 To 3 Charoen Nakorn Rd
Directions: On the River in Thornburi
Website: www.marriott.com