Bangkok Hotel Tips by xuessium

Jim S Lodge: Jim's Lodge: Spartan but comfortable Jim's Lodge Bangkok Review

This is a boutique hotel about 15 minutes walk into Soi Ruamrudee, almost opposite the Conrad Hotel and with Ploenchit Skytrain Station but outside the main road (Ploenchit Road).

The rooms are spartan and no frills though you do get that TV with a number of satelite channels and a mini fridge. The rooms are comfortable for a night of sleep though, just don't expect 5 stars luxuries. The washroom is a little small, with only the shower curtain preventing the toilet seat from getting wet while you are bathing.

There is a rooftop jacuzzi though and it doesn't look half-bad.

There is an Internet portal in the lobby.

The in-house restaurant "Potpurri" offers breakfast, lunch & dinner and the food is alright though it had been moderated down in terms of spiciness to suit staying guests.

Airport transfer can be arranged for about 1000Baht (per van) one way.

Unique Qualities: Possibly the rooftop jacuzzi on a good sunny day.

Address: 125/7 Soi Ruamrudee Ploenchit Road, Bangkok 10330

Comparison: least expensive

Directions: Turn right and walk down the street after passing Ploenchit Skytrain Station (facing towards Nana Skytrain Station)

Other Contact: email: jimslodge@yahoo.com

Phone: 66-22553100 Fax: 66-22538492

Price: less than US$20

Theme: Hotel

Golden House: Golden House: Good location and good value Golden House Review

This is a boutique hotel offering simple lodging with simple continental style breakfast (that is bread, jam, butter & coffee/tea with eggs) thrown in. Service is warm and typical from the Land of Smiles.

The room are functional, with a TV offering rather limited satelite channels and a mini-fridge. The shower room/toilet is a little small but functional as well. Room and the beds are kept clean and orderly though please do check that the toilet and air-con is in working order as one of the rooms I had booked came with a faulty toilet and aircon.

NOTE: There is an error in the price of rooms quoted on Golden House's website pages. Please email them instead and ask for the correct prices.

Unique Qualities: Location is king. Chidlom Skytrain Station is less then 5 minutes walk away and Central Departmental Store is just 10 minutes away. There are plenty of upmarket restaurants along Soi Chidlom as well. The location is quiet at night , mercifully away from the buzzs and groans from around Siam Square which happens to be only 1 train station away.

Address: 1025/5-9 Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330

Comparison: least expensive

Directions: The hotel is down a quiet side-street, almost right in front of Chidlom Skytrain Station.
Near Erawan Shrine, Gaysorn Shopping Mall and World Trade Centre.

Other Contact: email: ghouse_g@hotmail.com

Phone: 66-225295358

Price: less than US$20

Theme: Hotel

FuramaXclusive Sukhumvit: Worth more than the price paid for FuramaXclusive Sukhumvit Review

I caught a deal off Zuji which included flights via Cathay Pacific and a choice of hotels for 4 Days 3 Nights for S$296 per pax, twin sharing. The Hotel looked pleasant on the Zuji page and so I took a gamble.

It turned out to be more than the amount I paid for. Except for problems with the water pressure where hot and cold waters kept intertwining and rotating during a bath (the problem probably easily circumvented if you draw a tub soak), the hotel was way above the 3 stars it advertised itself. For once, humility paid bonuses.

The Hotel is located 5-10 minutes walk down Sukhumvit Soi 1 (or "neung" in Thai for 1), with residential homes surrounding it and a hospital within footsteps distance. There are a handful of convenience stores, restaurants, eateries, food stalls and even an art gallery down the side street. Ploen Chit BTS Station is just 5-10 minutes walk along busy Sukhumvit Road.

Reception is friendly and the concierge persistent. The language barrier meant that my request for a large taxi to bring my entourage around took a couple of trial and errors before getting it right...the staff was all apologetic and regretful....but most importantly, my request was met.

Free breakfast (consisting of a small but good choice of local and international offerings....you can pick from 5 different types of eggs!) was included with the stay, as well as a free flow of beverage between Happy Hours of 6-7pm daily. There is also free Wi-Fi.

The room was immaculately designed, minimalistic Thai, reasonably spacious, clean, comfortable and comes with a small kitchen with sink and microwave. There is even a tub!

There is a good choice of TV channels and the safe worked. There are robes, slippers, an umbrella and even an iron with ironing board.

Recreational facilities included a gym, sauna and an outdoor jacuzzi pool.
Alas, I never did find time to squeeze in an untilisation of these facilities.

As mentioned earlier, the hotel is boxed in by residential buildings on both sides. It does get a little surreal to be peeking out on your balcony and be looking at someone's laundry of the day.

So frankly, except for the water pressure issue, the Hotel outperformed the price I paid for it!

NOTE: The Hotel did warn that as the street was below sea level, during heavy rain, the road may get heavily flooded. Pack your swimming gears!

Unique Qualities: 4 or even 5 stars, way above the 3 stars it self-advertised.

And 1 last bit: For Bangkok, this Hotel is Muslim-friendly. There are signs in the room indicating the direction of Mecca and the Hotel offers a Halal menu.

Address: 27 Sukhumvit Soi 1 Wattana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand

Directions: On the eastern side of the city, very near Ploen Chit BTS Station.

Phone: (66) 2 255 4224

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://furamaxclusive.com/sukhumvit/

Pathumwan Princess Hotel: Easy access to Shopping @ MBK! Pathumwan Princess Hotel Review

There is nothing budget about this hotel. At a 4 stars rate, you'll pay to stay here. Quite opulent, decadently comfortable, and if you're on a high floor, a great view to match that wallet/purse of yours....and insidiously popular with my countrymen, simply because it's right next to MBK Centre, within walking distance from Siam Square and other malls, all heavenly paradises for my countrymen (and countrywomen....I'm no sexist). You can't step into the lift without moaning in your head, "damn, here's one more"!

Stayed here on an overnight transit in BKK....bunking in with a colleague who happened to be in town for work. The room is spacious and from the 26F, hey, I'm above BKK.

I can't complain. Cheapo me. At least I get to use the bathtub for a night.

Unique Qualities: Comfortable. Clean beds. Bathtub. A safe. TV.

Central location with the National Stadium BTS Station within walking distance.

Hey, I'm not complaining.

Address: 444 Phayathai Road, Wangmai, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330 Thailand.

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Next to MBK Centre, connected by connectors between the 2 Centres in the lowest 2 floors.

Other Contact: email: rsvnppb@dusit.com

Phone: 66-2216-3700

Price: US$80-120

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://www.pprincess.com

Pan Pacific Bangkok (952 Rama IV Road.): Pan Pacific: You get what you pay for Pan Pacific Bangkok Review

This used to be my company's Bangkok office's corporate hotel and so I got to stay here due to its proximity to the office.

Very comfortable room, with exactly what you pay for - 5 stars service; 5 stars amenities.
There is a rooftop pool with an open-air jacuzzi alongside a gym and sauna rooms done up in a pseudo- roman villa decor. From here, you can catch lovely views of the city, especially at night.

Location wise, it's great as well, just a 15 minutes stroll to Patpong, the famed night market and red-light district. Plenty of eateries, restaurants and road side stalls in the area as well as convenience stores such as 7-Eleven.

Nearest Skytrain station is Sala Daeng.

Unique Qualities: Did I mention the pool? (grin) Just exquisite.

Address: 952 Rama IV Road, Suriyawongse, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Just round the corner, about 15 minutes walk after Robinson Departmental Store from Patpong (Sila Daeng Skytrain Station)

Other Contact: email: bangkok@panpacific.com

Phone: 66-26329000 Fax: 66-26329001

Price: US$80-120

Theme: Hotel

Website: http://bangkok.panpacific.com/