Bangkok Journals

Thailand is Amazing!

A January 2006 trip to Bangkok by stappm

Quote: From Bangkok you can take a day trip to the Floating Market, elephant ride included. There is bamboo rafting, monkeys, and a bridge on the River Kwai. All the day trips are great. If I had to pick only one, it would be hard... floating market or elephants?

Thailand is Amazing!

Overview

Quote:

Make sure you take a Long Boat (like a river Taxi) ride - either to the Grand Palace, Ayuthaya, or the floating Market . They are a lot of fun!Quick Tips: We started our trip in Bangkok for 8 days then went to Phuket for 10 and back to Bangkok. With a couple side trips: Ayuthaya, Chang Mai. The first round in Bangkok, we stayed at the Marriott Resort & Spa on the River. I would definitely stay there again! We went during the rainy season - accomodations were a bit cheaper - and the rain is fairly predictable (every 4pm in BKK for about an hour). Don't let the rain stop you! Save all your shopping for the Chatuchak (aka the Weekend Market) it will be well worth it. You can buy ANYTHING the...Read More

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Marriott Bangkok Resort and Spa

Hotel | "Marriott Resort and Spa"

Quote:

Honestly I love this hotel and went back three times in 2005. And once so far in 2006. The Resort and Spa is one of three or four luxury hotels on the river in Bangkok. They have a river shuttle that was convenient 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' Have 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 minutes. 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 spas across the street at the mall are ...Read More

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

The Resort and Spa is one of three or four luxury hotels on the river in Bangkok. They have a river shuttle that was convenient 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' Have 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 minutes. 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 spas across the street at the mall are better, the 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 its 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 don't feel trapped. The hotel will try to get you to buy the breakfast and horderve drink special, and tack it onto the room charge daily. Don't do it! It was an additional $65 and not worth it AT ALL! Unless you are big drinkers... We only regularly ate the breakfast—which for two was less then $25 a day. We stayed in a deluxe room and it was fabulous. Great in-room Jacuzzi tub, nice view, and 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 two 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, while nothing to fear, sex for sale and the buyers are very obvious everywhere in Bangkok.

Unique Qualities:

Beautiful Pool

On the Water

Free, convenient water shuttle

Easy access to everything

On the Water, is the best place to be.

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! Read Less

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on March 29, 2006

Marriott Bangkok Resort and Spa
257 Charoennakorn Road
Bangkok, Thailand 10600
+66 (2) 4760022

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Westin Grande Sukhumvit

Hotel | "The Westin Grande Sukhumvit"

Quote:

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...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on March 29, 2006

Westin Grande Sukhumvit
259 Sukhumvit Road
Bangkok, Thailand 10110
+66 (2) 207 8000

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Novotel Bangkok On Siam Square

Hotel

Quote:

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 reasonably priced. So when I had to spend the night in BKK to travel home in the morning, I stayed at the Novotel. However, the room I received was nowhere near the room that I toured, and looked NOTHING like the room view from their website. It smelled so bad, and the door would not close. I switched rooms and the second one was much better, but it still smelled. The 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 her...Read More

Member Rating 2 out of 5 on March 29, 2006

Novotel Bangkok On Siam Square
Siam Square Soi 6
Bangkok, Thailand 10330
+66 (2( 209 8888

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JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok

Hotel | "JW Marriott"

Quote:

JW Marriott Description: 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. There was no spa massage services - one cannot go through a day in Thailand without a Thai massage (I'm referring to the ACTUAL massage...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on March 29, 2006

JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok
4 Sukhumvit Road, Soi 2
Bangkok, Thailand 10110
+66 (2) 656-7700

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New York Steakhouse

Restaurant

Quote:

This is a beautiful restaurant and we have eaten here many times. The first time we went, Thailand's Prime Minister was hosting a diner in one of their private rooms. This restaurant is well worth the claim to fame. It is a top-notch steakhouse, and the service is everything you would expect and more. Wearing a bare shoulder dress and being cold in the AC, the host offered wraps to keep warm while I enjoyed the meal. They have a vast selection of Japanese and Australian beef, cooked to your specifications. The side dishes are amazing, and the fresh tossed salad is worth the trip to Thailand alone. My favorite dish is a filet mignon petite cut, but the NY Strip is a very close second. Direc...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on March 29, 2006

New York Steakhouse
4 Soi 2, Sukhumvit Road
Bangkok, Thailand 10110
+66 02 656 7700

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Celadon

Restaurant | "Celadon at the Sukothai Hotel"

Quote:

Peace and Solitude amongst the Chaos. The ambiance at the Celadon is beautiful, and it's one of Bangkok's world-renowned upscale restaurants . There is seating inside and outside. The outside is tempting during the warm Bangkok nights, but beware of the bugs. The inside dining area is just as lovely. This restaurant seems to be a favorite among honeymooners and couples looking for a romantic evening. We were a large party of six and it was just as nice as well. They have many Thai favorites, and the service is impeccable. If you are dressed for the warm climate of Bangkok, bring a wrap or pashmina for the air-conditioning. My favorite is Tom Kai (the coconut chicken and mushroom soup). It was even ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on March 29, 2006

Celadon
Sukothai Hotel
Bangkok, Thailand
+66 (0) 2 344 8888

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Chatuchak Weekend Market

Attraction | "Must Go to Chakuchak Market"

Quote:

Save all of your shopping for this place. It is awesome! It is like many Flea Market's here in the states (the San Jose, CA Flea Market comes to mind), however, it it HUGE (at least two times the size) with smaller booths. You can buy anything from faux handbags and sun glasses, to faux antiques, Thai silk, linen, tablecloths, pillow shams, art, clothing, all the tourist stuff your heart desires, furniture, and lamps. New and Used.

Directions: Simply take the Skytrain to the end terminal, called Morchit, which is exactly where the market is located.

Website: http://www.discoverthailand.com

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on March 29, 2006

Chatuchak Weekend Market
Paholyothin Road
Bangkok, Thailand

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Elephant Rides

Attraction | "Ride an Elephant"

Quote:

We took a tour from our hotel to ride elephants in Kanchanabuir (north of Bangkok). In route we stopped at the Bridge Over the River Kuai, as well as a spot along the rode to feed wild monkeys. Once at Saiyok Elephant Park we took a bamboo raft ride down river (easy, slow, and beautiful) to meet our elephants. Once on our elephants we took a lovely ride along and through the river. Our elephant driver was excellent and very kind, not only did he sing to us, he stopped to take our photo several times, as well as made us a crown of leaves. The tour also included lunch at a local village and a train ride back towards Bangkok (then back on the bus.) The bus was well equipped and the guide was ...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on March 29, 2006

Elephant Rides

Bangkok, Thailand
+66 34 591 255

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Ayuthaya Fish and Turtle Feeding

Attraction | "In Ayuthaya Stop and Feed the Fish and Turtles"

Quote:

Ayuthaya is the old capital city of Thailand, and is the home of ancient temples including the world famous reclining Buddha. We went on a tour booked through our hotel at the Marriott. The tour started on a long boat journey from Bangkok up the river to Ayuthaya. If you arrive in Ayuthaya by long boat, the turtle sanctuary is right there. Often times people bring stray animals, or old pets to the Temples so they will not be destroyed. And here it is turtles, you can stop and buy bananas to feed to them. It is quite a treat and the fish want in on it too. Directions: Ayuthaya Boat Dock

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on March 29, 2006

Ayuthaya Fish and Turtle Feeding
Ayuthaya Boat Dock
Bangkok, Thailand

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Bed Supper Club

Attraction

Quote:

Take off your shoes before you jump into BED

Bed Super Club is a cool night club, they have two rooms that are blasting music. The walls are lined with beds ala tables, where you have to take off your shoes before getting in. The decor is all white including the sheets. The night we went was a Gay night, although our friend who brought us there didn't believe it until we started pointing out the tell-tale signs... being from San Francisco, you just know. Regardless we still had a great time, and apparently it isn't always Gay night in Bed.

Directions: Nana Skytrain station Phone: +66 (0)2 651 3537 Website: http://www.bedsupperclub.com

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on March 29, 2006

Bed Supper Club
26 Soi Sukhumvit 11 - Sukhumvit Road
Bangkok, Thailand 10110
+66 2 651 3537

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Taxis in Bangkok

Story/Tip

Quote:

When arriving at the airport, there were four of us. We all came in on separate days, and therefore found our own various ways to the hotel from the airport. And we ALL paid something different for that very same ride, from 250 BT to 800 BT. Basically we found to make sure you exit the airport completely, go to the official Airport Taxi stand, get into a metered taxi, and make sure they run the meter. They'll want to talk you into a flat fee (400 to 800 BT) but the ride should only be about 250 BT if they run the meter.

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Story/Tip

Quote:

Closed? Best check for yourself. If you've read the guide books, they warn you that people stop you on the way to the Grand Palace and other tourist sites in Bangkok and tell you the Palace is closed today, for a few hours, etc. Don't believe them no matter how well they are dressed (suits even), go find out for yourself. This happened several times, verbatim. We found that telling the scammers that "we live in Thailand," sent them walking in the other direction, fast. We also found that telling the merchants that constantly stop you, follow you, really want you to buy, buy, buy, that "I have no money" works well enough to get past a few more shops unscathed.