It is centrally located, within walking distance of EVERYTHING, so if you are wanting to experience Bangkok's many and varied sights, this is a great place to stay. However, if you are focusing on a single district, like PatPong or temples, you might do well to choose a hotel within those districts.

First Hotel has two buildings, the older Main Wing, and the newer and infintely nicer Tower Wing.

Rates vary drastically, depending on whether you book on the net, reserve through a Thai travel agent, or call the hotel directly. Normally, rooms in the Main Wing run about 1,000B ($22US) per night, with Tower Rooms running about $5US more (DEFINTELY worth it!)

If you're booking with a travel agent at an airport desk anywhere in Thailand, make sure you are getting rates close to the ones listed above! They often will try to package the hotel with airport transfers and pop you for $40 per night, which almost always lands you in the Main Wing.

Rooms in the Main Wing are older and small, but still very clean. The bathrooms are nearly as large as the rooms (a nice surprise) and there was no shortage of scalding hot water at our fingertips. Rooms have TVs and telephones and all the appointments of something you'd expect from an older Hilton or Hyatt, though the furniture is 1970s American throwback.

Rooms in the Tower Wing are much nicer, more spacious, with modern furniture, feaux-marble bathrooms, and balconies overlooking bustling Bangkok.

Breakfast is included in the rates, and it's NO shabby breakfast! It is served in the hotel's elegant restaurant, and usually consists of a sumptuous buffet including American favorites as well as traditional Thai food.

Full meals can be had for remarkeably low prices at the restaurant, starting at 40B for dinner entrees (less than $1).

It is rarely required that you reserve this hotel before you come, though you can usually guarantee yourself a great rate by booking on the net ()

The hotel is 3 blocks from the Sky Train, and internet access is just up the road at an internet cafe. PatPong and Silom are a 10 minute walk.