Thailand

[Chingada]

I'm heading to Thailand in the middle of December for three weeks. Having never been there before, I would appreciate input from those who have, with regards to hotel accommodation.

I'm staying a few days in Bangkok, then going to Phuket for a week or so and then to Krabi for a few days, returning to Bangkok for two or three days.

I've been checking a few of the hotels in the medium price range and many of them are already booked. Any input provided on hotels to stay at would be greatly apprecitated. Actually, any advice on Thailand is welcome.

Thanks.

 

[Maury Beniowski]

There are hotel brokers at the Bangkok airport, but they do charge a commission which is concealed in the price. If you must use them for expediency, just book one or two nights, as the quality you will get can be suspect using their own rating system. They will try to steer you into the ones that pay them the most. Afterwards, if you like the hotel, then book your further nights direct with them. You will avoid the broker's fee that way. The brokers usually work alongside the airport limo service, and they will charge you a ripoff price - usually double the return rate or more from downtown (300THB). Use the curbside taxis, and insist on a metered rate. They will try to charge you a higher flat rate, but keep insisting on it. If you are successful, you will have to pay the highway tolls along the way.

Cab drivers are an excellent source of availability for local hotels as they know the ins and outs, but finding an english speaking one can add to the confusion as most of them are from Issan (Northeast), and don't understand english too well. If you book your hotel at this end, carry the address with you - preferably in Thai script.

Many local Chinese travel agencies are hotel consolidators, and can save you a lot of time and money on Bangkok hotels. They can also arrange for your transfers, but again I recommend taxis.

If you want to do your research, you can save a bundle. Most good properties have some presence on the Internet, and you should be able to secure better rates this way; not the published rates shown, btw. Once you narrow your choice down to three hotels, get a phone card, and call the hotels direct to secure better rates.

 

[Eden]

Bangkok Hotels

Go through Expedia and book The Davis Hotel in Bangkok. Many of the hotels do not give as good a discount as they do on the internet. The Davis is very nice and have two classes of rooms, look at them and see what works into your budget. If you need any more help, pm me and I will give you as much detail as I can.

E

PS If you are taking a cab (very imoportant) ask for a metered cab or they will surely take you for a ride!

 

[Chingada]

Thanks to you both for your information, it's greatly appreciated.

 

[87112]

Is this your first trip to Asia?

If it is please dont go to Bangkok as your first sight of Asia. Its ugly, smelly, a giant armpit of a city.

I dont want you to get the wrong impression of Asia.

Aside from cheap sex Bangkok sucks. Its a pain in the ass fighting that weather. My clothes only lasted half an hour from that heat. You stink day and night from that Bangkok air and heat.

But you are wise to go in December.

Stay in the Sumkavit area, lots of tourists places and close to the 2 red light districts.

 

[dittman]

go to bangkoktonight.com find everything you want there. amalso planning a return trip to thailand in december.

 

[logsplitter]

The Imperial Queens Park hotel is very nice. It is not in the city centre but it is close to the convention centre. Room rates are quite negotiable over the telephone. I agree that summer heat mixed with air polution can really spoil the place. Fall and winter are nice times to visit.

 

[87112]

I went in September and got off the plane and was like WHOAAA. WTF its like being in a giant dumpster.

I've said this to people before, If youre going to Asia for the 1st time do not choose Bangkok. As an Asian I want someone 1st time in Asia to be a pleasant one.

The sex trade is just as advertised there but everything else is so overrated.

 

[FuZzYknUckLeS]

Is this your first trip to Asia?

If it is please dont go to Bangkok as your first sight of Asia. Its ugly, smelly, a giant armpit of a city.

I dont want you to get the wrong impression of Asia.

....

I disagree. On my first trip to Bangkok, I found it to be overwhelming, if nothing else. It's an attack on the senses for sure. On my second trip, I embraced it. There is so much to see and do there. I don't think it will give anybody the wrond idea of asia. All asian metropolises are ugly and smelly. Manila, in my mind, is far worse than Bangkok, for example.
As for where to stay, I personally would stay away from the Sukumvit area and only take a tuk-tuk there to shop / bop.
It depends what you are looking for though really. How much do you want to spend. I don't need fancy hotels when I travel. In Thailand, i prefer the guesthouses. My favorite place to stay in BK is Khaosan Road area. It's an oasis for farung backpacker types. Hotels are all good. LOTS of whiteys that speak english to chat with. Outdoor restaurants & open pubs (NOT girlie bars, just god old pubs). Good food, and within reach of the rest of the city.
More info here:

http://www.khaosanroad.com/
http://www.thaistudents.com/guidebook/khaosan.html

One more thing. Take an overnight train to ChiangMai. First class room on a car is cheap, and you have it all to yourself. In ChiangMai, stay at the Top North Guesthouse. You'll thank me later for this info. This is the only part of the country where you will get any feeling of Thai culture. Everywhere else is spoiled by western influence.
Unless of course you're only going to Thailand for the pussy. Then ignore everything I've said and stay at Sukumvit.

 

[logsplitter]

So I hear.....

I have a great idea Zoe. Lets take a week in the fall and have some fun there? My treat?

 

[Maury Beniowski]

I second that motion...

I disagree. On my first trip to Bangkok, I found it to be overwhelming, if nothing else. It's an attack on the senses for sure. On my second trip, I embraced it. There is so much to see and do there. I don't think it will give anybody the wrond idea of asia. All asian metropolises are ugly and smelly. Manila, in my mind, is far worse than Bangkok, for example.
As for where to stay, I personally would stay away from the Sukumvit area and only take a tuk-tuk there to shop / bop.
It depends what you are looking for though really. How much do you want to spend. I don't need fancy hotels when I travel. In Thailand, i prefer the guesthouses. My favorite place to stay in BK is Khaosan Road area. It's an oasis for farung backpacker types. Hotels are all good. LOTS of whiteys that speak english to chat with. Outdoor restaurants & open pubs (NOT girlie bars, just god old pubs). Good food, and within reach of the rest of the city.
More info here:

http://www.khaosanroad.com/
http://www.thaistudents.com/guidebook/khaosan.html

One more thing. Take an overnight train to ChiangMai. First class room on a car is cheap, and you have it all to yourself. In ChiangMai, stay at the Top North Guesthouse. You'll thank me later for this info. This is the only part of the country where you will get any feeling of Thai culture. Everywhere else is spoiled by western influence.
Unless of course you're only going to Thailand for the pussy. Then ignore everything I've said and stay at Sukumvit.

There is very little else that can be added to Fuzzy's excellent recommendations, and assessment of Bangkok. You can add Hong Kong to those comments as well. Every major city in the Far East completely invades the senses. You can slip away to nice quiet spots as well, and if your tastes range into the heady 5-star category, the services offered are above and beyond what we have here. Asians know how to pamper you and they never tire of it.