Bangkok Hotels

[Syzygies]

Likewise, a couple of years ago, I really tried the walk-in angle to see what the difference was. Every single time I tried to do a walk-in, the cost was either the same or higher than an online advertised price.

Simply, I agree. Walking into to Hotels either to look at rooms or to consider if price is right, is a thing of the distant past, and a waste of valuable time. It is the electronic web era. You have to book online really. I do not like sites that do not add the taxes to the price and thus quote a price that is not correct. Years ago I used to use travel agents in Bangkok to get a good price. Not any more. I wonder if travel agents have enough business to survive. Maybe a travel agent can still get a better price for flights out of Bangkok but even that I am not too sure.

[Kumbu]

I was interested in hearing others experiences with hotel price shopping in the sukumvit area and if anyone has had luck at larger properties with walk in price discounts. I tried a couple years ago on doing the walk in and see what price they would do but was unsuccessful in getting any deals, in fact at the westin the price I could get online with just a standard corporate discount code was better than what they would offer.

Likewise, a couple of years ago, I really tried the walk-in angle to see what the difference was. Every single time I tried to do a walk-in, the cost was either the same or higher than an online advertised price. This was true in January, April, July and October, so it had little to do with demand. I did the same thing this last June with the Aya Boutique in Pattaya, and the walk in price was the same as the online price, though after negotiating a little, they kicked in a free breakfast, and a larger room for the price of the smaller room. So I got something out of it. Aya is a smaller hotel, and I suspect such freebies are more likely at the smaller hotels. In the end, I concluded that walk-ins are useful if one is trying to avoid making an online reservation (e. G. , if you want to pay cash without a CC trail, which was me), but you may end up paying a small premium for not booking ahead.

[Gypsie King]

I agree with Michael Samuel, when I am in Bangkok, I use GrabTaxi when I know a taxi will be difficult to get (I mean one that will accept the ride with meter). And when I need a ride in a more classy car, grab has also the option to get a classier ride (black toyota camry most of the time).

GK.

I have definitly had problems. Last November couldn't get taxi from Soi 4 back to Asoke. Flagged down 3 going that way on sukhimvit and all wanted 150 to go that little distance. I was willing to accept off meter and a little extra since I had girl in tow, but not 150. We just gave up and walked it since it wasn't bad out. Also had 1 airport experience were he didn't want to use meter, but was able to talk him down to reasonable price. Anyone used the grabtaxi app yet? Bangkok has uber, but only real nice black cars so comes with a premium, but if you want a nicer ride it's an easy option.

[MichaelSamuel]

I was interested in hearing others experiences with hotel price shopping in the sukumvit area and if anyone has had luck at larger properties with walk in price discounts. I tried a couple years ago on doing the walk in and see what price they would do but was unsuccessful in getting any deals, in fact at the westin the price I could get online with just a standard corporate discount code was better than what they would offer. I tend to book rooms as soon as I firm up plans enough to make a reasonable guess and always book no cancellation options in case things change. I have a reasonable amount of free time at work so I often recheck prices and the last few years I have rarely found that the price gets any cheaper despite season or proximity to check-in. Perhaps this is just a sign of continually strong tourist, even if not monger, demand? I am sure smaller properties that are less likely to be corporate owned are still more willing to deal, but the big properties seem to be locking up reservations as early as possible and not taking any actions to fill rooms? As example I booked the landmark and marriott executive apts at the beginning of August for a quick trip over labor day (us holiday, don't know if any other countries share the 5th or not) week (Sept. 5-11). I have been tracking prices on both and they have both gone up, even after the bombings a couple weeks ago. To check prices I usually hit their individual websites and agoda (since it should show wholesaling discounts). This has been typical of my experiences last few years, a month or more out gets the best price. This includes even looking at the pay ahead price closer to the trip once my dates are more set in stone, but even then the price is no better than what I already have. Interested if anyone else has noticed or tracked anything similar?

[MichaelSamuel]

Oh I did, I don't ever try from the wrong direction if I can get across sukumvit. These were all already headed that direction down sukumvit which meant that after refusing to be reasonable unless they picked up a fare around soi 11 then went the whole way I wanted to go without a baht. Was only headed to grande centre point T21 so was on the way. She was cool with it, and rewarded her for it later. This was probably the worst of my taxi experiences. 0/3 for an easy fare just really annoyed me.

If you want to go to Asoke, cross over Sukumvit road and stand near to Soi 5. It is much easier to get a passing taxi from there. I usually have no problems from there. I do not hail taxis in Soi 4 normally. Its a bad place. Also they perhaps cannot turn right into Sukhumvit?

[Paolo99]

So upon looking several hotels Syzygies, I ran a cross this hotel the key Sukhumvit, which seems good. I think I'm going to book here. Anyone stayed here before? If not I will post reviews on this place after stay.

I checked that place 2 years ago (didn't stay there, just had a look at the rooms) and if I remember well the rooms had no windows.

[Syzygies]

I have definitly had problems. Last November couldn't get taxi from Soi 4 back to Asoke. Flagged down 3 going that way on sukhimvit and all wanted 150 to go that little distance. I was willing to accept off meter and a little extra since I had girl in tow, but not 150. We just gave up and walked it since it wasn't bad out. Also had 1 airport experience were he didn't want to use meter, but was able to talk him down to reasonable price. Anyone used the grabtaxi app yet? Bangkok has uber, but only real nice black cars so comes with a premium, but if you want a nicer ride it's an easy option.

If you want to go to Asoke, cross over Sukumvit road and stand near to Soi 5. It is much easier to get a passing taxi from there. I usually have no problems from there. I do not hail taxis in Soi 4 normally. Its a bad place. Also they perhaps cannot turn right into Sukhumvit?

[Banana Boi]

I'm surprised a girl agreed to walk from Nana to Asoke. She must have been hurting for business.

A taxi wanted 100 to go 2 minutes from Thermae last week. My girl demanded a meter and the driver refused. She yelled at the driver and suggested we walk. I handed her 100 baht on the spot and rewarded her with a roti on the way to the hotel. I thought that was pretty good of her to save my money.

[MichaelSamuel]

I have definitly had problems. Last November couldn't get taxi from Soi 4 back to Asoke. Flagged down 3 going that way on sukhimvit and all wanted 150 to go that little distance. I was willing to accept off meter and a little extra since I had girl in tow, but not 150. We just gave up and walked it since it wasn't bad out. Also had 1 airport experience were he didn't want to use meter, but was able to talk him down to reasonable price. Anyone used the grabtaxi app yet? Bangkok has uber, but only real nice black cars so comes with a premium, but if you want a nicer ride it's an easy option.

No more so than yourself. I did not want people to think All Thai taxis were so scarce as 40 taxis. I do see them every day. White Map of Thailand against a blue square background. They stand out.

Yes, guys complained about taxi problems. I try to contribute on aspects of avoiding problems. We don't have a lot of taxi problems because we play it smarter, from experience, right. We know about taxi drivers approaching us near a bar area are bad news, and to be avoided. There are lots of traps in Thailand for newbies.

People that approach you on the footpath, are not all just trying to be helpful. Ha Ha. I ignore them. I can ask for help when I need it, I don't need people asking where I am going. Maybe not everyone is as so impolite as to not even answer them. LOL.

Years ago I once stayed at the Amari Atrium. Very bad location. All taxis parked at the Hotel were problematic in that they did not want to take us to places we wanted to go to. It was like they two destinations only, airport or jewellery shops. We want to go to MBK? Forget it. Had to walk out to the main road and try to hail down a taxi, and was an awkward spot to get one. Not many available taxis passed the spot at all, and competition to get one was strong.

Would have been useful to telephone to a good taxi company if I had the number at the time.

[Syzygies]

Still, it's good of you to share the information here, despite the unnecessary attempt at one-up-manship. Thanks.

No more so than yourself. I did not want people to think All Thai taxis were so scarce as 40 taxis. I do see them every day. White Map of Thailand against a blue square background. They stand out.

Yes, guys complained about taxi problems. I try to contribute on aspects of avoiding problems. We don't have a lot of taxi problems because we play it smarter, from experience, right. We know about taxi drivers approaching us near a bar area are bad news, and to be avoided. There are lots of traps in Thailand for newbies.

People that approach you on the footpath, are not all just trying to be helpful. Ha Ha. I ignore them. I can ask for help when I need it, I don't need people asking where I am going. Maybe not everyone is as so impolite as to not even answer them. LOL.

Years ago I once stayed at the Amari Atrium. Very bad location. All taxis parked at the Hotel were problematic in that they did not want to take us to places we wanted to go to. It was like they two destinations only, airport or jewellery shops. We want to go to MBK? Forget it. Had to walk out to the main road and try to hail down a taxi, and was an awkward spot to get one. Not many available taxis passed the spot at all, and competition to get one was strong.

Would have been useful to telephone to a good taxi company if I had the number at the time.

[EihTooms]

Quoting the initial startup of 40 taxis is quite misleading. 500 vehicles last year. A driver told me another large batch of vehicles would be added this year , I can't remember when exactly. They are not scarce as hen's teeth. Maybe one in every 50 taxis. I have been in one at least 3 times to date. Not many times but was a good experience. First time was probably this year.

Sure I don't have problems really serious with taxis. However 50% of taxi drivers are annoying the way they make the ride so jerky by foot pumping the accelerator and brakes. Some make the trip unpleasant. Some taxis just stink.

Another guy quoted serious problems with taxis parked near to certain places. E. g. Not wanting to use the meter for a start and quoting silly prices I assume.

If you got in a taxi and it was a Toyota Prius Hybrid, I would expect most guys to notice something was different. Naturally I chatted to the driver and got more info.

I didn't say there were only 40 All Thai Taxis in operation. There was nothing quite misleading about what I quoted with a verifying link included. Not even vaguely misleading.

Still, it's good of you to share the information here, despite the unnecessary attempt at one-up-manship. Thanks.

[Syzygies]

The initial roll-out of the first 40 All Thai Taxis in Bangkok was only at the end of April last year. It isn't as though this has been going on for years and years right under our noses without us noticing it. And, as it has been for Wolvenvacht, I suspect very few of us guys living here have ever had a serious enough problem with a taxi to warrant searching out a blessed remedy to it. Good to know about it though, just in case I do encounter a bad run of taxi problems someday.

ALL THAI TAXI:
http://www.forbesthailand.com/news-detail.php?did=385

Quoting the initial startup of 40 taxis is quite misleading. 500 vehicles last year. A driver told me another large batch of vehicles would be added this year , I can't remember when exactly. They are not scarce as hen's teeth. Maybe one in every 50 taxis. I have been in one at least 3 times to date. Not many times but was a good experience. First time was probably this year.

Sure I don't have problems really serious with taxis. However 50% of taxi drivers are annoying the way they make the ride so jerky by foot pumping the accelerator and brakes. Some make the trip unpleasant. Some taxis just stink.

Another guy quoted serious problems with taxis parked near to certain places. E. g. Not wanting to use the meter for a start and quoting silly prices I assume.

If you got in a taxi and it was a Toyota Prius Hybrid, I would expect most guys to notice something was different. Naturally I chatted to the driver and got more info.

[EihTooms]

*snip*

You will never have problems of any sort with an All Thai taxi in my experience. They are virtually perfect. As you know, I am not affiliated with any establishment or company. Perhaps a few places, I am a regular customer, and they know me. I just give credit where it is due. I only write what I believe to be the case.

All you guys that live here and use Taxis should know about this subject by now. I am only here 35% of the time, or so. I do use taxis frequently though, as do not wish to drive my own car in Bangkok, and BTS not always convenient.

The initial roll-out of the first 40 All Thai Taxis in Bangkok was only at the end of April last year. It isn't as though this has been going on for years and years right under our noses without us noticing it. And, as it has been for Wolvenvacht, I suspect very few of us guys living here have ever had a serious enough problem with a taxi to warrant searching out a blessed remedy to it. Good to know about it though, just in case I do encounter a bad run of taxi problems someday.

ALL THAI TAXI:
http://www.forbesthailand.com/news-detail.php?did=385

[Syzygies]

What's so especially good with these "Al Thai" taxis? Do they pay you a commission? (wink wink).

The Drivers of All Thai taxis do not own the taxi nor rent it. They are employees on a salary. They are not permitted to refuse a customer, almost no matter where you are going to, short or long distance, and always use the meter. Maybe they can refuse customers that are very drunk, I don't know. There is a video camera monitoring at times the driver performance, to make sure he is performing well. You do not seem to find drivers in a big hurry and having very jerky driving. They are there to give their best performance to the customer to get their salary. The cars are Prius Hybrid, very smooth and quiet. The taxis are maintained in perfect condition and mostly very new vehicles. Never had one with bad odours, or annoying drivers.

There are places where you are very unlikely to find an All Thai taxi, since the people get to know they are good and grab them quickly on Sukhumvit. The All Thai taxis never make it to Cowboy before getting taken. I have always caught them in other areas.

You will never have problems of any sort with an All Thai taxi in my experience. They are virtually perfect. As you know, I am not affiliated with any establishment or company. Perhaps a few places, I am a regular customer, and they know me. I just give credit where it is due. I only write what I believe to be the case.

All you guys that live here and use Taxis should know about this subject by now. I am only here 35% of the time, or so. I do use taxis frequently though, as do not wish to drive my own car in Bangkok, and BTS not always convenient.

[Wolvenvacht]

That are taxi's that are rented for a day or a shift. So taxi driver does not own the car and thus less change they fiddle with the meter. Any other scam still possible of course.

Good to know. Although I never had a cabbie in Bangkok try to scam me. Of course some try to agree on a fixed price for the ride. I just smile and ask for a metered ride. They all relent and I always got there cheaper than the fixed price.