2006 Bangkok Hotels

[Blair]

Either book direct or use a reputable online service. For direct bookings (not for walk in) if asked, the hotel will often match the online price in any case, as they've no commission to pay.

Two online agents I've used many times without problem are www.wotif.com (prepay, bookings for the next 30 days only) or www.asiahotels.com (payment policy varies but clearly stated). As always it pays to shop around.

Hey guys,

I've just made a booking for a room at the Majestic Suites for next year through an online hotel booking agency. They have emailed me back saying that the room is available, and they are asking for a deposit which works out to be about 40% of the total price, and the remainder is to be paid 2 weeks before I arrive at the hotel. Since this will be my first holiday, and never having booked a room before, just wondering if this is standard practice?

[Retired Army]

Hey guys,

I've just made a booking for a room at the Majestic Suites for next year through an online hotel booking agency. They have emailed me back saying that the room is available, and they are asking for a deposit which works out to be about 40% of the total price, and the remainder is to be paid 2 weeks before I arrive at the hotel. Since this will be my first holiday, and never having booked a room before, just wondering if this is standard practice?

Try not to do this. I don't trust those booking bastards. I have known people who have booked through these agencies and when they arrived were told that the room wasn't availabe (as if it ever was) and were sent to another hotel far from the action that was unacceptable. Try getting your money back. A lot of times the credit card companies won't be able to assist you. Book directly with the Majestic Suites even if you have to call them.

[Member #2041]

Well Soi 4 doesn't help much.
I believe the problem may be that right turn out of Soi 4 into Sukhumwit road is not allowed.
Sometimes we think taxi drivers are going very strange routes.
Sometimes they are but sometimes, caused by one way roads and other turning restrictions.

Actually, the way to get to the expressway is to make a left from Soi 4 onto Sukhumvit, and go to the on ramp just before the Ploenchit BTS station. That IS legal with the traffic light, I've seen it done dozens of times. My cabby simply blew it.

[Dreams]

\

I've never heard of this. Usually just a credit card is required to hold room for you. Have you tried direct booking with Majestic Suites on there website? I've used Asiarooms with no issue like this. Majestic Suites is a great location with small rooms and great staff. Anand I believe is the Manager and will give you the rules on this if you send him an email

Just send a mail to: anand@majesticsuites.com

[Rikusa]

Hey guys,

I've just made a booking for a room at the Majestic Suites for next year through an online hotel booking agency. They have emailed me back saying that the room is available, and they are asking for a deposit which works out to be about 40% of the total price, and the remainder is to be paid 2 weeks before I arrive at the hotel. Since this will be my first holiday, and never having booked a room before, just wondering if this is standard practice?

\

I've never heard of this. Usually just a credit card is required to hold room for you. Have you tried direct booking with Majestic Suites on there website? I've used Asiarooms with no issue like this. Majestic Suites is a great location with small rooms and great staff. Anand I believe is the Manager and will give you the rules on this if you send him an email

[M P Lurker]

I did that, walked to Soi 4, and the stupid cabby made a left and went onto Soi 6 despite me screaming at him that "No, Bad Traffic!!!!" over and over again. Fortunately, I had allowed plenty of time to catch my flight, despite the half hour that this clown wasted by going the wrong way on Soi 4 so he could turn onto soi 6.
BTW, Dynasty Inn is back open - it reopened 2 weeks ago.

Well Soi 4 doesn't help much.
I believe the problem may be that right turn out of Soi 4 into Sukhumwit road is not allowed.
Sometimes we think taxi drivers are going very strange routes.
Sometimes they are but sometimes, caused by one way roads and other turning restrictions.

[M P Lurker]

Think this hotel is a bit out on it's own, but a short taxi ride to Nana and a little further to Soi Cowboy. Usually better to flag down a moving taxi on the street than use the guys hanging round outside the hotel. Insist on using the meter.

I think Bangkok Palace is Accor Group (Novotel, Ibis...), in which case it may not be so GF. Staying at Ibis Siam (Ratchaprarop) was once (but not always) asked to pay a joiner fee. Staff were pretty insistent and I think it was official hotel policy, rather than night staff looking for a few extra Baht. Don't think Novotel Siam Square is GF either.

I find joiner fees intensely annoying and generally, if one is requested I won't use the hotel again. As has been pointed out in this forum, older Japanese men seem to be able to bring in who they like.

Dressing neat, not being too drunk and not having a girl looking like a real hardcore hooker may help. Definitely don't walk into the hotel looking like you're expecting to pay.

Resistance sometimes works, but this is Thailand so best not to argue. I try to ignore the request, then if this isn't possible ask to sign for it rather than pay cash. Where the fee isn't hotel policy, this can effectively waive the fee, or at least get a discount.

'Bangkok Palace' is a family hotel for mostly Chinese tour groups and probably chinese owned. Not GF.
I never had a problem at the D'Ma Hotel just round the corner from Bangkok Palace but make sure you always book a room for two persons to ensure no extra fee. You will then get two breakfast vouchers per day.

[Airscape]

Hey guys,

I've just made a booking for a room at the Majestic Suites for next year through an online hotel booking agency. They have emailed me back saying that the room is available, and they are asking for a deposit which works out to be about 40% of the total price, and the remainder is to be paid 2 weeks before I arrive at the hotel. Since this will be my first holiday, and never having booked a room before, just wondering if this is standard practice?

[Blair]

Think this hotel is a bit out on it's own, but a short taxi ride to Nana and a little further to Soi Cowboy. Usually better to flag down a moving taxi on the street than use the guys hanging round outside the hotel. Insist on using the meter.

I think Bangkok Palace is Accor Group (Novotel, Ibis...), in which case it may not be so GF. Staying at Ibis Siam (Ratchaprarop) was once (but not always) asked to pay a joiner fee. Staff were pretty insistent and I think it was official hotel policy, rather than night staff looking for a few extra Baht. Don't think Novotel Siam Square is GF either.

I find joiner fees intensely annoying and generally, if one is requested I won't use the hotel again. As has been pointed out in this forum, older Japanese men seem to be able to bring in who they like.

Dressing neat, not being too drunk and not having a girl looking like a real hardcore hooker may help. Definitely don't walk into the hotel looking like you're expecting to pay.

Resistance sometimes works, but this is Thailand so best not to argue. I try to ignore the request, then if this isn't possible ask to sign for it rather than pay cash. Where the fee isn't hotel policy, this can effectively waive the fee, or at least get a discount.

Brothers, I will be staying at a hotel called Bangkok Palace in Pratunam area as I will be attending a conference at the said hotel towards the end of Janaury 2007. As this is my first time alone to Bangkok, I need advise as to whether the place is near the great entertainment areas that you guys have been recommending and commenting on. I have tried to find information on this hotel from this forum but was not able to do so.

If the hotel is not girl-friendly, could you guys recommend me a hotel of similar standard close by so that I may enjoy the beautiful ladies at night in the comfort of my room.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers
Normad2020

[Rambis Youth]

I did that, walked to Soi 4, and the stupid cabby made a left and went onto Soi 6 despite me screaming at him that "No, Bad Traffic!!!!" over and over again. Fortunately, I had allowed plenty of time to catch my flight, despite the half hour that this clown wasted by going the wrong way on Soi 4 so he could turn onto soi 6.

BTW, Dynasty Inn is back open - it reopened 2 weeks ago.

I had similar concerns staying at Dynasty Grande. My flight was 8pm so checked out at 6pm (they charge 200 baht per hour after 1pm). I decided to try something different and as I had a backpack and sky train credit on caught a sky train to On Nut to grab a cab there. I knew the airport was out in that direction and figured maybe the traffic wouldn't be as congested. I was also short on baht and wanted to save drawing more out just as I left and thought it may also save 100 or so.

It was not worth the effort. It took me a few minutes to get a cab and it must of been the worst taxi in Bangkok. He headed back to Ekemai and the right turn off Sukhumvit took ages and twice when it was his turn to go he stalled (twice) costing us a couple of cycles. Once we got through the lights he couldn't get out of first gear! After a minute I made him pull over, paid the fare and got a new cab.

Traffic was still terrible and all up the journey took me an hour including sky train. It did save a couple of baht because we didn't use the expressway but was a waste of time. Next time I'l jump in a cab on Soi 4 or Sukhumvit for easy access to the expressway.

[Acerboy]

I did that, walked to Soi 4, and the stupid cabby made a left and went onto Soi 6 despite me screaming at him that "No, Bad Traffic!!!!" over and over again. Fortunately, I had allowed plenty of time to catch my flight, despite the half hour that this clown wasted by going the wrong way on Soi 4 so he could turn onto soi 6.

BTW, Dynasty Inn is back open - it reopened 2 weeks ago.

Ha ha.Best is too walk away from soi 6 and take the taxi.

Thanks for Dynasty Inn info.I walked by there last 2 weeks but didn't notice it.But I prefer Dyansty Grande. Clean and nice. Will be back there mid Jan.

[Normad2020]

Brothers, I will be staying at a hotel called Bangkok Palace in Pratunam area as I will be attending a conference at the said hotel towards the end of Janaury 2007. As this is my first time alone to Bangkok, I need advise as to whether the place is near the great entertainment areas that you guys have been recommending and commenting on. I have tried to find information on this hotel from this forum but was not able to do so.

If the hotel is not girl-friendly, could you guys recommend me a hotel of similar standard close by so that I may enjoy the beautiful ladies at night in the comfort of my room.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers
Normad2020

[Rikusa]

just spent 30 days there at a rate of 2133 baht for 1 bedroom royal suite w/ washer/dryer, free breakfast, 30 trip bts card, and airport transfers. not a bad place have stayed at solitaire and park of the presidents group in the past and found this to almost as good as the other 2 hotels. soi 11 is a good central location and offers 10 minutes to [CodeWord900] and bts. 20 minutes to either nana or soi cowboy walking which is fun just for the peolple watching on the journey. recommend sabai sabai massage on soi 11 and eating at german house is very good. there are smaller rooms booked by the month but i prefer to have 2 tv's so my friends can have there programs and i can have mine! it worked out very well. very guest friendly with no joiner fees. internet costs 2500 baht for a month or you can exchange breakfast for internet. room was said to be "recently renovated" means new appliances and a paint job. nothing special so dont get to excited.

packages are on a ask for basis, not advertise all the time so dont afraid to ask. tower 2 is where i stayed, friends in toer 3 were not as happy with rooms! sometimes better to book 30 days even for a shorter trip. rates drop in half.

oh yeah, [CodeWord900] soi 8 second soi on the right "see oie" best ever.

[Berty Boy]

Life Adream,

I have stayed at the Swiss Park on three ocasions, the last on 30,11,06 and I have never been charged for bringing a girl back.The first two I booked a double and got a twin even though I said two people were staying. Last month I got a double. The only problem I've found is the bellboy who orders taxis for you(the older guy) and when they come, either don't want to use the meter or don't have one.

[Member #2041]

Dynasty Inn is closed as far as I know. Dynasty Grande is great place to stay, free broadband and wireless.But do note that Soi 6, which is a one way street can get jammed up with cars etc at certain time of the day like evenings and some time noon . if you need taxi, you can walk over to Soi Nana or walk to BTS Nana to get a taxi. Carrying luggage, well walk to Soi Nana.

My 2 cents

Merry Christmas and a Hapy New year to Jackson and everyone else on ISG.

I did that, walked to Soi 4, and the stupid cabby made a left and went onto Soi 6 despite me screaming at him that "No, Bad Traffic!!!!" over and over again. Fortunately, I had allowed plenty of time to catch my flight, despite the half hour that this clown wasted by going the wrong way on Soi 4 so he could turn onto soi 6.

BTW, Dynasty Inn is back open - it reopened 2 weeks ago.