Bangkok Hotels

[QUOTE=Allover]I get my traveler checks through Chase Bank. They offer AMEX checks for free but they don't have the $500 denomonations.[/QUOTE]Allover,

Correct I also have a account at chase, they don't carry 500 amex any more and most bank don't and I think 1000 USD amex is no longer avalible, I got some from united bank a month ago they charge a 1 % fee even you have a account with them, if you have a amex express credit card you can get them at the amex express office for no fee, you can cash amex very easy in Bangkok and I use the money charger at soi 7 near beer garden rate is better than USD you only need a US passport very fast no line.

Fast Eddie 48

[QUOTE=The Pro]Try using a Debit card in one of the millions of ATM's, that way you only take out the cash you need.

Keep some Travellers Cheques as back up.

Failing everything else on arrival go to the nearest bank, set up a bank account, convert it all to baht and then take out of the bank as needed.

Sorry, but in 2010 why are you carrying cash? Unless of course you cannot deposit it and must use it. Knudge knudge wink wink.[/QUOTE]Many consumer groups suggest not using your debit card outside of normal (ie. United States) activities like buying gas or groceries.

Once a foreign entity has your account number, it is like giving your checking account to a stranger. Someone can easily take the information and process bogus debits to your account and you will not be protected as with a credit card withdrawal that will cancel most fraudulent charges against your account. That doesn't apply if you have a debit card. You are out the money until you can convince your bank that you were a victim of fraud.

Stick to travelers checks and credit cards, less to worry about and you can enjoy yourself.

Hi,

Plan to go this place this weekend. Heard that this is 'THE BEST' spa at Bkk.

Can anyone give me more info and what is the recommended girls there.

[QUOTE=Samsonite]After reading on the Forum tried this place for 6 days recently. Pretty good value, very modern & clean & good staff. Short walk to the Nana Skytrain, and very central to all the other local "attractions" I will use it again for sure.[/QUOTE]To samsonite

If have have alot of luggage on a hot day is not a short walk, it is a good 8 min walk from nana station, I prefer hotel right on on Suhumvit like grand business inn or wellcom inn.

Fast Eddie 48

[QUOTE=Allover]I get my traveler checks through Chase Bank. They offer AMEX checks for free but they don't have the $500 denomonations.[/QUOTE]I found the same thing, very annoying. I even asked Chase if I could order, but they didn't seem to grasp that concept.

And what is REALLY annoying is that AMEX itself no longer has the 'checks by phone' option, where you could order the denominations you wanted, as in $500. Even their web site just gave links to banks.

Seems the demand for traveler's checks is so low, not worth it for amex to provide the service.

[QUOTE=Csun213]OK, thanks, but I know that AMEX does have $500 since I have purchased them before but maybe your bank does not carry it. I just wanted to see if there is a problem with Thai banks cashing $500 checks.[/QUOTE]Define "before". I've purchased them "before" too, but NOT recently.

I'd see no problem (except 1) in cashing ANY denomination of check (at least at a bank - where AMEX Thailand's office directed me as they no longer cash their OWN checks...).

The problem: the signature on the checks did not match the one on my passport: passport has FULL name signature, including middle. Signed traveler's checks with "normal" signature: uses only middle initial.

That was a problem, resolved by using my Myanmar Arrivals piece of paper, which I signed with my "normal" signature.

I've read the last 50 pages of this forum looking for the perfect hotel for my 1st trip to bkk, maybe you can help. I'm lookin for:

1) Centrally located between Soi Cowboy & Nana.

2) Includes a decent breakfast

3) Includes wi-fi or internet access w/a cable in room

4) gf of course

5) 3* or above

6) $110usd or less all in

Do you guys have any candidates for me? Thank you.

[QUOTE=Shemp]I've read the last 50 pages of this forum looking for the perfect hotel for my 1st trip to bkk, maybe you can help. I'm lookin for:

1) Centrally located between Soi Cowboy & Nana.

2) Includes a decent breakfast

3) Includes wi-fi or internet access w/a cable in room

4) gf of course

5) 3* or above

6) $110usd or less all in

Do you guys have any candidates for me? Thank you.[/QUOTE]Shemp

If you want to spend about 100 USD a night I recommend this 2 hotel, the Majestic grande 4 star right there on Nana plaza, if you want to stay near Soi cowboy the new Millenium 4 star fit the bill both are under 100 USD.

Fast Eddie 48

[QUOTE=Fast Eddie 48]Shemp

If you want to spend about 100 USD a night I recommend this 2 hotel, the Majestic grande 4 star right there on Nana plaza, if you want to stay near Soi cowboy the new Millenium 4 star fit the bill both are under 100 USD.

Fast Eddie 48[/QUOTE]
I agree about the Majestic Grande. I stayed there a few weeks ago and it was great. 50 steps to Annies and a bit more and you're right into the Nana district.

I popped for the executive club floor ($115) and I feel it was worth it. Includes the executive lounge with free drinks and food and a free dinner in the Italian restaurant. Non exec floors started at around $80. I used Agoda.com to book.

pogo

I always stay at the M.G., and will be there again in a few weeks. Can´t ask for a better location. I´d like to know if anyone has ever had a massage in the health club and what was on the menu? Last time I was there a couple of the girls looked OK. If anyone has had this experience, please pm me for discretion sake.

[QUOTE=David_33]I always stay at the M.J., and will be there again in a few weeks. Can´t ask for a better location. I´d like to know if anyone has ever had a massage in the health club and what was on the menu? Last time I was there a couple of the girls looked OK. If anyone has had this experience, please pm me for discretion sake.[/QUOTE]

Can you please tell me what is the M.J.?

Thanks for pointing that out. Majestic Grande.

$500 AMEX traveler checks are definitely still available at AMEX offices but they're hard to find anyplace else--especially for free. Most of us without AMEX credit cards would have to pay a 1% fee for a $500 AMEX check.

Cost of using one $500 AMEX TC: $5.00 ($5 fee to purchase) +$1 stamp fee in LOS for a total of $6.00

Cost of using 5 $100 TCs: 0 to purchase at Chase Bank +$5 stamp fee for 5 TCs in LOS for a total of $5.00.

In the long run $100 denomination TCs cost about $1 less per $500 spent than using the $500 demoniation TCs. Not a big difference.

Certainly can't go wrong with Majestic Grande. I'll throw out another old favorite--Grand President on Soi 11. It's a little worn but the rooms have been renovated. They have rooms in a lot of differnt price ranges. Very good breakfast buffet too. I think it has the best location in town. Easy walk to Bier Garden, Nana, Soi Cowboy, and the Nana BTS stop. Soi 11 is interesting with currency exchanges, shops, late night clubs, restaurants and the occasional FL.

Sukhumvit near Soi 11 is a good after hours area for FLs and the sidewalk vendors are interesting especially for the first time visitor.

I'll be staying at S Sukhumvit Suites in June for the first time. If anybody has stayed there, I'd like to hear any comments. I'm hoping it really is only a two minute walk to Cowboy, BTS, and MRT as their website claims.

I have not stayed there but have walked by it a number of times. If it takes you more than two minutes to get to Soi Cowboy or MRT or BTS than you must be crawling. It is very close.

[QUOTE=Allover]
I'll be staying at S Sukhumvit Suites in June for the first time. If anybody has stayed there, I'd like to hear any comments. I'm hoping it really is only a two minute walk to Cowboy, BTS, and MRT as their website claims.[/QUOTE]

Reported on before, but here is a "current" report. tag: Short Time Hotel.

Penthouse Hotel is an old institution, but certainly functions very well for a ST hotel in the Sukhumvit Soi 7 area. For the Soi 7 Bier Garten, it's simply a walk through the Park Hotel's parking lot, to grab a taxi on Soi 9 (Soi 7 being 1-way in the wrong direction). I would not expect [i]her[/i] to walk to the hotel :)

Right where you come out of the Park Hotel's parking lot, just to the right, there is a 7/11, in case you need to pick up some "supplies", as in condoms. Yes, she probably has some, but I'd ask, just to avoid any unpleasant surprises at the hotel. I'm sure they sell, but do you really want to be wandering around at the hotel, looking for some?
BTW: they're in a rack right in front of the 7/11's cash register. Nothing sadder to see than an "older" guy, refusing to put on his glasses, searching for them throughout the store, wondering where the damn things are - I know, that was me.

Taxi pulls into the basement with the curtained car ports, but obviously does not pull into a car port, just stops in front of an "open" one.

You, and I will assume at least 1 she, jump out, attendant opens room door, turns on light, a/c, tv. 310 baht for 2 hours, payable to the attendant on arrival. No idea about 1 hour rate, but it is available.

Rooms are sparse, but certainly functional, clean if a little "frayed". A towel "pack" is provided: 2 bath towels plus a hotel size soap bar, all in a sealed plastic bag (they know their business). Bathroom small but functional, tub with shower, toilet, sink. Hot water via an electric flash heater.

Room contains king, or at least queen, size bed, small sofa, tv. Nice LARGE mirrors on 3 walls surrounding bed (left, right, front). Pillows may smell of smoke. Clean enough I didn't feel compelled to bring flip-flops/shower shoes, but wouldn't want to spend more than several hours there. If nothing else, no windows :)

The one good or bad thing, depending, is that telephone coverage can be spotty. After all, you are in a basement, and if your room is 1 of the center ones, no guarantee you'll get a network connection.

Functional. How they compare to others in the area of the same ilk no idea, but there is certainly NO walk of shame :)