Bangkok Hotels

Thanks for the tips, very helpful as I am currently looking for a hotel in the Asoke area. Do you know anything about the Radisson Blu Plaza, which I am considering at the moment?

[QUOTE=Syzygies;1836550]My favorite Hotels close to Cowboy, in order from most preferred (more expensive) and downward.

No. 4 maybe the cheapest and best value for money.

1. Column Hotel (fabulous views). Soi 16.
2. Grand Millenium (when they have a special on the price). Beds like sleeping on a cloud. Problem is bargain price doesn't always include things like internet, breakfast etc.
3. Grand Mercure Soi 19. Can get very large suite with Kitchenette sometimes for a good price. Good pool.
4. Mermaid Hotel (Soi 29 Alley) Good new budget Hotel. Very good value for money.
5. Admiral Premier. Good Rooms. Bathrooms a bit too small. Used to have excellent prices, but a bit too popular with Chinese tours now. Took 3 girls to the room once and they did not blink.

These days mostly prefer numbers 4 and 3, and 1 when have a good price available..[/QUOTE]

Grand Centre Point T21 is one of my favorites for Bangkok when you can get a good price. MRT, BTS, close enough to cowboy can even use it for short time, 1 stop from massage shops on 24, direct MRT access for the high end parlors, and on top of T21 with plenty of food options and a market.

[QUOTE=Syzygies;1836550]My favorite Hotels close to Cowboy, in order from most preferred (more expensive) and downward.

No. 4 maybe the cheapest and best value for money.

1. Column Hotel (fabulous views). Soi 16.
2. Grand Millenium (when they have a special on the price). Beds like sleeping on a cloud. Problem is bargain price doesn't always include things like internet, breakfast etc.
3. Grand Mercure Soi 19. Can get very large suite with Kitchenette sometimes for a good price. Good pool.
4. Mermaid Hotel (Soi 29 Alley) Good new budget Hotel. Very good value for money.
5. Admiral Premier. Good Rooms. Bathrooms a bit too small. Used to have excellent prices, but a bit too popular with Chinese tours now. Took 3 girls to the room once and they did not blink.

These days mostly prefer numbers 4 and 3, and 1 when have a good price available.

I have tried other Hotels such as:
AmoraNeoLuxe (Soi 31).
Furama Fx (Soi 21).
Silq (Soi 19).
Dream Hotel (Soi 15).
S31 (Good but not best value).
Novotel Soi 33 Getting to be too far from Cowboy but still just 10 min walk.
These were not as good as my recommended ones but okay.

Citadines (Soi 23).
Actually I did not like this one however Wolven likes it. Staff had bad attitude. Hard beds, breakfast variety not best, can't remember if other issues, too long ago. GF did not really like it either.

May have tried el cheapo ones like Darjelling and Baan but were probably below my standard and can't remember them too well now. My buddy stayed in Mainhatten (Soi 15) and City Lodge (Soi 19) for budget price but these are below my minimum standard.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=BrazilTraveller;1837321]Thanks for the tips, very helpful as I am currently looking for a hotel in the Asoke area. Do you know anything about the Radisson Blu Plaza, which I am considering at the moment?[/QUOTE]I have noticed this and its pretty new and in a good location approx. Near Soi 27. That is a very short walk to Soi 23 and cowboy and also short distance to both BTS (sky train) and MRT (underground). I am sure various websites will show it as highly rated like other Radisson places.

I am sure Radisson could be much better than my recommended budget hotel Mermaid, but significantly more expensive as well. Probably cheaper than Grand Centrepoint T21 and Column Hotels except when they have specials, at a guess.

[QUOTE=Wolvenvacht;1837160]20 baht to take the girl in the hotel? What a silly price. Wouldn't administration and accounting of such a small sum actually cost them more?[/QUOTE]Sounds like a tip amount for the security guard. I will often give the fellow at the security desk 100 baht and ask him to call me in the room to make sure everything is ok before returning the ladies ID.

SL.

[QUOTE=Wolvenvacht;1837160]20 baht to take the girl in the hotel? What a silly price. Wouldn't administration and accounting of such a small sum actually cost them more?

Maybe you should have asked the reception desk for a receipt?[/QUOTE]Probably a charge to Photostat copy her ID card. My guess. Maybe same charge if guest wants a photocopy of any personal document page made.

Thanks for your comments Syzygies, good to hear the location is fine, and in terms of price you sound right. The Column Hotel is fully booked for the period of my stay unfortunately. I had some doubts about the Radisson Blu as I don't see it listed in the sites on guest friendly hotels, but from their reply I have just received to my email on this is sounds like they are, so probably they are not mentioned in those websites just as they are quite new.

[QUOTE=Syzygies;1837492]I have noticed this and its pretty new and in a good location approx. Near Soi 27. That is a very short walk to Soi 23 and cowboy and also short distance to both BTS (sky train) and MRT (underground). I am sure various websites will show it as highly rated like other Radisson places.

I am sure Radisson could be much better than my recommended budget hotel Mermaid, but significantly more expensive as well. Probably cheaper than Grand Centrepoint T21 and Column Hotels except when they have specials, at a guess.[/QUOTE]

I stayed at the Radisson Blu for a few nights on my 2nd to last trip and I liked it. The rooms are modern and well appointed. The lobby and restaurant are large and ornate. The breakfast buffet is much better than the one at Admiral Premeire and slightly better than the one at the Fraser and T21 Centre Point, but not as good as the buffet at the Executive Apartment Thonglor Marriott. The Raddisson Blu pool is kind of small considering the size of this hotel, but there were usually only a few guests, if any taking advantage of it, so my girl and I pretty much had it to ourselves in the afternoon. I liked the location being on the cleaner (ha ha) side of Asok and easy walking distance to both Cowboy and the Soi 24 massage parlors.

Note: this hotel likes to think of itself as a luxury hotel in the same league as the Sofitel. Personally I think their rack rate is too high and not justified, but the hotel does offer discounts from time to time. I have seen them offer a rate as low as $85/ night for their grand deluxe room on the Radisson Hotel web site. This is a pretty good deal. After my initial stay in March 2015, they offered me a Carlson Club Credit Card (USA Bank) which included a whole bunch of perks and free nights. As a result I will be back at the Raddisson Blu for 5 free nights very soon. Then after that, I will move on to the Fraser Suites Hotel (deluxe 1 bedroom suite) on Soi 11 for 10 nights. And later I will finish up at the Admiral Premier Hotel on Soi 23 (Admiral Suite), an old favorite. As you can see, I like to move around Sukhumvit, BKK usually every 8 days or so over the course of my 4 week BKK visits. It is interesting how a little move can mix things up and keep everything lively. Staying at the Raddison Blu location, for example, is a very different experience than staying on Soi 11.

Thanks for these insights Natty, it is always good to get the confirmation the hotel is guest friendly by someone who has actually been there, and also that the rooms are comfortable. I'll be in Bangkok twice during this trip in Thailand, so I may well experiment two different areas of Sukhumvit as well, which sounds like a good idea.

[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;1837599]I stayed at the Radisson Blu for a few nights on my 2nd to last trip and I liked it. The rooms are modern and well appointed. The lobby and restaurant are large and ornate. The breakfast buffet is much better than the one at Admiral Premeire and slightly better than the one at the Fraser and T21 Centre Point, but not as good as the buffet at the Executive Apartment Thonglor Marriott. The Raddisson Blu pool is kind of small considering the size of this hotel, but there were usually only a few guests, if any taking advantage of it, so my girl and I pretty much had it to ourselves in the afternoon. I liked the location being on the cleaner (ha ha) side of Asok and easy walking distance to both Cowboy and the Soi 24 massage parlors.

Note: this hotel likes to think of itself as a luxury hotel in the same league as the Sofitel. Personally I think their rack rate is too high and not justified, but the hotel does offer discounts from time to time. I have seen them offer a rate as low as $85/ night for their grand deluxe room on the Radisson Hotel web site. This is a pretty good deal. After my initial stay in March 2015, they offered me a Carlson Club Credit Card (USA Bank) which included a whole bunch of perks and free nights. As a result I will be back at the Raddisson Blu for 5 free nights very soon. Then after that, I will move on to the Fraser Suites Hotel (deluxe 1 bedroom suite) on Soi 11 for 10 nights. And later I will finish up at the Admiral Premier Hotel on Soi 23 (Admiral Suite), an old favorite. As you can see, I like to move around Sukhumvit, BKK usually every 8 days or so over the course of my 4 week BKK visits. It is interesting how a little move can mix things up and keep everything lively. Staying at the Raddison Blu location, for example, is a very different experience than staying on Soi 11.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Syzygies;1837536]Probably a charge to Photostat copy her ID card. My guess. Maybe same charge if guest wants a photocopy of any personal document page made.[/QUOTE]You are correct, that is what the security guard said. And I agree with this policy and the call to check that everything was in order before they returned her card.

When I bring a lady into my room I always put my Rolex and Hand phone and any big cash in the safe. I leave a few small bills on the desk. Not that I don't trust them but why take the chance.

RL.

Has anybody stayed at Continent Hotel on Sukhumvit between Asoke and Soi 23? It appears to be a beautiful modern hotel. Would love to stay there but rates seem to be about USD $125-$150 night. Out of my price range (approx. $65/ night) but a fantastic location next to Soi Cowboy. People here never talk about this hotel. Does anybody have any info?

[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;1837599] Staying at the Raddison Blu location, for example, is a very different experience than staying on Soi 11.[/QUOTE]Your post are very informative Natty. Thanks.

P.S. Your pockets are deeper than mine though. Well done!

[QUOTE=RobertLong;1837655]
When I bring a lady into my room I always put my Rolex and Hand phone and any big cash in the safe. I leave a few small bills on the desk. Not that I don't trust them but why take the chance.

RL.[/QUOTE]In general MP and bargirls are fairly safe, as their work location is known, and also if their ID is being taken by the Hotel.

I generally use ST Hotels and have no valuable other than phone, money and credit cards. If girl tried to leave in a hurry on her own I hope the ST Hotel staff would stop her. However I never had any problem with a girl. I would not carry any very large quantity of cash with me, nor anything super valuable. It just tempts fate.

Keeping valuables in the safe never goes amiss of course. Just allows your mind to be relaxed.

Freelancer girls are generally more risky, so make sure their ID card is checked. I guess they still could use a fake one. Have heard of guys being drugged by freelancers. Never heard anything like that re bargirls.

I double booked this hotel for these nights (3/12 and 3/13). I booked the non-cancellation rates so I have two rooms at this hotel. It anyone wants to use it for these two nights, shoot me a PM. I booked a Grande Premier room with breakfast. I'm not sure what the transfer policy is but would be happy to check in and kick down the key to someone. I'm not getting a refund anyway so hate for it to go unused. This will be my first time in Thailand so, I've just learned my first lesson about booking on Agoda. Book the cancelable rates!

[QUOTE=BigRig2007;1839432]I double booked this hotel for these nights (3/12 and 3/13). I booked the non-cancellation rates so I have two rooms at this hotel. It anyone wants to use it for these two nights, shoot me a PM. I booked a Grande Premier room with breakfast. I'm not sure what the transfer policy is but would be happy to check in and kick down the key to someone. I'm not getting a refund anyway so hate for it to go unused. This will be my first time in Thailand so, I've just learned my first lesson about booking on Agoda. Book the cancelable rates![/QUOTE]Am willing to see if I can transfer the room to someone but not going to check in and leave it to someone. I forgot about incidentals and all that. Momentary lapse of reason. Haha. I don't arrive in BKK till around 6:00 pm on 3/12.

[QUOTE=BigRig2007;1839483]Am willing to see if I can transfer the room to someone but not going to check in and leave it to someone. I forgot about incidentals and all that. Momentary lapse of reason. Haha. I don't arrive in BKK till around 6:00 pm on 3/12.[/QUOTE]Incidentals aside, you don't know just what might happen in that room which is reserved and checked in under your name. Something real bad goes down and its your ass in the cooler.

You may want to even check with the hotel if they will give you a credit note for 2 nights that you can use on a future visit (if you plan one, that is). Worth a try, you got nothing more to lose.