Bangkok Hotels

[QUOTE=Syzygies;1298860]I think I saw a cheap wotif deal for Le Fenix on Soi 11 approx 1700 baht. Don't know what its pool is like.[/QUOTE]Le Fenix has an indoor style pool, long and narrow with a glass side that looks outside. If you look at the photo of the Flow Bar on the Le Fenix website you'll get a sense of the dimensions. It's not a sit-around-in-the-sun pool. It's there for you to cool off.

Le Fenix was one of my fav spots for location, price and style but after awhile the drains began to smell. I've moved on.

Back in BKK in 9 weeks *grin*

How are the bathrooms and water pressure, hot / cold water, etc? I like the idea that they have kitchenettes; but wondering if guests cooking brings bugs in the rooms or are they very clean, etc?

Any recent reviews? Thanks!

[QUOTE=Wolvenvacht;1298885]Citadines Sukhumvit 23 is very good (and has a rooftop pool and gym) but is over 2000 baht / night without the breakfast for which they charge you an outrageous 200 baht.[/QUOTE]I tried Citadines 23 once. Didn't like it but too long ago to remember all the reasons. Nearby Admiral Premier was definitely better, even if it has some weaknesses. My experienced buddy warned me that Citadines 23 wasn't good, but I tried it anyway. Thread search could find the previous discouraging reviews I guess. I have heard better reports about other Citadines Hotels.

[QUOTE=Syzygies;1304970]I tried Citadines 23 once. Didn't like it but too long ago to remember all the reasons. Nearby Admiral Premier was definitely better, even if it has some weaknesses. My experienced buddy warned me that Citadines 23 wasn't good, but I tried it anyway. Thread search could find the previous discouraging reviews I guess. I have heard better reports about other Citadines Hotels.[/QUOTE]It worked for me and none of my visitors ever complained. I especially liked that the double bed was not one of these huge playingfields. It gave me a good excuse to snuggle up close to her.

It is a good thing we do not all like the same things. Think of it what would happen if we all only liked one and the same girl!

Finally my first trip (only three days) to Bangkok is coming. I need still wait till the middle of August, but already dreaming of it! After reading some post wherever in the web I wrote to the hotel SOFITEL Bangkok Sukhumvit about policy related to be Guest-Friendly.

The answer was: "Thank you very much for thinking of us as the choice of your stay. Regarding the policy about the outside guest to stay in the room. Please be informedwe will consider as Free of Charge but person who join your room must present theID Card or any documents (which issue by government) by leave it with our security. In case of he / she doesn't have the said card, guest have to take care of himself. All the procedure we set up is for guest security, we do hope you to understand. Thank you very much and we are looking forward to welcoming you soon. Best regards". Finally I booked! I'll let you know!

[QUOTE=Monopoly; 1304913]How are the bathrooms and water pressure, hot / cold water, etc? I like the idea that they have kitchenettes; but wondering if guests cooking brings bugs in the rooms or are they very clean, etc?

Any recent reviews? Thanks![/QUOTE]I stayed there a few weeks ago.

I highly recommend. It is very clean and modern. No problem with water pressure, hot/cold. Great location. Good breakfast. Internet was good. In fact, it is now my new place to stay in BKK.

I use to go to Pres. Palace Soi 11. I think Pach. Suites is better for the money.

[QUOTE=Luvpuss; 1305185]I stayed there a few weeks ago.

I highly recommend. It is very clean and modern. No problem with water pressure, hot / cold. Great location. Good breakfast. Internet was good. In fact, it is now my new place to stay in BKK.

I use to go to Pres. Palace Soi 11. I think Pach. Suites is better for the money.[/QUOTE]Mmmm, at 3400 baht / night for the "deluxe studio" (which is actually their most basic offer) via booking.com it is expensive. At least 1000 baht above Citadines which seems to offer a similar style of lodging.

[QUOTE=Wolvenvacht;1305211]Mmmm, at 3400 baht / night for the "deluxe studio" (which is actually their most basic offer) via booking.com it is expensive. At least 1000 baht above Citadines which seems to offer a similar style of lodging.[/QUOTE]Hahaha who books via Booking. Com? If you go to the hotel website, Direct, they offer 2, 380 thb. Room looks large and with a sofa. Not my style but not expensive.

I'd prefer staying at the Fenix or the 4 points

[QUOTE=NicFrenchy;1305216]Hahaha who books via Booking. Com?[/QUOTE]I usually do 70% of my extensive travel through booking. Com. Any problem with that? Rates are sufficiently low. I know that hotel official rates are scams, but I have found great rates through booking. Com in peak periods when usually the hotels overcahrge onnormal rates or there is a curfew for normal prices. True that I usually go to 4* hotels and seldom to 3* (only if part of an international chain I know, so the standard is set)

[QUOTE=Bionicman;1305316]I know that hotel official rates are scams,[/QUOTE]I do agree with you. Generally rates in hotel websites are so high, rather than found in booking sites.

[QUOTE=Bionicman;1305316]But I have found great rates through booking. Com[/QUOTE]Why not Agoda? I have found relatively less price in agoda for the same room asked in Booking. Com

[QUOTE=Mua Tur;1305325]Why not Agoda? I have found relatively less price in agoda for the same room asked in Booking. Com[/QUOTE]Agoda's 10 times worse than Booking. Com.

Why would you agree for your credit card to be charged at time of booking? And Pre-pay? When Booking. Com is only on a CC Guarantee basis?

Best practice is to book direct with the Hotel as they always have the same deals as any OTAs but with usually more Added value. And if you can get a hold of a manager and talk to him, you can even get a cheaper price.

[QUOTE=Mua Tur;1305325]I do agree with you. Generally rates in hotel websites are so high, rather than found in booking sites.Why not Agoda? I have found relatively less price in agoda for the same room asked in Booking. Com[/QUOTE]The postiive thing with booking. Com is that is really worldwide (I travel worldwide and not to a specific area only) , does not automatically draw the amount of the stay into their wallet, in 90% of the cases there is a cancellation policy of to 3 or 1 day prior arrival, the CC is mainly a guarantee for the no show.

I had a couple of specific wishes that their support team immediately took care of and if and when unable to do so they put me in contact with the hotel, with a solution found.

[QUOTE=Bionicman;1305330]90% of the cases there is a cancellation policy of to 3 or 1 day prior arrival, the CC is mainly a guarantee for the no show.[/QUOTE]I m not advocating here for Agoda. I always feel comfort booking with Agoda for Thailand. In some options Agoda have free cancellation policy too. Is it about 90%? M not sure

[QUOTE=Mua Tur;1305336]I m not advocating here for Agoda. I always feel comfort booking with Agoda for Thailand. In some options Agoda have free cancellation policy too. Is it about 90%? M not sure[/QUOTE]True, Agoda is one of the better booking sites and they even provide cash back reward points you can use to book rooms in the future. I've used those points for free stay twice. The cancellation policy really depends on the hotel and not necessarily Agoda. Also their rates are much better than going to the most hotel sites which is why they are one of the top booking sites but like everything else everyone will have their own preference.

[QUOTE=Run Mann;1305355]True, Agoda is one of the better booking sites and they even provide cash back reward points you can use to book rooms in the future. I've used those points for free stay twice. The cancellation policy really depends on the hotel and not necessarily Agoda. Also their rates are much better than going to the most hotel sites which is why they are one of the top booking sites but like everything else everyone will have their own preference.[/QUOTE]You nailed it! The only edge with Agoda is their "Points System" and that's why they are the #1 Online Agent in ASPAC, with Booking. Com (the Sister company) Leader on the European Market and their owner Priceline (the Daddy) Leading in the Americas, they are set for a Long long time!

Expedia is the Closest Competitor with its Sister Company: Tripadvisor and their recent launch of TINGO. They also own Hotels. Com, Hotwire and purchased Air Asia Go Holiday.

Such a complicated bunch. Try Hotelscombined, Kayak, Wego, Skyscanner or the newcomer from israel: Superfly.

Also an israeli newborn Company: CANCELON.

They offer people that have bookings they cannot cancel or amend a platform to re-sell their reservation to someone else.

This is a new model and will certainly make some noise in the industry.

[url]http://www.cancelon.com/[/url]