Bangkok Hotels

[QUOTE=Giotto]The funny part of the cockroach story is, that it was the loud-mouth Giotto (ME!) who complaint approx. 1.5 years ago about cockroaches coming out of the drainage of a bathtab in a massage parlour... :):)

Life is rather strange at times.

Giotto[/QUOTE]

Kind of confused why folks are so skittish of cockroaches. Guess a lifetime in the islands and asia has made me immune to cockroaches. Granted when I stay at LL I did not recall seeing any in the rooms but you don't have to look too hard in SEA to see cockroaches, they are all over the place. They are pretty much a fact of life living in Oceania or SEA.

[QUOTE=Tansak KTV]...They are pretty much a fact of life living in Oceania or SEA.[/QUOTE]It's the two-legged ones that bother me!

Good thing I took a "Critical Thinking 101" class back at SF State U., or I might even believe some of the nit picky stuff I read here as gospel truth.

The Internet has transformed every Tom, Dick and Hairy into freelance food, wine, travel, (and here), sex critics. Literary licenses are evidently given out for free at the local cyber-pubs!

Who was it that said, "You can please some of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time?"

I admire a brave man who delves into the world of 21st Century hospitality...my hat's off to you Mr. G.

[QUOTE=Fon Tok]Who was it that said, "You can please some of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time?"[/QUOTE]Actually, the saying goes: You can please some of the people ALL of the time, or all of the people SOME of the time, but never all of the people all of the time.

[QUOTE=Fon Tok]Good thing I took a "Critical Thinking 101" class back at SF State U., or I might even believe some of the nit picky stuff I read here as gospel truth.

The Internet has transformed every Tom, Dick and Hairy into freelance food, wine, travel, (and here), sex critics. Literary licenses are evidently given out for free at the local cyber-pubs!
[/QUOTE]

Shoot that's funny, but so true...

I wonder how important is that, I hear at some places you can't trust these much. I mean the electronic ones must have a default number for the hotel to open it (when the guest leave with door closed or when they forget the pin). So this number can get passed on !

The ones with keys also have a duplicate key (although they always say you've got to pay lots of money if you loose the key and so on....). Of course they are far better than not having anything.

The reason I'm asking is because I am considering staying at Stable Lodge (soi 8), I read they have no safe inside the room but it is a very secure/safe place.

I have a hard suitcase with both key and digital lock (although a descent screw driver and some effort could break the locks I guess). I am not worried about the visiting girls as I can ask reception to call me when they pick up their ID. I am wondering how important it is to have a safe in the room in a fairly reputable, small place like Stable Lodge ?!

[QUOTE=Uzinuzin]I wonder how important is that, I hear at some places you can't trust these much. I mean the electronic ones must have a default number for the hotel to open it (when the guest leave with door closed or when they forget the pin). So this number can get passed on !

The ones with keys also have a duplicate key (although they always say you've got to pay lots of money if you loose the key and so on....). Of course they are far better than not having anything.

The reason I'm asking is because I am considering staying at Stable Lodge (soi 8), I read they have no safe inside the room but it is a very secure/safe place.

I have a hard suitcase with both key and digital lock (although a descent screw driver and some effort could break the locks I guess). I am not worried about the visiting girls as I can ask reception to call me when they pick up their ID. I am wondering how important it is to have a safe in the room in a fairly reputable, small place like Stable Lodge ?![/QUOTE]

Firstly keep your real valuables to a minimum when travelling. I have no expensive jewellery, watches, etc. Don't keep large amounts of cash. Its too risky once someone sees it (especially outside of the Hotel).

I might be lax but I don't usually use Hotel room safes even when they are provided.
However I never leave cash in the room and keep passport well hidden (which is my most valuable possession).
Its unlikely that a good Hotel room will be very thoroughly ransacked.
Can ask the Hotel to keep your passport safe for you.

Damn it. I forgot a vibrator and some lube in the drawer at Livingstone's Lodge. I am sure its waiting for me to return for it, but I was too shy to go back and pick it up (and not valuable). Not sure if the office staff would know what it is, for certain :D Previously had a problem explaining to the pretty but shy young girl at airport xray screening security too as I had about 3 of them to give out as presents for girls who liked them.

Try to avoid having very valuable stuff in your room while you are not there and don't leave valuables on display.
Having said that, I do leave my notebook computer in hotels that I trust, but often just hide it in the suitcase and lock it.
I figure if someone is really determined to steal your stuff they will get it, but its never happened.

I many years visiting in Thailand I have never had anything stolen other than when I accidentally left something in a public phone box (so my fault).
Perhaps I am extraordinarily lucky.

When I go swimming I put cash, credit/bank cards, GF's jewelry in a water proof container which goes in my swimming shorts pocket which cannot open easily due to velcroe.

So my bottom line is. There is always some risk, but I wouldn't cancel a Hotel just because there is no room safe.
Use the Hotel Safe for valuables that you don't need to access all the time such as passport.
But if a room-safe makes you worry free, then its doing a good job for you.

[QUOTE=Easy2007]I am a selfish git, I know :) But that does seem expensive.

One thing you'll learn about Bangkok, is that you do not get what you pay for. You get back what you put in for effort. I spend a bit of time finding decent cheap hotels for my friends passing through Bangkok, everyone wants a good room, for a cheap price.

I must say, I have a few very good choices now, all under 2000B, but with free broadband internet, AC, decent bathrooms, very clean rooms, satellite TV, fire safety systems and all very girl friendly. Unless a hotel has all of those, I will not consider it.

There are a few around, but I'll now go back to my first point of being a selfish git........good hotels stay cheap as long as business is ok, but not good. When business is good, hotel prices go up, and the owners makes much more profits.

Therefore, I am not going to tell you the names of the places I book for people, sorry, but I want them to remain cheap.

However, I will say for under 2000B you can find very good boutique hotel rooms around !!!!! If you can be bothered to spend the time wandering around and checking them all out.[/QUOTE]

Since the rest of us can't find Hotels like this in the right areas of Bangkok, I would sugeest that you won't win any friends by posting something that effectively says:
"I am happy to get info from the forum but I am not willing to share mine".

You would be better to stay silent, IMHO.
i.e. "Put up or shut up!"

I have stayed at the Grand Business Inn for < 2000 (1500-1700 Baht depending on room size) but the beds are too hard, its too noisy and has no pool.
I have tried many Hotels, but am yet to find one around the right part of Sukhumwit < 2K that has free internet, comfortable beds, quiet enough to sleep, clean, GF, etc.
Livingstone's Lodge is just over 2K for a standard room once the ++ is added on. So if there is anything cheaper that has all this and claimed to be as good, I would like to know.

If they existed, all they would need to do is set up a web page that could be easily found, specifying free Internet etc., unless of course they just didn't want the business.
Extensive web searching doesn't really show up a lot of options with free internet in every room. It is becoming more common now but still rare for cheap Hotels.

Mick,

Its why I admit at the open to being selfish on the hotel front, simply because when business picks up, room rates go up too. Make a hotel well used, the prices rise, not fall.

Anyway, to give an example of cheap, and this is low end of cheap, you can try Cozy hotel on Sukhumvit Soi 10, called Cozy At Ten.

Just enter Soi 10 and its about 30M down on the left hand side.

Last time I put someone there a non-garden view room was 1100 B and a Garden View room 1500 B.

Free internet, in room safe, AC, Satellite TV, GF.

The downside, no lift (which can be a pain if you are on the 5th floor), bathrooms are a bit small and basic.

However, given the price and what you do get, and given its Soi 10, which is half way between Nana and Cowboy, and easy access either way for Nana BTS or Asoke BTS.

No web site, well I it wasn't working before, not sure now.

If you want just cheap room, then take a non-garden view, which all things considered is fine value at 1100B for a night considering what you get. If you like to look out over Chuvit Garden, then you know what to choose.

I am not in BKK presently, otherwise I would have got the phone number to post, perhaps someone can find it, and also check out the latest room rates.

[QUOTE=Mick Licker]Since the rest of us can't find Hotels like this in the right areas of Bangkok, I would sugeest that you won't win any friends by posting something that effectively says:
"I am happy to get info from the forum but I am not willing to share mine".

You would be better to stay silent, IMHO.
i.e. "Put up or shut up!"

I have stayed at the Grand Business Inn for < 2000 (1500-1700 Baht depending on room size) but the beds are too hard, its too noisy and has no pool.
I have tried many Hotels, but am yet to find one around the right part of Sukhumwit < 2K that has free internet, comfortable beds, quiet enough to sleep, clean, GF, etc.
Livingstone's Lodge is just over 2K for a standard room once the ++ is added on. So if there is anything cheaper that has all this and claimed to be as good, I would like to know.

If they existed, all they would need to do is set up a web page that could be easily found, specifying free Internet etc., unless of course they just didn't want the business.
Extensive web searching doesn't really show up a lot of options with free internet in every room. It is becoming more common now but still rare for cheap Hotels.[/QUOTE]

I, for onr use Hotel Safes All the time. I usually put all my valuables in it: Passport, money, Ipod... and never had a problem.

I usually stay in 4 star or 5 star hotels (Company's expense), at the Davis on Soi 24 for example: Great Room, Good Breakfast, their Suite is Very nice and the safe is large. 4,000 thb per night including Breakfast.

They have their website up and running now, the standard room (non-garden view) is now 1200B all in BUT the Garden View is now 1400 B all in.

As I said before, free broadband internet, room has a safe, very girl friendly, clean enough, satellite TV, its Soi 10 so its right opposite Chuvit Garden if you want to jog around in the morning, its also half way between Nana and Soi Cowboy, you can walk to either, and its right slap bang in between Asoke and Nana BTS stations.

The downside. Bathrooms are a bit small and basic, and also no lift, so a bit of stair walking is needed, however, for the price, for the location, you cannot really complain that much if all you want is a cheap room with free internet.

[url]http://www.cozyatten.com/index.html[/url]

[QUOTE=Easy2007]Mick,

Its why I admit at the open to being selfish on the hotel front, simply because when business picks up, room rates go up too. Make a hotel well used, the prices rise, not fall.

Anyway, to give an example of cheap, and this is low end of cheap, you can try Cozy hotel on Sukhumvit Soi 10, called Cozy At Ten.

Just enter Soi 10 and its about 30M down on the left hand side.

Last time I put someone there a non-garden view room was 1100 B and a Garden View room 1500 B.

Free internet, in room safe, AC, Satellite TV, GF.

The downside, no lift (which can be a pain if you are on the 5th floor), bathrooms are a bit small and basic.

However, given the price and what you do get, and given its Soi 10, which is half way between Nana and Cowboy, and easy access either way for Nana BTS or Asoke BTS.

No web site, well I it wasn't working before, not sure now.

If you want just cheap room, then take a non-garden view, which all things considered is fine value at 1100B for a night considering what you get. If you like to look out over Chuvit Garden, then you know what to choose.

I am not in BKK presently, otherwise I would have got the phone number to post, perhaps someone can find it, and also check out the latest room rates.[/QUOTE]

Hi Guys,

Usually hang out in the UAE Forum but am arranging a trip to BKK in about a month. Have visited before and stayed at both the Majestic Suites and Majestic Grande. Kind of looking for something in between the two of them. I'll be staying for a week so looking for some good value but also a comfy enough room that you can easily hang out in the room and be comfortable.

Therefore was thinking along the lines of a boutique kinda place. Dream looks great but a little high for my preferred budget. Was looking at Salil but seem to be some negatives about it (no pool or gym). Contacted Citichic since it seems to fit what I'm looking for. They got back to me saying that the only had Deluxe rooms without terrace. When I emailed them back to say ok no problem and to book me, they have yet to reply. So as I'm sitting here waiting I have checked out some other places including Citadines on Soi 16. Seems central to most places around Suk and a good deal if the rooms are as nice as the pics seem to show.

Can anyone help me out on these? Was also considering Livingstone's Lodge but it might be a bit out of the way. Some experiences from people who have stayed. Pretty sure that Citichic is GF but can someone confirm that Citadines is as well.

Thanks for the input and will definitely have a few FRs to write!

AF

Citadine 16 is a hike to get to even Cowboy... it's not that close. Livingstones is closer to a BTS then Citadine 16 is. I've stayed there and at Somerset Lake Point which is right down that way and it's not close to squat. It was a serious friggin hike and most cabbies don't know 16 at all as it is kind of funky to get to it.

What you want in a room / hotel ??? You want an apartment or hotel? Boutique hotel or regular hotel? There are some places right near nana that are OK and Legacy, Adelphi are good.

You mention LL so you know about that and yes I do like LL but you have a ton of options. What you want and what budget you look for?

[QUOTE=Asian Flava]Hi Guys,

Usually hang out in the UAE Forum but am arranging a trip to BKK in about a month.

Thanks for the input and will definitely have a few FRs to write!

AF[/QUOTE]

Citadines is one of the better all around value in Bangkok. If you call the hotel direct you can get room rates for 1890B per night (no room cleaning) or add 113B to the rate for full service (cleaning everyday). The rooms are more like studio apartments with an iron, stove, and microwave, cooking utensils and a washer and dryer on the top floor along with a nice little pool and fitness room. There is a Foodland down the street and motor bike taxis (if you dare to use them) at the entrance to Soi 16. The Security guard also has direct line for Taxis if one is not outside when you need one but they were always there when I needed one.

It really depends on what you want, but I love this hotel, they are guest friendly and the place is clean and quiet, the ambience and lay out is relaxing and worth the price. If you appreciated the MG (where you have to pay for internet use) and Dynasty Inn Grande, you will love Citadines. The Sky train station is around the corner and while it’s true that many cabbies are unaware of this hotel, you can take a business card from the front desk that has a map on the back of it. Below are a few pics from Citadines.

[url]http://www.bangkok.com/citadines/[/url]
[url]http://www2.citadines.com/index.html[/url]

On a recent visit to the Capital with middle class Thais I was forced to stay in accomodations they considered suitable. Normally when in the metropolis I stay in obscure and reasonably decrepit locations for 250-650 baht, but I discovered that in the Sukhumvit-to-Siam area the prices are now shockingly high. We found that basic hotels are around 1,000 baht per night now ($30+!) and something a little nicer can be 1,500-2,200!

The great inflation that has gripped this land has certainly ended its status as a bargain destination.

[QUOTE=Opebo]On a recent visit to the Capital with middle class Thais I was forced to stay in accomodations they considered suitable. Normally when in the metropolis I stay in obscure and reasonably decrepit locations for 250-650 baht, but I discovered that in the Sukhumvit-to-Siam area the prices are now shockingly high. We found that basic hotels are around 1,000 baht per night now ($30+!) and something a little nicer can be 1,500-2,200!

The great inflation that has gripped this land has certainly ended its status as a bargain destination.[/QUOTE]


Everything is relative, my friend!

If you can find me in any big capital city a place like, for example, the Majestic Grande, 4 star, centrally situated, nest to the action, with pools, restaurants, and excellent Asian servic, etc... for less than 100$, let me know, and I'll rush there...Even in Ho-Chi-Minh City, let alone Tokyo, Singapore or else, you don't find such bargains...