Bangkok Hotels

[EihTooms]

The snicket near the Shama Suites is a bit NORTH of what Google Maps labels the Maison Alley. The Maison Hotel is on the southeast corner of that alley and Soi 2.

Check out the attached map and satellite photo, again courtesy of Google Map. You'll see how it's possible to exit the Shama using the back door, cut through the small parking lot, and walk east to Soi 4. The snicket connect to Soi 4 a few steps south of Fitzgerald's. The final photo I've attached shows how it looks from the Soi 4 side.

The photo showing the Shama sign next to Fitsgeralds that also shows a small portion of a waist-high version of a much taller white gate further in is the snicket / passage way that I was talking about too. You can also see a portion of the guard shack further in the entrance in that photo.

Right next to the guard shack, not visible in that photo, is a tall white gate that has at least 3 times in the past 2-3 months been locked up tight as a drum all the way across the snicket / passage way with no guard in the shack to open it at prime time in the evening, not even for someone who could prove they are staying at Shama.

I only mentioned the Maison Hotel driveway because that is where those of us intending to walk from Soi 2, the Shama Apartment area, to Soi 4 that way and discover the gate next to Fitsgeralds is closed, locked and no one there to open it will then try to make the transition instead. And that is where you will then likely encounter a uniformed guard waving off anyone and everyone who thinks they ought to be able to do that. Not even a fellow standing there with wheeled luggage claiming to have once stayed at the Maison Hotel convinced the guard to raise the guard rail or give him permission to pass through.

I can't say that tall white gate next to Fitsgeralds is always closed and locked at a certain hour every night. I have only paid attention to it the 3 recent times I tried to walk from Soi 2 to Soi 4 that way and could not do it. If I pass by it tonight I will take a photo of that gate and post it here. And maybe it will be wide open to any foot traffic or bike traffic at that particular hour. Or maybe not.

I used to walk or ride my bike from Soi 2 to Soi 4 that way all the time. The snicket ritght next to Fitsgeralds, I mean. And the Maison Hotel driveway alternative. But that gate next to Fitsgeralds has been closed and locked in the evening quite often lately so I rarely bother giving it a try from Soi 2. I would say the Shama and Maison Hotel properties are on to what many of us want to do either on foot or on a two-wheeled vehicle and do not want to become the constant go-to stroll for punters and their Nana Plaza or Soi 4 honeys to and from the other hotels or apartments on Soi 2.

[Llantarnam]

That explains why the Adelphi have no weekly booking for next March, I was surprised.

All the Suites are facing the construction. The Single rooms aren't bad but.

Will be a dam shame when they lose the views looking down to soi4.

I assume there is a large building under construction to the rear of Adelphi. I was told by the hotel that the rear facing suites are out of operation until some time in 2027, but I couldn't see any time when the rooms at the front aren't available.

Looking at the reviews on Booking.com there are a lot of complaints about construction noise up to August, but nothing since. I assume this is when the rear rooms went into hibernation.

[Bunky]

I often have a reason to take that little snicket from Soi 2 to Soi 4, or attempt to. And unless we are talking about a different shortcut passway or snicket, I have discovered the final gate that would allow access to Soi 4 is locked and nobody is in the guard shack to open it. In fact, it just happened that way again two nights ago at around 10 pm. I was on foot. And the guard at the entrance to the Maison Hotel driveway nearby was also not having it.

The snicket near the Shama Suites is a bit NORTH of what Google Maps labels the Maison Alley. The Maison Hotel is on the southeast corner of that alley and Soi 2.

Check out the attached map and satellite photo, again courtesy of Google Map. You'll see how it's possible to exit the Shama using the back door, cut through the small parking lot, and walk east to Soi 4. The snicket connect to Soi 4 a few steps south of Fitzgerald's. The final photo I've attached shows how it looks from the Soi 4 side.

Bunky

(Sorry about the poor resolution of the photos. That's best I could squeeze out screen grabs.)

[MaccatheFree]

When I'm in town I usually stay at Adelphi Suites on Soi 8. Definitely a big improvement on a hotel room.

Will be back in January, but there appears to be a lot of building work at the rear of Adelphi (all of the rooms at the rear of the building are suites, but none are available for an extended period due to construction noise during the day). The rooms at Shama look fine, but if you check the reviews they are predominantly from people from Gulf countries, so I'll give this place a miss. Fraser Suites looks good, but it's right down the bottom end of Soi 11, so a fair walk to the action..

That explains why the Adelphi have no weekly booking for next March, I was surprised.

All the Suites are facing the construction. The Single rooms aren't bad but.

Will be a dam shame when they lose the views looking down to soi4.

[EihTooms]

I concur with those who counsel against Airbnb for the first time visitor. If you've never spent time in Bangkok, you don't know the difference between a good location and a bad one. Bringing girls to an Airbnb may annoy neighbors. And if you're staying for a week it's nice to have housekeeping and perhaps breakfast in the lobby.

New guys will probably do well to stay within 1,000 meters of Nana Plaza. One hotel I often recommend is the Shama Suites Sukhumvit. It's on the east side of Sukhumvit 2, just south of the massive J.W. Marriott. But if you go out the back door and cut through a little snicket you come out on Sukhumvit 4 Alley in front of Fitzgerald's Pub. That's just steps from Nana Plaza, which is super handy if you pull from one of the go-go bars in that complex. From there you can walk north up to Sukhumvit Road (which runs E-W) and explore the odd-numbered sois branching off the north side, and the even numbered ones branching off the south side. Or you can walk south on Sukhumvit 4 Alley, which is packed with freelancers in the bars and girls on the street.

The Shama is a "serviced apartment" place, so you get a sitting room and kitchenette (w/ washing machine) to go with the bedroom. Water pressure and temperature is EXCELLENT. There is a rooftop pool and breakfast every day in the lobby. It's a popular place with families, many from the Gulf states, so after dark the lobby is as quiet as a library. No problem returning with a joiner, and they do insist on the usual formalities before you go up. Again, for the first timer this process is a good thing.

Best way to book is on their web site. Joining their club costs nothing and gives you access to "member rates."

I often have a reason to take that little snicket from Soi 2 to Soi 4, or attempt to. And unless we are talking about a different shortcut passway or snicket, I have discovered the final gate that would allow access to Soi 4 is locked and nobody is in the guard shack to open it. In fact, it just happened that way again two nights ago at around 10 pm. I was on foot. And the guard at the entrance to the Maison Hotel driveway nearby was also not having it. No Entrance, No Exceptions for me and another farang wheeling luggage. At that point, the only way to get to Soi 4 from there was to walk back up Soi 2 to Sukhhumvit and then across to Soi 4.

Again, maybe you are talking about a passage between Soi 4 and that apartment complex that is wide open 24/7 without hassle or that I have not discovered. But from my experience, trying to go from Soi 2 to Soi 4 that way has been thwarted at least three times over the past few months and at prime time evening hours.

As always, YMMV.

[11Bravo]

When I'm in town I usually stay at Adelphi Suites on Soi 8. Definitely a big improvement on a hotel room.

Will be back in January, but there appears to be a lot of building work at the rear of Adelphi (all of the rooms at the rear of the building are suites, but none are available for an extended period due to construction noise during the day). The rooms at Shama look fine, but if you check the reviews they are predominantly from people from Gulf countries, so I'll give this place a miss. Fraser Suites looks good, but it's right down the bottom end of Soi 11, so a fair walk to the action.

Guess I'll keep looking.

Showing MY age, ONCE UPON A TIME, there was a back entrance from the Thermae, past the toilets, out into the front driveway of the Manhattan hotel on Soi 15. A relatively short, quick walk to the RP. What either are like these days, no idea. Just some pleasant memories.

Last year, happened to have a chance to walk into the Nana hotel's lobby - damn, dinosaur boneyard. Reminded me of that old Tarzan movie, where he visited the elephant graveyard.

[Llantarnam]

I'll concur with Bunky on the attractions of "serviced apartments". Way back when, I'd stay at Suk's Soi 15, Royal President serviced apartments. House keeping several days a week, microwave, a LARGE refrigerator (no mini-bar me) for your drinks and snacks. Having lived in hotels for years, you quickly learn the important differences. Even the "luxury" of being able to do your own laundry ("gee, I sent out XL'S, they came back M's, the cold water, line dry NOT understood). Girls will take into consideration travel distance and "known" (some obscure place out in the sticks doesn't exactly scream "safety" - yes Thailand is safe, but foreigners not all). Having a place to kick back and relax other than the bed and a hardback chair will be appreciated. Having a dining table and chairs for a nosh from street vendor food brought back for refreshments between rounds - great.

When I'm in town I usually stay at Adelphi Suites on Soi 8. Definitely a big improvement on a hotel room.

Will be back in January, but there appears to be a lot of building work at the rear of Adelphi (all of the rooms at the rear of the building are suites, but none are available for an extended period due to construction noise during the day). The rooms at Shama look fine, but if you check the reviews they are predominantly from people from Gulf countries, so I'll give this place a miss. Fraser Suites looks good, but it's right down the bottom end of Soi 11, so a fair walk to the action.

Guess I'll keep looking.

[11Bravo]

The Shama is a "serviced apartment" place, so you get a sitting room and kitchenette (w/ washing machine) to go with the bedroom.

I'll concur with Bunky on the attractions of "serviced apartments". Way back when, I'd stay at Suk's Soi 15, Royal President serviced apartments. House keeping several days a week, microwave, a LARGE refrigerator (no mini-bar me) for your drinks and snacks. Having lived in hotels for years, you quickly learn the important differences. Even the "luxury" of being able to do your own laundry ("gee, I sent out XL'S, they came back M's, the cold water, line dry NOT understood). Girls will take into consideration travel distance and "known" (some obscure place out in the sticks doesn't exactly scream "safety" - yes Thailand is safe, but foreigners not all). Having a place to kick back and relax other than the bed and a hardback chair will be appreciated. Having a dining table and chairs for a nosh from street vendor food brought back for refreshments between rounds - great.

[Bunky]

Would it be advisable to get an Airbnb or hotel? I am working on planning a trip and would be about a week give or take days. This is my first time going to Thailand and I just want to have as much fun as I can have.

I concur with those who counsel against Airbnb for the first time visitor. If you've never spent time in Bangkok, you don't know the difference between a good location and a bad one. Bringing girls to an Airbnb may annoy neighbors. And if you're staying for a week it's nice to have housekeeping and perhaps breakfast in the lobby.

New guys will probably do well to stay within 1,000 meters of Nana Plaza. One hotel I often recommend is the Shama Suites Sukhumvit. It's on the east side of Sukhumvit 2, just south of the massive J.W. Marriott. But if you go out the back door and cut through a little snicket you come out on Sukhumvit 4 Alley in front of Fitzgerald's Pub. That's just steps from Nana Plaza, which is super handy if you pull from one of the go-go bars in that complex. From there you can walk north up to Sukhumvit Road (which runs E-W) and explore the odd-numbered sois branching off the north side, and the even numbered ones branching off the south side. Or you can walk south on Sukhumvit 4 Alley, which is packed with freelancers in the bars and girls on the street.

The Shama is a "serviced apartment" place, so you get a sitting room and kitchenette (w/ washing machine) to go with the bedroom. Water pressure and temperature is EXCELLENT. There is a rooftop pool and breakfast every day in the lobby. It's a popular place with families, many from the Gulf states, so after dark the lobby is as quiet as a library. No problem returning with a joiner, and they do insist on the usual formalities before you go up. Again, for the first timer this process is a good thing.

Best way to book is on their web site. Joining their club costs nothing and gives you access to "member rates."

[Jizzme]

Depends what U want to do. I personally love the Gogos at Nana Plaza. If that's your thing and you have coin then stay at the Landmark hands down. Lovely hotel. Just around the corner from Nana Plaza. If you want to save a few bucks so the Double Tree. It's a little less convenient but a great hotel. Both are certified girl friendly. I would not recommend trying to navigate Airbnb your first visit.

I'm not sure gogos are my thing but people do people get banned for bringing girls back to Airbnb's? LOL.

[Steve 9696]

Would it be advisable to get an Airbnb or hotel? I am working on planning a trip and would be about a week give or take days. This is my first time going to Thailand and I just want to have as much fun as I can have.

Depends what U want to do. I personally love the Gogos at Nana Plaza. If that's your thing and you have coin then stay at the Landmark hands down. Lovely hotel. Just around the corner from Nana Plaza. If you want to save a few bucks so the Double Tree. It's a little less convenient but a great hotel. Both are certified girl friendly. I would not recommend trying to navigate Airbnb your first visit.

[Jizzme]

Would it be advisable to get an Airbnb or hotel? I am working on planning a trip and would be about a week give or take days. This is my first time going to Thailand and I just want to have as much fun as I can have.

[Martin39]

Any issues with girls coming here?

I stayed at the Conrad and only brought back 1 girl (Thermae, mixed experience but that's for a different post). Nobody cared when I brought her in late in the evening but she was also ok dressed. Should have probably checked her in but since nobody bothered us we just went to the room. Location was good, I mainly walked towards Nana. Taxi or BTS for other ventures.

[Mogwai]

Got to give a shout out to the Double Tree.

I concur, the DoubleTree by Hilton Bangkok Ploenchit in Soi 2 is great! Not cheap, but good value for money.

Please note there's also a DoubleTree in Soi 26, called DoubleTree by Hilton Sukhumvit.
I have stayed there only once, and my room did not have a hose next to the toilet, which I found rather strange. But other than that, this DoubleTree is also great.

[Steve 9696]

Which is the best hotel or Airbnb to book near nana where I can easily bring daily girls to hotel without any trouble or check in?

If I book ruamchitt hotel then can I bring daily 2-3 new girl to room without checking her in?

Got to give a shout out to the Double Tree. It's nothing like a US double tree. It's like a 4. 5 star hotel I would say. And super convenient to Nana.

It couldn't possibly be more girl friendly. I'the arrived at night and checked in and immediately went to nana plaza. When I pulled a girl at 2 am I had forgotten my room number and lost my key anyhow. So there I am with my hottie at reception finding out my room number and getting a key. The girl didn't bat an eye. Don't ask her name. No ID no nothing. She just gave me the key and we were on our way.

Truly classy hotel and so close to Nana but priced at half the JW. Great value.