Bangkok Hotels

[Mogwai]

I stayed at Four Points Sheraton last time and location was great for Thermae and Nana Plaza. I am planning another trip and was thinking of staying near Bangla Road. I heard that it is about a 8 minute taxi ride from Sheraton to Bangla Road. Senior members can you tell me which is the better option for freelancers?

Not sure what you mean, because Bangla Road is in Patong, Phuket.

[Canada]

I stayed at Four Points Sheraton last time and location was great for Thermae and Nana Plaza. I am planning another trip and was thinking of staying near Bangla Road. I heard that it is about a 8 minute taxi ride from Sheraton to Bangla Road. Senior members can you tell me which is the better option for freelancers?

[Elmo]

It's a very nice hotel, but it might be a bit longer walk to Nana now that Maison doesn't let people walk through their driveway. You could still probably walk through the Shama driveway, though.

Maison hotel does permit people to walk through their driveway, but for a 100 B per person charge. Signs prohibiting walking through even note the 100 B walkthrough fee.

Nana Plaza girls know of this, but none even mentioned it to me (when we were walking around the marriott on our way back to the Hilton Doubletree on Soi 2 where I was staying) until after we got to the Doubletree and they realized where they were.

Having said that, even after I learned of this. I continued to just walk around the Marriott, rather than paying 200 B for the gal and I to use this short cut.

[Elmo]

Did stay at the S15 Sukhumvit next to thermae for one night due to calendar mix up in Mid Feb 2026. The rooms were surprisingly clean and nice. But there is no pool, the gym was tiny, and the breakfast options were limited. But based on the quality of the room, thought place offered good value for the money if that is one's main concern. While I never took advantage of it, I did like the open area deck along Sukumvit, with the outdoor grilling dining option. If in a group, think it would be a good spot to eat, drink and people watch one evening before moving on to Thermae or the street scene.

[Elmo]

Stayed at the Doubletree in Ploenchit for part of my time in Bangkok in mid Feb 2026. It is a good option for an upscale hotel close to Nana. While completely girlfriendly, most other guests were families, regular tourists, and folks there on business. However I never had any issues bringing girls back to my room.

Since on Soi2 and a block over from the Nana chaos, it is quite quiet. Nice pool and gym and a large selection of breakfast items from around the world. Seating area is limited however and did have to wait for a table during peak breakfast hours. Luckily, as noted, the ladies working then are well worth looking at (and I got caught many times).

Hotel does only have two elevators, so sometimes one has to wait. And they are located at the back for the lobby, past the front desk, so you have to walk your gal past everyone to get to the elevator. Never had any issues with this. In fact one night I brought back a good looking young spinner from Nana and one of the guards in the lobby gave me the thumbs up. He was liking was he was seeing too I guess.

As noted below by others. The walkway from Shama Apartments / Hotel on Soi 2 to Soi 4 at Fitzgerald's restaurant is now closed with a tall locked gate on the Soi 4 side from 8 pm until 7 am every night. It is only open during the day to allow access to the little brainwake cafe just inside the gate, which is open from 7 am - 7 pm.

However, you CAN still use the walkway along the Maison hotel from Soi 4 to Soi 2, but at a cost of 100 be per person. Each Nana gal I brought back, after we did the short 4-5 min walk around the marriott to the Doubletree, then asked why we did not take this Maison shortcut. I would respond that I was not aware of it. That I thought you could not take this shortcut. They all said just pay the guard 100 be per person. I never tried this option, as I was fine with short walk around the marriott and figured not worth 200 be for the two of us just to save a few steps and 1-2 minutes. But the Maison signs clearly say there is a 100 be pass fee per person, so it is an option.

Would recommend it for those looking for a nicer and quieter upscale hotel close to the Nana chaos.

[Hooky]

The DoubleTree by Hilton Ploenchit is my favorite hotel in BKK at the moment. It does not have a lobby scene in the way you describe it, with retired guys hanging around. It's not a typical monger hotel, like the Nana Hotel. You can have a drink at the bar in the lobby, and meet a fellow monger if you're lucky. But it's not a busy bar, so the chance is small.
Or you can hang out in the sofas between the entrance and the reception, but most people sitting there are just waiting for a taxi, or they wait until their room is ready.
The DoubleTree is mostly geared towards business people and families, from all over the world. With some mongers mixed in.
There are some really cute girls working in the restaurant though.

Thanks, and yup, last time I got caught by a cute hotel girl.

The DoubleTree is part of Hilton, not Marriott.

Right, thanks, meant to say Hilton. .

A group of oldies still yuk it up nightly in the Nana lobby. Quite possibly the same blokes you met 30 years ago. One guy uses elbow crutches to get around. Another uses a rollator-type walker, so they won't be too quick to get away if you strike up a conversation about the amenities at your new Hi-so hotel. Enjoy BKK, AR.

LOL AR you so crazy! !

And yes, I am definitely Hi-so!

[Asian Rain]

I stayed at the Nana Hotel. There was a small group of older retired guys who hung out in lobby. They were quite welcoming and helpful. They personally showed me around, eg. Internet shop, the YMCA, Soi Cowboy, the Thermae Bar (in its second iteration / location I believe), and were great company to hang out with.

A group of oldies still yuk it up nightly in the Nana lobby. Quite possibly the same blokes you met 30 years ago. One guy uses elbow crutches to get around. Another uses a rollator-type walker, so they won't be too quick to get away if you strike up a conversation about the amenities at your new Hi-so hotel. Enjoy BKK, AR.

[EihTooms]

Thanks for Thumbs up on Icon. I liked the pics. Looks like a neat place. May try the walkway from Shama or there is always TukTuk.

The walkway from Shama Apartments / Hotel on Soi 2 to Soi 4 at Fitzgerald's restaurant is now closed with a tall locked gate on the Soi 4 side from 8 pm until 7 am every night. It is only open during the day to allow access to the little brainwake cafe just inside the gate, which is open from 7 am - 7 pm.

[YetAnotherGuy]

First trip to Thailand. We are planning to stay in Pattaya for 8 days and then Bangkok for 4 days. Are Airbnbs in Bangkok guest friendly? Where area should we stay in Bangkok?

I can't speak for all the Airbnbs in Bangkok, but those in the area around Nana are. Speaking of the Nana area, that's where I'd recommend staying. One option might be the units in the Focus Ploenchit building, though there are other options.

[SinCitySinner1]

It's a very nice hotel, but it might be a bit longer walk to Nana now that Maison doesn't let people walk through their driveway. You could still probably walk through the Shama driveway, though.

Thanks for Thumbs up on Icon. I liked the pics. Looks like a neat place. May try the walkway from Shama or there is always TukTuk.

[Mogwai]

This time around, I can save a little $$ by staying at the Doubletree Ploenchit using Marriott points,

The DoubleTree is part of Hilton, not Marriott.

[Mogwai]

Hi Guys,
I made my first trip to Thailand almost 30 years ago.
I had been given a book, "The Erotic Women of Southeast Asia, A Gentleman's Guide" by Mac Horn before my first trip ('98) and therefore was pretty well-informed in the ins and outs of the scene.
I stayed at the Nana Hotel. There was a small group of older retired guys who hung out in lobby. They were quite welcoming and helpful.
They personally showed me around, eg. Internet shop, the YMCA, Soi Cowboy, the Thermae Bar (in its second iteration / location I believe), and were great company to hang out with.

This time around, I can save a little $$ by staying at the Doubletree Ploenchit using Marriott points, it looks like a nice place, but I'm wondering about the atmosphere.
Question is, does anyone know of a hotel with a sociable lobby scene as mentioned above?

Thanks everyone!

Update: just looked at some recent reviews for the Nana Hotel, quoting from one of them:

"5/5.

8 months ago on Google.

The Nana is HQ for old hands. Most comfortable beds, great breakfast buffet, a nice lobby with comfortable chairs and sofas to hang out in. The staff is great, once you get to know how things work. Some desk people have been there 30+ years, but still remember you when you check in. It is a 2-star property, but rich in history and centrally located. I can say nothing bad about this place. Just behave yourself!

P.S. Last trip (15 years ago?) I stayed at the Majestic Grande, which I see now is the Doubletree Ploenchit, that's funny. It was a nice place and I fell under the spell of an attractive chick who worked there, limiting my activities. I don't remember any lobby scene at the MJ, just cute girls at the front desk trying to pull me in with their "tractor beams". I think the Nana Hotel was undergoing major renovation at the time. I have to say that when I stayed at the Nana, although it was a bit run down, it was adequate and the social support was invaluable.

Best to all of you.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Ploenchit is my favorite hotel in BKK at the moment. It does not have a lobby scene in the way you describe it, with retired guys hanging around. It's not a typical monger hotel, like the Nana Hotel. You can have a drink at the bar in the lobby, and meet a fellow monger if you're lucky. But it's not a busy bar, so the chance is small.
Or you can hang out in the sofas between the entrance and the reception, but most people sitting there are just waiting for a taxi, or they wait until their room is ready.
The DoubleTree is mostly geared towards business people and families, from all over the world. With some mongers mixed in.
There are some really cute girls working in the restaurant though.

[Hooky]

Hi Guys,

I made my first trip to Thailand almost 30 years ago.

I had been given a book, "The Erotic Women of Southeast Asia, A Gentleman's Guide" by Mac Horn before my first trip ('98) and therefore was pretty well-informed in the ins and outs of the scene.

I stayed at the Nana Hotel. There was a small group of older retired guys who hung out in lobby. They were quite welcoming and helpful.

They personally showed me around, eg. Internet shop, the YMCA, Soi Cowboy, the Thermae Bar (in its second iteration / location I believe), and were great company to hang out with.

This time around, I can save a little $$ by staying at the Doubletree Ploenchit using Marriott points, it looks like a nice place, but I'm wondering about the atmosphere.

Question is, does anyone know of a hotel with a sociable lobby scene as mentioned above?

Thanks everyone!

Update: just looked at some recent reviews for the Nana Hotel, quoting from one of them:

"5/5.

8 months ago on Google.

The Nana is HQ for old hands. Most comfortable beds, great breakfast buffet, a nice lobby with comfortable chairs and sofas to hang out in. The staff is great, once you get to know how things work. Some desk people have been there 30+ years, but still remember you when you check in. It is a 2-star property, but rich in history and centrally located. I can say nothing bad about this place. Just behave yourself!

P.S. Last trip (15 years ago?) I stayed at the Majestic Grande, which I see now is the Doubletree Ploenchit, that's funny. It was a nice place and I fell under the spell of an attractive chick who worked there, limiting my activities. I don't remember any lobby scene at the MJ, just cute girls at the front desk trying to pull me in with their "tractor beams". I think the Nana Hotel was undergoing major renovation at the time. I have to say that when I stayed at the Nana, although it was a bit run down, it was adequate and the social support was invaluable.

Best to all of you.

[DTrain228]

First trip to Thailand. We are planning to stay in Pattaya for 8 days and then Bangkok for 4 days. Are Airbnbs in Bangkok guest friendly? Where area should we stay in Bangkok?

[YetAnotherGuy]

Whilst doing my research, I noticed Hotel Icon which provides a little better price point for travelers than say Hotel Maison. Looks like very girl friendly and a prime location. Seems like this user TheTank85 had pretty good time. Has anyone stayed here recently. I just wanted to ask since this FR is a bit dated.

It's a very nice hotel, but it might be a bit longer walk to Nana now that Maison doesn't let people walk through their driveway. You could still probably walk through the Shama driveway, though.