The serviced apartments I thought were nicest were at Emporium, but it may be above your budget.

Somehow, I always end up in Bali in Nov/Dec which is their rainy season, but I've never been put off by the rain. The only part of rainy season in Bali that is high season is the Xmas-NY period. Go in Nov or early Dec or mid-Jan and you'll miss the crowds.

Kathie: Thanks. As I mentioned above, my budget is flexible with no set limit. The pool at the Emporium looks to be free form but possibly with enough straight length to facilitate serious swimming. Do you agree? What is it that you like best about that particular property?

The time frame that is good for me will be, as I mentioned, the early part of 2013...anywhere from January through March, as part of the motivation for the trip is to escape the cold weather in the NE US.

I'm sorry, I don't remember much about the pool. The pool area seemed nice. I haven't stayed at the Emporium, just visited a couple of times. The apartments are very well designed, and feel like a couple of steps up from the Marriott apartments we visited. The location is great - you can get to the skytrain without going outside, if you wish. And the grocery store in Emporium has a fabulous selection. Both Cheryl and I said "we could live here" after visiting.

i thought of emporium too, but had no idea about their pool..

chatrium riverside has a very large pool and a boat to the skytrain

mayfair has a very nice pool but not sure about laps, and a fantastic neighborhood

marriott sukhumvit park might work well and is down the road from emporium with a free tuk tuk service to and from sukhumvit

there are several ascott properties to check out

i don't think you would be happy at marriott sathorn for a variety of reasons

why not see if 4 seasons would offer you a long term rate (over 14 days stay)?

not sure what conrad offers for swimming at its serviced apartment on wireless rd??

check out the various centre point options too

Bobo I appreciate all that info.

But can you explain why you do not think I would like the Marriott Sathorn, please?

I have Ascot Sathorn on my list above...any comments on that one?



Kathie: Thanks again. We do not care much about the pool area, as we do not plan to be lounging around the pool much. What concerns me is the pool, where I plan to spend much time! All of your comments are much appreciated..

I haven't been here but from the website and pictures the pool does look nice.

http://www.oriental-residence.com/

the area is remote...

the rooms are not that comfortable, imo from my 1 visit there

Thanks, Bob!

Agent Hanuman: I knew I could trust you to come up with something interesting..that place looks absolutely gorgeous. We must assign someone to check out the size of the swimming pool and report back to HQ. I've added this to the top of the list..

The Oriental Residences look lovely!

I'm keeping the Oriental Residences at the top of the list, and once I have narrowed down a few more, will begin pricing them out and comparing.



But what do you think of the last (July 10) TA review for the Marriott Mayfair--sounds ominous, but perhaps the reviewer just had bad timing with respect to fellow guests?????

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g293916-d299780-r133976405-Mayfair_Bangkok_Marriott_Executive_Apartments-Bangkok.html#CHECK_RATES_CONT



Which is the most upscale of the Marriott Apart-Hotels?
Any particular Centre Point that you all would consider?

The new Grande Centrepoint is a cut above the rest. The location is at Terminal 21 mall, Asok/Sukhumvit intersection. I know nothing about the pool. I've only checked out a couple of the rooms.

January/February/March will be rainy in Bali, but I don't think it will substantially affect the quality of your experience. Over a two week period you'll get the whole gamut of brief thundershowers, big storms, sunny days, overcast days, mixed days.

The good news is that except for Lunar New Year (February 10) and Easter (March 31) Bali is fairly quiet at that time. After January 10, rates decrease considerably.

A villa would be ideal for a 2 week stay, but it probably wouldn't have the pool you're looking for. What's your minimum length?

I have to think about resorts with good lap pools, ones that come to mind are Legian in Seminyak and in Ubud: Alila, Uma, Chedi, Como Shambhala. I'm a lap swimmer too and know how irritating those curves, fountains and steps can be.

i've stayed at the marriott sathorn. i had a one bedroom, and it was a very nice room, and i got it for under $100/night.

however, as bob said, it is rather remote, nothing around except for baan kanitha(something like that).

its a hike, over the highway, down convent road, to get to the sala dang bts. although i didn't mind the walk(about 10 min.)

how about columns on suk soi 16? i've stayed there too, and had a great studio for around $70. its next to a foodland, where i had great and inexpensive meals.

Emporium pool was absolutely fine and NOT freezing cold. I thought the rooms excellent (we had a 1 bedroom suite with a balcony) and the location for the skytrain was fantastic.
i have considered it again for my trip in Sept but i am trying to keep my budget down but would definitley look to stay again if i could get a deal.
I have been toying with the Oriental Residence too just not sure location wise if its right for me for a quick stay but for a longer stay it really does look fab. Kiwi collection have been doing a good rate.

You guys are the best! I will check out locations and look at each of then sites and return with questions.

Marmot: At last I find a kindred spirit here about the swimming! I would say absolute minimum length would be 40' but would prefer 45' or 15 meters. I did find one Bali villa with a pool that length but they have not responded to my e-mail:

http://www.flipkey.com/ubud-villa-rentals/p186755/


Emporium pool looks good. And I added Grande Centrepoint Terminal 21 to my list; their pool looks good, too. (I had not looked at it because I thought it was at the airport from the name! )

How can it be that I have been ago Bangkok at least 5/6 times and still have not been able to make sense of the city layout?) Each time I plan a trip I feel as if I am going for the first time.




So how do these various long-stay companies rank as far as luxury--Chatrium, Centrepoint, Marriott, Somserset, etc etc?? Are some considered much more upscale than others? I guess Oriental Residences would be at the top of the heap, right?

I don't know if a washing machine is important to you, but the new Grande Centrepoint Term 21 only has washing machines in their LONG TERM apartments. When I had my tour I asked about this because if I'm in BKK for 2 weeks, I like to be able to do my own laundry (I know, I know... it's cheap to get it done out on the street). Anyway, the hotel has some apartments that are rented by the year, by large companies from Japan and elsewhere, for their executives when visiting BKK. The lack of the washing machine was something that turned me off... but that's just me. The rooms have tons of natural light and fantastic views. The hotel is new and very modern.

You will have plenty of options in villas with 15-18 meter pools. It's the over 20M length that is hard to find.

i discount that mayfair review, BUT... i last stayed there 18 mos. ago..

i need to look up oriental residences..

i will say however that mayfair may need some updating, but we found it clean and pristine

www.emporiumsuites.com

Before I moved into Emporium Suites in 2005, I stayed at my favorite hotel, the Four Seasons, and for many years.

Emporium Suites is attached to Emporium Mall which is attached to the Prom Phong skytrain station. Can't be more convenient than that. The big supermarket is on the top floor of Emporium Mall and there's also a movie theater in the mall which is nice to have.

One doesn't have to go outside to get to the supermarket or to the door leading directly to the skytrain station. When one exits the Emporium Suites lobby, there's an escalator that leads up to the Emporium office building structure. Then there's a passage way that leads directly into the mall. The elevator is right after one comes out of the passage way and it goes up to the floor, in Emporium Mall, where the supermarket is.

It's nice not to have to worry about melted frozen foods by the time one gets back to the apartment. One never has to leave the air conditioning as Emporium Suites, Emporium office building, Bangkok Bank, and Emporium Mall are all within air conditioning. That's very important to me. I hate melted coconut milk ice cream and defrosted frozen pizza, to name a few items. And it's hot enough in Bangkok to melt and defrost.

One can even push the shopping carts over to Emporium Suites and push them straight to the apartment. I see shopping carts being removed in the building regularly. And Bangkok Bank is a few steps across from the lobby from Emporium Suites.

When I stay there, I contact them by e-mail, and negotiate a rate that way.

Happy Travels!

As for Bali and rain. When I went to Bali, it was in December which is rainy. But, it didn't hinder anything that I did. Plus, it was nice to get the rain as it's hot there. Then it would at least be cool in the morning. Happy Travels!

http://www.phacharasuites.com/

Here's another serviced apartment building. The person, who was one of the managers at Emporium Suites, became a friend of mine. He has kept in contact with me every time he has moved to a new building that he has a managerial position in. So, he's notified me of his movement for about 5-6 years.

A few months ago, he e-mailed me and said that he has moved to this building. It looks nice and it's in Sukhumvit and in Nana. He used to manage the same building that Kuranosuke's cousin lived in. I can't remember the name of it. It was one of the one's with President in the name, I think.

I last saw my friend at the President building, in 2009, as he treated my Thai friend and me to lunch. We dropped by to surprise him as he didn't even know that I was in town. But, of course, I was staying at Emporium Suites.

Happy Travels!

aloha guen, my cousin use to stay at the grand president. he had a deluxe studio, very nice. personally, i felt the room was too dark for me

Kuranosuke: Yep, that's the place, the Grand President. There are so many buildings with President in the name until it's hard to keep up with them all. But, I remember that building was walking distance, from Emporium Suites, as my Thai friend and I walked there. It was on the odd-number side of Sukhumvit sois as Emporium Suites is on the even-numbered side. Happy Travels!

http://www.grandpresident.com/ Sukhumvit, Soi 11

Kuranosuke: I think it's also on the street where Carol's friend Ming had a place. Happy Travels!

I've stayed at Grand President once. We had a nice 1-bedroom that was very modern (but would be a bit 'dated' now, as this was about 2002-2003).

Hi Ken... when are you back in BKK?? You too, guenmai!

Simpson510: I can't make any immediate plans. Too much going on here. Happy Travels!

>>>The one non-negotiable factor is that the facility must have a large, preferably rectangular, pool conducive to serious lap swimming.

To give you an idea, my favorite Bangkok pool (and I've seen comparatively few) has been at the Four Seasons. So this rules out places with irregularly shaped or circular pools, with spouting fountains in the middle.<<<



Greetings to the OP and hope Bangkok planning is progressing nicely, eks. Bit of a delay in replying to this thread, but just received a targeted email and promotional rate offer from the BKK Shangri-La hotel. (I used to stay fairly frequently in the SL's Krungthep Wing for work before switching over to the St. Regis in June of last year; various professional reasons involved with that move, and no complaints.)

Can assure you, the Krungthep Wing does offer a fine lap pool. Indeed, if there is one BKK lap pool I would take over the Four Seasons' offering (which I've always loved) that's the one. It was never a problem swimming laps at dawn, my preferred time; the fine pool staff most accommodating. Pool has a perfect location; have never tired of watching the river traffic truly come to life around dawn and sunrise.

Concerning serviced apartments, can also assure you and all the Krungthep Wing does offer some very special lodgings. Back around ~ 2005, I stayed in a KW room for work that was later slightly renovated and turned into a serviced apartment. The apartments are located in some of the best areas and floors of the Krungthep Wing. Most of my business stays in the K wing were for 2-5 nights duration, and my favourite room was in rather close proximity to some special apartments.

Wherever you stay, have fun. (And if you need any short/long term lodging recommendations in our fine home of Singapore, pleased to assist.) Will close with high praise for yet another new Bangkok property, The Siam. Stayed in a pool villa for two nights a fortnight back, and what a place. If nothing else, swing by The Siam for a look and dining.

A good week of work and flights to all,

macintosh (robert)


... Singapore Airlines, You're a Great Way to Fly ...

EKS- I stayed at the Emporium Suites for a few nights last February.I was very happy there. Beautiful big room with w/d and a nice view. I also like swimming laps and found the pool had a decent length. The location is good...lots of good restaurants and shops across the street and in the nearby sois in addition to the mall itself.

I got a special rate of $108 at that time, and was told they had even better weekly/monthly rates.

Lcuy: What size apartment did you get? I just heard back from Emporium Suites as I was curious as to what rate I could get for a month stay and in my usual apartment, the one where you visited me. I was told I could have a special rate of 92,000 baht for the month (80 square meter studio with terrace).

I thought that my apartment at Emporium Suites would be three times more than an apartment at my Thai friend's building of Phachara Suites. If figured out using the daily rate, it would have been. But, with the special rate, it will be less than I expected. However, one is required to pay one month deposit, plus the one-month apartment rate in advance. In the past, I've always paid upon arrival and have never paid a deposit. Happy Travels!

I believe I had a deluxe suite, which appears to be 65 sq meters. It was huge and looked over the park next door. I wasn't as high as your place (I had to go UP to look for your maid), but was not low either. I felt it was a very good value.

Lcuy: The 65 square meter studios are very nice. The first apartment that I was shown, back in 2005, was a 65 square meter, park view one. That's what sealed the deal for me although when I returned to BKK some months later, I moved into the 80 square meter studio. But, I had seen a lot of apartments and in a lot of buildings and that was the only building, that I had been to, that offered studios in three sizes; 65,80,and 90 square meters. All the other buildings, that I'd checkd out, didn't even have one-bedrooms at 80 and 90 square meters.

I just got another e-mail back from Emporium Suites, this morning, as I'm trying to negotiate the rates. I asked about a 2-week stay for my 80 square meter apartment and it will be 5,650 baht, per night (79,100 baht for 2 weeks). But, if I stay a month, it will be 92,000 baht. That comes out to about $97.00 a day.

So, now I have all the e-mails which I save, and then when I can take off to BKK, then I'll be ready. Since life isn't predictable these days, I just have to plan it all in my head and on paper and when the time is right, do it. I had my plane ticket and apartment all ready for Paris, 3 months ago, but had to cancel. So, I play things by ear these days. Thank goodness for travel insurance with the "Cancel For Any Reason" clause. LOL! Happy Travels!

Guenmai, so happy to see that you are considering a return to Bangkok. I know you can't say WHEN it will be, but hopefully we are in the city at the same time!

Your deal at Emporium sounds fantastic. Good for you!! Lucy, you got a good deal as well. If it weren't for the distance from my friends, I'd consider it for myself. The skytrain stops just when I'd be wanting/needing to get somewhere.

Robert, I am ever in your debt for this information, and all else you have offered on this forum.
Had no idea that some of the K-wing suites come complete with kitchen facilities. I fear that the price will be very high, but will check into this excellent sounding option.

I, too, am a dawn lap swimmer, and a loved my early swims at Four Seasons. Phrases that gladden the heart include this, spoken by the Four Seasons receptionist at check-in: "Our pool is open 24 hours a day."

And Lcuy, great to know about the Emporium pool! It appears that there is an overwhelming amount of choice. Now all that I must do is to convince the spice-shunning travel partner to pull the plug and commit to this Bangkok caper.

I am away from home now but will return with more questions after I have had the time to do further checking of the possibilities so far.

>>>Robert, I am ever in your debt for this information, and all else you have offered on this forum.
Had no idea that some of the K-wing suites come complete with kitchen facilities. I fear that the price will be very high, but will check into this excellent sounding option.

I, too, am a dawn lap swimmer, and a loved my early swims at Four Seasons. Phrases that gladden the heart include this, spoken by the Four Seasons receptionist at check-in: "Our pool is open 24 hours a day."<<<



Warm greetings again eks, belated thanks for your good wishes -- and I am ever in your debt for your wondrous Continental (and other) reports; makes me nostalgic to return. I continue to travel to Scotland (brief, late-summer family holidays) and London (occasional meetings) on a yearly basis, but the Continent, not so much (and that was primarily for mountaineering with climbing buddies in France and Switzerland).

Writing to inform you and all of a particularly lovely Bangkok serviced apartment I toured during a fairly recent (Nov. '12) BKK business trip and her ongoing promotions via email, the latest being this morning: The Oriental Residence. The apartment I was shown was a one-bedroom suite with corner location. Particularly gracious management and staff. If nothing else, nothing to lose by signing up for her offers.

Now, having given the Oriental Residence the high praise, will continue to personally favour my current and primary work hotel, the Four Seasons. Most of my Bangkok business trips are four nights, maximum, so no need for a week or longer BKK serviced apartment residence. (And my current work commute from/to the FS is particularly convenient.) Swing on by the FS for tea, dining and/or libations. Quality operation, to be sure.

Wherever you stay, savour your times in the City of Angels, 'eks' and all; it will be a few weeks before I return to BKK for meetings. Signing off from 'on the road'; joyous flights, times and travel to all of you,

robert


... Singapore Airlines, You're a Great Way to Fly ...