CharlotteM

We are going to Thailand for our honeymoon, and we are starting our trip in Bangkok. We will be staying in Bangkok for 4 nights and want to stay somewhere that is luxurious and romantic. <BR> <BR>The hotels we are considering are The Landmark, The Royal Orchid Sheraton and The Shangri-La. I'd appreciate any information you may have on these hotels (good or bad). <BR> <BR>Many thanks. <BR> <BR>

fred small

Without a doubt, the Sherator, and ask for the Tower. You will not be sorry. Just spent 8 nights there and it was terrific. Butler, free laundry, free breakfast (western) and free happy hour every afternoon. The service was wonderful. And their location is perfect. Ask for Room 2621, and tell Nok the Butler that Joe and Adria say hello.

Mario

Great. But there are 2 Sheratons (I guess you mean this) in Bangkok. Which one you stayed in?

Glen

We stayed at the Royal Orchid Sheraton a number of years ago and had a wonderful time. The atmosphere in the hotel was just right. Its location on the river is great, and allows you to reach a number of sites via boat trips. Travel by road isn't always pleasant in Bangkok.

WayneY

Check out the new Peninsula Bangkok at www.peninsula.com. Their special rate through the end of 2000 is an unbeatable US$85 which includes breakfast and one way limo from the airport. Reports have been very positive, and the exclusive shuttle boats make it convenient for touring the city without having to deal with the auto traffic.

Sheryl

I agree with Wayne (above). Just stayed at the Peninsula and when I was on the river shuttle boat, met 2 American couples who were staying at the Royal Orchid Sheraton and had come over to the Peninsula for dinner. They said they were SO disappointed they weren't staying at the Peninsula especially with the great rates. They had dinner and then toured around the Peninsula and spent the evening cursing themselves that they hadn't checked out the Peninsula better before booking their hotel. The Peninsula is several cuts above the Sheraton. If you can spring for the extra $30 per night, be sure to get the one bedroom suite. Very romantic.

Joseph cameron

Cheryl: I don't understand why you would say the Royal Orchid is so inferior to the Peninsula - that could be very misleading to anyone who is travelling to Bkk for the first time. The Sheraton's Tower is 5-star all the way. Looking at all hotels in Bkk, Oriental sets the pace when it comes to individual service, but then you really pay the price. The rate of $85 is wonderful for the Peninsula, which is new and fabulous. The price of the Tower for us in November 1999 was $118, not a promotional rate. Jester's in Peninsula is a very, very nice restaurant - equivalent to anything in Oriental or Sheraton. But looking at overall convenience, Peninsula, even with the free ferry service (which ends about 9:30 p.m., as I found out the hard way), is on the "wrong" side of the river, although you can use the ferry to Oriental or River City. I would say based on hard experience of a number of people who have been in Bkk this year, you simply cannot go wrong at Peninsula, Oriental, Shang-ri La or Royal Orchid. In most instances the room rate should be the determining factor. But if you look at the city's layout (map) along the river, and consider shopping, river taxi, taxi, walking and tuk-tuk, plus travel from the airport, then the Sheraton is probably the best bet for anyone going the first time. That's based on opinion, but a lot of them by people who travel to Bkk frequently. If you know anything about the Peninsula, then grab that $85 rate while you can - it will not last long. The Peninsula "chain" is not know for cut-rate prices. By the way, one of the best Thai restaurant in Bkk is Celadon in the Sukkothia, I believe, and one of the worst is the Thai restaurant at the Oriental (where you see the dance program), belive it or not. Hope this helps.

lynn

Charlotte - <BR> <BR>Just an addition about the Sukothai Hotel. I have not eaten at the Celadon, but we did the Sunday Jazz Brunch and it was fantastic. We go to Vegas alot and thought they had some good buffets. One of our favorites (the $25 per person seafood buffet at Rio), just took a back seat to the $20 per person jazz brunch at Sukothai. Make a reservation for Noon and plan on spending a couple of hours. They have made-to-your-order seafood bisque, pasta, soups, etc. For the seafood bisque they actually have a small tank of live shirmps waiting to be your meal. It is amazing. Highly recommend it. <BR> <BR

Sheryl

Joseph Cameron: To clarify -- I am have been to Bangkok many, many times and stayed at many hotels. By the way, none of them were lousy. I think Bangkok has a huge number of excellent hotels at excellent prices and this is one of the joys of traveling to Bangkok. I didn't mean to imply that the Royal Orchid was a crummy hotel. I just said that the 2 couples I met on the boat who were staying there were wholeheartedly regretting that they weren't at the Peninsula. <BR> <BR>I do disagree with you about the "inconvenience" of the Peninsula being on the "wrong" side of the river. And the Peninsula boat operates from 6 am until midnight daily except the weekends when it goes until 1 am. I found it exceptionally conveninient to use their boat. And also, the concierge will arrange a boat anywhere for you at any time if you need it (and of course, pay for it).

SteveK

I spent a year in Thailand in the '70s, and when in BKK I used to dream about staying at the Siam Intercontinental. Now I'm going back for a visit (1 week BKK, 2 weeks Chiang Mai) and will be staying at the Intercontinental. It may not be one of the hot new spots, but it will finally make that dream come true. Does anyone know anything about this older, but I hope still grand, "lady"?

Krannich

The Shangri-La is the best of the three you mentioned, but it's very busy with tour groups; it has a nice river front location. The Royal Orchid Sheraton is getting a bit old but has a great location along the river--but also very busy with tour groups (not too romantic). The new Peninsula is a wonderful hotel, although it's very Western (lacks unique Thai character found in many other hotels in Bangkok, such as the Oriental, Regent, Hilton, and Sukhothai). The Oriental is still the best of the best along the river--unmatched service. The most romantic hotel in Bangkok is probably the Sukhothai. Not a great location, but it's a real class operation--and has a wonderful Thai character. You won't be disappointed. It's the perfect hotel for honeymooners. Recommend these nine, in order of preference: Sukhothai, Oriental, Regent, Shangri-La, Peninsula, Grand Sheraton, Hilton, Royal Orchid Sheraton, and Grand Hyatt. You really won't go wrong with any of these choices, although a river front location is preferable.

Carl Lindskog

Just back from 4 nights in the Concierge level at the Royal Orchid. Nok was our butler as well. A marvelous experience in every regard. Perfect location for walking tours of the city, as well as getting a boat at River City. Shop at Johnnys Gems. Tell Samart and Kim that Carl and Annemarie from Connecticut recommended the store. Great prices on rubys and sapphires!