Tawana, De Arni, Meridien, Rose, Montein:

I'd appreciate any tips. They all have great websites, but how accurate/false are they?

Thanks.

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u can try agoda.com... they have great rates. i am currently in bangkok. staying in glitz hotel. got my room from agoda.

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Look up Tarntawan.com. Same price range as the one you mentioned. Right in the middle of the action yet very quiet; spacious rooms recently renovated; more amenities than some 5* hotels; full American breakfast for 2 included; gay friendly, not only guests are welcome, they are expected; security guard at the elevator will check ID of your guest and keep it until your guest leaves and has called you to make sure that everything is OK. Perfect for the newcomer to Bangkok.

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It really depends on your budget and what you plan to do in the hotels. The Rose was the first hotel I stayed in in Bangkok some 30 years ago, It was a dump then and crawling with cockroaches, but I imagine it must have been renovated a few times since. The Montien used to have a problem with joiners and Tawana had someone at a desk by the lifts to charge you for them. The Tawana always seems a bit of a dump but I expect the rooms both there and the Montien are fine. I also agree with the comments above about Tarntawan.

Le Meridien is in a completely different class - high-end. It's new, less than a year old, and very hip. I love walking in to their lobby, I love the coffee shop's menu (I eat there quite a lot - great pizzas and a great buffet) and I love the funky bar on the floor above which does excellent cocktails. The rooms will be spectacular. I cannot believe there will be a problem with joiners as I have never seen security at the lifts. As long as the boy is not dressed outrageously, you'll be OK. If I could get a good deal there, I'd jump at it. Fabulous hotel!

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I wouldn't say the rooms at Meridien are necessarily "spectacular". The cheapest rooms are somewhat smallish. Everything is nicely designed. Large shower with rainshower head and a separate tub. The phone system is a whoopdidoo network attached system that seems totally like overkill to me. The wireless internet is an extra charge unless you are Starwood Platinum. Cost is 650 baht for 24 hours.

How is the Glitz? Seems like a good location.

I think where you choose to stay may depend on your budget. I stayed at Tarntawan for my first visit. I thought it was OK. The breakfast seems rather meager. Or at least it was at the time. If they have renovated things it would be better than that trip 4 years ago. I remember the bed was hard as a rock.

I am presently staying at the Siri Sathorn which is a serviced apartment/condotel type place run by the same company as the Sukhothai Hotel. There are several of these types of places near one another. It is on Saladaeng Soi 1. About 20 minutes walk to Soi Twilight. 10 minutes max to BTS/MRT. The Bandara Suites across the street is also supposed to be very nice and I think it is a good bit cheaper. If you don't need a lot of amenities this is the type of place I prefer. You still get a free breakfast buffet. There is a token operated laundry downstairs as well if you will be here a while and want to wash your own clothes. Rooms are big. LCD TV, DVD, etc. The room I am in now has a large glass door shower with a rain showerhead and a tub. Also includes a kitchen with refrigerator, microwave, cooker, toaster, and all sorts of dishes, pots and pans. Free wireless.

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Thanks everyone; I went with Tarntawan

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-- Khun Fountainhall,
- Thanks for your review and recomendation.
- Concerning their buffet -
1.- Is it b'fast. and/or lunch., and on a daily basis?
2.- Cost per person, incl. svce., VAT. etc. etc.?
3.- Is the buffet really value for money?
-- Tks. in advance for yr. reply..

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I have not tried their b'fast but have sampled the lunch and dinner buffet. Last time was a couple of months ago. Price was Bt. 600++ per person, but there was a special promotion at lunchtime of 2 for the price of 1. The F&B Manager told me it was to attract more of the office crowd - and the coffee shop was pretty full. Assume it is daily, but call and check in advance about times and promotions 02 232 8888.

Value for money? Definitely. It may not rise to the sheer quantity of the Sukhothai Sunday brunch or the Sheraton Grande daily lunch buffets, but it is a fraction of the cost, there is a lot of variety - and it all tastes good!

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-- Khun F'hall.,
- Thanx for yr. comprehensive reply -appreciated; based-on yr. recommendation I'll be looking-in and trying.

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Breakfast LM is quite good. Lots of western and Asian selections. And each day they have some sort of fruit juice concoctions that you can sample at the front desk when you arrive.

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I've stayed at the Meridien on four different occasions in the last few months. Like someone said, it is a fantastic hotel, in a great location (and close to my company's Bangkok office) - basically, great all around. I've stayed in a similar room each time - and it wasn't small from any angle. Maybe not enormous like hotel rooms in America can be, but it's always been more than generous sized.

My travel desk at work makes the reservations, and the corporate rate is 3000 baht - which isn't bad at all for a high-end place like the Meridien.

I didn't off a boy or pick one up and take him back (except a Swiss guy I met at DJ Station, and that doesn't really count) so I'm not sure on the joiners policy. Never saw any guards around either, though you do have to walk past the staff manning the main door and the reception desks.

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When they had a soft opening 2(3 now?) years ago, I stayed there and I tried their buffet breakfast every day. It was spectacular. I'd just mention the things that sets them apart from the "normal 5-Star" buffets. There were smoked salmon, grilled vegetables, extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar, homemade jams, and get this: (huge plus), you can have gelato with your waffles! Bitter chocolate gelato during breakfast. Do you need anything else?

There were also a few "signature" breakfast concocted by the French chefs across the Le Meridiens. I'd say that is probably one of the best buffet breakfast I have in my travels. Probably the only ones that can rival them in my own experience, would be the ones in Dubai.

That was then, I'm not sure now. I haven't stayed there this year. But definitely, its breakfast to write about.

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How is the Glitz? Seems like a good location.


Following a recommendation of Mr. Sextile (if I remember right) I stayed at the Glitz Glitz Bangkok - Silom Hip Hotel near Patpong and Thaniya from Dec. 2 -6. Different boutique room sizes, extremely friendly and helpful, no problem with visiting boys, no elevator, very good breakfast, a little noisy in the rooms facing Suriwongse maybe the ones to Th. Tawan are more quiet. I enjoyed the place.
Gerald

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I am planning a trip in March. Was considering the Glitz but noticed that it is a non smoking hotel. I am considreing LeMeriden now. Does anyone have any ideas if they have problems with bringing boys back to the rooms?

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I stay at the Le Meridien regularly (work pays for it and it’s close to the office). No problems with the joiner I had on my trip last month.

He joined me twice: once for a few hours late one evening and then overnight a couple of days later and no one raised an eyebrow.

I even sent him out to get extra towels from housekeeping in the morning since we had made a mess with strawberry sauce the night before!

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