After enjoying my trip at Conrad last month, I will be back in Thailand next year. I will be staying at Conrad for a couple of nights out of my loyalty to that property, but I just do not like the location.

I really prefer Sheraton GS, but their rate is out of hand (more than $200 for basic room). I also like Westin GS across the street, but their rates are rather high too. Emporium Suites, which is connected to BTS looks decent, but also prices out a little higher than I expected. Grand Hyatt Erawan is not really an option for me as I don't like Hyatt chain (long story), and Intercontinental might look OK if I buy IC Ambassador.

Is there any other hotel that is directly connected or very (I mean VERY) close to BTS/Subway station? My budget is up to $150 / night (tax, service charge extra).

Is there any other hotel that is directly connected or very (I mean VERY) close to BTS/Subway station? My budget is up to $150 / night (tax, service charge extra).

Make sure you book the grande as there are two majestics in same area and the other is 3 star
http://www.majesticgrande.com/
2-3 minute walk to BTS station.

A second alternative is Pathumwan Princess Hotel
http://www.asiarooms.com/thailand/bangkok/pathumwan_princess.html

Grand President is good on Suk 11. It's usually about $60+/night.

Asia Hotel
Holiday Inn
Intercontinental Bangkok Hotel
Grand Hyatt Erawan
Landmark
Shangri-La
Fortune

The Asia Hotel is connected to the BTS via skybridge. Not nearly in the same class as the Westinor SGS, and much cheaper.

The Landmark is fairly close to the Nana BTS stop. It is a 4 star property. The JW Marriott is a little bit further walking to the BTS, but a 5 star property within your price range.

All of the other properties listed would be a longer walk to the BTS.

Or, you could just use taxi cabs. Gawd knows they are cheap enough in BKK, even if you just take them to the BTS stop.

Thanks everyone. I really like two SPG properties at Sukhumvit, but it's a little bit over my per diem this time of the year. :mad:
I'll check out Asia hotel.

Make sure you book the grande as there are two majestics in same area and the other is 3 star
http://www.majesticgrande.com/
2-3 minute walk to BTS station.

I know what you mean. Majestic Suites isn't really my choice of hotel when it comes to BKK lodging. Too many women with the world's oldest profession.:D

A good serviced apartment on Soi Ton Son, off Ploenchit Road near Chidlom BTS station, is Somerset Suwan Park View, one BR apartment is roughtly $60 per night. Excellent ground floor restaurant managed by the owner of Bourbon Street restaurant that many Western expats in BKK swear by.

I heard that the Plaza Athenee A Royal Meridien Hotel is just 5 minutes to the BTS station Ploenchit and their room rates are not bad this time of the year compared to SGS and Westin.

Holiday Inn Ploenchit (not the one in Silom) is an excellent property and directly connected by footbridge not just to Ploenchit station, but also all the way to Gaysorn, Central World, Siam Square, Paragon, etc. Don't be fooled by the "Holiday Inn" label: I think it's actually better than the Inter-Continental next door!

Brand new Sofitel Grand Sukhumvit just opened last July, hotel and serviced apratments. Good location, walking distance to BTS.
Its worth checking out....

Holiday Inn Ploenchit (not the one in Silom) is an excellent property and directly connected by footbridge not just to Ploenchit station, but also all the way to Gaysorn, Central World, Siam Square, Paragon, etc. Don't be fooled by the "Holiday Inn" label: I think it's actually better than the Inter-Continental next door!
We will be staying at the Holiday Inn Bangkok from Dec. 22 to Dec. 27 with 4 small children (10, 8, 6, and 2). Do you feel that they are a good family hotel? FYI- we were able to get a great rate from Priceline.com for this hotel.
-Jared

Majestic Grande is more like 5-10 minutes walk to either the Ploenchit or Nana BTS. It takes 2-3 minutes just to get to Sukhumvit, then you need to cross over either Soi 4 (Nana) or Soi 0 (Ploenchit), which requires either waiting for traffic or the traffic signal. In the end, its still not that far.

Plaza Athenee is about 5 minutes to Ploenchit.

Sheraton was running a special stay 4 nights/pay for only 3. My rate over Christmas is $172/night for the Executive Floors. Westin across the street for 12/30-1/1 is $165 for Deluxe Room.

We will be staying at the Holiday Inn Bangkok from Dec. 22 to Dec. 27 with 4 small children (10, 8, 6, and 2). Do you feel that they are a good family hotel? FYI- we were able to get a great rate from Priceline.com for this hotel.
-Jared

your kids should like it because this is at the virtual center of all the Christmas lights and decorations and indoor and outdoor shopping zones....^

If you can tear yourself away from brand-name chains, how about the Siam City Hotel (http://www.siamhotels.com/Thailand_Bangkok_Hotels_SiamCity/Bangkok_Hotels_Siam_City_Hotel_Welcome.htm)? Beautiful hotel owned by a Thai pop singer and her musically-talented family, literally across the street from a Skytrain/BTS station (Phayathai), elegant lobby stuffed with antiques and all the usual amenities.

I heard that the Plaza Athenee A Royal Meridien Hotel is just 5 minutes to the BTS station Ploenchit and their room rates are not bad this time of the year compared to SGS and Westin.

I've stayed at Plaza Athenee a couple of times. Plaza Athenee is about 5 to 7 minutes to the station, but the rooms are rather spartan and not worth the money if you pay with $$$. (At SPG Cat 2. property, I think it's a very good value if you stay there on award).

Don't be fooled by the "Holiday Inn" label: I think it's actually better than the Inter-Continental next door!

Wow, that is a bold statement. I should have checked out Holiday Inn last time I was in BKK. Can you tell us why you feel that property is better than IC next door?

Wow, that is a bold statement. I should have checked out Holiday Inn last time I was in BKK. Can you tell us why you feel that property is better than IC next door?
It's a bold statement, but having stayed in both, I'll stick with it -- this is not your ordinary HI. The IC has a jaw-dropping huge and gorgeous lobby, but the rooms are distinctly run-of-the-mill, a little beaten up around the edges and a little musty. The HI is brand spanking new (opened 2005, IIRC) and the entire hotel, rooms included, is done up in a very attractive modern Thai style (white, dark wood, green-tinted glass). Back when it first opened, HI guests could even use the pool & gym at the IC, but now the HI's own have opened so that's not possible any more.

Again, I have to stress here that this applies only to the HI in Ploenchit, the much older one off Silom is a dump.

I've stayed at Plaza Athenee a couple of times. Plaza Athenee is about 5 to 7 minutes to the station, but the rooms are rather spartan and not worth the money if you pay with $$$. (At SPG Cat 2. property, I think it's a very good value if you stay there on award).

I second that.
In addition, I found Plaza Athenee lack of Thai characters. All staff wear western suits, and with a typical western snobish attitudes. The deco in room and lobby are totally western, nothing thai, nothing asian. Room is on part with the Sheraton Four Point standard. However, the marble bathroom is beautiful, seperate shower and tub, although the hot water turns cold every two minutes, and the scary rain shower (there are two showers head, one is hand held shower on the side, the other is rain shower directly over your head, when you first turn on the shower, the rain shower pour on you unexpectedly)
Also, I believe it takes more like 10 or 15 minutes walk to BTS station Ploenchit. The walk is on the hot, noisy and polluted wireless road (there is some sort of road repair/construction work going on now), with no shops along side (mostly office building and embassies).

For good value for money you might give some thought to the The Elegance Suites http://directrooms.com/thailand/hotels/elegance-suite-bangkok-1687.htm. It's a member of the Best Western chain.

A Junior Suite is 1700 baht and an Executive Suite is 2400 baht.

All the rooms in this smaller hotel are suites (bedroom, living room, kitchen, and large bathroom), and all quite large. Small rooftop pool and price includes a (mediocre) breakfast. Not a fancy or 5-star hotel for sure, but the beds are comfy, the place is clean, and the service is very friendly.

SkyTrain station (Saphan Thaksin) is 2 blocks away, and lots of great little Thai restaurants in the neighbourhood. Hotel location is just off Sathorn Rd just before the Thaksin Bridge.

Cheers ...

If one is staying at the Plaza Athinee or the Conrad and wants to walk to the Ploenchit BTS, I suggest you go out the rear driveway of the Plaza or through the shops in back of the Conrad and walk up Soi Ruam Rudee. Much less madness compared to Wireless Road, although the sidewalk pavements are a bit narrow. Still an easier walk than on Wireless.

I heard that the Plaza Athenee A Royal Meridien Hotel is just 5 minutes to the BTS station Ploenchit and their room rates are not bad this time of the year compared to SGS and Westin.
Soshin appears to be a commercial tout who is posting here to promote Meridien.

This time of year, the rates at all hotels in Bangkok are at their maximum (December-January).
Of course, rates will vary between different hotels.

-- Peter

For good value for money you might give some thought to the The Elegance Suites ... Hotel location is just off Sathorn Rd just before the Thaksin Bridge.

While I don't know that hotel, I will second Nongkhai's recommendation for the location.

A major street in that neighborhood -- Charoen Krung Road -- offers a good introduction to the "flavours" of Bangkok.
If you want to experience the sights, sounds, tastes, and, yes, the smells, of the city, Charoen Krung Road is certainly worth exploring.

-- Peter

Peter is quite correct. Charoen Krung ("New Road") is one main thoroughfare that has changed not a whole lot in the last 30 years, compared to most other main streets in Bangkok. Back then, before the Sathorn and Rama III bridges were built, the "southern" way to get to Thonburi was to take Charoen Krung south from Sathorn Road to the old Krungthep bridge. Still enjoy walking the street these days to experience some vestige of the old Bangkok.