billp
Dec 7, 06, 5:05 am
There's a small family-run hotel in Bangpli not too far from the airport, the Sananwan Palace (http://bangpli.com/sananwan.htm). Air-conditioned rooms only cost 300 to 500 Baht and they'll pick you up at the airport if you let them know ahead of time, for an additional 500 Baht. (Taxis seem to have trouble finding it.) There's a guy staying there right now, who's posted info and pix here (http://www.bryanmacneill.org/sea06/thailand/bangkok/hotels/sananwan/thorn1.htm), and you can read the thread on Lonely Planet here (http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/messagepost.cfm?postaction=reply&catid=51&threadid=1250506&messid=10882145&STARTPAGE=1&parentid=0).
Now I know this isn't up the standard some of you guys insist on with your fancy name-brand luxury hotels, but it does seem to be comfortable, it has a pool (my main jet-lag remedy) and you get to experience a bit of "real Thailand" outside the tourist ghettos and 5-star hotels.
To clear up a misconception, bath facilities are not commonly shared in Thailand except in the most absolutely rock bottom flophouse. So it doesn't have to be a Hilton, Novotel or Sheraton to have decent (although perhaps spartan) amenities.
Even counting the transportation and the 500 Baht departure tax, the Sananwan is still much less expensive than the Louis Tavern dayrooms, nhot to mention the Novotel. And they take reservations, too. :D
Now I know this isn't up the standard some of you guys insist on with your fancy name-brand luxury hotels, but it does seem to be comfortable, it has a pool (my main jet-lag remedy) and you get to experience a bit of "real Thailand" outside the tourist ghettos and 5-star hotels.
To clear up a misconception, bath facilities are not commonly shared in Thailand except in the most absolutely rock bottom flophouse. So it doesn't have to be a Hilton, Novotel or Sheraton to have decent (although perhaps spartan) amenities.
Even counting the transportation and the 500 Baht departure tax, the Sananwan is still much less expensive than the Louis Tavern dayrooms, nhot to mention the Novotel. And they take reservations, too. :D