I am just about to arrive in Bangkok where I will be for six days on vacation starting this thursday. I currently have narrowed my hotel choices down to the Peninsula or the Grand Hyatt (I have reservations at both, but will need to cancel one)

I am holding a reservation for a "Balcony Room" at the Pen for a very good rate of 9,000 BHT per night, whereas the Hyatt will be around 6,000 BHT. The reason I am considering the Hyatt is because of my Hyatt Diamond membership that will offer me a substantial upgrade and other benefits.

I am in my 20s and will be traveling alone in BKK, and want to have a nice comfortable hotel to come back to after days of sightseeing and exploring the city.

Since I am a leisure traveler, I doubt I will mind the slightly remote location of the Pen, especially since a sky train stop is across the river by the hotels ferry boat service. Especially if, as I suspect, the view and experience will be that much better.

So my question mainly about location. Does anyone recommend the river location as a nicer way to experience bangkok as a first time leisure visitor, or is a location in the center of the city (like the Hyatt) a better base for discovering the city.

I am quite sure the Pen is the nicer hotel, but it is also 50% more expensive in this case. Anyhow, price aside, I do not know when I will get a chance to go back to Thailand so I want to stay at the place that will give me the best experience. If the pen is worth it, I will go for it.

I would very much appreciate any advice as to where to stay. Especially in terms of which location would be preferable and personal experiences with these hotels.