Thailand - Bangkok
 

Hi all

first trip to Thailand coming up so was after your thoughts/recommendations on which property to stay? Budget wise on the dates it's almost a straight shoot out between the 2 sofitels and the two M Galleries. I must say the rooms seem a lot more personal in the M Galleries too. but each to their own :).
And more of a general travel question - if you had 10 nights would you do 4/5 in Bangkok then spend another 4/5 somewhere else in Thailand? Obviously I'm a complete Asian noob asking these questions :D

Anyway thanks in advance and hopefully I'll get some good tips.

SO Sofitel is nice
 

I really enjoyed SO Sofitel's infinity pool and the location right next to Lumpini park. Cannot compare to other hotels mentioned, but for a relaxing "fitness class" vacation SO is a very viable option. Also worth mentioning was the breakfast. We tried the lounge breakfast three times, but the general buffet was far superior alternative. Will be staying at SO also next time. Just don't choose the blue theme room (don't remember what the element was called), it causes nausea even from pictures…

And for the other question, depends on what you want to do. Me personally can lie on the pool and walk in the Lumpini park for the whole 10 days. :)

When looking at Bangkok it's always good to first consider what you want to do. Even-though taxi are very cheap, it will take a while to get to all of the temples and royal palace if you are around Sukhumvit. If you want to start by some cultural visit then being close to the Chao Prahya isn't a bad choice. The Pullman G would come to mind but Sofitel So would also be closer. For anything related to entertainment the Sukhumvit area offers more option and both the Sofitel and the Muse would be good choices. I agree that 10 days in BKK can be rather long. After being in the city a few dozen of times for business I recently got to visit Ayutthaya : It's an easy and very authentic 2h train ride from Bangkok and the temples are well worth spending a couple of days : No Accor hotels there but you will find many nice alternatives. Another option if it's your first time in Asia is actually to spend 3 days of you trip to visit Siem Reap and the temples of Angkor Wat. It's only a short 45 minutes flight from Bangkok and you can spend a few days looking at the temples in the morning and spending good time at the pool of the beautifull Sofitel there ...

Not saying that beaches in Phuket, Krabi or Koh Samui aren't worth it but for a first visit in South East Asia there is so much to see that's it could be worth giving up a little beach time you can most probably get much closer to where you live.

yes 10 days in BKK might be too much for a thai newbie. (or any asian city newbie)
im all for sofitel so.both for hotel itself and location. I like it being on lumphini park with view, closer to the river and away from sumkhumvit. but maybe for first time visitor sumkh is better.... i dont know im biased now.
i also agree with comments re beach areas.....I go to thailand twice a year, and havent been back to phuket in 10 years. there are other 2nd island and towns. again.. maybe first time visitor...
I can also recommend Ayutthaya for temples.
i can also recommend Hua Hin... 3 hour drive south of BKK, beaches (not surf, not crystal blue water). temples. national parks.
NOTE Chaing Mai choked with air pollution atm.. (BKK also affected).

That sound's great ! If you haven't booked yet I would recommend shortening Ayutthaya to 1 night and add that night in Siam Reap. 3 nights won't be too much and it matches the temple 3 days pass ;-) I would also do Ayutthaya before Siam Reap. There are different but Siam Reap is just in such a different league that you could end up being disappointed if you visit Siam Reap first.

Last but not least you haven't mentioned when you will be traveling but it will be getting very hot in the coming weeks in Cambodia and Thailand. Keep that in mind if you aren't used to the hot and humid weather as it will definitely slow you down !

Enjoy your trip

LeClubVirgin, have a great time! I am also an Asia n00b, and going to Thailand and Cambodia for the first time later this year. I decided to stay at SO Sofitel in BKK and Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra in Siem Reap.

Thanks to all the posters in this thread, there's some great info here!

Dav77 speaks of many experiences. He's quite colourful :D

Fully agree with you. 3 nights in REP is a strict minimum and OP can stay at the the beautiful Sofitel Angkor ^ :)