whackyjacky

If you can't get a day rate, remember that in Bangkok one can get a perfectly acceptable hotel for 1500-1800B. I'd get one next to BTS like say S. Sukhumvit Suites or On 8. You're close to food & shopping if it's pouring. If you want a pool, spa, and a gym you'll have to pay more or walk more. IIWY, unless you really need that 1 night for status, I'd skip Starwood & spend the $100 you save on food, massages etc. It's a crapshoot with the weather, but the Wats & Royal Palace can fill up your day. You can get there on the train and back to BKK as well from these hotels easily.

TRAVELSIG

Q-Bar is not closed down. It is just not as busy as it used to me and they have a lot of free drinks promotions etc so the clientele has changed.

Thonglor is where almost everything has moved to now around Thonglor Soi 6-18 with a few things around Suk49 or so. Iron Fairies, Fat Gutz, ..., Clouds, HOBS, Green Hotel, Apotheka, Perfume, BadMotel, WineRepublic, Kaguya, Sapporo Bar, Penny's Balcony, take your pick really- you can find everything from a gastropub to a disco depending on what you feel like. The newish Japanese restaurant next to Iron Fairies is very very good by the way- on Tokyo level.

A few other things actually happening in the Silom area such as the new and at the moment red hot Namsaah Bottling Trust on Silom soi 7.

Thunderroad

Thanks, whacky.

mrlonghorn

I'm taking my 13 year old son to Asia for his birthday and we are spending 4 nights in BKK. I want to stay in a SPG property as I'm platinum. I have picked the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit which I'm content to stay in but thought I might ask for opinions....

As far as activities, it is up to him but he wants to go to muay thai fights one night, River Kwai one day, floating markets one day, hit some massive electronics mall to shop, etc.

My chief concern was location as we will be getting into BKK about midnight and I wanted a place that was central for activities, dining, shopping, etc.

Would you be inclined to just stay at SGS or look at other SPG properties?

Thanks -

TRAVELSIG

SGS is a wonderful option. I would skip the floating markets by the way- tourist nonsense unfortunately nowadays.

Have a wonderful trip- getting around into BKK is no problem- somewhat of a peak time actually.

mrlonghorn

thanks for the heads-up and advice Travelsig!

hendricks

Getting there around midnight will be fine - shouldn't take more than 30 mins from the airport. I suggest taking the airport limo for 1600 baht (40 usd) for a more comfy ride (and guarantee of working seatbelts) after a long flight.

SGS is right by the skytrain (you don't even have to go to street level) so it's extremely convenient for getting around the city.

Dr. HFH

It's slightly more expensive (2,200 baht, IIRC), but I'd have SGS send one of their cars (it will be a silver Mercedes S class sedan) for you. SGS staff person in dark suit will be waiting right outside baggage claim holding a sign with the SGS logo. The car will have cold water and cold damp towels. Checkin is accomplished in the car (the driver has the checkin documents). Driver calls the hotel when you are a block or two away and staff will be standing at the front door to meet you when you arrive. You will be escorted directly up to your room. I do this regularly. After you've been flying all day and arrive at midnight (I fly from BOS and nearly always arrive around midnight after 24-30 hours of travel), it makes things very easy. You won't have to worry about changing currency at the airport at that hour, either, -- the charge will appear on your hotel bill when you check out (which mean that you'll get points for it, too!!).

You can set this up with an email to the Concierge at [email protected].

remymartin

You might want to head up the kloengs with a private longtail boat. Very enjoyable, quick and way different from the skyscaper experiences!

mrlonghorn

Thanks I will look into this - agree that after a long day, this would beat a cab for sure.

Always Flyin

Not trying to nitpick, but I believe the SGS hotel cars are "E" class, aren't they?

Dr. HFH

Having just checked the website, it appears that they have both. No need to apologize for picking at nits; I do it all the time!!

estnet

The days of good deals at electronics in SE Asia are long gone. There are lots of cheap knock offs, copied software, etc. Lots of the stuff doesn't work- bought a dvd that turned out to be blank, software often doesn't work (or has malware), even usb charging cable I purchased recently worked once or twice then just didn't work anymore.
There will be some knockoff stuff being sold on the sidewalks for blocks right near the hotel, but my guess is you can find a better way to spend time with the limited amount you have for this trip,

whimike

The price has gone up to 1700 baht for the E-Class Mercedes at AOT (desk right inside and outside immigration). You can also get a Toyota Camry for around 1300 Baht and a BMW 7-series for around 2300 Baht.

whimike

I think this is correct, a friend of mine saw them "dismantling" the Bed building, very carefully he said, which means they plan on rebuilding that unique structure somewhere else.