I stayed at BKK Novotel 4 yrs ago, and traffic is definitely a consideration. The hotel was great, and while the office was only 3 miles away, it would take 45-60 mins to drive there. So, stay where you plan to be.
Tip: when making reservations, there is (was? usd to be?) a tremendous difference in price depending on who books it. It's a lot less expensive for locals. Example: my stay in BKK Novotel. TA quoted $195/night. Local office booked it for $80/night.

Thanks, Rudi

Vulcan, I will post my Peninsula experience, but I yield to Rudi"s expertise at the moment. He is a much more frequent visitor to BKK than I.

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Paul .. amazing anyone has ever heard of that place. Yes 900 Baht including tax .. was there in March, and friends just returned. Wish I could places like that in London or New York.

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Wow .. computer sort of froze. Hit the send button 5 times and it came to life and posted 5 timnes. Sorry!

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I have stayed at Hilton, which was fine for a conference, but rather far from anything useful.

If you are Starwood loyal, would recommend the Westin Banyan Tree (on Silom Rd), an all-suite hotel which I got through CX promotion for less than $100 per night for sure (although a few years ago). It has a Banyan Tree Spa on the 50th floor (or thereabouts), the suites are very tastefully decorated (lots of natural woods). A very relaxing place for a great city.

Recommend the Thai restaurant outside on the river bank lawn of the Shangri-La everytime. Call ahead and reserve a terrace table though.

Only thing to remember about BKK hotels is to carry plenty of their cards with maps and directions in Thai characters - for taxis/lost/police etc. Enjoy.

If you can afford it, the Oriental is the best hotel in the world. No, question.

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speedbird001

Rudi:

You've apparently figured out a short-cut from the Peninsula to the Sky Train. How do you do it?

I take the hotel's river ferry across the river to the Peninsula Pier and walk through the Shangri-La to the Sky Train. About a ten minute walk, maybe a little less.

How do you do it in 40 meters? If the answer is that you have the hotel boat drop you off at a pier at Taksin bridge, what do you do on the return to get picked up?

I have stayed at the Peninsula several times (and will again in August). Right now, I believe that it is the best high-end hotel deal on the planet. $85.00 a night for a room, $120.00 for a suite, including breakfast and one-way transportation by Mercedes to or from the airport. Outstanding deal.

Yes, The Oriental is the best hotel in the world. But at this price, go to the Peninsula!

yes - thy drop me at that Pier (I give them 10-20 Baht tip) and they can be paged when you are at the Pier again for your ride back (during rush hour the man/lady counting the cash at the table on the Pier can page them.

The Westin Banyan Tree is certainly nice. It's on Sathorn Road.

(If the taxi driver doesn't know it, it may be a good idea just to say 'Sukhothai Hotel' and then as you approch Sukhothai, the Westin comes into view.)

It's pretty much available at 100USD range almost all the time. They also have a Pinnacle Club membership card, which includes a one-night stay and gives you 50% discount on the entire bill whenever you eat at the hotel with another person. It's something like 4,400 bahts. Membership is valid for one year.