SK AAR

It is not clear from your post if the 3 nights in BKK will be consecutive night, but if so, combining a redemption/award stay with paid nights at the Hilton properties is not recommended, as you will receive zero HH point even for the paid night.

You should also consider the Hilton Sukhumvit for easy access to BTS/Sky Train. Also fewer HH points will be needed for a C&P stay; the 3rd night on HH points will become possible then?

TravelinSperry

Both the Le Meridien and ROS are nice properties. I'd lean towards the ROS based on what you are saying (as the locale is nice right on the river) and the LM while a wonderful property is right across the street from Patpong Night market. It's fun but also has a seedy side.

The Hilton is too far from where you want to go imo even though it is on the BTS line. It's a decent property and you'll get access to the lounge as a Diamond. Having done all 3 properties, I'd avoid the Hilton Sukhumvit (although it does have people who prefer it). As an Accor plat you may also consider the Sofitel Sukhumvit which is a nice property with a nice lounge. I've never done the Millenium Hilton which is also on the river, but on the wrong side imo.

papyPiHi

Thanks everyone for the replies!

SK AAR, to clarify, we'd spend 2 nights at the beginning of our stay, then drop our shopping in a duffle bag at the hotel hop around Thailand for the rest of our stay then get back to Bangkok the day before our flight.
As we are leaving bags, it makes sense for us to have the same hotel at the beginning and end of the trip hence the three nights.

Yosithezet, to reply to your question, no we're not backpackers in the sense of youth hostels and "roots" travel, though technically we won't be hauling suitcases for this trip. We've been already to Thailand, and were recommended a visit to the Khaosan area by some friend of ours. But if you have some nicer suggestions, I'm all ears

We'll cover the view part by a nice cocktail and sunset at the Banyan tree.

As for the hotels, I've narrowed it down to :
SGS
LM
Conrad

Millenium Hilton and Hilton Sukhumvit were not available on C&P for my dates, ROS discarded due to access to BTS, and Sofitels at �90 GBP per night for my dates.

Tchiowa

First time I've heard "Khao San Road" and "nice" in the same sentence. KSR is the low end, back packer, drugs and drunks tourist area. If that's something you're curious about, go for it. But when you ask for a "nicer" suggestion, just about anywhere else in Bangkok is nicer than KSR.

braslvr

I think a quick visit to KSR is worthwhile as part of Bangkok sightseeing if you have enough time. Staying near there? Not a chance.

A couple of hours one afternoon several years ago was plenty for me.

yosithezet

200+ visits to Thailand and I passed through once.

As for other suggestions... Siam Niramit, Jim Thimpson House, Siam Museum, Pratunam, Thonglor, etc.

I typically come across israelis who go to KSR because their kids told them that they were ther or to find kosher food.... When they were backpacking.

nkedel

I've been through KSR a few times. Backpacker ghettos are amusing, in small doses.

Stay there? Yuck! It's not exactly a convenient location unless you're mainly just hanging out in the backpacker ghetto or taking the terribly minibus tours.

MSPeconomist

OTOH KSR is close to the major temples, more so than major hotels.

papyPiHi

Thanks everyone!
We've finally settled for the Conrad, as it was the only place where I could do C&P for the 2+1 nights we wanted.

Thanks as well for your opinion re KSR. We'll just pass through it then
Yositheset, thanks for the advice, I'll look up your suggestions

seanthepilot

The areas on the outskirts of KSR are some great areas, some full of locals, some full of tourists, etc.

Head towards the water, and you're a short (hot) walk from the riverside, the Phra Athit area, with a great riverside park, great funky restaurants, and even a few non-touristy clubs, because of it's proximity to the university and a few other schools in the area.

Just a few hundred meters from there are the historical areas of Bangkok, Sanam Luang, The Grand Palace, National Museum. Thammasat University, And Wat Pho. There's also Maharaj boat pier with a great
Starbucks and a dozen other shops. The boats will take you up or down the river.

With all those attractions, you'll have a scattering of restaurants, some very local and cheap, a few others on the river, with a bit more atmosphere and slightly higher prices. Kinlomchomsapan is about 1km up the river from here at Samsen soi 3. All the FTers that I've taken there have loved it.

Another kilometer north from there is the Thewet Fresh Market, and a flower market just south of it, the national library, and Wat Thewez.

A km east of there is one of the most famous spots for Thais, the statue of Rama V, where you can see people wai-ing to the monument 24 hours a day, 365.

Dusit Zoo is not far from there. The world's biggest Teak house with some historical significance, and lots of Federal properties. I think the King lives nearby too.

Back the other way from Khao San Rd, towards the city, there is Golden Mountain Temple, which is at the same point as the last stop for the Canal Boat (not to be confused with the river boat) on Saen Saep Canal. For a few baht, you can head back towards sukhumvit, with some of the many stops being just north of Siam, Pratunam (change boats here) Pleon Chit, Nana Soi 3, Soi 15, etc... The boat actually goes all the way up through Past Central Bang Na and beyond.

There is a Kick boxing stadium near KSR (although it's been a decade since I saw one there), a United Nations office, and in nearby Bang Lumpu some clothing markets that have been there for 4 or 5 decades, including some of the best Tom Yum Soup around at a street-side restaurant in front of the parkade on Soi Kraisi, a Soi also known for selling school uniforms.

As for KSR itself, yes, you have travel agencys and backpackers. But, at night it's got a pretty lively club scene. Again, I haven't been in a decade, but foreigners and Thais continue to flock there at night.

Khao San Road (I mean the surrounding areas) has some interesting points. Get 2 blocks away and you can find yourself in the old Bangkok.

Bo-Bae market, also not far from there...


Or you could just listen to the long time FTers that have brushed through in their few hundred visits.

They might be right... nothing there to see

EmailKid

Yes, I was also thinking the same thing.

transpac

In his recent two-week Bangkok VLOG, Mark Wiens stayed in and toured the KSR area (in the first few segments).

There are a lot of good eats in the general area (Phra Nakhon), and Wat Bowon Niwet is worth a visit. Adhere Blues bar is fun, Dusit is nearby and the Golden Mount has a great view.

seanthepilot

A timely article for the discussion.
http://bk.asia-city.com/city-living/...growing-airbnb

The neighborhood beside KSR is the second fastest growing Airbnb district in the world.

Indeed the area could use some nicer hotels. Until then Airbnb, I guess

eccentricfusion

Just stayed at the W Bangkok. Great hotel and excellent concierge service.

seanthepilot

Another interesting article about trendy spots in th Pra Ahtit district next to KSR,
http://bk.asia-city.com/nightlife/ba...o-phra-arthit?

This one is a Thai/Japanese themed spot.