First Timers in BKK!
 

We're doing a 10-day honeymoon trip (7 nights, Phuket, 3 nights BKK) and I would love to stay at a hotel with great view (riverside, maybe?) but near enough to the markets/temples/parlors/restaurants/all-things touristy people do in BKK. Any recommendations? A range of budget-choices would be great to know what is available-and easily-accessible. Thanks!

What is your budget for hotel expenses?

Budget choices and riverside don't necessarily go together. There are, in Banglampoo, so near Khao San unfortunately, some new places that have recently opened on the river. They are on Thannon Phra Athit. I don't have the names of the places, though seaching online might afford you more information.

This area is close to the Rattonakosin sights (Palace, Wat Po, city pillar etc), and very close to the river ferry for ease of travel.

When in BKK recently I stayed at New World Lodge Hotel, close to the river and ferry boats to travel to various destinations.

Was safe and fairly cheap and the tourist desk on the ground floor was able to arrange lots of local tours.

Breakfast is included and a decent range of food on the buffet so you didn't need to buy lunch.

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Budget $100-$150? I meant to say I don't mind recommendations of a RANGE-of-budget choices, just to compare which would be most convenient..
Would I want to stay on the riverside? Or would I want to stay within walking distance to the temple Wat Po, for instance? And what is the best way to go about visiting the floating market? Ourselves or with a guide? Thanks again!

Bangkok's Millennium Hilton on the Thumbori side of the river is just a boat-ride away from the Skytrain (BTS) and all other attractions. Use the "Eat, Enjoy, Sleep, Save" offer and book by 31 January 2009, you will get the KING HILTON DELUXE nightly rate of less than $110 ++ (the plus plus adds up to around 18%) You will also get a 25% off your entire hotel bill

http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/promotio...ale,ispagelink

Enjoy and give us a trip report when you get back home!

I'll add another
 

The Marriott Riverside Resort has a resort feel in the city. It also has a boat from Saphan Taksin MRT station just in the opposite direction from the Hilton. I understand that the Hilton lounge is presently closed, otherwise, when the lounge is open this is my favorite Bangkok Hotel. Marriott Riverside is second. Completely different feel to both.

Marriott is more "Thai". Hilton Millenium is more Western contemporary. Marriott rooms more spacious. Very much a feeling of being in a high end Thai resort with a mid-level price point. Both about 10-15 minute boat ride from the station. From either try the regular river boat to get a feel for the city from the river with the normal people. Avoid the tour boats.

I recently stayed at the Millennium Hilton Bangkok. Both the Executive Lounge (very nice :) ) and their ThreeSixty Lounge are open. Eligible weekends booked under their "January Sale" are 3015 baht ($87) + tax, per night.

I agree that this Marriott is nice as I have had many memorable meals at its restaurants ...

The best nightly rate that I can find is around $140 ++ room only

Is there any promotion going on or special rate during this downturn that you know of?

WOW!!! $87 ++ is a very good rate ... ^

where can we find this rate?

My wife and I also love the Marriott we spend our honeymoon there several years ago and have been back several times since. My wife is staying there this summer while she is interpreting for a conference. I got her a room thru asiarooms.com for $120 A/I a night.

For the floating market I would suggest a friend of mine that is a guide in BKK, her name is Tong and her website is tourwithtong.com tell her Jeffrey and Carrot say hi! Dont do one of the huge tours thru the floating market! For the same price tong can give you an all day tour that will be awesome!

Have fun!!!!

You didn't mention your time frame, there are good offers at the Royal Orchid Sheraton on the river such as pay 2 get 3. Bargains galore in Bangkok and Phuket , but it usually means looking at the individual hotel for its special offers.
The method for discovering the individual hotel specials:
(1) Select your dates at a particular property to look at normal rates and usual offers.
(2) Click on the hotel description and you will usually notice an area called special offers.
(3) Follow the links, price check and compare to get the best value.

Especially in Asia, some of the hotel consolidator sites offer good prices on individual hotels. i.e. Asia rooms, Asia hotels.

A caveat, no one consolidator site has the best prices in every city. Always need to shop, compare and read the small print.

YES! Thanks just found it ... ^

1 KING BED EXECUTIVE FLOOR (41 square metres - 436 square feet with Executive Floor privliges including breakfast) and ++ is around $140 for the Conrad Bangkok for Feb 20-23

The Conrad Bangkok is a great hotel. :) Just a short walk to the Phloen Chit (E2) BTS station. However it is in the business section of town. The OP may prefer a hotel on the Chao Phraya River, which would make visiting the Grand Palace and temples easier. :)

You want to look in the area of the Saphan Taksin Skytrain stop, which would favor the Marriott and Millennium and any others whose names I forget. Those on the other side of the river have boat services. Having ready Skytrain access will save a lot of time and aggravation vs. taking taxis and getting stuck in traffic.