Planning a 3 week family trip to Thailand in August. Appreciate hotels recommendations for Bangkok- thinking about Peninsula, Chiang Mai, maybe Westin or Regent , Chiang Rai- Meridian. Have been to Samui, but not Phuket- Is rainy season in Phuket- but is it worth a visit despite the rain? Where to stay on Phuket, thinking about Dusit? Also, connecting thru Narita on UA;never been there- Would a 2-3 day layover be fun? Westin Tokyo ok? What could we do in 2-3 days?

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I am very fond of the Royal Orchid Sheraton in BKK.

It is on the river (which I prefer). It is a little bit out of the way from the business areas, but it is very convenient for renting a canal boat next to River City Plaza (not a bad shopping area).

The rooms are very nice (the suites are delightful), and the service is charming. The Oriental is a better hotel, hands down, but the Royal Orchid has a big price advantage. Ever since Sheraton opened the Sheraton Grande Sukumvhit, the Royal Orchid has been the #2 property with a good price break.

It is a little older that the other top end hotels, but I have a strong affection for it.

I just booked a couple of reservations on Starwood's website for the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit for stays in May and discovered that you get the best rates if you can book at least 60 days in advance. The rate at this hotel in May for a 60 day advance booking in a deluxe room with free evening coctails and buffet breakfast is US$90 plus 17.7% tax. It's location is good for the tourist things but the river area is nice too. Just be sure to book at least 60 days in advance if you are going to stay in a Starwood property.

My wife and I stayed at the Oriental several years ago on our honeymoon,and found it delightful. On Phuket, we stayed at the Amanpuri, where the service was sublime, but the bugs (roaches) were plentiful, due to the property's lush vegetation.

Hilton Int'l and Marriott Riverside were both excellent and CHEAP!

There are loads of notes on Bangkok here. I like the Shangri-la or the Oriental which are pretty close to each other. Or the Grand Hyatt Erawan. Each is walking distance to Silam road which had the great all-night markets. Not quite a family atmosphere with all the nudie-bars, but the shopping is fun. During the day, a visit to the old palace/temple is a must. Bring water and expect to spend hours there in the heat absorbing the culture.

As for Tokyo, yes of course you should visit. If the weather is nice, I recommend taking the Narita Express to Yokohama where there are plenty of excellent hotels and a neat amusement park on the harbor. Of course in Tokyo there is plenty to do.

The Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit in BKK is superb. In Chiang Mai you will not be disappointed with the Westin Riverside. Phuket is problematic. If you want to be near the action I suggest the Baan Sukkothai. The only Starwood property is off in the boonies far from anything. Of course Amanpuri is reputed to be the best, but it is also a self-contained resort, so it depends on your desires. I stay at a 2-star hotel called San Inn which is very cheap when I am in Phuket. Unless you require a big chain, it will be cheaper to find your own accomodations when you get there than to make them through a travel agent.

In Chaing Mai -- hands down -- The Regent. Regent. Regent. Regent. Regent. Regent. It has become the standard by which we compare every single hotel. Mind you, we were on our honeymoon.... If you have any "upgrading" skills, beg, borrow, and steal (but not pay) for a one bedroom "residence". Ahhhh.

We were in Phuket in mid-November -- the very beginning of the dry season. The "rainy" season lingered. One to two weeks later would have been better. Stayed at Banyan Tree and was disappointed. Compensated by going for drinks and dinner at Amanpuri. Skip Phuket all together -- too commercial. Instead, go to Krabi (Rayavadee Premier Resort, previously a Dusit) or, perhaps Trang or any of up-and-coming "in" areas.

In BKK, found the Shangri-La to be "tour bus central." The Sukhothai, although not by the river, was much more elegant. The new Pen, across the river, might be worth trying. Couldn't be beat in Hong Kong.

Finally, FYI -- if you do go to Phuket -- note that Thai Air has one direct CMX-HKT flight. Rather than change in BKK, search it out (10:20am departure?) Or, better yet, stay in CMX at the Regent longer. Every time I see a websaver to BKK I briefly contemplate taking an impromptu vacation.

Have fun.

Royal Orchid Sheraton was really nice. We spent a couple of nights there just last month - it is on the river and has its own river taxi stop (and Bangkok is hot and sticky enough that you want to stay on the river taxis!).

We stayed at the Sheraton and loved it.Total class. In a past post, another Flyertalker recommended the 4 star Century Plaza that can be booked at: http://www.planetholiday.com/Hotels/...yparkhotel.htm It works out to less than $50/night with Planetholiday rates and free nights.
In Chang Mai, there are many good, cheap hotels in Chaig Mai proper. Try to be within walking distance to the Night Market. Also check out www.Diethelm-travel.com for hotel prices. Highly reputable firm I have used and they generaly have the best Thailand hotel prices.

[This message has been edited by Vulcan (edited 03-20-2000).]

[This message has been edited by Vulcan (edited 03-20-2000).]

Thanks for all the good advice. We are choosing between the Royal Orchid and the Peninsula. Our Starwood gold should get a good upgrade at the SHeraton, but the Peninsula has gotten great hype and great intro ratess. Anyone with any extrea advice re restaurants in Bangkok please advise.

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My opinion of the Sheraton Royal Orchid, Bangkok:-

I had two stays in February, both in the towers floors. But all rooms have a great river view. About as good as a view gets in Bangkok. The first room was quite small but the second was a suite and was so nice that I extended my stay for two extra nights.

The hotel itself is not new. But it's in a great location on the river and has two pools, tennis courts, 24 hour fitness centre and a nice garden. The rooms are charming and the attention to detail is great. With a towers room, lots of 'extras' are included. A great breakfast and evening cocktails in the club room as well free laundry and other nice touches. Next door is the Riverside Shopping Centre which has lots of up-market antique stores, a supermarket and several restaurants. There are several jetties around the hotel, so river transport to many of the tourist sights in Bangkok is the way to go and is fun and quick. The hotel's restaurants and very nice but there are others nearby too including a wonderful seafood restaurant directly opposite that has it's own free ferry service. There's lot's of outdoors places to eat along the river in fact.

But the hotel's staff are the best part. They gave outstanding service and were extremely friendly.

It's not a high-tech, super modern hotel, but more of a classic, charming hotel that has excellent staff and service.

I stayed in a tower room at the Royal Orchid a few years ago and loved it-- lots of space, great view, attentive, warm and gracious service and the club room was great. But Peninsulas are always wonderful, so I don't think you'll go wrong with either choice.