Hi,
I'm looking for a pleasant hotel in a resonable area with easy access to the above. I don't want to pay more than 1200 for a double with b'fast. My Thai family (some of them!) will be staying, not me, so spoken English isn't a priority. Any suggestions greatfully received.
Thanks.
Steve

There is one attached to MBK called Pathumwan Princess, but will probably be 3000B upwards.

Asia Hotel is very close and they usually start from around 1400.

The only cheap ones around there will be the ones around Pratunam or Silom, but a few of those can be quite grotty.

i stayed in the Samran Place hotel last year, in one of the superior rooms. the location is on phetburi road (between sois 10 and 12, if i remember correctly), facing north, just round the corner from the better-known asia hotel, which has its own skytrain station (one stop to siam square - slightly too far to walk in the afternoon sun); do not take the taxis in front of the asia hotel, as u have a high chance of finding one that doesn't use the meter (same as the ones booked through the asia hotel taxi desk). the hotel was fine and the room was big. we didn't try the food except for breakfast, which was reasonable. asiarooms quotes a range of £14 to £24, with a superior room being £17.

http://www.asiarooms.com/thailand/bangkok/samran_place.html

ian.

We use the Asia Hotel a lot. Very good location, excellent prices & a descent enough hotel. MBK & Siam Centre a 10 minute walk away if that. Indoor & outdoor pool for those a bit on the choosey side...like me.

Hello,

On Soi Kasemsan 1, just opposite the Skytrain National Stadium and a very short walk from MBK there are many small hotels.

My first choice in the road is the Reno www.renohotel.co.th.

This has rooms from 800THB to 1500THB, including a small breakfast. There is a friendly coffee shop (nice cold beer!, good Thai food) and an outdoor swimming pool.

If Reno is full (it often is at busy times), the Wendy House(Beware the steep stairs) or Mungphol Mansion (beware the Skytrain noise) are OK alternatives.

Hope this helps,
Graham

Thanks for all the info. V. helpful.
Steve

Hi Graham,

Due to the Mandarin being closed due to fire damage

I am looking for another hotel near to MBK.

Your suggestion on the Reno looks a good replacement for me, but, I have a couple of questions.

Is the pool a reasonable size and depth. i.e. you can swim say 10 strokes and is more than 4 foot deep.

Also have you seen/been in a mini-suite. I like the idea of more space, but, do not want to drop on the quality of having a Deluxe room. i.e. quality is more important than space to me.

Cheers

Ian

Hi Ian,

I'd said the outdoor pool is of a reasonable size, I'd guess the deep end being about 1.75m. Not the biggest, but I'd say adeaquate, and normally not too busy.

As for the mini-suites, I don't think I have stayed in one, so I cannot really comment on that. A fridge/TV/Good Aircon are really basic requirements for all but the shortest of stays.

I do think the Reno provides good value, in the MBK/ Siam SQ location. Downsides are rooms of rather variable quality, some street noise from rooms at the front, and a small breakfast with limited choice (but Freshly cooked and included in price).

It may come down to how much time you expect to spend in the Hotel - the Reno is a more than adequate base to explore the area, but it you are going to spend a lot of time based at the hotel, perhaps one with a few more facilities may be more appropriate, Such as the Pratumwan Princess in MBK, or the Asia not to far away.

Hope this helps,
Graham

Thanks Graham,

Pool sounds like it would be fine. Just ran the limited choice, small breakfast with her that eats like a horse/ like 2 if she is hungry and that killed the Reno.

Pratumwan Princess sounds nice, but, at £54-£65 per night too much for the small amount of time we will spend in the hotel. Asia looks better at £31 per night. #152 out of #306 on Trip Advisor also and has pool. I will have a closer look at that one.

Thanks for taking the time to answer, very useful.

[ Self edit just noticed my thread post number 666 - is that an Omen ... groan ! Mind you it did start with a hotel fire ! ]

hi ian you say the mandarin hotel has closed due to a fire,i cannot find any information on their home page, about when they plan to reopen.ian i am going to miss you again,as i am going to bangkok on 27/10/07 till 11/11/07 i am not stopping off at bangkok as i arrive at bbk at 7am so i am flying on to my house in koh samui.maybe catch up with you next year,feb march april,iam going back then.billy wan

Hey Billy,
Good to hear from you again.

Not sure when they will re-open. Initially my booking agent said they would not re-open before my trip and to look elsewhere. A few days later they said not to move as they would be open in time. Now back to not going to be open in time !

Shame really, it was an OK hotel for the money. In a good location for many things, reasonable breakfast and a good pool for a swim.

Shame we cannot meet up. Pha will not go to Koh Samui. I wanted too this time, but, she is convinced that we will get shot by rebels !

Have a good trip. I will be up in Manchester for a week sometime before Christmas it should be. I will let you know when and maybe that will work out.

I can recommend the Asia. Direct access to the BTS from the second floor of the hotel makes life easy!