Bangkok airport

There is a hotel at the Suvarnabhumi Airport. We stayed at it last year.

If you are landing at Suvarnabhumi Airport (airport code BKK), Louis' Tavern a basic sleeping facility is located within the terminal, so you don't have to leave the secure portion of the airport and can go directly to your gate if your flight leaves from BKK. A much, much nicer accommodation is the Novotel Hotel connected to the BKK airport via a tunnel (near exit door #4 I believe). it's maybe a 250 yard walk thorough a safe tunnel directly to the hotel proper.

Edit: I've stayed at both. Questions? Send me a private message.

I stayed at Lilac Relax-Residence hotel which is near the airport (but not in it). The hotel offers free shuttle to/from airport - they pick you up in arrivals hall. Lovely staff, free mini bar, decent breakfast, affordable prices. If you have less than 6 hours though, I would consider one of the in-airport options, especially in case your incoming flight is late.

Flying from North America to Bangkok and then immediately catching a connecting flight is beyond my tolerance. Take a break before the last leg to Chiang Mai is my unsolicited advice.

I'm also planning a trip that includes BKK and CNX, even if you found a flight out after 11.00, there's no guarantee that you'd be through passport control and customs in time to check in for it, and you'd end up landing at CNX in the middle of the night. BKK is a lovely modern airport. No worries, very safe, stay at one of the places recommended above and get some sleep. There's no point to going into the city and then maybe getting stuck in traffic trying to get back to BKK in the morning.

When's your trip?

Hi Chani, I'll arrive in Bangkok the evening of January 25, 12:20am. Travel plan change due to friend breaking leg so now traveling alone. we were staying with her brother 4 nights in Bangkok, fly to ankor wat 2 nights the on to CM. Now I want to go directly to CM. My round trip ticket to Bangkok from the states is leave Jan 23 return Feb 6

Jo, I'll be in Bangkok Feb 2-3, then flying to Chiang Mai Feb 4-6, back in Bangkok on the 7th for another week. Are you skipping Angkor?

Chani, We have Jan 28 and 29 booked in ankor wat but I don't want to go alone that's why the direct to CM. I won't be staying with her brother in Bangkok either. Right now she still hopes to go but I need an alternate plan.

Chani, Did you know about the flower Festival in CM the last weekend in Jan? It would be cool to meet up.

Years ago, I loved the Galare Guest House in Chiang Mai, quiet area along the river. Looks the same on TA and still very inexpensive. Given your plans, with just a few hours, I would certainly stay at the airport in Bangkok. I remember the Airport Hotel as being a typical, nice international hotel, just a walk through a tunnel from the terminal, a llittle pricey as I remember. If there is more basic lodging within the airport now, that would be even better. For just a few hours, all you need is a clean bed and a shower, right?

Right Larry something basic ...I did book "lilac relax residence" thanks to this great forum everyone is so helpful.

Hi Jo. Take a look at this place for your stay in Bangkok. I've stayed there on both my previous visits to Bangkok and am staying there again this year. It's in a typical neighborhood, not touristy, very clean and comfy with funky decor. It's a good location, walking distance to some sights, quite safe, and close to the river ferry to get to most of the other sights, and the staff have always been friendly and very helpful. Definitely a backdoor experience.

I was at the flower festival on my last trip. I was there for the Friday (loved the night displays and market) and the Saturday morning parade, then had to fly out. You will love it. This year, by the time I got my Thailand dates locked in, my chosen lodging in CM didn't have availability for that weekend. I'll check out Larry's suggestion. . . . I haven't bought my BKK-CNX-BKK flights yet.

Do let me know (PM is probably best) when you have your final dates.

Update - Jo, you whet my appetite for the flower festival! I looked at Larry's suggestion, the place is cheap but may have gone downhill a bit since he was there. Anyway, I took another stab at my preferred hotel and was able to get a reservation for Feb 2-3 and just booked a direct flight from Saigon to CNX, arriving around 12.30 p.m. Now I just have to decide if I want to spend that 5th night in Chiang Mai or Bangkok . . . leaning toward BKK.

Thanks for planting the seed. This makes my itinerary work even better.

You place in CM looks soooo cute but had no rooms for my date.