We are active seniors starting to plan our first trip to Thailand in April . Looking for recommendations on accommodations. Will be in each location for a week.
We arrive Bangkok after a long flight .
Posted by
Yorkshire
1344 posts
Hi Rhonda -
Can’t help you with Phuket as it wasn’t on our itinerary, but in Bangkok we stayed here in October 2023 for a few days:
https://www.rivaarunbangkok.com/en/
It’s an excellent spot, on the river, well appointed with roof top terrace restaurant (recommend booking in advance, it’s not that big and it gets busy) overlooking Wat Arun (definitely worth a visit) on the opposite side of the river, with a ferry dock just outside. On the same side of the river as the hotel, you are literally a stone’s throw from the Reclining Buddha Temple and the Royal Palaces. We booked room only and ate at the numerous cafes and restaurants within a minute or two’s stroll. Didn’t find a bad one!
The only downside is that if the river gets high the ferry dock floods (they all do to be fair) and some of the street outside. No matter though, as you’ll most likely be wearing water friendly sandals (I used my venerable Keens) which you can rinse in the shower if you have to paddle a little (same goes for feet, obvs).
From the airport I recommend pre booking a taxi to the hotel. The getting of the taxi is a mad, chaotic experience, not what you need after a long flight, and requires some patience it being a completely alien experience. It’s not especially quick and some patience is required (you’ll be probably past caring after your flight anyway) but it does work. Usually when you pre book they give you instructions but if you need me to recall the process in detail, let me know.
Bangkok is ma-hoo-sive and it will take forty-five minutes to a little over an hour to reach the River Arun Hotel, dependent on time of day and traffic conditions.
Ian
Posted by
3 posts
That hotel does look like a great central location along the river. I'd second his recommendation to pre-book a taxi from the airport - it will save you some hassle after a long flight.
Posted by
Amman, Jordan
177 posts
Hi Rhonda-
For Bangkok, definitely book something that is near a sky train station. Traffic is absolutely horrific and this is a much easier way to get around. Let me know what you want to see and do and I can recommend neighborhoods, as I lived in Bangkok for two years.
For Phuket, which area do you want to stay in? It's a very big island and there is an enormous difference between say, Patong Beach and Nai Harn Beach. I would recommend looking up areas online. Happy to give recommendations there too, depending on what you like to do.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4657 posts
I just returned from several weeks in SEAsia. For Bangkok, I booked the Centre Point Hotel Silom. It is 2 short blocks from the Sathorn ferry dock and the Saphan Taksin skytrain station. I earn Canadian dollars so it worked in my budget. Some may feel it needs a little updating, but I had no issues with it. I did upgrade to a river view balcony. Sadly, the balcony was not usable (AC took up most of the space) but loved checking out the river activity, sun rise and sets. It also had a kitchenette and washing machine. A small mall is attached, and there are many restaurants and facilities in the area. Thankfully, there was a luggage repair shop nearby that could fix my non-functioning suitcase handle before I had to start my 6 weeks of tours.
The location is excellent.
Check the hotel's website directly for any perks. I joined their loyalty program and booked through that site for free breakfasts and other discounts. The breakfast buffet is huge.