Thailand - Planning (Chapter)

(Elliott) #1
BANGKOK
BANGKOK

SLEEPING

BANGKOK

SLEEPING

a túk-túk (30B per passenger) to Thong Lo
and Phra Khanong BTS stations.


Mystic Place BOUTIQUE HOTEL $$
(Map p 118 ; %0 2270 3344; http://www.mysticplacebkk.
com; 224/5-9 Th Pradiphat; r incl breakfast 2250-
3250B; aiW; BTS Saphan Khwai & access by taxi)
This hotel unites 36 rooms, each of which is
individually and playfully designed. One of
the rooms we checked out combined a chair
upholstered with stuff ed animals and walls
covered with graffi ti. Heaps of fun and per-
petually popular, so be sure to book ahead.


Pullman Bangkok King
Power BUSINESS HOTEL $$$
(Map p 97 ; %0 2680 9999; http://www.pullmanbangkok
kingpower; 8/2 Th Rang Nam; r/ste incl breakfast
3861-4331/6803-7274B; aiWs; BTS Victory
Monument) The Pullman is a great choice for
those who want to stay in a business-class
hotel, but would rather not stay downtown.


Th Si Ayuthaya, in Thewet, the district north
of Banglamphu near the National Library,


is a pleasant backpacker enclave, particu-
larly popular with families and the over-30
crowd. It is a lovely leafy area, but during
the rainy season it can be prone to fl ooding.
Sri Ayuttaya Guest House BUDGET HOTEL $
(Map p 96 ; %0 2282 5942; 23/11 Th Si Ayuthaya,
Thewet; r 400-1000B; aiW; bus 32, 516, river
ferry Tha Thewet) The wood-and-brick theme
here is a nice break from the usual, less
permanent-feeling guest house design. The
rooms, half of which share bathrooms,
also feel sturdy and inviting.
Shanti Lodge GUEST HOUSE $
(Map p 96 ; %0 2281 2497; 37 Th Si Ayuthaya; dm
250B, r 400-1950B; aiW; bus 32, 516, river
ferry Tha Thewet) This family-run place ex-
udes a peaceful, dharmic aura. Walls are
bamboo-thin in the cheaper rooms, but
there’s a huge variety of accommodation;
check out a few rooms before making a
decision.
Taewez Guesthouse BUDGET HOTEL $
(Map p 96 ; %0 2280 8856; http://www.taewez.com;
23/12 Th Si Ayuthaya; r 250-530B; aiW; bus

LATE-NIGHT TOUCHDOWN

A lot of nail-biting anxiety is expended on international fl ights arriving in Bangkok around
midnight. Will there be taxis into town, will there be available rooms, will my family ever
hear from me again? Soothe those nagging voices with the knowledge that most interna-
tional fl ights arrive late and that Bangkok is an accommodating place. Yes, there are taxis
and even an express train service (see p 148 ).
If you haven’t already made hotel reservations, a good area to look for a bed is lower
Sukhumvit – it’s right off the expressway and hotels around Soi Nana such as the Swiss
Park (p 113 ) and the Federal (p 113 ) are used to lots of late-night traffi c and won’t break
your bank. Alternatively, you could always go to Th Khao San, which stays up late, is full
of hotels and guest houses, and sees a near-continuous supply of ‘fresh-off -the-birds’
just like you.
If, for some reason, you can’t stray too far from the airport, these places provide a
more than adequate roof.

Suvarnabhumi International Airport
The nearest good budget option is Refi ll Now! (see p 116 ).

» (^) Grand Inn Come Hotel (%0 2738 8189-99; http://www.grandinncome-hotel.com; 99 Moo 6, Th
Kingkaew, Bangpli; r incl breakfast from 1800B; aiW) Solid midranger 10km west of the
airport, with airport shuttle and ‘lively’ karaoke bar.
» (^) All Seasons Bangkok Huamark (%0 2308 7888; 5 Soi 15, Th Ramkhamhaeng; r 1366-
2195B; aiWs) Less than 20km west of the airport, this midranger has 268 rooms to
choose from.
» (^) Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel (%0 2131 1111; http://www.novotel.com; r incl break-
fast from 7146B; aiW) Has 600-plus luxurious rooms in the airport compound.
Don Muang Airport
» (^) Amari Airport Hotel (%0 2566 1020; http://www.amari.com; 333 Th Choet Wutthakat; d incl
breakfast from 2001-3350B; aiWs) Directly opposite Don Muang (Map p 153 ).

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