Bangkok Phuket Singapore and Dubai - Easter 2015

MasterPoo

83 Days-20 Hours-52 Minutes-xx Seconds......not that I'm counting down or anything.

I'm driving myself insane, I have cancelled Regis Hotel in Singapore because I read that only Guests staying at Marina Bay Sands can use the infinity pool, I showed it to my son and he squealed like a little girl! So I'm happy with my choice...for now???

BKK - Said on this thread I would book Mandarin, then decided Banyan Tree, now I've confused myself........

Krabi - I'm happy with original choice of Pimalai (Ocean Front, Private Pool 2 Bed Suite)

Singapore - Marina Bay Sands

Dubai - I got a very good deal in a 50% Sale early Oct I think for Atlantis The Palm

Rant over......still don't have a BKK hotel.

NiftyDigits

MasterPoo wrote: »

83 Days-20 Hours-52 Minutes-xx Seconds......not that I'm counting down or anything.

I'm driving myself insane, I have cancelled Regis Hotel in Singapore because I read that only Guests staying at Marina Bay Sands can use the infinity pool, I showed it to my son and he squealed like a little girl! So I'm happy with my choice...for now???

BKK - Said on this thread I would book Mandarin, then decided Banyan Tree, now I've confused myself........(I'm assuming that you meant the Mandarin Oriental...don't call it the Mandarin...as that is a completely different hotel...not at all special. You can call the Mandarin Oriental; the Oriental.)

Krabi - I'm happy with original choice of Pimalai (Ocean Front, Private Pool 2 Bed Suite)

Singapore - Marina Bay Sands

Dubai - I got a very good deal in a 50% Sale early Oct I think for Atlantis The Palm

Rant over......still don't have a BKK hotel.

I've stayed at the Mandarin Oriental(River View) and whilst it's nice enough, I preferred the accommodation at Centre Point Silom.

I would take the Two - Bedroom Premier Suite : 183 sq.m. if with friends or the One - Bedroom Chaophraya Grand Suite (river view) : 90 sq.m. if just me (and girlfriend).

Worked out a lot cheaper than the relatively small River View room at the Oriental...which didn't even have outside space. It's wasn't that small, perhaps 40 to 55 sq.m.. But compared to 183 sq.m. it is positively cramped.

Certainly wasn't a problem to pop over to the Riverside Terrace(Mandarin Oriental) for breakfast.

Of course you can get a similarly sized Suite at the Oriental, but you are looking at 132,800 baht(£2630) per night.

I prefer the 9,540 baht(£190) per night at Centrepoint Silom. It also has better transport links than the other options....rivalled only by the Shangri-La. A short walk to the River Taxis or the BTS(SkyTrain). You can see on this map proximity to the River Ferry and BTS for both Centrepoint and the Shangri-La. Pull the map down to see the Mandarin Oriental.
For instance, the Banyan Tree is neither close to the BTS or the river. It's nice enough to visit Vertigo, but...

But then staying at Centrepoint Silom, you can walk to Sirocco, which in fact is the highest open air bar and restaurant in Bangkok. Probably to the annoyance of the Banyan Tree.

Some of my reasons for choosing Centrepoint Silom over other locations.
Some of the others are private access to Robinson's Department store and the supermarket below. So you don't even need to go outdoors if it raining. Also that I have all amenities at hand. Sometimes you just need cutlery and a plate. It's annoying to have to call down for one and to tip each time in a typical hotel situation. Better to have everything at hand. There's even a Washer/Dryer and a full sized fridge. So perfect for families.

Two en suite bathrooms and a guest washroom. Just far more convenient than a bog standard hotel room and still your have normal hotel service. Room service etc.

Not sure if your son is old enough to want his own bedroom. But it's there. if not, perhaps just the One - Bedroom Chaophraya Grand Suite (river view) : 90 sq.m. if you can all squeeze in. Perhaps around 6,000 to 7,000 baht(£120 to £140) per night if available.
If you would get my old room, you get a spacious wraparound balcony with a clear view overlooking the river and city.
The riverside is the place to be in Bangkok and the best way to visit the varied sites.

P.S.: It's the Mandarin Oriental or the Oriental. Never the Mandarin. That's another hotel.

MasterPoo

Nifty, thank you for that detailed helpful post. The Shangri La location and cost for 3 nights suits us perfectly as well as for our Excursions:

The Grand Palace
Wat Pho
Siam Square
Siam Paragon
MBK Centre
Pak Khlong Talat (Flower Market)
Ratchada Night Bazaar
Lumpinee Boxing Stadium
Lumpini Park

NiftyDigits

MasterPoo wrote: »

Nifty, thank you for that detailed helpful post. The Shangri La location and cost for 3 nights suits us perfectly as well as for our Excursions:

The Grand Palace
Wat Pho
Siam Square
Siam Paragon
MBK Centre
Pak Khlong Talat (Flower Market)
Ratchada Night Bazaar
Lumpinee Boxing Stadium
Lumpini Park

I guess that you will be on the CHAO PHRAYA TOURIST BOAT 150 baht for unlimited trips.
I use the normal Orange Flag boat for 15 baht.

Don't actually pay money to go on these excursions, other than for the River Ferry/BTS fares.

Have a closer look at my Centrepoint Silom link and TripAdvisor reviews on both, before booking...especially as you say you like your luxury. If you are stuck on the Shangri-La, then look for tips on the best rooms in each wing within your budget...and if you have time, pop over and take a look at what Centrepoint has to offer in the one or two bedroom river view.
I think it will be more comfortable to settle in and acclimatise...especially with such a short stay. Arriving at the hotel at 8pm, having two bathrooms will be a boon. Three toilets too. The fact that you have a private connection to a mall means that you have access to anything that you may need or have forgotten, in minutes. Wife can do a spot of shopping without you worrying that she can get lost. Lots of benefits for a family.

On the other hand, the Shangri may have a nice balcony overlooking the river...which is also nice.

MasterPoo

NiftyDigits wrote: »

I guess that you will be on the CHAO PHRAYA TOURIST BOAT 150 baht for unlimited trips.
I use the normal Orange Flag boat for 15 baht.

Don't actually pay money to go on these excursions, other than for the River Ferry/BTS fares.

Have a closer look at my Centrepoint Silom link and TripAdvisor reviews on both, before booking...especially as you say you like your luxury. If you are stuck on the Shangri-La, then look for tips on the best rooms in each wing within your budget...and if you have time, pop over and take a look at what Centrepoint has to offer in the one or two bedroom river view.
I think it will be more comfortable to settle in and acclimatise...especially with such a short stay. Arriving at the hotel at 8pm, having two bathrooms will be a boon. Three toilets too. The fact that you have a private connection to a mall means that you have access to anything that you may need or have forgotten, in minutes. Wife can do a spot of shopping without you worrying that she can get lost. Lots of benefits for a family.

On the other hand, the Shangri may have a nice balcony overlooking the river...which is also nice.

Nifty....WOW at the Express Boat, I love the thought of travelling via boat, and will try all the other types of transportation. :TT:j:jbeer::beer:

I'd like to get tickets for Thai kickboxing (I think that;s what it's called) at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, reading on TA if we really want to do this then we could always just buy tickets on the day.

Do you have any other recommendations for BKK?

lovesgshp

Have a look at the Sukothai Hotel. It is not on the river, but is a excellent hotel. Lumpini park is only a few minutes away.
http://www.sukhothai.com/
There is a very good open air restaurant across the river from the Oriental, sorry cannot remember the name.

NiftyDigits

MasterPoo wrote: »

Nifty....WOW at the Express Boat, I love the thought of travelling via boat, and will try all the other types of transportation. :TT:j:jbeer::beer:

I'd like to get tickets for Thai kickboxing (I think that;s what it's called) at the Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, reading on TA if we really want to do this then we could always just buy tickets on the day.

Do you have any other recommendations for BKK?

Be careful with the TukTuks. Never board a standing TukTuk. You can hail one that is already moving. They are less likely to be shysters.
Tuk Tuks aren't really any cheaper than a Taxi for you, but of course it's worth it for the fun factor.
If they offer you a ten or twenty baht tour, just move on. They'll waste your time taking you to gem shops and 'chance meetings'.
A moving TukTuk is more likely to be a working man, rather than a scammer waiting around for his next victim.

As for Muay Thai, the stadium you will visit may depend on the day that you intend to go. There is Ratchadamnern and Lumpini Boxing Stadium.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajadamnern_Stadium
http://www.rajadamnern.com/
http://www.muaythailumpinee.net/en/

Usual stuff, get off at Phra Athit Pier for the Khaosan Road area for a quick look.

To be honest, I have no idea as to when you are going to do all of this. You only have one full day. First day you arrive at hotel perhaps 8pm. Watcha going to do then? Possibly eat and sleep to be up early-ish the next day. Then you have a day to do all the stuff you are hoping. You will be knackered. The next day, if you don't have a late checkout, what are you going to do? You can't go to far, as you have to checkout.
Another plus for Centrepoint is that you can often get a late checkout. Worse case scenario is to pay half price for a 6pm checkout. That gives you an opportunity to use the morning and part of the afternoon. Get back mid afternoon, have tea, freshen up and head to the airport. Lots of flights to Phuket. Haven't checked as to whether you are actually staying on Phuket. If not, it might be a problem to move on to your final destination if it's late.

Doshwaster

MasterPoo wrote: »

Do you have any other recommendations for BKK?

I could recommend lots of things but maybe they they wouldn't be suitable if travelling with your family.

As above, I'd be wary about trying to pack to much in to what is effectively a single day in Bangkok. If you do the river cruise and Royal palace in the morning then the shopping malls in the afternoon then that's pretty much a whole day done.

Bangkok is a city that always pulls people back for multiple visits so don't feel as if you need to see everything on your first trip. It can be an overwhelming place for a first-timer especially if you have just arrived on a long haul flight so just take some time to relax and soak up the atmosphere (and the pollution) without trying to tick off every item on your list. There will be a next time.

MasterPoo

We arrive BKK on Friday 27 March at 12h00, I'm hoping we won't be that tired because we would've slept on the plane, so that now means we have full Saturday and Sunday. Our flight to KVB departs at 14h15 on the Monday, as it's an internal flight I THINK we need to be at the airport by 13h00 (I will double check this).

So we arrive and acclimatise.......possibly walk around depending how tired we feel.

Boxing is still a question mark, but the Lumpinee 21h00 is the one we'd like to catch.

I'm not staying in Phuket, we are flying to Krabi (Koh Lanta).

Daily tours are taking up my research currently (I do love this part of planning a holiday).

I'm disappointed to find that I can't do Koh Samui on a day trip!

Doshwaster

MasterPoo wrote: »

I'm disappointed to find that I can't do Koh Samui on a day trip!

Don't be. Just save it for another visit.

Samui is great (though not as great as it was 10 years ago when it was cheaper and less developed) but a day trip there would be expensive and pointless.

Given the unpredictabilities of Bangkok traffic I would still aim to get to the airport (BKK or Don Muang?) at least 2 hours before the departure time.

Also remember that daily tours don't need to be booked in advance. In fact, you can usually get a better choice and price by waiting until you get there and going through a local agent.