Looking For Easy Auto-access Hotels In Bangkok

[hhfarang]

I live in Hua Hin and like to drive to Bangkok but I freak if I have to drive very far on surface roads there. I am asking for suggestions and detailed directions to any decent hotels in various parts of town that are easily accessible by car from the freeway system. My requirements are:

Easy access nearby off of (preferably driving from the south) and back on to (preferably going in a southerly directon) a freeway.

Decent hotel in the 2000 baht range.

Hotel Parking.

We have already found one hotel that fits the bill nicely, the Pinnacle Lumpini just off Rama IV. It is only couple of blocks from the freeway exit and to return I only have to go a couple of blocks further down Rama IV to make a "U" turn and get right back to an on ramp headed back to Hua Hin.

I would like to find something similar in other parts of Bangkok.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[monsieurhappy]

One of the reasons I use the Ambassador on Suk. soi 11 is the easy access and carparking. There are other hotels in the same soi and area.

[hhfarang]

One of the reasons I use the Ambassador on Suk. soi 11 is the easy access and carparking. There are other hotels in the same soi and area.

Thanks, I know of the Ambassador but from all the Bangkok maps I have (don't show one way streets, directional changes at times of day, and where you can make right turns), I haven't found an easy way to get to the Sukumvit Rd. area from a freeway.

It it's not too much trouble can you give me details of how to get from a freeway to that area (street by street and turn by turn). I think there is also a Villa market in that area and that is another place I would love to be able to drive to, load up my cooler, and drive away from easily.

Thanks a bunch!

[chinthee]

You are very right to focus on the area around the Pinnacle, and on down Soi Ngam Du Pree. Of course, there is the more budget Malaysia hotel further down the soi, but somebody is building a brand new hotel across from Malaysia for your future planning.

Since you already know how to take the u-turn on Rama 4 to get back to the tollway, you could easily also consider all the hotels on Sukhumvit Sois 22, 24, 18, etc..Just exit the tollway as usual, take the u-turn, then proceed about 5-10 mins down Rama 4 until you get to the Soi 24 turnoff. There is a BMW dealer on the soi so look for that. Easy driving to there, and much less traffic than soi 11 usually, though 24 near Emporium is often busy.

Regarding Soi 11, that is easy to learn how to get there, but you kind of have to do it once to learn. Here is a quick pointer. exit as usual at Rama 4; go past Pinnacle soi (Ngam Du Pree), and turn RIGHT at the place you're used to making the u-turn. That is Wireless road. Continue all the way up wireless to Phetchaburi road. Turn right on Phetchaburi and stay in the right lane, continue on until you see Suhkhumvit soi 3, and there is actually, a shortcut you will see lots of cars taking that angles off to the right and merges with the soi. then get in the left hand lane and look for the small soi with all the advertising signs etc., that is the way to soi 11 and Ambassador. You will know it's the right one if you see the ST hotel PB Hotel on the left. Sounds complicated but very easy after doing it once.

Pick up the Bangkok City atlas from Thinknet at Se-Ed store and you will be able to see the routes on the map.

[torito]

One of the reasons I use the Ambassador on Suk. soi 11 is the easy access and carparking. There are other hotels in the same soi and area.

Correct, any hotel in the area of Sukumvit Soi 5-17 will do it well and they are in your budget range. You have direct access to the freeway (entry and exit). In this area you can live you car in the hotel and move in the BTS of you want.

[hhfarang]

You are very right to focus on the area around the Pinnacle, and on down Soi Ngam Du Pree. Of course, there is the more budget Malaysia hotel further down the soi, but somebody is building a brand new hotel across from Malaysia for your future planning.

Since you already know how to take the u-turn on Rama 4 to get back to the tollway, you could easily also consider all the hotels on Sukhumvit Sois 22, 24, 18, etc..Just exit the tollway as usual, take the u-turn, then proceed about 5-10 mins down Rama 4 until you get to the Soi 24 turnoff. There is a BMW dealer on the soi so look for that. Easy driving to there, and much less traffic than soi 11 usually, though 24 near Emporium is often busy.

Regarding Soi 11, that is easy to learn how to get there, but you kind of have to do it once to learn. Here is a quick pointer. exit as usual at Rama 4; go past Pinnacle soi (Ngam Du Pree), and turn RIGHT at the place you're used to making the u-turn. That is Wireless road. Continue all the way up wireless to Phetchaburi road. Turn right on Phetchaburi and stay in the right lane, continue on until you see Suhkhumvit soi 3, and there is actually, a shortcut you will see lots of cars taking that angles off to the right and merges with the soi. then get in the left hand lane and look for the small soi with all the advertising signs etc., that is the way to soi 11 and Ambassador. You will know it's the right one if you see the ST hotel PB Hotel on the left. Sounds complicated but very easy after doing it once.

Pick up the Bangkok City atlas from Thinknet at Se-Ed store and you will be able to see the routes on the map.

Thank you very much Chinthee! Those are great directions and will open up a lot of hotels in the Sukumvit area to me. I'll give it a try next time I go up!