Just now, KhunLA said:

I like the Khlong San side, as away from the city. Turns into a 20 mins ride to daughter, non rush hour.

Easy to get to & from, coming up from south, staying on that side of river. One of our favorite restaurants, 'Natura Cafe', and then there is IconSiam, for all one's needs.

Nice area. I pay 700 near Bang Sue but no pool or gym. Great spot though. Food galore, day n night market. Quiet soi. Nice staff.

Seven Ratchada looks nice for price. Might try that soon. Walking distance to train market thing and gym.

9 hours ago, KhunLA said:

250 would really be a low number for me, being here 25+ yrs, and usually O&A 30-60 days a year, so 1000 stays wouldn't surprise me, and rarely anywhere for more than 2 days. Think I'm erroring on the conservative side. 2 years of the scamdemic, probably O&A half the time.

Gmap Timeline has me visiting 419 Thai cities, and that's only been tracking me for the past 10 ish yrs. I've only lived in 4. 1000 is definitely conservative.

Has me staying at Krung Thep, 21 different hotels, one 47 times, 19 times & 14 times, just 3 different hotels 🙄

And I don't consider me 'well travelled' like 'Hummin'

Yes,i totally understand this,but that guy that said 250 plus,has never ever even been to thialand. He is a con and a fraud and100% of all he writes is grom Chat PT

I a sucker for view wherever I go, so I am happy to pay extra just to have something to rest my eyes on, be it at beaches or in cities. And quiet.

Just now, Rockyroad said:

Tell us about road safety. Samui is often the worst for bike accidents.

Drunk driving is the cause and stupid tourists

On 5/2/2026 at 10:50 PM, kingstonkid said:

Lately everytime I open anything news it is talking about a new 5 star hotel opening in Bangkok.

How the hell are they surviving

They are surviving from paying customers – and apparent surviving quite well.

Where I live in Thailand, Koh Samui, it is said to be the place with the highest concentration of 5-star resorts in the Kingdom. Here the questions is how resorts with less stars survive. When there is good space in the for us plain folks affordable resorts, the 5-star ones seems extremely busy. The same for luxury villa, even during the Covid lockdown.

I live almost next to a 5-star resort, and that is always busy. The other resorts with only few stars around me, have good space most of the time, except Februar where all were fully booked this year.

So, my conclusion is that there are plenty of people who can afford the care and privacy, which 5-star resorts provide, and are willing to pay for it. I just checked today's low season walk in-rate at Four Seasons Samui: Rooms (for 2 persons) available from only 65,100 baht – which is actually a cheap bargain at that place – and 8k baht more, if you wish view from the room.

Just now, theshu25 said:

Yes,i totally understand this,but that guy that said 250 plus,has never ever even been to thialand. He is a con and a fraud and100% of all he writes is grom Chat PT

Oh there's no need for that , everyone has their good qualities and saying someone is this / that without any evidence is just pure nastiness

Just now, Hummin said:

I a sucker for view wherever I go, so I am happy to pay extra just to have something to rest my eyes on, be it at beaches or in cities. And quiet.

Drunk driving is the cause and stupid tourists

Bike riders go fast no helmet. At 50kph with helmet you are unlikely to die.

Just now, georgegeorgia said:

Oh there's no need for that , everyone has their good qualities and saying someone is this / that without any evidence is just pure nastiness

None of us have been to Thailand except him 555

Just now, theshu25 said:

Yes,i totally understand this,but that guy that said 250 plus,has never ever even been to thialand. He is a con and a fraud and100% of all he writes is grom Chat PT

You sound really positive about life.

I come from a time when Motel 6 really cost six bucks. Fireproof blankets, too!

It's why I've stopped read Travel & Leisure. Let the young donate to all those corporate charities.

Just now, Rockyroad said:

Tell me is there a nice beachside bungalow under 1000 in Lamai or Maenam?

21 years and hundreds of thousands of km car and motorbikes later, maybe a handful I have seen, so you must be around more exposed areas. However I never stop if there is people onsite, so can't tell what I do not see with my eyes.

Just now, Hummin said:

21 years and hundreds of thousands of km car and motorbikes later, maybe a handful I have seen, so you must be around more exposed areas. However I never stop if there is people onsite, so can't tell what I do not see with my eyes.

Found one for 700 but looks crap.

Just now, Rockyroad said:

Tell me is there a nice beachside bungalow under 1000 in Lamai or Maenam?

Yes, and especially now during low season. Lolita Bungalows on Maenam Beach is worth a try...👍

Agoda:

Booking.com:

23 hours ago, KhunLA said:

5 star is a stretch, especially since they are self rated.

The point is there are a lot of luxurious and very expensive hotels in Bangkok, and many of us agree with the topic and truly wonder how they survive.

There is a lot of wealth in the world these days and some people only stay at five star resorts. Personally I find a lot of them to be quite boring and very generic. I've seen a lot of four-star hotels that are infinitely more interesting and have a lot more character, at 30-75% less money per night.

I know for a fact that there are a lot of luxury brands in Thailand that lose money but need to have a flagship store in Bangkok. That certainly might apply to some hotel chains here.

Edited May 4May 4 by spidermike007

Off topic deflection posts and replies about vehicle accidents have been removed as this topic is about:

How do all these 5 star hotels survive

Just now, Hummin said:

I a sucker for view wherever I go, so I am happy to pay extra just to have something to rest my eyes on, be it at beaches or in cities. And quiet.

Drunk driving is the cause and stupid tourists

I'm not but if we were all the same the same hotels would be over booked!

A good bed is the main thing then proper bathroom, then balcony or porch, atmosphere, large fridge, decent tv, location and price.

Just now, Rockyroad said:

None of us have been to Thailand except him 555

So you now admit that you have never been to Thailand! 🤣

18 hours ago, KhunLA said:

250 would really be a low number for me, being here 25+ yrs, and usually O&A 30-60 days a year, so 1000 stays wouldn't surprise me, and rarely anywhere for more than 2 days. Think I'm erroring on the conservative side. 2 years of the scamdemic, probably O&A half the time.

Gmap Timeline has me visiting 419 Thai cities, and that's only been tracking me for the past 10 ish yrs. I've only lived in 4. 1000 is definitely conservative.

Has me staying at Krung Thep, 21 different hotels, one 47 times, 19 times & 14 times, just 3 different hotels 🙄

And I don't consider me 'well travelled' like 'Hummin'

• Charles Veley: Often cited as the world’s most traveled man, having visited every country and hundreds of remote territories. His travels involve thousands of individual stays across every imaginable type of accommodation.

• Joao Paulo Peixoto: Currently ranked at the top of several travel leaderboards, Peixoto has logged over 1,400 unique regions, which correlates to thousands of distinct hotel check-ins over several decades.

They would have done 4000 to 5000

13 hours ago, Celsius said:

Stayed there too in both studio and 1 bed suite, but again the last time it was in 2018. However that hotel used to be a lot cheaper before covid and now it is a bit overpriced even on a good day imo

When we talking, just came up in my memory lane at google. Cant complain about this view and facilities, cant remember what room this was, but we had two room appartement with kitchen at the corner river view a few times. Well worth the money back then, and great breakfast and facilities off season price. 18k or so for 3 nights if I do not remember wrong.

On 5/3/2026 at 7:34 PM, treetops said:

Five star hotel prices in Thailand are about the eqivalent of 2 or 3 star ones in a lot of the west so even average, not high end, tourists think they're getting a bargain on their once a year holiday and don't mind paying.

BS at its best..........................

On 5/3/2026 at 7:49 PM, Hummin said:

What I have noticed is that many extremely wealthy Thais invest in projects that will probably never return the money in their lifetime. But they still do it.

Some of it may come from high-ranking government or army connections, and some of it may simply be inherited wealth.

It is especially clear in districts like Suan Phueng, where you see big land, fantasy themes, and well-developed, expensive facilities.

Some of these places do not seem to have enough customers to even cover the maintenance costs.

But for the owners, maybe that is not the point. It is not always a business in the normal sense. For them, it may be a hobby, a status symbol, a family project, or simply a way to turn land and money into something visible.

In some cases, money may be laundered or moved through family members, land purchases, construction projects, resorts, cafés, or other businesses. That could explain why some places are built at huge cost even when there seems to be no realistic chance of earning the money back through customers alone.

We have an excellent large restaurant, and adjoining high-class cafe, just outside our village that does wonderful food to high western standards. They also offer business suites, overnight accommodation and EV charging too. I live in a largely farming community so this establishment is incongruous but I'm not complaining! 🙂

We never see locals in the restaurant when we are there, just travellers passing through. The rumour in the village is that money laundering funded the construction (and, doubtless, continues to fund it). I have no reason to doubt it.

Edited May 6May 6 by IsaanT

Around us, people from Bangkok buy up land and take advantage of different subsidy schemes when they appear.

A good example was Prime Minister Thaksin’s rubber tree support scheme for Isaan farmers. In many cases, it looked less like real farming and more like a way to clean money through land and subsidy schemes.

They did not seem to care much about maintaining anything properly. Often, locals were left to take care of the work, while people with money and connections later sold the land or the trees without making a real profit from farming. In some cases, the land seemed to be bought for more money than it was later sold for, which made the whole thing look suspicious.

That is one of the problems with these schemes. On paper, they are meant to help local farmers, but in practice, people with money and connections often find ways to benefit the most. Locals are often tempted by high land prices, but in the end, they give away their heritage.

Now, after the earthquake, we are seeing higher land prices again, and that may be one of the reasons.

And I almost forgot, we also have a temple in our district that seems to be only for the rich and VIPs. Filthy rich people come there, and there are around 1,000 rai of rubber trees and land that has been swapped around and changed owners several times

On 5/3/2026 at 3:48 PM, treetops said:

I was saying Western hotels are expensive when compared to their Thai equivalents

And you're absolutely right with respect to rip-off Britain.

I recently stayed in a self-proclaimed 3*, (part of the Accor chain which I'm quite sold on) in W.Midlands. Cost over 110 quid for a room without a phone, no room service, no dressing gown or slippers, no pool and no gym. Barely scraped in at 2* (because the rooms were nice enough) - and the lady on reception was borderline hostile which had nothing to do with me.

I've never ever had a problem in a Thai hotel with staff attitude - even during misunderstandings.

I'll stay at Brum airport next time. The one there at least has a gym and a pool. Local travel costs about the same for me.

In Bangkok in 2007 before Accor sold it there was an hotel on Soi 6 (back lane between nana BTS and Soi 4). I think it was called the Sukhumvit Grand. Definite 4*+, very nice, cost me under 100 euros for a suite in high season. That was 2007.

Around the same time though up in the UK's north east (for gods sakes, one of the poorest regions in Europe) I paid over 90 quid for a 50s built brick hotel right on the sea front that claimed 3 stars, but in my opinion was squalid - with the smell of the kitchen coming in one window. I got reroomed. Both rooms basic and tacky and plastic. En suite was all they could boast. Oh and i.t had a drab, east German style restaurant.

More recently been regularly in the Novotel Soi 4 Bangkok, slap bang in the city centre action, 3*, very good, great staff, all amenities, cost anywhere between 75 and 120 euros. Rooftop pool, gym, room service etc. Compare that to the UK's barely 2 star with a 3 star price tag.

The Novotel BKK airport - now Hyatt Regency - definite 4*.

Brilliant after or before an 11 hour flight, with spa, gym, pool and fabulous cuisines, cost me on average about 160 euros. Dunno what it is now, haven't stayed since last year.

An airport hotel, '4*', at LHR 15 years ago (!) cost me over 200 quid. Dark, cramped, no amenities, not enough room to swing a cat. Nice carpets though. Rip off Britain again.

Berlin, 3 star Merkur late last year, lovely hotel, dead in the centre of the city. 85 euros. And nice carpets (they make for quiet).

Paris seems expensive for 3* - I've been plotting a quick trip there. But still not as bad as UK.

On YouTube, LiveLoveThailand vlogger Arsen Kass has been highlighting a variety of hotels from budget to 5* in various typical Thai destinations as the country goes into low season. But even in his high season vlogs you'd be very hard put to find remotely matching standards and prices in Europe. And especially UK.

For myself, I'm looking forward to getting off the plane at 2 in the afternoon later this year, from my favorite 11 hour night flight, and being shuttled straight to the Hyatt for a 30 minute workout to get the blood moving again, then into the pool, then room service, a foot massage, and sleep after a film.

Next day onward travel feeling thoroughly refreshed and overthrilled to be back.

It'll cost me less than half of what I'd pay near Heathrow for the same standard at any time of year.

On 5/4/2026 at 3:43 PM, khunPer said:

Yes, and especially now during low season. Lolita Bungalows on Maenam Beach is worth a try...👍

Agoda:

Booking.com:

Even 1173 THB is a doddle for a location like that. Bet it has restaurant and ensuite as well and includes brekkies. But 676 is like a charity price for tourists.

On 5/7/2026 at 1:36 AM, BusyB said:

Even 1173 THB is a doddle for a location like that. Bet it has restaurant and ensuite as well and includes brekkies. But 676 is like a charity price for tourists.

No breakfast at 676. Pranburi has that price with breakfast. Some of the 700 baht rooms in Chumphon would cost 2000 on Samui.

Edited May 7May 7 by Rockyroad

On 5/7/2026 at 1:30 AM, BusyB said:

And you're absolutely right with respect to rip-off Britain.

I recently stayed in a self-proclaimed 3*, (part of the Accor chain which I'm quite sold on) in W.Midlands. Cost over 110 quid for a room without a phone, no room service, no dressing gown or slippers, no pool and no gym. Barely scraped in at 2* (because the rooms were nice enough) - and the lady on reception was borderline hostile which had nothing to do with me.

I've never ever had a problem in a Thai hotel with staff attitude - even during misunderstandings.

I'll stay at Brum airport next time. The one there at least has a gym and a pool. Local travel costs about the same for me.

In Bangkok in 2007 before Accor sold it there was an hotel on Soi 6 (back lane between nana BTS and Soi 4). I think it was called the Sukhumvit Grand. Definite 4*+, very nice, cost me under 100 euros for a suite in high season. That was 2007.

Around the same time though up in the UK's north east (for gods sakes, one of the poorest regions in Europe) I paid over 90 quid for a 50s built brick hotel right on the sea front that claimed 3 stars, but in my opinion was squalid - with the smell of the kitchen coming in one window. I got reroomed. Both rooms basic and tacky and plastic. En suite was all they could boast. Oh and i.t had a drab, east German style restaurant.

More recently been regularly in the Novotel Soi 4 Bangkok, slap bang in the city centre action, 3*, very good, great staff, all amenities, cost anywhere between 75 and 120 euros. Rooftop pool, gym, room service etc. Compare that to the UK's barely 2 star with a 3 star price tag.

The Novotel BKK airport - now Hyatt Regency - definite 4*.

Brilliant after or before an 11 hour flight, with spa, gym, pool and fabulous cuisines, cost me on average about 160 euros. Dunno what it is now, haven't stayed since last year.

An airport hotel, '4*', at LHR 15 years ago (!) cost me over 200 quid. Dark, cramped, no amenities, not enough room to swing a cat. Nice carpets though. Rip off Britain again.

Berlin, 3 star Merkur late last year, lovely hotel, dead in the centre of the city. 85 euros. And nice carpets (they make for quiet).

Paris seems expensive for 3* - I've been plotting a quick trip there. But still not as bad as UK.

On YouTube, LiveLoveThailand vlogger Arsen Kass has been highlighting a variety of hotels from budget to 5* in various typical Thai destinations as the country goes into low season. But even in his high season vlogs you'd be very hard put to find remotely matching standards and prices in Europe. And especially UK.

For myself, I'm looking forward to getting off the plane at 2 in the afternoon later this year, from my favorite 11 hour night flight, and being shuttled straight to the Hyatt for a 30 minute workout to get the blood moving again, then into the pool, then room service, a foot massage, and sleep after a film.

Next day onward travel feeling thoroughly refreshed and overthrilled to be back.

It'll cost me less than half of what I'd pay near Heathrow for the same standard at any time of year.

They say exercise is the best cure for jet lag.

On 5/3/2026 at 1:56 PM, KhunLA said:

they are self rated.

No, they are not: How Does the Hotel Star Rating System Work? - Little Hotelier

4 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

No, they are not: How Does the Hotel Star Rating System Work? - Little Hotelier

I take it this is the site you tried to link to? (Links don't work as you might expect on this platform).

https://www.littlehotelier.com/blog/running-your-property/hotel-star-rating-system/

Even that refers to a multitude of ratings systems including self rating, and nowhere does it mention Thailand who have a mix of both formal and self rated hotels.

5 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

No, they are not: How Does the Hotel Star Rating System Work? - Little Hotelier

BS, and fine example 3 star ... NO Restaurant, no brekkie

So many 3 star hotels have no restaurant or food available. And if rated by a govt office, then too comical.

World Class diving comes to mind, tried it, and I don't even bother after 2 dive trips, and they were in the Andaman. The Gulf is a joke, for novice getting certified.

Couple more 3 stars ... bottom one is shared bath

We stay here for convenience, and pet friendly, but barely makes 2 star IMHO

Suk Soi 4 is solid 2 star, and Riverside rated 3 star, and that's fair. Food just OK, but has pool and 'riverside'.

Edited May 11May 11 by KhunLA

On 5/3/2026 at 7:49 PM, Hummin said:

But for the owners, maybe that is not the point. It is not always a business in the normal sense. For them, it may be a hobby, a status symbol, a family project, or simply a way to turn land and money into something visible.

.....or money laundering.

On 5/3/2026 at 12:22 PM, Rockyroad said:

Thousands of hotels get business conferences and seminars from Thais.

On 5/3/2026 at 12:22 PM, Rockyroad said:

Thousands of hotels get business conferences and seminars from Thais.

On 5/3/2026 at 12:22 PM, Rockyroad said:

Thousands of hotels get business conferences and seminars from Thais.

There's more, many international companies have policies that their staff stay at 5 stay hoels when they visit other cities.

There's also the reverse, many local companies (all countries / cities) ask consulting companies (and others to visit them, and the local companies insist that they make all the arrangements which may well include booking the visiting person(s) into local 5 star hotels. Nobody would argue.