For location and service, I would place Shangri-la toward the top. It's right next to the BTS and boat port the service is top notch.

I've stayed at the Menam Riverside (now called the Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside) several times. Nice rooms, great pool, pleasant staff, good buffet breakfast, free riverboat taxi to the skytrain station/river taxi jetty. Prices are well within your budget.

http://ramadaplazame...ffers/promotion

Not a great place IMO. A newer place (actually managed by Dusit Thani) nearby also right on the river and close to Sathorn - and much nicer - is Chatrium, usually pretty empty so I be they're deep discounting.

5000 Baht per night and best hotel in Bangkok, just don't go together. If flushed with petro$ think 9/10.000.

My thought, as well. If you are asking for the BEST hotel, don't say you are on a budget.

You will get plenty of nice hotels for 5k, but if you want the BEST?

1. Kempinski (behind Paragon)

2. Anantara Riverside (former Marriot Riverside).

3. Millenium Hilton.

5000 Baht per night and best hotel in Bangkok, just don't go together. If flushed with petro$ think 9/10.000.

My thought, as well. If you are asking for the BEST hotel, don't say you are on a budget.

You will get plenty of nice hotels for 5k, but if you want the BEST?

1. Kempinski (behind Paragon)

2. Anantara Riverside (former Marriot Riverside).

3. Millenium Hilton.

You will get all of those for 5k/night.