Banyan Tree, Shangri La Or Peninsula Hotel ?

[gatekeeperdi]

We are looking to book a trip to Thailand next year and are looking at various hotels that our tour operator provides.

We thought we had decided between the Banyan Tree Club room and the Shangri La Krungthep room. However we are now wondering if the Peninsula may be a better option?

We are looking for any advice as to which may be better suited for sightseeing around Bangkok in the day and hotel facilities during the evening.

We probably won`t venture out after sightseeing too much so things like service, facilities and room quality and restaurants will be important factors to making our choice.

Would be grateful for any advice.

Kind regards.

Diane

[leisurely]

In my opinion the Banyan tree. Silom/Sathorn is much more central for sightseeing etc. Both the others are on the river (although the BTS is walkable). Not much help but some I hope.

[JacknDanny]

We are looking to book a trip to Thailand next year and are looking at various hotels that our tour operator provides.

We thought we had decided between the Banyan Tree Club room and the Shangri La Krungthep room. However we are now wondering if the Peninsula may be a better option?

We are looking for any advice as to which may be better suited for sightseeing around Bangkok in the day and hotel facilities during the evening.

We probably won`t venture out after sightseeing too much so things like service, facilities and room quality and restaurants will be important factors to making our choice.

Would be grateful for any advice.

Kind regards.

Diane

Beofre you stated that you wanted to go to Ayutthaya and The Grand Palace. That being the case I would choose either Peninsula or Shangri-La, as they are both on the river. You can take a day trip by boat upto Ayutthaya and the Grand Palace is only minutes away.

Of which hotel to choose, both are fantastic hotels, opposite each other on the river. If I had to choose I would say Shangri-La, but I would certainly go and spend a few hours for evening cocktails in the Peninsula

[Colonel_Mustard]

If location for nightlife isn't too much of a concern and most of your time will be in the hotel or sightseeing, then I would say:

1 Peninsula

2 Shangri-La

3 Banyan Tree

[samtam]

I agree with that order, as the river hotels (Peninsula & Shangri-la) can get very snarled up with traffic in the evenings, although you do have the option of getting the Skytrain. If you're a first time visitor, the river hotels are probably the more interesting. As a resident of Bangkok, I wouldn't live near the river, for traffic reasons. If you want other excellent options to the three you've mentioned, try The Sukhothai, (next to Banyan Tree), and the Four Seasons, which is close to very good shopping.

[gaza1]

Shangri-la

This hotel has a racist discrimination policy in operation.

My wife and I stayed there about three months ago,my wife is Thai 25 years old and I am British 42 years old.

I met my wife 4 years ago in Ubon Ratchatathani when she was in uni getting her BA degree.

We have been married 2 years.

My wife booked this hotel by telephone about a week before we went there.

On arrival at reception we were treated really badly and kept waiting for about 45 minutes and then to be told that all the standard rooms were taken and we would have to pay for a sweet if we still wanted to stay.

After some choice words they upgraded us free of charge, then said we would have to pay extra for breakfast.

I asked why we can't have a normal breakfast in the coffe shop?

"Fully booked"

I ended up paying for it in the excecutive suite.

I can only assume that they were of the opinion that my wife was a prostitute and they did not want us mixing with normal guests.

My wife dresess very conservativly and is very polite.

We have been to some of the best hotels all over Europe including Monte Carlo,Barcelona,London,Mont Blanc, and were treated very well.

It is incredible that the only discrimination we have ever found was actually in Thailand.

[The Skipper]

The Peninsula has the best view and is only a charming, 5 minute ride, in their free Rice Barge, to the Skytrain steps.

Book it.

[flightcrew1]

I say choose the Peninsula or the Shangrila. Both are on the river and both are great locations next to the skytrain and such. I prefer the Peninsula but you have to take an additional boat across the river which if your a tourist I think it's not too much of a bother as it is interesting.

Now I find the post about the Shangrila hotel being discrimatory hard to beleive. I live in State Tower across from this hotel and frequent it quite often and put up friends there from out of town. I'm not saying it did not happen to you but am shocked that this could happen. When a room that is booked at hotel is not available you are normally upgraded to the next level and if breakfast is included you get the same breakfast. There is no such thing as the "coffee shop" being booked for breakfast as they do quick turns on the tables during breakfast service.

Anyway my next time in there I will keep my eyes open and make comment to the manager!

[LaoPo]

Shangri-la

This hotel has a racist discrimination policy in operation.

My wife and I stayed there about three months ago,my wife is Thai 25 years old and I am British 42 years old.

I met my wife 4 years ago in Ubon Ratchatathani when she was in uni getting her BA degree.

We have been married 2 years.

My wife booked this hotel by telephone about a week before we went there.

On arrival at reception we were treated really badly and kept waiting for about 45 minutes and then to be told that all the standard rooms were taken and we would have to pay for a sweet if we still wanted to stay.

After some choice words they upgraded us free of charge, then said we would have to pay extra for breakfast.

I asked why we can't have a normal breakfast in the coffe shop?

"Fully booked"

I ended up paying for it in the excecutive suite.

I can only assume that they were of the opinion that my wife was a prostitute and they did not want us mixing with normal guests.

My wife dresess very conservativly and is very polite.

We have been to some of the best hotels all over Europe including Monte Carlo,Barcelona,London,Mont Blanc, and were treated very well.

It is incredible that the only discrimination we have ever found was actually in Thailand.

Didn't you ask for the Manager ?

If you (or your wife) feel discriminated, never argue with the staff.

Request to speak to the Manager immediately and look them straight into the eyes (the staff).

You're a mature man and they will pay respect to you if you do so.

I have to say that I've never had any problems whatsoever in the Far East, including Thailand and 4 or 5 star hotels.

I had however a problem in the Shangri-La hotel/BKK once with a buddy-friend of mine who was wearing shorts. We booked a table in the Italian restaurant and he was refused because of the 'hotel/restaurant'-rules.

I laughed because I have to admit my friend looked a bit silly for such a 5-star environment and we were on the way to the airport for our flight back home. (luggage was deposited already with the luggage-clerk).

Anyway, he changed his clothes in the mens'room and came back with long JOGGING-trousers and was allowed to enter the restaurant.

TIT

LaoPo

[think_too_mut]

1. Banyan Tree.

2. Shangri La (walking distance to Saphan Thaksin skytrain station)

Peninsula - good hotel but would never ever stay there. It's on the wrong side of the river, nightmare to get in and out. Traffic jams from hel_l.

Stayed 1 week at the Marriott on that side, did not set my foot out of the hotel. Those who did were treated to rice barge crossing over the muddy choppy river under torrential downpours (it was October). Waiting on the barge is also another story.

[LaoPo]

1. Banyan Tree.

2. Shangri La (walking distance to Saphan Thaksin skytrain station)

Peninsula - good hotel but would never ever stay there. It's on the wrong side of the river, nightmare to get in and out. Traffic jams from hel_l.

Stayed 1 week at the Marriott on that side, did not set my foot out of the hotel. Those who did were treated to rice barge crossing over the muddy choppy river under torrential downpours (it was October). Waiting on the barge is also another story.

If it's the OP's first trip to BKK/Thailand I would suggest The Oriental Hotel...

OK, I know it's a bit 'done for' but still high class and you can tell your friends later you stayed in The Oriental, once the best Hotel for many years in the World.

The 'old wing' is really romantic to stay in for 1, 2 or 3 nights

Just my opinion.

LaoPo

[The Skipper]

1. Banyan Tree.

2. Shangri La (walking distance to Saphan Thaksin skytrain station)

Peninsula - good hotel but would never ever stay there. It's on the wrong side of the river, nightmare to get in and out. Traffic jams from hel_l.

Stayed 1 week at the Marriott on that side, did not set my foot out of the hotel. Those who did were treated to rice barge crossing over the muddy choppy river under torrential downpours (it was October). Waiting on the barge is also another story.

I live over there and other than rush hour, traffic is not an issue.

I can see Taksin Bridge and will take the boat if I see a traffic jam.

The boat is 5 minutes and leaves you exactly 100 steps to the Skytrain.

If you want the best city view, stay on the Peninsula side for sure.

Part of the joy of staying over there is the boat ride and not dealing with the Taxi jerks.

[think_too_mut]

1. Banyan Tree.

2. Shangri La (walking distance to Saphan Thaksin skytrain station)

Peninsula - good hotel but would never ever stay there. It's on the wrong side of the river, nightmare to get in and out. Traffic jams from hel_l.

Stayed 1 week at the Marriott on that side, did not set my foot out of the hotel. Those who did were treated to rice barge crossing over the muddy choppy river under torrential downpours (it was October). Waiting on the barge is also another story.

I live over there and other than rush hour, traffic is not an issue.

I can see Taksin Bridge and will take the boat if I see a traffic jam.

The boat is 5 minutes and leaves you exactly 100 steps to the Skytrain.

If you want the best city view, stay on the Peninsula side for sure.

Part of the joy of staying over there is the boat ride and not dealing with the Taxi jerks.

Let's give some peek preview for those who do not live there or have not been to BKK at all.

All pictures taken from the Marriott on the river.

Joy boat ride: imagine going through this, navigating between the collosal barges that can smash the hotel's one as a fly, especially at night or in rain or both. In this picture, because of the downpour, the other bank can not be seen, just scary linked cement barges.

And the river view: down to the source (it does not get nicer any time of the year, just the water gets higher in rainy season):

Edited November 30, 2006 by think_too_mut

[The Skipper]

1. Banyan Tree.

2. Shangri La (walking distance to Saphan Thaksin skytrain station)

Peninsula - good hotel but would never ever stay there. It's on the wrong side of the river, nightmare to get in and out. Traffic jams from hel_l.

Stayed 1 week at the Marriott on that side, did not set my foot out of the hotel. Those who did were treated to rice barge crossing over the muddy choppy river under torrential downpours (it was October). Waiting on the barge is also another story.

I live over there and other than rush hour, traffic is not an issue.

I can see Taksin Bridge and will take the boat if I see a traffic jam.

The boat is 5 minutes and leaves you exactly 100 steps to the Skytrain.

If you want the best city view, stay on the Peninsula side for sure.

Part of the joy of staying over there is the boat ride and not dealing with the Taxi jerks.

Let's give some peek preview for those who do not live there or have not been to BKK at all.

All pictures taken from the Marriott on the river.

Joy boat ride: imagine going through this, navigating between the collosal barges that can smash the hotel's one as a fly, especially at night or in rain or both. In this picture, because of the downpour, the other bank can not be seen, just scary linked cement barges.

And the river view: down to the source (it does not get nicer any time of the year, just the water gets higher in rainy season):

Gee,

I'm on the river a couple times a day and never realised I was in such danger, navigating between the scary, collosal, linked cement barges that can smash the hotel's boat.

..and I thought I was enjoying myself.

Thanks for the help.

[think_too_mut]

1. Banyan Tree.

2. Shangri La (walking distance to Saphan Thaksin skytrain station)

Peninsula - good hotel but would never ever stay there. It's on the wrong side of the river, nightmare to get in and out. Traffic jams from hel_l.

Stayed 1 week at the Marriott on that side, did not set my foot out of the hotel. Those who did were treated to rice barge crossing over the muddy choppy river under torrential downpours (it was October). Waiting on the barge is also another story.

I live over there and other than rush hour, traffic is not an issue.

I can see Taksin Bridge and will take the boat if I see a traffic jam.

The boat is 5 minutes and leaves you exactly 100 steps to the Skytrain.

If you want the best city view, stay on the Peninsula side for sure.

Part of the joy of staying over there is the boat ride and not dealing with the Taxi jerks.

Let's give some peek preview for those who do not live there or have not been to BKK at all.

All pictures taken from the Marriott on the river.

Joy boat ride: imagine going through this, navigating between the collosal barges that can smash the hotel's one as a fly, especially at night or in rain or both. In this picture, because of the downpour, the other bank can not be seen, just scary linked cement barges.

And the river view: down to the source (it does not get nicer any time of the year, just the water gets higher in rainy season):

Gee,

I'm on the river a couple times a day and never realised I was in such danger, navigating between the scary, collosal, linked cement barges that can smash the hotel's boat.

..and I thought I was enjoying myself.

Thanks for the help.

You have no pictures of that serene environment? Please, share them with us.

[The Skipper]

You think too much...

Here is the menacing Chao Praya River and the vulnerable Rice Barges.

Better off in a Bangkok Taxi I suppose???

Edited December 1, 2006 by The Skipper

[think_too_mut]

You think too much...

Here is the menacing Chao Praya River and the vulnerable Rice Barges.

Better off in a Bangkok Taxi I suppose???

Nice, thanks.

Shangri La is in 3 of 4 pics. That's what I had in mind when recommending it over the Peninsula.

[JacknDanny]

You think too much...

Here is the menacing Chao Praya River and the vulnerable Rice Barges.

Better off in a Bangkok Taxi I suppose???

Nice photos Skipper

[The Skipper]

I stole the first two pictures, taken from the Peninsula. Nice view, eh?

Sure, the ShangriLa is swell, but you don't get that nice boat ride.

Crossing the River on the free Rice Barge and deposited at the Skytrain Steps was a bonus.

[JacknDanny]

I stole the first two pictures, taken from the Peninsula. Nice view, eh?

Sure, the ShangriLa is swell, but you don't get that nice boat ride.

Crossing the River on the free Rice Barge and deposited at the Skytrain Steps was a bonus.

I actually like to get the best of both worlds. Lunch at Shangri-La, then the free hotel boat to the Peninsula opposite, either afternoon high tea, or evening cocktails, then back to the Shangri- La via same boat, drive home........Perfect

[lampard10]

I got refused entry to the Vertigo in the Banyan Tree because I was wearing flip-flops. Next night, dressed in the correct attire, I was asmazed to be dining upstairs in the company of a party, all with shorts and flip-flops. Must have had more money than me