I LOVE Bangkok - IMHO it's a fantastic city that I thoroughly enjoy spending time in. Actually I LOVE Thailand as a whole - beautiful people, fantastic food, a real cultural experience.
We've stayed in a number of hotels over the years, but would recommend either Novotel Ploen Chit (Executive Room - which will allow Club Access) or Le Bua @ State Tower (if budget allows, a Tower Club Room which will allow access to the Club offering drinks (alcoholic & non alcoholic) lunch & high tea from 8am-6pm). Location wise we prefer the Novotel, but the Le Bua experience is worth it (restaurants are expensive, but Breeze is awesome - as is the Sky Bar on the 64th floor). If you do go to Breeze a must have are the Tempura Prawns with Wasabi Mayo.....mmmmm.
Definitely agree with a couple of the comments re scams. Tuk tuks are notorious for this (love the usual line of 'I have to take you to the jewellery store as it pays for my petrol'). If this happens, politely ask the driver to stop, pay him and get out - there will be plenty of other tuk tuks to take you where you want to go. Do not let the driver take you to these stores as it's not that easy to get out without buying something. You will also need to be prepared that you will be approached in the street by people who will insist that the attraction/temple/palace that you're planning on visiting is closed (for renovation/holiday) and that they can 'help' you with alternatives. Stick with your plan, be polite and say that you will see for yourself. Regardless of how many times we've visited Bangkok, we always have the same experience, however if you are polite (this is essential) but firm, they will move on.
We took the boat along the Chao Praya River - hop on, hop off pass for the day - wonderful. Saw so much of BKK by river and allowed us the opportunity to get on / off along the way to see the sights.
If you're looking for a tour guide, we can definitely recommend Tour withTong (tourwithtong.com). She and her team are fantastic tour guides and will tailor a tour specifically for you. It will cost a little more than a group tour, but can highly recommend it - it's really worth the extra cost. We have used Tong's services about 4 times now (mainly to head out of BKK), and have never been disappointed. One thing to note with Tong is that she is a little hard to get hold of. Persist however, as it's definitely an experience that you will never forget - for all the right reasons and you will cover more than you expect.
When you leave your hotel, make sure you have a hotel business card with the name/address written in Thai. This will make you life so much easier when trying to make your way back home.
If you get the opportunity, try Steve Cafe & Cuisine (stevecafeandcuisine.com). They have 2 restaurants (one along the river (which we haven't tried yet but believe you can access quite easily off the boat), and one in town (Phayathia) - our favourite. This is a fabulous restaurant and well worth a visit you have the time.
You can easily get to your hotel using a taxi from the airport - and it's cheaper than booking a transfer. The taxis from the airport are metered so you shouldn't have a problem - we haven't to date. Taxis should have a rate sheet, but I would also ask how much it should be at the taxi desk (which you will find outside of the airport near the taxi rank - it's not inside) when you're advising where you want to go. Make sure the meter is turned on! Being first time though, you may wish to use a transfer and Tong can arrange this also.
A couple of Thai phrases are also worthwhile - Sawasdee Kaa (for ladies) and Sawasdee Khub (for men) is a good start - it's a polite way of saying hello. Khorb Khun Kaa (for ladies) and Khorb Khun Khub (for men) is thank you in Thai.
Hope you have a fantastic time and if you would like any further specifics, please feel free to PM me.
Cheers, Suz
We've stayed in a number of hotels over the years, but would recommend either Novotel Ploen Chit (Executive Room - which will allow Club Access) or Le Bua @ State Tower (if budget allows, a Tower Club Room which will allow access to the Club offering drinks (alcoholic & non alcoholic) lunch & high tea from 8am-6pm). Location wise we prefer the Novotel, but the Le Bua experience is worth it (restaurants are expensive, but Breeze is awesome - as is the Sky Bar on the 64th floor). If you do go to Breeze a must have are the Tempura Prawns with Wasabi Mayo.....mmmmm.
Definitely agree with a couple of the comments re scams. Tuk tuks are notorious for this (love the usual line of 'I have to take you to the jewellery store as it pays for my petrol'). If this happens, politely ask the driver to stop, pay him and get out - there will be plenty of other tuk tuks to take you where you want to go. Do not let the driver take you to these stores as it's not that easy to get out without buying something. You will also need to be prepared that you will be approached in the street by people who will insist that the attraction/temple/palace that you're planning on visiting is closed (for renovation/holiday) and that they can 'help' you with alternatives. Stick with your plan, be polite and say that you will see for yourself. Regardless of how many times we've visited Bangkok, we always have the same experience, however if you are polite (this is essential) but firm, they will move on.
We took the boat along the Chao Praya River - hop on, hop off pass for the day - wonderful. Saw so much of BKK by river and allowed us the opportunity to get on / off along the way to see the sights.
If you're looking for a tour guide, we can definitely recommend Tour withTong (tourwithtong.com). She and her team are fantastic tour guides and will tailor a tour specifically for you. It will cost a little more than a group tour, but can highly recommend it - it's really worth the extra cost. We have used Tong's services about 4 times now (mainly to head out of BKK), and have never been disappointed. One thing to note with Tong is that she is a little hard to get hold of. Persist however, as it's definitely an experience that you will never forget - for all the right reasons and you will cover more than you expect.
When you leave your hotel, make sure you have a hotel business card with the name/address written in Thai. This will make you life so much easier when trying to make your way back home.
If you get the opportunity, try Steve Cafe & Cuisine (stevecafeandcuisine.com). They have 2 restaurants (one along the river (which we haven't tried yet but believe you can access quite easily off the boat), and one in town (Phayathia) - our favourite. This is a fabulous restaurant and well worth a visit you have the time.
You can easily get to your hotel using a taxi from the airport - and it's cheaper than booking a transfer. The taxis from the airport are metered so you shouldn't have a problem - we haven't to date. Taxis should have a rate sheet, but I would also ask how much it should be at the taxi desk (which you will find outside of the airport near the taxi rank - it's not inside) when you're advising where you want to go. Make sure the meter is turned on! Being first time though, you may wish to use a transfer and Tong can arrange this also.
A couple of Thai phrases are also worthwhile - Sawasdee Kaa (for ladies) and Sawasdee Khub (for men) is a good start - it's a polite way of saying hello. Khorb Khun Kaa (for ladies) and Khorb Khun Khub (for men) is thank you in Thai.
Hope you have a fantastic time and if you would like any further specifics, please feel free to PM me.
Cheers, Suz
