Bangkok Millenium v. Conrad?

[JohnK]

JK, FWIW a normal taxi 2600 from Hilton to Hilton Hua Hin, private "taxi" back 2000

Depends where you book.

It is ฿2,000 for a private car from BKK Airport or Hilton to anywhere in Hua Hin and ฿1,800 for the private car back to BKK or the airport and meter taxi at ฿1,500. I think most people would understand why it is cheaper going back to BKK.

Also it is ฿1,200 from BKK to Pattaya and ฿1,000 back but I prefer going back with meter taxi at ฿800.

 

[munitalP]

Depends where you book.

It is ฿2,000 for a private car from BKK Airport or Hilton to anywhere in Hua Hin and ฿1,800 for the private car back to BKK or the airport and meter taxi at ฿1,500. I think most people would understand why it is cheaper going back to BKK.

Also it is ฿1,200 from BKK to Pattaya and ฿1,000 back but I prefer going back with meter taxi at ฿800.

The 2600 was a random taxi that picked us up from Hilton to initially take us to train and he charged from his company printed destination cost list which he showed us with many destinations. $82 to do 220kms or thereabouts, I'm not complaining!

 

[marks]

Anyone use a private service to pickup from BKK to the Conrad? suggestions for family of 4?

Travelling with the family and got a 2-bd suite at the Conrad residences. Seemed a better option than 2 rooms and they had a great pool there. Plus HHG gets you free breakfast now (instead of extra points).
Plus there is a great bar/restaurant (Hyde and seek) around the corner.

Cheers.

 

[Danger]

I understand a taxi transfer to the Conrad from Suvarnabhumi is cheap but takes about minutes but it seems the train only takes 15 minutes to downtown.

I contacted the Conrad about transport options and they gave a number of options, including the train to Makason or Phayathai Station and then a taxi from there. The website they provided (Airport Rail Link) didn't seem very forthcoming with helpful information.

Has anybody done this train journey? Would the journey from the airport to one of these stations take about 15 minutes? I'm guessing it would only be another 10 or 15 minutes to the hotel from there. Any idea of approximate cost?

 

[JohnK]

Has anybody done this train journey? Would the journey from the airport to one of these stations take about 15 minutes? I'm guessing it would only be another 10 or 15 minutes to the hotel from there. Any idea of approximate cost?

I have done this journey from Suvarnabhumi a few times now and will be doing it again in the next couple of weeks.

Take the express from Suvarnabhumi to Phaya Thai and the train fare is 90 baht and by taxi from Phaya Thai to Conrad at a guess I would say ~100 baht.

If you are game change to the BTS at Phaya Thai and go 4 stops to Phloen Chit with train fare of 25 baht. The Conrad is within walking distance of Phloen Chit if you do not have too much luggage.

 

[ozmille]

I have done this journey from Suvarnabhumi a few times now and will be doing it again in the next couple of weeks.

Take the express from Suvarnabhumi to Phaya Thai and the train fare is 90 baht and by taxi from Phaya Thai to Conrad at a guess I would say ~100 baht.

If you are game change to the BTS at Phaya Thai and go 4 stops to Phloen Chit with train fare of 25 baht. The Conrad is within walking distance of Phloen Chit if you do not have too much luggage.

If you fancy waiting a bit there is also a Conrad Mini Bus which leaves from Phloen Chit station which stops on the Corner of Wireless Road

 

[JohnK]

If you fancy waiting a bit there is also a Conrad Mini Bus which leaves from Phloen Chit station which stops on the Corner of Wireless Road

Good idea.

I actually do not mind waiting in Thailand. Could not be a better spot in the world to wait.

 

[ozmille]

Good idea.

I actually do not mind waiting in Thailand. Could not be a better spot in the world to wait.

I agree 100%. I love the train now especially as you can see the traffic stuck on the highway. As I stay with a friend who lives on Soi Ruamrudee begind the Conrad I take the train to Phaya Thai then BTS to Phloen Chit and then walk a bit. After a long flight I like the walk.

 

[dajop]

If luggage is light,I agree train->BTS/Skytrain or train->MRT seems a reasonable option if hotels are close to either BTS or MRT. With heavy luggage BTS can be a bit of a nuisance. However not yet convinced of the merits of getting the airport train and then getting into a taxi. Often it's the congestion on the streets, or getting off the expressway(particularly around Sukhumvit) that takes the time, the first 20km of the trip from the airport seems to take 15-20mins the last 5km can take another 30-45mins! I am not sure if catching a taxi from Makassan or Phaya Thai necessarily solves that problem.

 

[marks]

I've just booked a week stay at the Conrad residences as HHG. Do they honour the free breakfast for 2 for Golds?

 

[Danger]

I have done this journey from Suvarnabhumi a few times now and will be doing it again in the next couple of weeks.

Take the express from Suvarnabhumi to Phaya Thai and the train fare is 90 baht and by taxi from Phaya Thai to Conrad at a guess I would say ~100 baht.

If you are game change to the BTS at Phaya Thai and go 4 stops to Phloen Chit with train fare of 25 baht. The Conrad is within walking distance of Phloen Chit if you do not have too much luggage.

You were almost spot-on the money.

My friend and I took your advice and took the express train to Phaya Thai for THB90 each for the 17 minute journey. From there, we took a taxi, who had no idea where the Conrad was. I should him a typed address but it was in English so probably not much help and he still had to make two calls to find out where to go. Despite the extra long journey, the taxi charge was only THB73. I've posted a lengthy report on Flyertalk, post 956 here.

 

[serfty]

... I've posted a lengthy report on Flyertalk, post 956 here.

Try this link:


Conrad Bangkok - Page 64 - FlyerTalk Forums

 

[Sprucegoose]

Millenium or Conrad? There is a fair amount of expression of strongly held views over on FT as to which is the better hotel but I am interested in any views of AFF members. I'm currently a HH Diamond any am interested in views on service, location, transport access, rooms, executive lounge, upgrades etc This will be for a 3 night stay in a few months. We usually stay at the IC but it's time to move on.

How did you get along? Some very definate opinions here.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[turtlemichael]

How did you get along? Some very definate opinions here.


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

Booked Millennium but not there for a while yet. Will report back.

 

[Sprucegoose]

. From there, we took a taxi, who had no idea where the Conrad was. I should him a typed address but it was in English so probably not much help and he still had to make two calls to find out where to go. Despite the extra long journey, the taxi charge was only THB73.

I always get it written locally if venturing out with the masses and get confirmation they know where they are going before the door shuts to minimize any opportunity that could arise out of that confusion


Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[JohnK]

Not that it would matter to most people but I stayed at Millenium Hilton a couple of weeks ago and the taxi fare from/to airport surprised me slightly.

The taxi fare from the airport was ~320baht + 50 baht + 65 baht tolls and the driver went via Sathorn after he advised us there was heavy traffic on the usual route.

The taxi fare back to the airport the next day was ~370 baht + 60 baht in tolls and there was hardly any traffic on the road.

Both times the journey was ~50kms so not a short journey and the drivers still doing >120km/hr. I don't like them going that fast and constantly tailgating the cars in front at that speed. Interesting drive from Airport-Hua Hin on my first night with heavy rain and the driver speeding and his phone ringing every 5 minutes and him answering it :shock:. Luckily I feel asleep half way through the journey.

Also interesting when using taxi to/from airport and a Thai person with you and the driver not dare quote fixed fare or try the stunt of negotiating a fare instead of turning on the meter. Did not even need to tell the driver to turn on the meter.

 

[serfty]

... Did not even need to tell the driver to turn on the meter.

QUOTE There are reports on FT that not all meters in Thailand are equal. :-|



Posted on a wing and a prayer ...

 

[meloz]

Also interesting when using taxi to/from airport and a Thai person with you and the driver not dare quote fixed fare or try the stunt of negotiating a fare instead of turning on the meter. Did not even need to tell the driver to turn on the meter.

I must look Thai because out of hundreds of taxi trips in Thailand I would estimate only 2% of the time the driver has tried a fixed fare instead of using the meter.

Meloz

 

[JohnK]

QUOTE There are reports on FT that not all meters in Thailand are equal. :-|

Wouldn't surprise me.

I must look Thai because out of hundreds of taxi trips in Thailand I would estimate only 2% of the time the driver has tried a fixed fare instead of using the meter.

And I cannot remember the last time I took a trip to/from the airport where the driver has willingly turned on the meter.

And almost impossible for them to turn on meter from old Don Muang airport to Quality Inn near airport which was a ~50baht-70baht trip and no more than ~10 minutes from airport.

It must be just me though as everyone in Thailand tries to rip me off.

Got the minibus recently from Hua Hin to Pattaya and my girlfriend bought the 400 baht ticket the day before and came to the station with me. When we got to the office the lady charged me an extra 400 baht for the golf clubs as they going to take up an extra seat. Rubbish as there were only 5 people going including me and the golf clubs went in the back.

Anyway got to South Pattaya which was not my final destination and the driver offered to take me to Tops Supermarket at Pattaya Klang for 200 baht! :shock: It costs 400 baht to go from Hua Hin to South Pattaya which is ~400 kms distance and he wanted 200 baht to take me another ~3 kms! :shock:

In the end I bartered him down to 100 baht but paid 150 baht. Yes I know this is peanuts for us but I hate the attitude that just because the farang is on holiday he is rich man and deserves to be cheated and extorted at every opportunity.

Thank the cashed up Russians in Pattaya for this type of extortion as they exclusively hire the tuk tuks and pay the asking rate. I have no hesitation what so ever to walk everywhere possible and if I did not have the golf clubs I would have walked.

 

[dajop]

OK so I don't why but the last 6 taxis I got into all put on their meters without fuss, and only one I had to point to meter. And coming back from Don Muang tonight I only had 500B, and the guy was even offering the exact change for the 170 +50 meter fare (although I did leave a tip after he offered exact change). Can't say as much for the extortionate AOT desk at BKK, which I have used for convenience/full complement of rear seat seat belts as not travelling solo. Sun night was 1900 return. Same return journey to same hotel on Mon night they wanted 2200 and wouldn't budge. Work paying, so really not an issue but it's the principle..