Updated 19/01/2010 THE BEST
VALUE HOTELS IN THAILAND (Bangkok, Samui,
Pattaya & Jomtien):
BAIYOKE
SKY (***+) : Taxi drivers
know the Baiyoke Sky as Baiyoke II (pronounce bayok song); we would rather
like to call it "Baiyoke plus". Plus compared with the neighbouring Baiyoke
Suite Hotel : with larger and more comfortable rooms and suites, superior
quality of service, We could enjoy altitude after being quickly lifted up to the very top of the tower, where three levels are already opened to the public. No need to be a hotel guest to visit the Observation Deck, on the 77th floor: tickets for this Bangkok leading attraction are on sale for as less as 100 THB (US$ 2.5). We recommend you should rather order some set lunch or dinner: much affordable for less than 10 US$ per person... including entrance to the deck ! Advantage of the second solution: the Baiyoke Sky Restaurant is perched on the78th floor. One step higher, for gastronomes looking for delicious Chinese cuisine, is the 79th floor Stella Palace: ideal to enjoy Dim Sums or aristocratic Shark Fins feeling like flying in the air. Out of the 310 rooms, most of the standard ones are sold out by tour operators. Which makes this nice hotel packed all year long: advance booking is much recommended. Businessmen will also like the Baiyoke Sky: its suites are the best value for money in Bangkok. We found accommodation in one of them: number 3508, on the 35th floor. With 75 Sq.m, it displayed a total comfort for executive travellers, or for a family. We enjoyed the large living room, with plenty of space for reception: a large armchair with remote leg rest incited to fair relaxation in front of the HI-FI stereo satellite TV set. In-room coffee and tea complimentary amenities were available, and there was a minibar with affordable drinks. A circular table allowed dining in the intimacy of the suite. A large window opened to the horizon, over the most bustling city in South East Asia. Great panorama from the bedroom, also: falling fast asleep after observing Bangkok by night from under fine sheets is a splendid experience, only the Baiyoke Sky guests can live. Bathrooms are large: more than four star, indeed. Just like in a old style palace hotel, there is a closet for luggage and clothes. The pool is beautiful, though small; which is not such an inconvenience, when most of the guests are touring away from dawn to sunset. When businessmen will like to make reservation there -and they will do sooner- they will also need to develop a decent fitness center. Out of the comfort of the hotel, and the pleasure we had to stay in a real landmark, what impressed us in the Baiyoke Sky was indeed the service. More than fair; we found it dedicated. Smiles were not for sale: they were authentic, and warmed up the somehow pharaonic design of the public areas. For approximately THB 2,900 (US$
71) per night in a huge suite, and less than 2,000 in a deluxe room, this
is a best traveller's choice in the whole heart of Bangkok.
BAIYOKE
SKY: 222, Rajprarop Rd, Rajthevee, Bangkok 10400
BANGKOK
PALACE HOTEL (***): With
such a strategic location, mid-way between the Pratunam Market and the
World Trade Center, in The service went little bit down since the French group Accor passed the hotel away to a Thai management, working like a hard discounter. Therefore, we were surprised to receive a spacious "Deluxe Room", on the Executive Floor, for less than $60, including a correct continental breakfast. Of course, there is a pool, Jacuzzi, brand new fitness centre, and sauna. You will find a pleasant, animated "Lobby Lounge & Bar". Though not the
most romantic address in town, it remains one of the best value large hotels
in Bangkok.
BANGKOK
PALACE HOTEL: City Square: 1091/336 New Petchburi Rd, Bangkok 10400
TAI-PAN
(***): Definitely one of the best value boutique
hotel in town, the Tai-Pan is first of all highly praised for its great
location : one of the most enjoyable in the Sukhumvit area, and still one
of the most quiet. The hotel stays in an elegant residential lane, a few
meters away from the nicest By night, the atmosphere becomes frantic : the legendary "Soi Cow Boy", its go-go clubs, bars and seafood restaurants, welcome the expats who know that "leisure" here are cheaper, better, and much more friendly than along the touristy Patpong Road . The wise guests will discover that place with much pleasure, and mix with expats, catching useful travel tips from them. Actually, it should be easy for the management of this privileged hotel to take profit out of its fame to neglect all the rest : service, rooms, and F&B ; on the contrary, the place is professionally run. The 150 rooms and suites are huge, permanently refurbished, extremely clean, with a very elegant decoration mixing mahogany with nicely designed fabrics. It will approximately cost you THB 1,800 (circa USD 50) per night, only ! Tai-Pan also means, even for outsiders, the best buffet lunch in the whole area; and one of the cheapest, where great food will cost you approximately less than THB 200 (USD 5,5). This is the only buffet lunch animated by a pianist ! Of course there is a swimming pool, but also a ‘Fitness Center’ with brand new tools for an efficient work-out, a sauna , aerobics, and a traditional massage parlour (by very gifted & diplomed staff; for hawky-panky ‘oil massage’, just try Soi Cow Boy !). Whenever you would like to travel to Singapore, Vientiane or Ho Chi Minh (Saigon), the same group of hotels owns some nice properties in the three capital cities / you may book from here for the most reasonable rate. Warmly recommended. TAI-PAN
: 25, Sukhumvit Soi 23, Bangkok 10110
WOODLANDS
INN (***): This first
class budget hotel located in the heart of downtown Bangkok will fulfil
the requirement of our budget minded readers, looking for a great location
in the very heart of Bangkok: with shopping, business and entertainment
centres within walking Established in 1995, the Woodlands Inn is a first class budget hotel, consisting of 75 very comfortable rooms. There are actually two categories of accommodation. The Deluxe and the Economy rooms: the first category is still very much affordable, with VIP Rooms for approximately USD 25 per night, and single for USD 15. A double would cost USD 18 only. Economy rooms are about USD 10/12,5: depending if you take single or double. Which is extremely cheap in Bangkok: moreover in this area. All room rates are net, and include American breakfast. The Woodlands Inn offers very good value for money packages, which would make the stay even more affordable. All major credit cards are accepted. Four star facilities are available: like IDD telephone in the room. Guests can also send and receive facsimile, surf the Internet, or use the round the clock room service (few budget hotels would offer such a convenience). There is also a cheap laundry and dry cleaning, baby sitter, hotel taxi and tours in and out of Bangkok with the hotel taxi or a larger van. The airport pick up and send-off service is very convenient: both for who comes to Bangkok for the first time, and for the busy businessmen who like to stay in this quiet hotel with a family atmosphere. Everybody will enjoy the warm and friendly service of the South Indian management team: with proficient Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Hindi, Urdu, Thai and English speaking trained staff. The hotel is a favourite for the
Indian businessmen, very much involved in trade with Thailand. Tourists
from all around the world like to mix with them at The Woodlands Indian
Restaurant: very popular in town, it has various Indian and Thai dishes
to satisfy all tastes. Including vegetarian meals. Lunch set menu starts
at THB 60 and dinner at THB 100: which makes approximately USD 1.5/2.5,
only!
WOODLANDS
INN: 1158/5-7 Charoen Krung 32 Road, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500
This is a Grupo Sol hotel . SOL TWIN
TOWERS: 88, New Rama IV Rd, Rong Muang, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330
BAIYOKE SUITE (***): Like or not the impressive architecture of this sky-scrapper, the Baiyoke is extremely popular among tourists from all over the world. Why? Because this is a cheap, comfortable, and family oriented hotel, with huge and recently refurbished suites they charge for the price of a reclusive room anywhere else in Bangkok. There is a pool (too small for so many guests), a massage parlour, and a very good restaurant on the top floor of this43 storey building: there you will get the cheapest and highest "panoramic dinner" in town. This is a Best Western hotel. BAIYOKE
SUITE: 130 Rajprarop Rd, Phayathai,Bangkok 10400,
SAMUI:
We found Le Chablis a perfect first class though cheap favourite lodging in Samui. Not only for its comfort; but also for all those facilities offered to the guests for a most affordable price. Its Thai restaurant, intimate and friendly, is reputed all over Chaweng beach area. This is also the place to enjoy European snacks -including some French meal- with a glass of fine wine. If you don't drink their beloved Chablis, let's try some chilled and not expensive Australian wine. Some are quite palatable, and suit well the tropical weather. Le Chablis is considered the place for wine on the island: it has its private Wine Bar. Moreover, the hotel offers a very suitable new service offering package and tailor made tours: elephant trekking, swimming at Na Muang waterfalls or untouched Anghtong National Reserve islands, scuba diving, jet skis, para sailing, or visits to monkeys working picking coconuts ... everything can be organised a most serious and money saving way by the friendly hotel staff. Good value for money rates vary according to the season. A 1 room apartment would cost between THB 1,190 and 2,190 per night. A large 2 rooms apartment is about THB 2,190-4,290. Including taxes and breakfast. Special rate is applicable for long stays. Transfer from / to airport (10 minutes from the hotel) is free of charge. Warmly recommended.
LE
CHABLIS: 119/22 Moo 2, Tambon Bophut, Chaweng Beach Road, 84320 Koh
Samui
CHOLCHAN
PATTAYA RESORT (***+): Away from the
noisy, crowded and therefore polluted North Pattaya area, but still part
of the most famous resort in all SE Asia, the former Mercure Pattaya tends
to be one of the very best value four star hotel in town. This is also
the most family More than 50% of the 540 rooms and suites are "Seaview": huge, light, comfortable, designed with good taste and simplicity, they are all equipped with minibar and cable TV. Very beautiful landscaped swimming pool, and well-equipped fitness club: this is all complimentary, except sauna and massages. Guests dont use that much the beach, though it is cleaned up every hour, with a water reported to be much clearer than in South Pattaya (never swim in South Pattaya, by the way !). The brand new property still need many years to be spoiled by both time and severe tropical weather: contrary to many hotels all around, everything here remains immaculate, cleaner than the cleanest Swiss clinic. Like in its Bangkok sister hotel the Bangkok Palace, the service is anticipating, smiling, and actually friendly. We found here the real Thai hospitality. There is a complimentary transfer, by air-conditioned shuttle bus, between this Paradise and the Hell of South Pattaya: the contrast is amazing. Though standard rates are about
THB3000 (USD90) per night, cost may be reduced by 50% -at least !- if guests
book on a package. This is one of the most popular hotels in the district,
and advanced booking is kindly suggested.
CHOLCHAN
PATTAYA RESORT: 19 Moo 1,
Tambon Nagulea, Amphur Banglamung, Pattaya, Chonburi 20150
PINEWOOD CONDO HOTEL (***+): Located in the entertaining heart of Pattaya, this is one of the most popular hotels in town. With the Pattaya Bay sand beach, best shopping, restaurants and cafes accessible by a short walk, this is the perfect place to drop one's luggage.
The pool is superb. Very tropical, indeed, and large enough for a pleasant swim after a good sauna. Breakfast is served in such a great environment: at the poolside restaurant, which is also an extremely romantic place for dinner prepared according to international standards of a four star hotel. Whose who prefer to eat in the intimacy of their room can buy goods at the Minimart: without even leaving the hotel. Among the multiple facilities of the Pinewood Condo Hotel are a laundry, a reliable baby-sitting service, and a well fitted business-centre with secretarial assistance and internet facilities. There is a parking, and a shuttle service to and from Bangkok and U-Tapao Airports. Last but not least, rates are very attractive. The Pinewood Condo Hotel is a member of NEO Corporation Singapore. A very lovely place to enjoy Pattaya. PINEWOOD
CONDO HOTEL: 78/3 Moo 9, Second Road, 20260 Pattaya
|
and
with its 309 meters making it the tallest hotel in South East Asia. Over
passing the Westin in Singapore. Brochures and inscription by the entrance
gate still spam this is the "World's tallest hotel"; which was true, before
megalomaniac Red Chinese most recently built a higher one in Shanghai !
the
working heart of downtown, and with its 650 large and comfortable rooms,
the three star Bangkok Palace Hotel remains one of the best value for money
in Bangkok.
shopping
arcades in Thailand.
distance.
Only 500 meters away from the famous Chao Praya River, and 1.5 kilometres
away from the Central Railway Station.
Le
Chablis offers an unmatched mixture of European quality and style in the
warm tropical paradise island of Koh Samui. Just like the regular guests,
among who lots of expats living in Thailand and staying there by personal
recommendation, the distinctive traveller will love the place at first
sight. The 16 immaculate 1 or 2 rooms apartments are top comfortable: quiet
and safe, with nice rattan furniture, they come full equipped with air-conditioning
& fan, satellite TV, DVD player (with more than 100 films available
for rent), individual computer with high speed Internet connection, mini-bar,
hot water, IDD telephone, and private balcony. Guests who prefer to relax
on a poolside will receive private access to the pool, Jacuzzi and other
attractive facilities at the Corto Maltese Resort next to the hotel.
oriented,
and the one of the most friendly indeed.
The
family oriented Pinewood Condo Hotel offers 102 very comfortable rooms
and suites, generously sized from 48 up to 110 sq.m From the intimate standard
rooms till the two-room studios or the great three-room Penthouse
-one of the most luxurious in Pattaya, with private sauna and Jacuzzi-
accommodation meets the highest expectation. Designed in a lovely Thai
concept, with a generous use of tropical wood furniture and nice fabrics,
all rooms are fully equipped with cable TV, IDD telephone and, we found
it clever for long stay, a very useful kitchenette with refrigerator
and cooking facilities.
