mikel

Maybe an Aussie rule. Here, the taxes and fees are additional on Agoda, but included on Booking.

Was bumped off Qantas just after covid and given a seat on Singapore (Syd-LHR). Thought it was a good deal but ended up with the same experience. Perhaps Singapore are solely focused on the front end of the plane these days.

With my frequent visits to Thailand to see the temples and eat street food (*cough*) it has made sense for me to sign up to the Accor+ program as it more than pays for itself. One of the main benefits is the free nights offer and I used this recently to stay at the Sofitel.
I usually stay in mid-level hotels like the Mercure on Soi 11 and the Holiday Inn Express in Pattaya but often like a nicer hotel to finish my trip when the rates are good in the off-season. My usual go-to is the Hyatt Regency which I very much like, and this was my first time at the Sofitel where I spent 4-nights. I booked a 'luxury' room with club access so I could compare it to the Hyatt, but I was upgraded to a junior suite which makes it an unfair to compare rooms.
What I will say is that the size of the bed, its comfort and the quality of the bedding is on par with the Hyatt. The bathroom amenities are similar as is the quality and responsiveness of the cleaning services. The main difference was the rooftop bar area, lounge, gym, and overall quality of service.
Spectrum at the Hyatt is a more 'showy' place, it's got spectacular views and its where tourist like to visit for the skyline and the vibe. Belga at the Sofitel is really an outside terrace and lower key with a discreet service sort of vibe. I've taken LB guests to both and they enjoyed it and the staff treated them with respect. Also, you can get a 30% discount on food and drink at Sofitel with Accor+ which is a good benefit. I have been given a couple of free drink vouchers at the Hyatt but not always. The lounge at the Hyatt is small and can get busy, but the lounge at the Sofitel is one can get lost in and takes up an entire floor, but most people congregate near the food area. Food and drink offerings are broadly on par, maybe the wine is better at the Sofitel The gym at both hotels are good, but the Sofitel is far better for my needs. Unfortunately the pool at the Sofitel was closed for refurbishment so can't compare those. Service standards are very good at both hotels, but I would put Sofitel ahead here. Its just that bit more attentive and personalised. You can also walk direct from Nana BTS to the Hyatt under the covered skywalk, and from Asok to the Sofitel using the footbridge but the Sofitel access is covered all the way so you won't get caught out if its raining (although not sure if that access is 24/7). I will still be using Hyatt as part of my points collection strategy and to maintain my current status but the main driver when deciding between either will be the cost, including club access. Hyatt is usually cheaper but using Accor+ benefits and reward points can balance this out.  Overall, both are very good hotels that you can spend all day in especially if you have lounge access, and of course its very guest friendly! It's a case of give each one a try and see which one gives you the best value. Either way I don't think you will go to far wrong if you want a better standard of accommodation near the action.

Stuck in Bangkok?

Stuck in Bangkok?

When I by glasses for me and the Mrs they try the same hard sell. I just say no. Hers usually cost 9k, reading only. Mine were 13k for reading at different distances for work. I wouldn't say you were ripped off but you paid for a fully loaded package with expensive frames I would guess.
Back on the subject of dentistry,  I am now half way through having my teeth realignment with Invisalign trays. Cost of treatment 100k, equivalent price back home in the UK would probably be slightly more than double that. Dental work here is top class and cheap compared to most of our home countries. 

If anyone is currently visiting Bangkok and would like to take advantage of the refreshing cooler weather to go exploring BKK in the daytime this might be a good option.
The Song Wat festival is running over the next 3 days from 11.00-21.00 but the bars will be busy after that of course. This is a perfect opportunity to explore what has to be the coolest part of Bangkok right now.
To get to Song Wat you just need to either catch the MRT to Wat Mangkon and walk 5 mins through Yaowarat or get off a boat at Ratchawong pier and that drops you just a few steps from Song Wat Road.
Here's the location of one of the good bars in the middle of this neighborhood just in case you want to find your way there. https://maps.app.goo.gl/9nPenexAGgyBQHx47
The Song Wat neighbourhood is a small area between Chinatown/Yaowarat and the river. It has an interesting blend of attractive buildings mixed with street art and funky galleries spilling out onto the streets. Exploring this neighborhood on foot can be very rewarding with hidden surprises down nearly all the back alleys so it can easily take an afternoon. It's one of the most beautiful and interesting parts of the city, definitely somewhere that would appeal to any photographers out there too as there's a lot to see.
There are so many excellent food options and some very funky bars in Song Wat but rather than give an extensive list right now I'd just suggest going to the festival and eating or drinking wherever appeals as it's all likely to be good and you might just prefer to enjoy what's happening on the streets for the festival at the time you're there. However I would recommend sitting at one of the riverside bars such as Barbon at sunset to enjoy the beautiful views if you're visiting for a first time.
If any of you do decide to pay a visit to Song Wat over the next few days for the festival please feel free to message me for any specific recommendations as I know the area very well, it's one of my favourite parts of Bangkok.
Edit:
One more thing, this would make an excellent place to go with a LB date and make her happy, even if she doesn't know the place herself she'll recognise bits from her social media. Unfortunately that means she'll also inevitably want a lot of pictures taken in the same places but that would keep any LB happy as would all the excellent food in the area and it's an easy way to have a day out together. It's not an expensive option either.

I went there for breakfast on an early visit. Dressed smart and took a guide book to look like a tourist - not a sex tourist (although staying at Majestic Grande and just farewells a LT NEP lb). Was given a grilling by the mamasan before allowed in. Interesting place. Great breakfast. The swimming pool was originally a snake pit where the German founder collected venom.
 

I went there for breakfast on an early visit. Dressed smart and took a guide book to look like a tourist - not a sex tourist (although staying at Majestic Grande and just farewells a LT NEP lb). Was given a grilling by the mamasan before allowed in. Interesting place. Great breakfast. The swimming pool was originally a snake pit where the German founder collected venom.
 

Oh I get it from the movie Mean Streets, just before the fantastic poolhall fight where chaos erupts and nobody can really fight well.
 
 
I'm hoping that the Speed Pool event this weekend is at least slightly less chaotic when any girls don't win the 10k @MarkSussex .
 

Yeah the worst food in Bangkok is hands down in Sukhumvit. And you mooks who go on about DET 5 being great, well....I'll keep my mouth shut.

Pretty hard to NOT find great food st all price points outside of Suk especially in places like Thonglor Ekkamai Sathorn and Silom which are just on the perimeter.

I've not stayed at Sofitel but have stayed at Hyatt Regency many times. It is my preferred hotel in Bangkok. I am a loyal Hyatt member so prefer to stay at a Hyatt (there are now 5 Hyatt's in Bangkok - 2 Hyatt Places Soi 1 and Soi 24, Grand Hyatt near Chit Lom BTS, a Park Hyatt near Ploen Chit BTS and the Hyatt Regency) I've stayed at them all except for the new Hyatt Place on Soi 1. Hyatt Regency is my pick. Probably comparable prices to the Sofitel which is only 100 meters away. Both Hyatt Regency and Sofitel excellent location for access to the LB Triangle - 270 meters to CIB, 500 meters to Cindys (take the short cut down Soi 13 and thru Ambassador Hotel to get to Soi 11) and 650 meters to Why Not (take short cut through Soi 8 - Soi 6 then onto Soi 4).
I've had the buffet breakfast at Hyatt Regency which is excellent but I've not tried lunch or dinner in that restaurant (have heard good things) but there are some excellent restaurants right next to the Hyatt - highly rated Korean BBQ within the Hyatt complex - undercover to get there, Margeritta Storm right next door (open 24 hours) and plenty more walking distance in Soi 13 and Soi 11.  Room service food is very good and is delivered in under 30 minutes.
There is also the very cool rooftop bar at Hyatt - Spectrum Lounge with awesome views which you pay for in the drinks and food. I highly recommend paying for the Club Lounge if you don't get it as part of your membership. I prefer breakfast there, coffee/tea, snacks all day long and evening canapes (drinks and snacks) make up for the price of access. The food is very good, enough to make a meal of it! The staff don't hold back in serving drinks.They know me well and bring me my next beer before I finished my last and right at end of the happy hour at 7.30pm they bring me 2 beers.
From Hyatt you can walk undercover to get to Nana BTS. There are escalators at Hyatt which takes you up to the skybridge to get to Nana BTS. 
And most importantly, very much guest friendly. Very easy to glide through the reception area to get to the elevators to get to the lifts with your guest/s. I've never been stopped to ask for ID for my 'friend'.
I've stayed a few times in rainy season and I always grab there large umbrellas from reception area incase it rains, most of which I leave at Cindy's or CIB if not raining when I leave.

Yesterday evening I organized a business dinner with some customers, and went to Monkey Pod restaurant on the corner of soi11 and soi 13.
Magnificent old Thai style wooden house (one of the only ones left in the area). 
Incredible service and wonderful setting inside the restaurant, pure luxury but very classy.
We went for the discovery menu an 8 course thai style dinner (2200thb/person) 
The food is just incredible, thai style but on an exceptional level, lots of traditional Thai dishes with a gastronomic twitch that enhances the traditional Thai flavours even more.
Huge cocktail list with exotic and dared cocktails (i went for a Rhum based cocktail, with kafir lime, lemongrass and ginger), we paired the food with 2 bottles of Gewürzstraminer (Hugel), which is a slightly sweet and spicy wine that works wonderfully well with thai food.
Per menu every body could choose his own level of spicyness he wanted, so no surprises there for those who want it a bit softer in taste.
all in all an excellent choice if you want to go for fine dining in a nice setting and still be able to hit the streets afterwards.
We ended the business part with a couple of pisco sours in Above11 and closed down the business part around half past midnight. After waving my customers out, I finished a very nice evening at cindy's (300m walk)
if you want to have some culinary experience with some friends or a romantic dinner with one of your sweethearts, this is an excellent place to go.
I should warn that if you wanted to take a Ladyboy friend out there, you have to make sure it is somebody that can appreciate a high quality meal. The advantage however is that it is thai food and Thai flavour so they most probably will like it.
There is a dresscode, but just the obvious one, no flip flops, no tank tops, and I would suggest your girl not to wear bikini's
Not for everyday, but worth it for a special occasion or if you want to give yourself a treat.
 
 
 
 
 

This saturday was a full business day, had people from vietnam and Holland and for lunch we invited one of our Thai partners.
We went to the Goji buffet in the Mariott Marquis on soi 22.
Not the cheapest (1900THB/p) but value for money.
A huge buffet but with outstanding quality food, Western, Japanese, Thai etc..
- yellowfin and red tuna sashimi of the best quality- and huge selection of other Japanese delights
- 3 different cuts of Wagyu beef
- selection of top shelf cond cuts and European cheeses like prosciutto, stilton, real brie de Meaux, chorizo, etc...
- instant diabetes dessert buffet
we spent a pleasurable 3 hours eating way too much (still had dinner appointment at 8PM) 
Good place for a weekend brunch/lunch with friends 
Like I said, not cheap but very good value for money!
As it is buffet style, maybe not the best idea for a romantic date, but excellent if you are with some friends or family.
 
 

I've stayed at both Landmark and Adelphi. I always preferred the Landmark.

You can ignore my wrench but.... I have a new great discovery which I love much more than either.

A Premium Executive Suite at the Samala Hotel on Soi 15. It's 2 years new.

651 euros

Incl. Breakfast for 2 - the restaurant is excellent
35 sq. Meter room
Request view of the pool
Quiet building. Great restaurants around. Short walk to Soi 11

Very guest friendly and no walk by the concierge desk as it's rather removed.

https://www.samalahotelbangkok.com/

The restaurant offers authentic Korean cuisine at affordable prices and attracts both locals and expats. Guests can grill their own meat at the table or have it prepared by the chefs. Particularly noteworthy are the diverse and unlimited refillable side dishes. A culinary experience!
32/1 Soi Sukhumvit 39 Bangkok

Horsamut Bangkok - A must for lovers of Thai cuisine! The restaurant combines traditional recipes with high-quality, sustainably sourced ingredients and focuses on fine dining. A highlight is the stylish atmosphere with a view of Wat Arun, perfect for a relaxed dinner with a special flair. If you are looking for authentic flavors in a modern ambience, this is the place for you!



IMG_2138.mov

I've used Bangkok International Dental Centre several times and always pleased with the result (and cost...also from Sydney so I understand your pain). My lb 'gf' always chided me that it was ek-pensive - it is aimed at farang - but to me it was reasonable and honest.

I can see why this place is a favourite for BM's, it is £100 a night which is good value although there are others priced less that are still excellent. I was given a room on the 12th floor at the front, it was a lovely view across the City. The staff were tremendous, on checking out the girl came out to the front and waited with me until the taxi arrived, she didn't need to but it was noted by me and appreciated. The room itself was a good size with a nice armchair and foot stool and a desk and counter area. The bed was very comfy and I heard zero noise from outside.The bathroom was adequate, a simple shower hose attachment that in the holder gives a difficult angle but a bit of fiddling makes it manageable, no bath tub but for me I probably wouldn't use one anyway
My one gripe is that the lighting is not great and that hunting all the switches can be a faff. I will definitely return and I reccommend booking through Agoda.
 

Backstory
Nan, who works at WN04, was off last Thursday and wanted to go out. When asked where did she fancy she replied: burgers, KFC or pizza! There is no pretence about Nan!
I'm not a fan of fast food and so pizza seemed like the best option.
Ordering pizza in BKK is like the proverbial 'game of two halves'. There is the mass market version, much beloved by the locals, which IMHO is a gooey mess of dough, stodge, oil and cheap cheese, all topped off with Ketchup!
However, BKK also does boast some very good pizzerias and one of my favourites is Vesuvio.
Vesuvio
This Italian owned pizzeria serves authentic wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizza. There are no stodgy thick crusts to be found here!
It is a small place, which maybe seats 15 inside and another 15 outside, so you need to be mindful of this when you visit. We were there just after 20.30 on a Thursday night, so the evening rush was over and there were free tables inside. 
It is quite easy to find. When walking into Soi 8 from Sukhumvit Road, it is located down the first side alley on the right hand side of Soi 8. About 30 metres in on the left hand side and there it is, bang opposite a very gaudy looking bar.
The menu is to be expected and has all of the usual antipasti and salads etc. The choice of pizzas is extensive and there is one for every taste, even Hawaiian! 
The Italian mixed platter as a starter looked very appetising and the Roman tourist sitting next to us rated it highly. A good sign for an 'ethnic' restaurant is if they attract visitors from their own country and it is very commonplace to find diners from the 'old country' eating at Vesuvio.
Nan went with the seafood pizza and I chose the ham and mushroom, because I am boring.
Both pizzas came out within about 15-20 minutes and they are large! This is why I skipped the starter. The look on Nan's face was priceless as she was more used to the smaller sized circles of dough served up by Pizza Hut etc.
To be fair to Nan, who normally has a sparrow-like appetite, she managed to finish off half of hers and had the waitress wrap up the other half to take back to WN04. She claimed she was going to give it to Tew, who had a bad month, but who knows?
I then persuaded her to try the tiramisu, which I knew she would enjoy. That was demolished and so was a great suggestion!
Summary
A great place for authentic pizza. Most of the pizzas started at THB 370, although they have a lunch time special that runs until 15.00 where you can get 2 for THB 650. 
I try to visit there once a quarter and it has always been consistent. It was Nan's first ever visit and she enjoyed it very much.
The quality of ingredients is very good and you can tell that the owner runs a tight ship in terms of standards.
Service was very efficient and friendly, with 3 waitresses.
The atmosphere is not what you would describe as romantic, like some trattoria-style restaurants, as it is too small for that. We were there for about an hour.
All of the customers were farangs, including Italians, Brits and some Scandis.
I would certainly recommend Vesuvio if you want that pizza fix and it is open for lunch and closes at 22.30.
Nan's Pizza - Plenty of Seafood Toppings

Nans Pizza again, but also a view of my ham and mushroom pizza

The Bottom Line - I thought it was very reasonable for quality food

Special Bonus Photo - Nan's Mai Tai at the bar we went to afterwards (the first of many cocktails!)

Ciao
SAG
 

I had a good deal on this hotel when I booked early, about a 20% discount compared to the other Marriot hotels that I stay in. It is of course in a great location, especially to CIB and an easy walk to Cindy's too. The room was spacious with a good layout, the bed and the bedding very comfortable (and a good size for company) with decent storage and a desk area too. No additional sofa like you find at the Mercure on Soi 11 though.
The bathroom had a bath but nothing supplied to add to it, the shower was small and awkward to get into and with a fixed head which was annoying. The sink plug didn't work either. The gym was basic, but not the worst (dumbells only and up to 50lbs) and the swimming pool small. I didn't bother with breakfast or go to the bar. It does have a good cut through out the back to Asok station which was useful.
Overall, I think this is a pretty average hotel for the price and compared to other (comparable) Marriot hotels. I didn't really take advantage of the location to bring LBs back (only twice) so others might value the location more, but I think you can get better value elsewhere. I won't be back and will stick with Phrom Phong or Chit Lom in the future.

I have stayed at Citadines, in Sukhumvit Soi 8 for over 6 weeks, in two visits during August and September. So let me give you a small review.
Reception: very friendly and helpful. Check in around 11am both times no problem (although official check in starts at 2pm). From 7am to 6pm there is a coffee machine where you can get a coffee/cappuccino, free of charge. Check-out (before noon) was without a problem. The hotel is guest friendly, even when taking two girls at the same time. A few days (when I went in relative early), girls had to hand over ID at reception. Most of the times, they didn't bother at all.
Room: similar to the one in attached picture (pictures are snatched from the web). Only difference is view out of window, which for me a brick wall from the building next door   But they are spacious enough with a small kitchenette (only used for making coffee though). The couch is just to narrow to stretch you legs when sitting on it (at least when you're over 1.85m, not really convenient. The bed and pillows are perfect, and same for the shower. Too bad bumgun was leaking, so bathroom floor was wet all the time. Daily cleaning of bed sheets and room and additional towels was okay. Water is supplied as much as needed. On request: smoking rooms are available (inside, no balcony).
Swimming pool: I added the picture from the web. Didn't visit a single time during my stays 
Breakfast: you get vouchers, which you have to bring every morning. Inside there are basically two small tables and 1 bigger table (where groups or multiple individuals can sat down). Outside terrace has plenty of space to sit down. The coffee is good. The food is below average. Some cereal with milk, some yogurt and some hot food which never looked appealing to me. There is an option to order eggs, never did it myself. Prefer cappuccino over eggs in the morning. When not booked with room, a breakfast voucher can be bought for 250 THB.
Tuktuk: Citadines has a 24/7 tuktuk service, bringing you from the hotel to the entry of Soi 8, at the Lyf hotel. You can also text them via Line, for them to come pick you up there when returning to the hotel. Driver is a bit of a dolt though. Saw him a few times at 7/11, buying a can of beer. Guess designated drivers shouldn't dehydrate 
Costs: for my stay in August I paid approx. 2.240 THB (excl. breakfast) per night. I only booked this stay two weeks in advance. The stay in September (booked months in advance was approx. 2.200 THB (incl. breakfast) per night.
Will I repeat: Yes! Already booked for my next stay, preferably without the breakfast option. 

It depends on you and the ladyboy but skybars are always a hit. Tribe is the newer hottest pool sky bar and they love it. Tichuca has been mentioned. I would add Tulum. Sit up at the bar. Bartenders friendly. Very chill place though whereas Tribe and Tichuca have a more Bros and Hoe's vibe.

Belga rooftop is cosy understated and always impresses.

Obviously anywhere on Soi 11.

If LB is a little more urban and speaks good English I will also take them to Smalls in Sathorn, or Bar Sathorn in W Hotel (old building and LB on staff)around corner from Mahanakhon or venture out to soi Nana Chinatown. TEP bar is especially fun and always hopping with a Thai tradional/rock fusion band. Really good. All these places can set you back a few baht though.

Also, there are the cabarets. House of Heals in the Renaissance is a riot and my favorite.

I've been to a few places in On Nut but you'd have to be pretty adventurous and at times content to be the only one who speaks English. I can't remember the names and would have to check my diary to pull up the names and locations.

I'm not a fan of either Khao San Rd or Thonglor and cannot recommend velvet rope places as I avoid them like the plague.

And one more bar that makes great cocktails is Sugar Ray in Suk Soi 24. Make sure when you enter main building you avoid the bar on the right and steer left. It's slightly hidden.

So many good cocktail bars in Bangkok, could go on but will stop here.

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I decided to extend my stay in BKK for another week, so after my stay at Solitaire, I moved to the Sawasdee Hotel in Sukhumvit Soi 8.
I got a room at the ground floor, which had a small outside seating area for smoking. The room is small, but has all basics. The bed was okay, the shower very poor. A kind of shower with a water pressure, ensuring it will take 3 minutes to get wet at all  
I had to work in the afternoon/early evening, so I asked them to make up my room in the morning. The answer was: That's no possible! So I think they cleaned my room only twice during my 7 days stay. Working from the hotel wasn't a big succes either, because the wifi sucks !
The breakfast was included in the room charge, so I did book it. Already after one day, I decided to not go there again, because very limited options.
After 9pm, you need the room access card to open the front door of the lobby, otherwise you can't get in at all. Bringing guests was no issue. One time my guest had to hand over her ID, the other times they didn't bother.
Room charge was approx. THB 1.320 / night (including breakfast). It's very cheap, so if you're on a small budget, probably acceptable. I won't return though, prefer some more service and comfort for which I happily pay some more. 
Attached photos from their website. Must be there best room, because mine was probably half this size 

Herehai is a small restaurant, about 25 minutes from Thong Lor BTS station. 
The food and service was excellent.
We had the crab omelette, tom yum prawns, mantis shrimp, and the crab fried rice.
Each dish was a feast for the senses. If I return, I would order the same dishes.
Service was excellent without being intrusive.
Best of all was that the total came to only 2000B, which is inexpensive. The only issue is the wait times as the restaurant is very small so the lines are long. 
but if you love Thai food this is really a must visit. This is on par with Jay Fai. 
 
Dan