Thailand Hotel Reviews

Hansar Bangkok- An overview

The Hansar Bangkok is one of the newest boutique hotels to open on the city’s bustling Rajdamri Road.  The location is excellent, right near great shops and even better restaurants.  The Chao Phraya River is walking distance away, and the SkyTrain station is nearby, putting the entire city within reach.

While the location is excellent, the real delight here is the hotel itself.  It offers a fascinating blend of Thai style and modern contemporary luxury, all accented with fresh flowers, local artifacts and homey touches such as floor-to-ceiling bookshelves.  Guests are even welcomed with a plate of fresh Thai fruit in their room upon check in.

Each guest room is lovely, and designed for the ultimate in comfort.  The décor blends local style with modern lines, creating a unique atmosphere of luxury.  In many of the suites, the feather bed is raised on a wooden platform, and in some suites, floor to ceiling windows give guests the feeling of floating over the city itself.  In every room, a soft color palette of earth tones is complemented by hardwood flooring, soft carpeting and flowing silk draperies.  Bedding is luxurious, with soft down duvets and a mountain of pillows. Each en suite bathroom features a stunning mix of wood and stone, as well as a custom designed Terrazzo soaker tub and a separate glassed-in rainfall shower.  The spaces are entirely open, so make sure you’re travelling with someone you are very comfortable with.

There are 92 suites, ranging in size and in amenities.  Studio Suites include private balconies, and convenient kitchenettes with refrigerators and stovetops.   Urban Suites offer separate lounge area and comfortable work space.  Edge Suites feature a glass-enclosed cantilevered day bed, which looks out over the city. The walls of the hotel’s Vertigo Suites are lined with bookcases displaying rare artifacts.  There are also two Loft Suites at the Hansar Bangkok; each one a luxurious duplex, with two floors featuring a lounge for entertaining, and a separate dining space and kitchen, ideal for hosting the perfect dinner.

All suites feature flat screen television with DVD players, an iPod docking station and free wireless internet access, as well as a free in-room mini-bar, replenished daily with snacks, beer and soft drinks.

When it comes time to eat, the Hansar Bangkok has many choices.  Café Boca is perfect for a quick sandwich on an outdoor terrace. Eve serves elegant French cuisine.  Vue is the beautiful lobby bar, which also serves a lovely breakfast.  For guests enjoying the stunning outdoor pool, drinks from the poolside bar Zest can cool off even the hottest afternoon.

The Hansar Bangkok also features a fully equipped fitness room, and a soothing spa called Luxsa which uses ancient Thai healing principles to work on the body’s balance between earth, water, fire and air.

With so many options, guests can find a different way to unwind every day of their Bangkok vacation.  Whether it is arranging for a riverboat tour on the Chao Phraya, booking a detoxifying wrap, or spending hours soaking in their private bathtub, looking out over the Bangkok skyline, the Hansar Bangkok is a peaceful oasis in one of the most exciting cities in the world.

More about Hansar Bangkok |  Read my review of Hansar Bangkok | Photos of Hansar Bangkok on Flickr

Bangkok hotels on Sathorn

 
Sathorn is one of the fastest developing areas of Bangkok, running between the corner of Lumphini Park on Rama IV Road and the Chao Phraya River, it forms the financial backbone of Bangkok and also houses many foreign embassies in Bangkok including the embassies of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Singapore, and Slovakia.

Many multi-national corporations have their Asia Pacific headquarters in the Sathorn Area and there are many luxurious accommodations catering to the expat population.

BNH, or Bangkok Nursing Home is also in the area, one of the many first class international grade hospitals that are becoming very popular in the medical tourism boom occurring in Thailand over the past decade.

A number of Bangkok’s finest hotels also line Sathorn road including the Banyan Tree, The Sukothai and the Metropolitan. Rooftop dining at the Banyan Tree is a treat that all visitors to Bangkok must try at least once. Save up though, as it isn’t cheap.

See here for a full list of Sathorn Hotels

Onerous Cancellation Policies When Booking Thai Hotels

If you are thinking of traveling to Thailand soon, and so looking to book a Thai Hotel, booking using an online hotel reservation service is normally the first route taken these days. It’s the most convenient and simple method, requiring little more than the hitting of your search engine and a few clicks of the mouse. Also, with today’s price comparison websites, you get to be your own travel agent, comparing locations, prices and facilities, and looking out for those special offers that will save you big time.

One thing you need to ensure you don't overlook is to check the cancellation policies of the website that you are booking through. The enforcement of cancellation fees varies widely across both hotels and hotel booking sites, so it is essential to confirm the details of both before you commit yourself to a booking.

Agoda is an online hotel reservations service, based in Asia, which markets itself strongly to the discount Thai hotel sector. There is a basic administration fee of USD15 for amending or canceling a booking. Each hotel has their own cancellation policy and ranges from a refund being issued if canceled 7, 14 or 21 days before arrival, all the way to non-refundable bookings where from 1 night's charge all the way to the full amount of the stay is forfeited. The policies here really do run the gamut so it is advisable to read the policy of the hotel before you book.

The good news is that the cancellation policy of each hotel is easy to find and available in at least three places before you need to click the final confirmation button. Also, if you need to forfeit a night's fees after canceling, Agoda will not charge you the administration fee of USD15.

You can read a full review of Agoda's cancellation policy at ReserveThaiHotels.Net

Another Thai based online reservation site, Thaihotels.com, also aimed at the cheaper section of the market. They apply different rules for the peak season, which is recognized as December and January. If the booking falls in peak season, and is more than 60 days before check-in, then a handling fee of 5% of the overall cost is levied (or a 500 THB, US$12 minimum). If the cancellation is between 60 and 21 days prior to check-in, then a one-night’s charge is levied - if 21 days or less, than a 3-night charge is levied.

 

Outside the peak season, the fees are less onerous: 500 THB for more than 7 days prior to check-in, and an additional one-night’s charge for less than 7 days before check-in. The more global hotel reservation online sites are less demanding in their cancellation policies, but they also have somewhat higher room prices.

HotelsCombined is an exception – as a comparison site of all the other online hotel booking and price comparison sites, the cancellation fees defer to the underlying online booking site you are referred to. Hotels.com makes a general policy of not charging cancellation fees at all, but then defers to the individual cancellation policy of the hotel in question. These are highly variable, depending on season and hotel, so they must be checked prior to booking; and the website does clearly outline the policy for each hotel just before you commit to booking.

A similar approach is taken by LateRooms.com, Booking.com and Expedia, but when looking at a single hotel, there can still be discrepancies between websites. Given that most online reservation sites pass on hotel cancellation policies that are highly variable, and sometimes expensive, do make sure you are absolutely certain of what applies in your case. And if your plans are in any way doubtful, going through one of the locally based online reservation sites may not be to your advantage, especially in peak season.

The Chao Phraya River in Bangkok.

Many people who visit Bangkok choose to stay in the main touristy areas of Sukhumvit and Silom, while folks on business find the Sathorn area convenient.

While the Sukhumvit and Silom areas are very close to many of Bangkok's prime shopping areas, and Sathorn is near many foreign embassies in Bangkok, if you confine yourself to these areas you are missing out on one the the most culturally relevant areas of Bangkok.

This "River of Kings" was the lifeblood of the Thai capital for generations, and carried people and goods and vendors on ferries, barges and boats along it's banks as well as the myriad of "khlongs", canals that used to criss cross Bangkok, giving it the title of the "Venice of Asia".

Barges and water taxis still ply the river, along with dinner and show boats, tour boats and commuter boats. You can take one of the many tours on offer and even take an overnight voyage up the river to historical Ayuthaya, which is certainly a classy way to go.

For people with a little less time, a dinner on one of the beautifully restored teak boats is a very pleasant way to spend the evening. While if you are looking for a little bit of adventure, try mixing it up with the locals and hopping on and off one of the very cheap river ferry boats. The boats hardly stop at each pier and the dexterity with which even elderly Thai people jump on and off the boats is nothing short of amazing.

There are also a number of Bangkok riverside hotels that offer fantastic views of the river and the city, including The Peninsula, The Shangri-La, The Mandarin Oriental and the Royal Orchid Sheraton, as well as the newest star on the riverfront, the Millennium Hilton, which soars into the sky.

The Hilton has spectacular views of not just the river but also the city, and not just from the rooms, but also from the rooftop infinity pool.

The Pen and the Sheraton were built in a way as to afford views of the river from every room.

While all of the hotels are accessible by car, they all have their own private pier with free shuttle services to Saphan Taksin pier, which connects to the BTS Skytrain.

Dusit D2 Chiang Mai

The Dusit D2 Chiang Mai is a 5 star, modern hotel in the heart of Northern Thailand’s capital, Chiang Mai. Everything about this hotel is modern and will certainly appeal to a young, hip market of guests.  
 
The 131 rooms all feature large screen televisions, DVD players, cable, and broadband internet, and are furnished with funky furniture and contemporary colors, plus there’s a selection of room sizes to choose from ranging from the Deluxe, up to the spacious D’suite.

All throughout the Dusit D2 you’ll be made to feel welcome by the friendly and fun staff, whether in the hotel’s chic restaurant and bar, in the top class spa, the health club, or by the outdoor swimming pool.

The location of the Dusit D2 is great for travelers interested in exploring the city of Chiang Mai as it’s steps away from the famous Night Bazaar and the city’s entertainment district, so can’t be beaten on location.

Conde Nast Traveller placed The Dusit D2 Chiang Mai in their 10th annual 'Hot List' of top hotels. This hotel was also selected by travel + leisure magazine in "world's best awards 2009 - top 40 city hotels in asia" category.

Dusit D2 has another property, the DusitD2 Baraquda in Pattaya, 90 minutes south of Bangkok.

Lanna Hill House Chiang Mai

The Lanna Hill House Hotel in Chiang Mai offers the feeling and space of a private villa, yet the service and facilities of a 5 star hotel.

Perched on a hillside against a backdrop of the Chiang Mai Highlands, the Lanna Hill House Hotel is in an idyllic location in Northern Thailand, yet just 35 minutes from Chiang Mai International Airport.

This is the ideal hotel for families, and for guests who want to enjoy the outdoors as there’s an abundance of places to go walking or bicycling all around the hotel, or simply enjoy the privacy of the 2 acres that the Lanna Hill House Hotel is set within.

Staff are on hand to ensure all guests have a memorable stay, whether it’s the wonderful cuisine that’s cooked in the hotel’s restaurant, or the personal service when it comes to arranging tours and travel plans.

This is certainly a great location from which to explore two of Northern Thailand’s national parks, enjoy a round of golf at one of the country’s top courses, or spend a day admiring the historic city of Chiang Mai.

Rachamankha Hotel Chiang Mai

The Rachamankha Hotel Chiang Mai is a stunning and luxurious 5 star boutique hotel in the heart of old Chiang Mai. Modeled after one of Thailand’s most famous temples this hotel features wonderful architecture and an individuality not often seen in city center hotels. 

Each of the 25 guest rooms was furnished by the owner using antique furniture and objects d’art from his own personal collections, and hence each room has its own theme and style. Whether you stay in a Standard Room, Deluxe Room or Suite you’ll be treated to some of life’s little luxuries, such as free wireless internet, daily mini-bar, satellite TV and DVD player, plus a library of DVDs to choose from for free.

Speaking of libraries, the Rachamankha Hotel Chiang Mai Library is a beautiful little space to sit and read one of the many books on offer, catch up on daily news, or use one of two complimentary use PCs with internet access.

The hotel’s restaurant is very popular even though you’re in the old city of Chiang Mai and have many restaurants to choose from elsewhere. And the swimming pool, set within one of the hotel’s courtyards, offers a peaceful and private sanctuary, complemented by the hotel spa, and pool bar.

Foreign embassies in Thailand

A full list of all embassies and consulates in Thailand

There are  number of situations in which you might need the assistance of your embassy while overseas- Maybe you lost your passport, overstay your visa, need legal advice or assistance. Although we hope this doesn't happen, if you get arrested, your embassy or consulate is probably the first place you should call.

On a brighter note, perhaps you want to get married in Thailand in a romantic Lana-style wedding in Chiang Mai. In this case you would also want to contact your embassy, particularly if you were thinking of bringing your sweetheart back home to your country one day.

With that in mind, we thought a complete list of every embassy and consulate in Thailand, listing addresses, telephone numbers and office hours might be of use.

Just about every country has an embassy in Bangkok (See the bottom of this post for exceptions), and a few countries also have consulates in various cities around Thailand. Below is a list of cities in Thailand that have consular representation of various nations.

Phuket

• Finland
• France
• Sweden

Chiang Mai

• Austria
• Canada
• China
• Finland
• France
• India
• Japan
• Sweden
• United Kingdom
• USA

Songkhla

• China
• Indonesia
• Malaysia

Chonburi (Pattaya)

• France
• Hungary
• Sweden

Interestingly enough, Ireland and Venezuela do not have a diplomatic presence in Thailand. While Ireland does have a couple of “honorary consuls” in Phuket and Chiang Mai, they are very limited in the services they can provide. Consular services for both Ireland and Venezuela are handled through their respective embassies in Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia.

Click here to view, download and print the full list of foreign embassies and consulates in Thailand.

Royal Cliff Beach Hotel Pattaya - Still in the game

The 5 star Royal Cliff Beach Hotel Pattaya is part of the larger Royal Cliff Beach Resort which is situated halfway between Jomtien and Pattaya. 

The cliff-top location offers spectacular sea views from many of the guest rooms here, and the quieter location makes this a great choice for families and those looking for a peaceful getaway. Surrounding by 64 acres this really is a beautiful setting, but with Pattaya only minutes away via taxi or the free shuttle bus, guests can enjoy the best of both worlds.

The Royal Cliff Beach Hotel Pattaya was built in the 1970’s but has undergone extensive renovation which has really brought this up to the standards of a modern 5 star hotel. There are 527 rooms here, and guests can choose from the spacious Mini-Suite or the even more spacious One or Two Bedroom Theme Suites. Balconies with sea view or garden view and all the modern conveniences you would expect are provided in-room.

There’s a swimming pool plus access to the beach with water sports, and guests can also use resort-wide facilities such as the spa, tennis courts, and squash. The Royal Cliff Beach Hotel Pattaya has several restaurants and bars, or again you can visit the resort’s other dining choices for a change of scenery.

Garden Cliff Resort & Spa, Pattaya

The 5 star Garden Cliff Resort and Spa Pattaya is situated in North Pattaya in a quieter and more peaceful location than the hotels and resorts of central Pattaya. Set with direct access to the golden sands of Crescent Moon Beach, guests can enjoy the beach or the popular infinity swimming pool that’s at the heart of this resort. 

There are a total of 249 guest rooms and suites at the Garden Cliff Resort and Spa Pattaya, ranging from the Deluxe Room to the Executive Suite which has stunning sea views from its over-sized private balcony.

This isn’t a huge resort so never feels too overcrowded, but it does offer a great range of bars and restaurants in addition to a selection of meeting and event rooms, a spa, fitness center, library, internet lounge, beauty salon, concierge and more; and for those visiting with children there’s a family friendly atmosphere here that includes a kid’s club. The quieter location makes this an ideal alternative to central Pattaya, yet the city’s attractions and nightlife are still within easy reach.