Bangkok hotel and newbie advice

[Rory B Bellows]

I’m going to be spending a few days in Bangkok end May/early June. It’s my first time in Thailand, and while the “bar girls” scene isn’t my thing (not my first time in Asia, no disrespect to those that do of course). I will be using seeking and the like, maybe an agency). My main concern is hotels, I booked the Peninsula which looks nice I’m just worried how guest friendly it will be. Any other advice/tips very much appreciated!

[southcoastpunter]

My advice is -
1) read the many threads on Thailand and Bangkok!
2) check that your hotel is “guest friendly “ - ask them!
3) try ThaiFriendly - I have met a couple of ladies off Seeking - but they wanted c 10k baht upwards when girls off ThaiFriendly are 2k or 3k  for ST, 4k or 5k typically for LT! However ladies from TF are mainly Thai whilst you can get other nationalities on Seeking!

Bars and bar girls vary considerably- some just will chat with you and/or play pool with you for ladydrinks , other you can bar fine if you wish ! So are quite pushy, some are very laid back! Oh and depending on your preferences, be mindful that ladyboys are plentiful in Bangkok - some are quite masculine and obvious but some are very feminine, good looking and much more difficult to recognise. But, providing you are polite, you shouldn’t have any problems asking them !

[juzz]

I just asked Google AI and got the following. Whether you trust it, is of course another matter!

Yes, The Peninsula Bangkok is considered guest-friendly, offering a luxurious and welcoming environment for all guests, with no charges for unregistered visitors joining you, though they may require ID at reception. The hotel is renowned for high-end service, a private river boat shuttle, and spacious rooms, making it a popular choice.

Key Aspects for Guests:
Visitor Policy: Generally allows guests to bring visitors, with security procedures in place (ID check).

It says Booking.com is it source.


Update: External Link/Members Only suggests it is guest friendly.

[pgpgpgpg]

Peninsula - absolutely fine for guests.

[Rory B Bellows]

Thanks for the info guys, indeed will be wary of any TGTBT possible lady boys 

[Mazarin]

The Peninsula is a lovely hotel on the river and if you get bored, take the complimentary boat across the river to the Mandarin Oriental or a little further into Chinatown. My only observation is that you are quite a long way from the 'action' whether that be Nana, Cowboy or even Patpong. I know they can be reached on the skytrain or taxi but they are not on your doorstep so to speak.

[Rory B Bellows]

The Peninsula is a lovely hotel on the river and if you get bored, take the complimentary boat across the river to the Mandarin Oriental or a little further into Chinatown. My only observation is that you are quite a long way from the 'action' whether that be Nana, Cowboy or even Patpong. I know they can be reached on the skytrain or taxi but they are not on your doorstep so to speak.

Thanks info, I’m not really fussed about the “bar girl” scene (I’ve been to Asia before and it’s not really my thing) but maybe will check it out, when in Rome and all that! I actually thought about Mandarin Oriental too, but it just looked a touch too classy if I have visitors. If you have any knowledge about staying there and if it’s girl friendly too would be happy to hear. I’ll report back my experiences after my trip

[Fatman]

The Peninsula is a lovely hotel on the river and if you get bored, take the complimentary boat across the river to the Mandarin Oriental or a little further into Chinatown. My only observation is that you are quite a long way from the 'action' whether that be Nana, Cowboy or even Patpong. I know they can be reached on the skytrain or taxi but they are not on your doorstep so to speak.

Your hotel choice looks amazing..’the river views are amazing.
But I’d like to agree with the above… “away from the action” don’t forget if your having guests over that they also need to be able to get to your hotel as easily and quickly as possible… just an observation but your location might hinder your experience.
If your looking for a 5 star hotel the Sofitel next door to Thermae cafe might be a great option🤷‍♂️ I’ve not stayed there as it’s top dollar but I’ve been to the sky bar on many an occasions. 
Well good luck with your trip and please do tell about your experiences.

[hbautumn1]

Your hotel choice looks amazing..’the river views are amazing.
But I’d like to agree with the above… “away from the action” don’t forget if your having guests over that they also need to be able to get to your hotel as easily and quickly as possible… just an observation but your location might hinder your experience.
If your looking for a 5 star hotel the Sofitel next door to Thermae cafe might be a great option🤷‍♂️ I’ve not stayed there as it’s top dollar but I’ve been to the sky bar on many an occasions. 
Well good luck with your trip and please do tell about your experiences.

I agree with this, would also recommend the Athenee. Not as close as Sofitel, but a bit nicer IMO.

[pgpgpgpg]

Depends on your interests as to whether location matters. Riverside is great location for most normal activities and as others have said, Peninsula is very nice. Mandarin is a bit more delicate but you won’t challenged per se as long as your partner is appropriately dressed. Chatrium is also a good option although not quite up to Peninsula/Mandarin.

No issue with having ‘friends’ come to visit you - motorbike taxi sorts that out and most girls will be very happy to be close to Icon

If it’s just a ‘curiosity’ visit to the bar scene then no great issue grabbing a car over.

Plenty of civvy options around riverside as well as the usual online offerings. Yaowarat a stones throw if Chinese appeals as well.

I’ve taken a boat from there to Nonthaburi on a couple of occasions to meet civvies and is a good way to while away the day to boot.


Everyone’s different of course and enjoy what you enjoy but for me riverside is far more enjoyable than Sukh/Silom etc

[Cambridgy]

St Regis BKK is brilliant a bit further out from the chaos - also had an event at JW which is 4 min from Soi Cowboy that was good and 1/3 of the price.

Even the most top end hotels, as long as you are respectful to other guests - I can’t think of anywhere that visitors were frowned upon. Probably another thread but the best hotel in Riyadh, no problem - the concierge actually called me to enquire if I needed company!

[Cambridgy]

St Regis BKK is brilliant a bit further out from the chaos - also had an event at JW which is 4 min from Soi Cowboy that was good and 1/3 of the price.

Even the most top end hotels, as long as you are respectful to other guests - I can’t think of anywhere that visitors were frowned upon. Probably another thread but the best hotel in Riyadh, no problem - the concierge actually called me to enquire if I needed company!

The only issue I ever encountered was in the Arab world when I was massively fortunate in pulling a Yemeni expat Doctor in Dubai.
4S Dubai were very kind and suggested tactfully that me and Dr X might like adjoining rooms - when I clarified that Dr X was F then it was all ‘oh no problem, we are sorry”.

[jono44]

Great hotel. Bit far out. Access to Skytrain is needed. If you like river, in future highly recommend Shangri La Krumthep wing. Easier for skytrain and taxis. Main hotel lobby so busy that meeting girls there is never a problem. Oriental is a little too formal for me. Recommend Thai Friendly but use video call to check photos. l have some of best experiences with them - an a few bad ones. Often best experience comes from those who quote above normal base price. Also some Smooci are great but can be hit and miss as photos are not vetted. And you need to walk around Thermae if only to see what everyone is talking about.If anything really attracts you short time rooms are available at Raumchit hotel which is literally upstairs.

[Rory B Bellows]

Great hotel. Bit far out. Access to Skytrain is needed. If you like river, in future highly recommend Shangri La Krumthep wing. Easier for skytrain and taxis. Main hotel lobby so busy that meeting girls there is never a problem. Oriental is a little too formal for me. Recommend Thai Friendly but use video call to check photos. l have some of best experiences with them - an a few bad ones. Often best experience comes from those who quote above normal base price. Also some Smooci are great but can be hit and miss as photos are not vetted. And you need to walk around Thermae if only to see what everyone is talking about.If anything really attracts you short time rooms are available at Raumchit hotel which is literally upstairs.

Thanks for the tip - I just switched to the Shang, got a Krumthep suite for £300 then my booking at the Peninsula, maybe Hotel is a little less fancy but Shangri La is a decent chain that I’ve used before so quite happy with such a good deal!

[Rory B Bellows]

Thanks to all who gave advice here, have now returned from my trip and very much appreciated the hotel advice. Good deal at Shangri-La and the Krungthep wing was very discreet with great views of the river. I was only in town for a couple of night (connection going to Da Nang, didn’t punt in Vietnam as I was visiting friends, but it’s a great holiday spot if anyone is interested). I did punt in Thailand, using an agency, before anyone says anything I totally understand this is expensive and nigh on sacrilegious to seasoned Thai punters but I was only there briefly and wanted the convenience of beautiful woman just showing up at the hotel.

External Link/Members Only

Saw Baccarat and Scarlett, have to say they were both fantastic and girls in the pics. There was a bit of a language barrier with the agency but before I left they put me in their TG group and their are loads of Thai actresses / Models on there, needless to say higher prices but if it’s your sort of thing maybe worth checking out (understand of course probably not why a lot of people go to Thailand). Really enjoyed my couple of days on BKK, first time in Thailand but now I’ve popped my cherry already trying to work out when I can go back.

[defty]

I've also used External Link/Members Only, they have some beautiful girls.  They also have a telegram group they may give you access to that has girls not shown on website.  Some top end girls there, but they were recently advertising one at 100,000thb for 2 hours...