An impromptu trip before the peak season. Starting out in Bangkok.

ARRIVAL / LOGISTICS / ETC.:

I flew Thai Airways business class for the first time this year, and the food was horrible. (Last time I flew Thai's business class another guy said as we finished the first meal, "I'm thoroughly under-whelmed.") As we began our descent into Seoul (ICN), I was in the can puking my guts out. And I never liked Crystal Geyser water since the news reported that their water didn't even meet the health standards for tap water. Plus it tastes like shit. But it's what Thai hands out, and that didn't help my condition.

The food was noticeably better on the second leg from ICN to BKK. I was hungry at that point and wolfed my kim-chee.

The way Thai has configured their 777-300ERs, everyone in business class is isolated, which can be nice. But if you're over six feet tall, you'll have to bend your knees and/or waist to lie down flat.

The weather in Bangkok is relatively cool, as is typical for this time of year. Sometimes it rains early in the morning, but the rain hasn't been much of a pain.


LODGING:

Why did I give the Nana Hotel (CH Link) another chance? People are creatures of habit. Maybe it was memories of some of the best sex of my life.

They gave me an 8th floor room for 1495 baht. Upon entering, there was a roach running across the bedspread. Welcome home. It wasn't a big scary reddish-brown cockroach, but one of those smaller less-than-an-inch-long ones. The room turned out to be infested with them. I complained and put out some Raid traps, and they sprayed. To be fair, another guest told me that he hadn't seen any bugs in his room. But this reminds me of India.

I could have just asked for another room, but there are other things that I like about this room, and I was concerned about what problems the new room might have.

I might switch to the Landmark Hotel (CH Link) with its excellent rooms and fitness center. The Landmark rooms start at about 3000 baht, but it is well worth it. It's a bit trickier sneaking a girl in there if she has no ID, though, because there's no privacy in that lobby for greasing a security guard.

Now speaking of the big scary brownish-red type of cockroach, I saw possibly the biggest one ever in the lobby yesterday. Some guy moved his foot so that the fucker could run unimpeded. (When was the last time you saw a man get out of the way of a cockroach?) Fortunately those are probably too heavy to climb to the eighth floor, and not quite tall enough to reach the elevator buttons.

But enough about the weather, puking, and Nana's cockroaches...

Nice start to a trip!

I have some awesome memories of the Nana Hotel. Some not so awesome.
Still you have not really been to Bangkok until you have stayed there at least once.

Cathay Pacific and Singapore Air are the only two lines where a 6 foot 6 guy like me can lay flat without bent up knees. Food is great also. The rest of the airlines are a poor second choice.

Aren't there tons of girl friendly apart-hotels all along or just off Sukhumvit for less money & hassle of the Landmark?

@Topfotog: Yes, of course there are MUCH cheaper places in this area than the Landmark. But I still think it's a good value all things considered.

Given the vast number of quality hotels in Bangkok these days, I am surprised to see someone fly business class to Bangkok and then stay in the fleabag Nana Hotel. LOL

And how often does one encounter a girl these days without an ID? I didn't experience it once in my recent 5 weeks there. So I certainly wouldn't let that be a factor in deciding where to stay.

If you like that area, the Majestic Grande (CH Link) is a great hotel, with NO joiner fee.

If you want to check out a GREAT bar, head over to the Soi Cowboy area and wonder down Soi 23 to Crazy House I was there last month and that place was jumping, and the upstairs girls are a load of hands on fun!

I covered Crazy House in what was supposed to be the second section of this report. ("Getting down to business") Will ask Hombre to fix.

@RoadGlide: Thank you! Accommodations are one of the main reasons I read this site. I want to know where you-all are staying for comparison, and I never would have stumbled onto the Majestic Grand on my own because it's a bit out of the way. I checked it out. The rooms there currently start at 3900 baht, though --for that much I'll stay at the Landmark, a much nicer hotel that's closer to Sukhumvit Road and the BTS. Also, the MG's fitness center is nothing compared to that of the Landmark, which has a full complement of free weights (barbells and dumbbells), plus a real squat rack --a major plus for me. It also has acres of aerobic machines for those who like those. The Landmark also has more than twice the number of elevators, eating places, a nicer lobby, etc. You might want to check the LM out; it's more for your money.

Regarding the other comment, most of the girls I've brought home on this trip so far (all 18+ and from clubs) didn't have IDs. And some of the younger girls (like the one I pulled from the Crazy House last night, also no ID) are intimidated by five-star hotels like the Landmark. She was relieved that I was taking her to the Nana and not to the Landmark. (I've known her for two years from another club.) It's all about the sex/fun as far as I'm concerned; I don't travel just to stay in nice hotels.

In October I stayed at a newer property called S15 right on Sukhumvit road. It is much lower cost than the Landmark or MG, but the location is good, almost next door to the Terminal 21 mall, and it is a short walk to Soi Cowboy.

The downside is that the safe and closet are located in the bathroom and not the main section of the bedroom, the good thing is that the bathroom is half the size of the main room, and the shower is HUGE.

I used to stay at the Majestic Grande on Suhkumvit Soi 2 across from Annies Soapy Massage. They will check ids after midnight, but during the day is no problem. Their rates are high but they often have discounts and you can negotiate by email when booking far enough in advance.

However, I now stay at President Solitaire Hotel (CH Link) which has far better rates and is located on Suhkumvit Soi 11 (at the end just around the corner). I was just there in December of 2013.

They have a web site for booking. The rooms are much larger and nicer and they are just an all around great deal. However, they will ask for id cards if you enter late in the evening with your girl. During the day or early evening, you can just walk in and your guest can stay overnight and no one asks for a card. It is only if you walk in late with a girl that they hold her id card until she leaves in the morning. I highly recommend this hotel. It is walking distance to most everything and they will give you a free tuk tuk ride to the Skytrain at the end of the street. Rates for a really nice suite are under 100 US per night. You can negotiate lower rates for long stays.