Pathumwan Princess Hotel - gay friendly?

I am planning to stay at the Pathumwan Princess Hotel next month. Friends in Hong Kong told me that the hotel's location is great, namely its direct access to the gigantic MBK shopping centre.

However, I wonder whether it's gay friendly. Does anyone know? Someone from Taiwan told me last year that they got gay masseurs at their gym.

[Beachlover]

What's your definition of "gay friendly"?

I don't know any hotel in Thailand, which has an issue with gay people or gay couples checking in or is unfriendly to them in any way.

[bao-bao]

There are VERY few hotels in Thailand that would not allow a gay person or couple to stay with them, but sometimes discretion is called for. I recall seeing a post on a forum some time back where there was actually a hostile attitude from the fundamentalist (read: often pig-headed) staff who didn't want gay customers, but from personal experience and what I've learned it's very rare.

My guess is that you're asking if the hotel will stop you if you try to bring guys home from gogo clubs, host clubs or the street, and that's a different story entirely. Upscale hotels can be more fussy, but if you're not staggering through the lobby at 01:00 with someone who looks like the guy below, you're probably not going to be challenged.

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z56/khunbaobao/W-StreetPunk.jpg

There have been long-winded threads about this several times. You might consider contacting the hotel and asking what their policy is if "a local friend" comes to spend the night with you - and if you're intending to do this I'd suggest booking a double room and not a single. You might also consider using a short time room outside of your hotel. There are a number of those near the clubs, and the extra charge easily avoids the possible embarrassment.

[krobbie]

All I will say is, it looks lovely. If I was spending that sort of money though I would be at the Dusit Thani. It is right near the Sala Daeng BTS which will take you the 3 stops to Natinal Stadium BTS, which is where Tokyu and MBK are.

http://www.agoda.com/asia/thailand/bang ... hotel.html (http://www.agoda.com/asia/thailand/bangkok/dusit_thani_bangkok_hotel.html)
www.bts.co.th/en/map.asp (http://www.bts.co.th/en/map.asp)

If you are in this area (Silom) you are closer to all the gay action also. Pathumwan, phonetically pronounced Pratunam or Patunam, is not really near anything of gayness accept the shopping. Up to you.

Whilst you are looking at the Agoda hotels website above have a look at the myriad hotels around this area. You are spoiled for choice.

I gather you have not been to Bangkok before and are a little apprehensive. Don't be. It is very easy to find your way around and don't be afraid to ask anyone questions about how to use the BTS or which way to go. The desk at your hotel will provide you with maps and tell which direction you need to go in. You'll be sweet in a day or so. When you get above the city on the BTS you get quite a good lay of the land.

Cheers and have a good time but rethink the "Princess",
Krobbie

[ned kelly-old]

Although a little away from the Silom gay area the Princess is very popular with gay guys from Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan. It has a large excellent gym so attracts more of the athletic type.

[Beachlover]

All I will say is, it looks lovely. If I was spending that sort of money though I would be at the Dusit Thani. It is right near the Sala Daeng BTS
Yeah, I agree. Dusit Thani location is second to none. Make sure you get a room with a view overlooking Lumpini Park. It is gay friendly. Never had a problem and never been charged bringing guests back... even at 3-4am in the morning when they've locked all the side entrances and you have to use the main entrance.

Having said that, Pathumwan Princess is probably closer to the stuff Halo wants to do during the day.

It's in Silom where most of the foreigner-oriented gay nightlife venues are.

Other good 4-5 star places nearby are...

- Sofitel Silom - location's not as good as Dusit, but still 3-4 mins walk to skytrain station and in my opinion, interior, rooms, facilities are much better.

- Le Meridien (5-10 min walk from Dusit Thani) - location's fantastic.

I've been told the http://www.sukhothai.com/ , a 4-5 star hotel in Sathorn (suburb next to Silom) is good and apparently attracts a lot of gay Asians.

Having said that, I've been thinking about saying closer to Central World/Siam Square or Sukhumvit next time. Or maybe down by the river.


Although a little away from the Silom gay area the Princess is very popular with gay guys from Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan. It has a large excellent gym so attracts more of the athletic type.
Thanks - that's good to know... might be worth a try then.

Anyone stayed at the Royal Orchid Sheraton (http://www.royalorchidsheraton.com/) in Bangkok before? Although it's away from any skytrain stations, it is right on the riverfront on the Silom side of the river so there's no need to cross the river like you do for the Millennium Hilton (also on the river). And unlike it's other two riverside buddies, it looks reasonably priced, within the 3,000-4,500 baht range (other riverfront hotels, Shangri-La and Mandarin Oriental start at 5,000).

[firecat69]

I would suggest you consider Chatrium Suites on the River. All suites , fabulous views and grounds and a wonderful staff. Probably will be less money then the other River Hotels mentioned and their boat runs every 15 minutes to the Skytrain..

Currently ranked #1 on Trip Advisor although I think that is probably a little high, definitely in the top Ten.

[lexusgs]

An excellent choice suggested by Firecat. I have stayed at Chatrium several times. It's very well managed by Dusit. I reviewed the hotel on Trip advisor, the only
issue I experienced was the smell from the fish market next door, but this only hppens when the wind blows in the wrong direction some days.. lol

[Beachlover]

Those Chatrium branded properties look pretty decent. Overlooking the river in BKK, they have three towers used as a residences, suites and hotel kind of thing.

I read some reviews on the Royal Orchid Sheraton BKK, which overlooks the river and unfortunately Tripadvisor said things like...

"Aside from the very expensive and barren River City there is nothing around here and you either have to take a taxi or else catch the hotel boat down to the train followed by a 10-15 min ride to get to any decent shops or eating areas."... "Location whilst nicely on a river aspect had little to no surrounding shops / resturants without a taxi ride."...

Basically it looks "barren" once you step out of the hotel with few eateries and amenities within a short stroll, which is something I don't like.

[pong]

hmm-is not that HTL right next also to Charoen krung main road? That probably means (and that is my general idea of TA-only OZzies deluxe post on there-too afraid to eat anyting from a streetstall) there are the usual tons of Thai-style, dirty looking etc. stalls and small shops, but nothing that would appeal to 5** minds-except the overpriced HTl itself.
BTW-gay friendly is a nonsense term-the only thing that might be worth asking for is ''visitors allowing''. In fact only in BKK (and maybe the touristy parts of Phuket-but I have never been there) MAY have issues with occasional guests-whatever sex, or restrict them to preregistered ones only. There are even some nasty stories on thaivisa(but that forum specialises in nasty overblown stories) that even decently married Thai wives were not allowed in.

[Beachlover]

Well, I haven't been there (Royal Orchid Sheraton) so can't say for sure. You might be right. Personally, I love Bangkok street food and like the Thai style stalls and eateries, but most guests staying there wouldn't.

What does HTL stand for?