Advice re hotels in BKK please...

"Sjoerd" wrote in message ...
"Tchiowa" schreef in bericht
om...

You have a different definition of "luxury" than I do. And I suspect a
different definition than "the average tourist" (whoever that might
be).

From a backpackers point of view, the Grace hotel is "adequate", as
you describe. From the average tourist's point of view it is less than
average. Even Motel 6 in the US offers much nicer facilities than the
Grace.

You have a very different definition of "average tourist" than I (and most
"average tourists") have.

AVerage tourist is a middle class person on a middle class income
wanting to stay at a middle class hotel and live in middle class
comfort while he's on vacation.

The Grace hotel doesn't meet that standard. Not even close.

A hotel that meets those standards will cost at least $50 a night in
Bangkok.

"Tchiowa" schreef in bericht
m...
AVerage tourist is a middle class person on a middle class income
wanting to stay at a middle class hotel and live in middle class
comfort while he's on vacation.

I know many people that fall into that category. They all would be happy in
my 980 baht / night hotel. More than happy.

A hotel that meets those standards will cost at least $50 a night in
Bangkok.

Nonsense.

Sjoerd

Tchiowa wrote:
Miguel Cruz wrote:
Look around at who's visiting Thailand. Look up the word "average".

I have. Backpackers are *not* the "average tourist" in Thailand.

Doubtless true. Nor did I see any backpackers at the Grace (myself included
in this case as it's a work trip on Federal per diem rates - though I
forfeit the margin on accomodations if I choose a cheaper place). The single
most visible demographic was Gulf Arabs.

miguel
--
Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu

Miguel Cruz wrote:
snip

The single
most visible demographic was Gulf Arabs.



How come?

"Miguel Cruz wrote:
snip
=A0=A0=A0=A0The single
most visible demographic was Gulf Arabs.
How come?"
------------------------------------------------------
I asked a lady friend (in Bangkok) that Q and she said they like Greek
and it has to be with an "infidel" so they take their vacations in BKK.
Well,that's what I heard. ..........Joe
Scotty! Beam me up,and be quick about it man!!!

In article ,
(Joe Blow) writes:

I asked a lady friend (in Bangkok) that Q and she said they like Greek
and it has to be with an "infidel" so they take their vacations in BKK.

That must be why I saw so many in Malaysia.

"Edwardseco" wrote in message
...
In article ,
(Joe Blow) writes:

I asked a lady friend (in Bangkok) that Q and she said they like Greek
and it has to be with an "infidel" so they take their vacations in BKK.

That must be why I saw so many in Malaysia.

But surely if they like Greek they would travel to Athens?
Similarly if I wanted French I would go to Paris.

Miguel Cruz wrote in message ...
Tchiowa wrote:
Miguel Cruz wrote:
Look around at who's visiting Thailand. Look up the word "average".

I have. Backpackers are *not* the "average tourist" in Thailand.

Doubtless true. Nor did I see any backpackers at the Grace (myself included
in this case as it's a work trip on Federal per diem rates - though I
forfeit the margin on accomodations if I choose a cheaper place). The single
most visible demographic was Gulf Arabs.

Not just that hotel, but that part of soi 3 caters to Arabs. Lots of
Arabic language shops and restaurants.

"Sjoerd" wrote in message ...
"Tchiowa" schreef in bericht
m...
AVerage tourist is a middle class person on a middle class income
wanting to stay at a middle class hotel and live in middle class
comfort while he's on vacation.

I know many people that fall into that category. They all would be happy in
my 980 baht / night hotel. More than happy.

And I know people who will be happy for less and I know people that
wouldn't settle for anything like that. That doesn't alter the
accuracy of the statement.

A hotel that meets those standards will cost at least $50 a night in
Bangkok.

Nonsense.

Name the hotel you're talking about and I'll show you the difference.

"Tchiowa" schreef in bericht
om...
"Sjoerd" wrote in message
...
"Tchiowa" schreef in bericht
m...
AVerage tourist is a middle class person on a middle class income
wanting to stay at a middle class hotel and live in middle class
comfort while he's on vacation.

I know many people that fall into that category. They all would be happy
in
my 980 baht / night hotel. More than happy.

And I know people who will be happy for less and I know people that
wouldn't settle for anything like that. That doesn't alter the
accuracy of the statement.

I don't know where you are from, but I guess you are American. In my
experience, Americans value "brand names" in hotels more than most other
tourists, and are therefore more likely to stay in a Hilton, or Marriott
etc. than others. Please note that the vast majority of foreign tourists in
Thailand are other Asians ( 50%) and Europeans (25%). Americans make up
only 5% or so of all foreign tourists in Thailand.
An American "average tourist" may display very different behaviour from a
Chinese, Malaysian or British "average tourist". It could even be true that
my 980 baht hotel is considered inferior by the average American (because
nobody opens the door for you in the lobby, it doesn't have a brand name and
one won't get frequent flyer miles for a stay), while the average Asian or
European would be perfectly happy.



A hotel that meets those standards will cost at least $50 a night in
Bangkok.

Nonsense.

Name the hotel you're talking about and I'll show you the difference.

I *know* the difference. I have stayed in The Oriental, the Sukhothai and
other 5* hotels in Bangkok. In terms of important qualities of the hotel
(which I have listed before), the difference is insignificant.

Your claim that you need to spend at least USD 50 for a decent hotel room in
Bangkok (one that the "average tourist" would be happy to stay in) is
ridiculous. Nobody here seems to agree with you.
I know several hotels that cost around 1,000 / baht / night that are
perfectly OK for an "average tourist". They are better than many of the 100
euro hotels in Europe and USD 100 hotels in the US (and even USD 200 in New
York City)

Sjoerd