Thailand: Where We Stayed

We had the incredible good fortune of staying in two excellent hotels while we were in Thailand. I'd heartily recommend them to anyone going to Bangkok or Phuket.

In Bangkok, we stayed at the Old Bangkok Inn, a privately run guesthouse near the Democracy Monument and centrally located between the Old City and the more modern Downtown area (where most Western hotels are located). The Inn is really well decorated, very affordable, very comfortable, and the people who work there were awesome. They'll gladly help you get around the city, tell you where to go, what to avoid, where to eat, and help you really explore Bangkok. It's not a 5-star hotel with all the amenities, but they'll cook you a good breakfast and get you on your way and it won't break the bank. We plan on staying there again when we go back to Bangkok some day, and if you're ever in Bangkok, I can't recommend it enough.

In Phuket, we stayed at the amazingly beautiful JW Marriott Resort and Spa. Isolated towards the northern end of the island, the Marriott resort in impeccably designed, beautifully run, full on the amenities (3 swimming pools, 6 restaurants, the best spa in Southeast Asia), and is therefore really expensive. Fortunately, my parents picked up the rooms for us via their membership in the Marriott Vacation Club. I can't imagine what it would have cost otherwise (well, I can, but it's not pretty), but for those who do pay, it's likely worth it. The service is excellent, and the place is an ideal location to hang out and relax for a week under the South Asian sun. And the beach massages for a measly 400 baht ($12) an hour? Awesome.