We will arriving in Bangkok at midnight and have reservations at Anantara Hotel by the river

 

 

How long does it take to get to the hotel? We have just four days in Bangkok before travelling on to Australia, and would like some advice on how to manage our time to see the best of Bangkok. We're concerned that we'll be jet lagged and are looking for the most convenient mode of transport to get around the city. Appreciate your advice! Sunny

At that time of the night, the traffic flows smoothly in Bangkok and once you've cleared immigration and collected your luggage, you can easily get a taxi or an airport or hotel limo and should reach the hotel within 35-40 minutes. The hotel is on the bank of the Chao Phraya River making it a great place to relax. Try and get lots of sleep the first night to combat jet lag.
If you have four full days, you could devote the first day to seeing the most popular tourist places in Bangkok, namely the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, the National Museum in the old town and the Temple of Dawn on the opposite side of the river.
Bangkok's traffic is notorious, and can tire you out easily so I think you should consider taking advantage of the hotel location and travelling by boat. I am sure the hotel can arrange a boat trip to the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun or the Temple of Dawn for you and you'll enjoy seeing life by the river on the way to the old town. This can be made as a private tour though you can also opt to use a public boat service. The hotel has a shuttle boat service to the BTS Skytrain every 30 minutes, and you can take an express boat from Saphan Taksin pier to either Tha Tien or Tha Chang piers. (Saphan Taksin pier is operating as usual throughout this year.)
It's also possible to get around by car, either taking a taxi or arranging a car with driver from the hotel or car rental company. From the hotel, a car can take you along Charoen Nakhon Road and across the river into the old town to explore the temples.
If you are feeling jet lagged, consider spending the afternoon having a massage at Wat Pho or returning to the hotel for a relaxing swim.
The second day you can head to the attractions in the city centre such as the Jim Thompson Museum, Lumpini Park and Erawan Shrine and also go shopping at MBK, Siam Square and Siam Paragon. It's best to commute by the BTS Skytrain, so make use of the hotel shuttle service. At night, go for dinner and some shopping at Asiatique, a riverside open-air mall not too far away. Many riverside hotels offer a free shuttle boat service to this mall.
You may choose to go for a day trip to Ayutthaya and Bang Pa-in Palace, and enjoy lunch by the river. The last day is probably the best for shopping and if it falls on a weekend, then head to Chatuchak Weekend Market. Otherwise walk around Bangkok's Chinatown area and visit a local shrine. Have fun!
I am from Singapore and enjoy going to Bangkok for the occasional weekend. I usually stay at a hotel next to the MBK, and more recently have stayed at the hotel adjoining Terminal 21. Could you recommend somewhere interesting for a change. I'm looking for accommodation that has lots of character, is reasonably priced and not too far from the city centre. Thank you very much! George Wang
Accommodation in Bangkok is plentiful and caters to all budgets. As you usually stay in the very city centre, I'll offer some suggestions for hotels in different areas. Among those in upper price range are the Siam located by the Chao Phraya River in Dusit District and Praya Palazzo, a 17-room mansion in the Thon Buri neighbourhood.
More reasonable accommodation by the river can be found at Aurum the River Place near Tha Tien pier and Loy La Long Hotel on the edge of Chinatown. Further away from the river, but still in the old part of Bangkok, you'll find Phra-Nakorn Norn-Len, a charming small hotel as well as the budget Loong Choob Homestay in Luk Luang Road.
For close walking distance to the MRT or BTS Skytrain, you can look at Mystic Place with 36 rooms each designed by a different local artist in the Pradipat area, Me Style Place in Huay Khwang area near Sutthisarn MRT and Baan Pra Nond, a nine-room bed & breakfast near Surasak and Saphan Taksin Stations. They are all stylish and cater to travellers interested in exploring accommodation with a difference.

Reference : http://www.nationmultimedia.com/travel/We-will-arriving-in-Bangkok-at-midnight-and-have-r-30215533.html