After reading some reviews on here we were quite worried about staying here! However, upon our arrival we were pleasantly surprised.

We checked in and were given a huge room on the 10th floor. Very clean, spacious, airy.

Breakfast had a good selection, and was nice.

Only problem we had was the location of the hotel - being out of the city it took an hour in a cab most days (although thats only cost 100 baht) to get to the centre.

I should have read the reviews here prior to my stay. The room smelled of a mixture of smoke and mold. There was visible mold in the bathroom (tub, sink, and floor). There were bugs, HUGE cockroaches in the evening. The water from the shower comes out a yellow-brown colour. The rooms are large but quite dingy. Also, it is extremely distant from the attractions of Bangkok. The hotel is in a small neighborhood and there is a water bus/ferry available about a 10 minute walk that if you take, it nly takes about 30 minutes to get to the Bangkok attractions, but it only runs at certain times (for example, you cannot get back after 6pm).

On the plus, the breakfast is quite good but the staff lacks professional style and finesse. Most staff members also do not speak English unless convenient to them. This is one of the worst hotels in Bangkok and far from the city. Stay elsewhere.

Completely contrary to some recent reviews, we found the Royal River Hotel to be excellent value for money, as long as you are aware that the only rooms that really fit the bill for western visitors are the deluxe riverfront rooms, which come with a great balcony and lots of room. Some of the furnishings in corridors and so on are certainly a little careworn, but the food is good, the rooms are very reasonable, and we found, without exception, that all staff were most helpful and polite - though we do agree that making your own taxi arrangements are preferable if you really want the best value. Not at all sure that a few baht are really worth worrying about though. Certainly the hotel is a good way from the centre of town - though to claim (as someone did) that it's not even in Bangkok, but in Bangplad is a bit like saying that Marina Del Rey isn't in L.A., or Stratford's not in London..... The free shuttle boat to River City (and to Taksin if you ask them to drop you there for the skytrain) is a great way to get to the centre of things - only if you're in a hurry would it get a little tiresome - but then again, who's in a hurry on a holiday? We are extremely suspicious of some of the negative reviews which don't appear to stack up - like people who claim to be from England, but use American words and spelling - and would question the veracity of some statements which in no way accord with our findings - however, we liked the hotel and the people so much that we are returning this coming February, so we'll advise our findings this time - good or bad! All in all, first time around at least, for the money (2300 baht per night for two including breakfast, deluxe riverfront) this has just got to be far and away the best river view value in Bangkok - though we do also like to treat ourselves to a couple of nights at the Royal Orchid Sheraton as well - but that's serious money by comparison!

We only had two nights here at the end of our holiday. We wished it could be longer. Our front delux river view room was very spacious, well furnished and clean. Everything worked and the bathroom was nice with copious hot water and fluffy towels. We loved the balcony and made use of the excellent room service our last night there and enjoyed a private dinner with our very own view of the river and skyline. The food was good, we ate Thai both nights and the gin fizz was to die for (would not give me the recipe)

Buffet breakfast was amazing and apart from a small snack mid afternoon kept us satisfied until dinner.

The big bed was comfortable with immaculate linen and the sound proofing was excellent, we have had 5 previous short breaks in Bangkok but this was the best nights sleep we have ever had there. absolutely no noise.

Staff were very friendly, helpful and polite. I only wish they had more frequent boat shuttles, such a fun way to reach the centre. Transfer from the airport both ways was cheap and quick.

Tip: ask the boat staff they will take you further down river to the Skytrain station

We will stay there again

Patsy and Alex Boyd, Scotland.