Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers

The Royal Orchid Sheraton gets busy, although its riverside location makes it feel removed from Bangkok's gridlock and noise. With 28,000 square feet of conference space, it's a good choice for business travelers, but it's casual enough for tourists to feel comfortable here too -- the two outdoor are a big draw for vacationers, including families with children.

Some of the restaurants are high-end and stylish (Thara Thong and the Sambai Bar & Grill are good spots for a romantic, intimate meal), while Feast, with its bountiful breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets, is extremely popular. The Lobby Lounge offers a spacious spot to relax with a drink.

The Royal Orchid Sheraton sits right on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. The hotel can be reached by a side street off busy Charoen Krung, but it's easier to take the hotel's free boat shuttle to and from the Saphan Taksin BTS Skytrain station next to the main pier. The boat service does not operate all night, but taxis are available.

The riverside location removes the Royal Orchid from the noise and traffic of Bangkok, and it has fantastic views of the river heading downstream. The River City shopping mall is next door, connected by a walkway, which offers several eating and drinking options, along with plenty of shopping. Charoen Krung Road, full of local restaurants and street life, is within a 10-minute walk of the hotel.

All rooms have large floor-to-ceiling windows, and allow for great views of the river flowing by. Sheraton trademark Sweet Sleeper beds, flat-screen TVs, writing desks, safes, minibars, coffeemakers, and large bathrooms with separate tubs and showers also come with all rooms. Wi-Fi comes with a fee -- it's part of an expensive package. Larger, high-floor suites are available, and the Executive River View Suite offers separate living and sleeping rooms, and the Club River Executive Room offers Club Lounge access -- which has free Wi-Fi. There's also the palatial Royal Orchid Presidential Suite -- it's about 800 square feet and has a hot tub. Overall, the beige-on-beige decor is a bit bland, but rooms still feel upscale thanks to the space, views, and modern amenities.

The Royal Orchid Sheraton has a tennis court, a large fitness center with a wide array of equipment, two large swimming pools (one with a hot tub), a spa with a variety of treatments, and an aromatherapy floral bath.

There are four restaurants: Giorgio's serves upscale Italian fare and has an extensive wine list; Thara Thong features Thai cuisine and live classical music and Thai dancers; Sambal is a bar and grill set right out on the river, serving signature cocktails and fusion cuisine with lots of fresh seafood; Feast serves one of Bangkok's best buffets -- for breakfast, lunch, and dinner -- with Indian, Chinese, Thai, Japanese, and Western selections. There's also a large Lobby Lounge for drinks. Breakfast is free.

While the pools and various activities attract families, plenty of guests here are business travelers, attending meetings and conferences in the over 28,000 square feet of business facility space.