Peter's Post: Tips for Bangkok and Dubai

Our travel expert answers queries on routes and destinations around the world

ON BANGKOK WATER

I would like to stay alongside the Chao Praya River in Bangkok on a visit early next year. Which hotels do you recommend? - Trevor Vincent

Where you choose to stay depends on how much you are prepared to pay. If you want five-star luxury, the big three are the Peninsula Bangkok (my favourite), the Mandarin Oriental and the Shangri-La. They are among the top hotels in the world, with stunning views, wonderful restaurants and luxurious spas. Rates start at about R2000 per night, but you'll probably end up paying about R4000 per night for a room with a good view.

A little less pricey is the Royal Orchid Sheraton, a little further up the river, and the Millennium Hilton across the river (from about R1600 per night).

For a holiday resort feel, the best bet is the Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort and Spa, which has a fabulous pool area and offers river cruises (from R1300). Good medium-range hotels with rooms starting at about R1000 per night include the Ramada Plaza Bangkok Menam Riverside, the Chatrium Hotel Riverside and the Praya Palazzo. In the same price range, only a short walk from the river, is the splendid Arun Residence. This stylish, comfortable hotel is another of my favourites. For something totally different, you can try the Ibrik Resort by the River, which has only three rooms (from R900).

You can get a room for about R650 at the Ibis Riverside, which shares the same magnificent river view as all the expensive resorts. You can also get good value at the Bossotel Bangkok (from R600), which has no view, but offers lovely rooms just around the corner from the Shangri-La. For bookings , check out bangkok.com , which has a full listing of riverside hotels in the city.

TOURING DUBAI, TRAVELLING MADRID

My daughter will be in Dubai for three days and would like to maximise her time for sightseeing. Can you suggest any tour guides or tours? She will also be travelling in Spain and plans to use the metro in Madrid. Is it safe? - Zarina Walele

Your daughter will have no problem finding things to do in Dubai. She could spend all three days in the city's fabulous malls, but there is so much more to see. There is no need for a private guide, as there are plenty of great tours available. Just for starters, she can do a city tour, which will include a visit to the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, the Old Mosque and the magnificent Burj Al Arab Hotel. Other tours include a desert safari, which features a camel ride and belly dancing display, and a marina cruise. She could even treat herself to a Bedouin breakfast in the desert. For a fun-filled day, she could take the "Dubai Mini Package", which includes a full city tour, a desert safari and a cruise on the Dubai Creek. This package costs about R1400 (dubaicitytours.net).

Your daughter should not have any problems in Madrid as long as she takes the usual precautions applicable to major cities . There are cases of petty crime and bag-snatching b ut she should be fine using the metro, which runs from 6am to 1.30am. I'd suggest a taxi if necessary to avoid travelling alone late at night. If she has any problems in the city, she can contact SATE, an assistance service for foreign tourists which operates from 9am-10pm (phone +915488537 or +915488008). Outside of these times, she can call 902 102 112.