Yes the front desk is open 24 hrs, if you book online just let them know you will be arriving late (approximate time of arrival). Front desk is on the 5th floor, just pile into the elevator and head up
Dear Readrer - thanks you for your question. The night market is under 5 minutes away from the Raya Suriwong Hotel. As you leave the hotel cross the main Suriwong Road - it means dodging through traffic but one side of the road is often at a standstill. On the other side of the road turn right and walk about 400 metres. The pavement is very crowded with food stalls and pedestrians and it is also being repaired so take care. You will pass several small shops and restaurants and a night club called The Pink Panther before coming to a large Buddhist shrine on your left. The main nightmarket is in this road on your left next to the shrine - the stalls begin to get erected between 4.30pm and 5.30pm and it is in full swing from 6.00pm until around 9.30pm.The far end of this road meets Silom Road and the market stalls are spread along Silom Road both to the left and the right. It is best to turn left as the stalls in that direction are more profuse and varied. Haggle over prices - the stallholders usually enjoy this as long as you are reasonable. Most will speak a little English. beware of pickpockets as always in crowded locations. There are many coffee shops and bars in the area to sit and have a drink but remember this is the red light district - better to have a drink in Suriwong or Silom Roads.
There is another night market in Lumpini Gardens - Suan Lumpini. Walking there is a little tortuous and best reached in a short taxi ride which should cost you around 50 baht only. Just ask for the Lumpini Night Bazaar and the driver will take you into the gardens and to a suitable drop off point. best time is after 7.00pm and you might like to go and see some Thai Kick Boxing in the arena there - it is clearly signposted and is a show popular with Thais and visitors alike. Get a taxi back afterwards - you might need to walk to Pra Rama 4 road for this and the journey due to dual carriageways is even more complicated but no real problem.
The nearest and nicest temple in the area is called Wat Hua Lampong and is just over a kilomtre from the Raya Suriwong. Come out of the hotel and turn left and walk the 100 metres up to the traffic lights at the very busy main road Pra Rama 4. Again bear left and follow the road for about a kilomtre - the temple lies back from the road on your left and is a very impressive collection of beautifully decorated buildings. It is best to visit in the morning before the sun gets too high in the sky. If you want to see some of the more famous temples such as the one containing the Emerald Buddha you would need to go to the Grand Palace by taxi and enter the grouds remembering the strictly enforced dress code. Reception will explain this to you and maybe suggest other places of interest but once again go around 10.00am in the morning - it gets exceptionally hot there due to many white painted walls which intensify the sun! Also ignore any touts who try to tell you they are policement and that the place is closed or full. Afterwards, walk some distance away from the Palace to get a taxi back - the ones nearby often want to take you to their 'cousin's' jewellry shop!!! A taxi drive there shoiuld cost in the region of 100 baht. You can come back by river - as you exit the Palace turn left and walk the 400 or so metres to the river side and take the stopping boat to Saphan Thaksin (Southern Bridge). Pay on the boat as the touts near the landing stage will try to persuade you to but a special ticket from them at 4 times the price. It is about 10 mintes by boat to your stop. When you get off the boat the Sky Train Station is just a few metres away - take the train in he direction of the National Stadium to Sala Daeng which is on Silom Toad and under 5 minutes walk back to your wonderful hotel Raya Suriwong. Have a great trip!
