Moderate Hotel recommendation for Bangkok?

Going in early April, only staying 2 nites, so would like it to be close to the major sights/attractions. Am hoping to pay $75 or less. It would be great if the hotel had a pool & or spa, but not required, location is the most important.
Also looking for a separate recommendation for a cheaper (but safe) hotel close to the airport for our 10 hour stopover on the way back to the US. Thanks for your help! .

A hotel room price of $75 for Bangkok is closer to luxury than moderate. Hotels are cheaper than you think.

Check this place out, it is the Asia Hotel. The Asia is in a relatively "bar free" area. The Asia is right on a Skytrain stop! The Skytrain is an overhead train system that can quickly connect you with many areas of Bangkok.

From the Asia you can walk down to Phetchaburi Road where there are several malls and lots of street vendors. There is a computer mall in this Phetchaburi area and also the area near the Baiyoke Tower Hotel is a mini garment center.

The ride from the airport to the city (Asia Hotel, Sukhumvit, Siam area, etc.) is around 350 baht when you use the meter taxi. Price is for everyone in the taxi - not per passenger! Taxi sign up desk is outside the arrivals hall includes 50 baht surcharge, probably 2 tolls coming to around 65 baht plus meter fare! The taxi sign up desk is outside the arrivals hall near the curb. (IGNORE THE TOUTS IN THE ARRIVALS HALL SELLING RIDES INTO TOWN!)

The fare is paid when you arrive at the hotel, if the driver asks for the toll money that is okay, just don't pay him a second time. Have small bills for paying the driver (500 baht note may be too high, unless you don't want any change back!) The ride will take around 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic.

The airport is way out in the sticks! Here is a link for some hotels closer to the airport.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=82471

(I always stay in the city, this above hotel link is off another forum that I saved.)

Some of the cheaper hotels near the airport will take around 15 minutes to 20 minutes to get to. You have 10 hours minus maybe about an hour while you pass through immigration/customs check and get your bags unless you can check them through to your next flight. You have to be at the airport at least 2 hours early for an international flight - so what you have is around 7 hours for hotel time.

If you are flying in from another place in Thailand why not fly in a day early and spend your last night in Bangkok! This would give you another night of shopping and touring the city. This way you won't have to worry about a long layover or missing local connections and losing your flight home!

Bangkok has two airports, if you are flying from somewhere in Thailand make sure you know which airport your plane lands at. Don Muang is DMK and Suvarnabhumi is BKK. Both airports are on different sides of the city.

Good luck.

Try The Jade Pavilion Hotel in Sukhumvit 27 it is a very good spot to stay.It is in a quite lane and you can walk to the top of the road and you will have everything on your doorstep.If you can stretch your budget I would whole heartily recommend The Panthumwan Princess Hotel which is linked with MBK shopping mall which has everything you could possibly want and more.Lots of eating places and a wonderful cinema complex on the top floor,lots of clothing,jewellery.electrical goods,opticians etc; you just name it and you will find it.The Hotel itself is just awesome.The rooms,the staff and the magnificent breakfast is something to be seen.Taxis are very cheap and the sky train is right next door.When you use a taxi always insist that they put their meters on.If they don't want to just get out of the cab and get another cab that will use the meter. Remember the MBK is air conditioned and you will not have to leave the building to get back to the hotel.Good - luck whatever you decide to do.I have just had three months in Thailand and I always spend the last week of my holiday at The Pathumwan Princess and I have stayed there about four or five times.It is worth the extra british pound or american dollar

Rama Garden Hotel is great place to stay at. It is about 30 minutes from new airport and 10 minutes from old airport. The hotel has great restaurants and the lounge singer is good. Usually cost about 50 dollars for regular room and 80 for the upper end room. Both rooms are really nice but if you want to spoil yourself then pay a little extra.

visit www.asiarooms.com. u can find a list of hotels

also try www.sawadee.com, there's a lot of hotel with reasonable price