where is a good hotel to stay in Bangkok? middle of the range, fairly nice area but near the main sights.?

First Hotel.
;)

Ambassador hotel
Soi 11
Sukhumvit

they've got a website

Halfway between a luxury room at 7000 baht is around 3500 baht - is this okay?

You can pull up info on the Asia Hotel. This hotel is right at a Skytrain stop. Walk real easy to shopping on New Phetchaburi Road or take the train elsewhere.

http://www.asiahotel.co.th/asia_bangkok.htm

Or the Swiss Park Hotel, not far from the Nana Skytrain stop.

http://www.swissparkhotelbangkok.com/location.htm

Happy trails

Go with Andy P. It's what I would have said.
It's also right on the skytrain.

I would recommend checking out BookMe.com... You can compare all the major travel websites in 60 seconds, and only search for the ones you want. Keep checking, and eventually you find a GREAT deal! And they only search reputable/reliable sites, so you won't need to worry about anything.

http://bookme.com/test/index3.html

Check out all hotels in Bangkok on the following URL:
http://www.bangkok-hotel.ws/search/index.php

Do NOT stay anywhere near NANA skytrain station since it is the slum area during the day, and "red light" district at night.

Also, do not stay at the Maohra hotel near Sukhamvit rd. Although safe and quiet, you may find yourself sharing the bathroom with tiny bugs. The lobby looks nice, though, and the staff are friendly and helpful.

i stayed in samran place during my visit to bkk a few weeks back.. booked from asiarooms.com. each night only cost about $70...value for money for a budget traveller but if you are looking for a more enjoyable experience.. i dun think is is recommened as there is no view from the hotel...
when we opened the door on our first say... we were greeted by construction workers on the opposite building doing their work... service as so so as some staff were quite blacked face, but overall its still a cosy budget hotel

The Ambassador is a good mid-priced hotel in a decent area (I met a friend there for breakfast this morning), but it's not anywhere near any tourist sights unless you count the red-light districts like Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy. The areas where many of the tourist sights like the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, Wat Po, etc. are located doesn't have many mid-range or any hotels for that matter. The vast majority of tourists take the 30 minute or so taxi ride or boat trip to where many of the major tourist sights are and return to other parts of the city to stay, eat and enjoy the nightlife. Hotels on the river are great for easy access by boat to many sights, but most are fairly expensive. The Silom/Sathorn and Sukhumvit areas are the most popular for mid-range hotels and have good access to the Skytrain and subway. Btw, The Ambassador is undergoing a major renovation and my friend who is staying there was awakened by jack-hammers at 7:30 this morning. Good mid priced hotels other than The Ambassador are the Majestic Grande, The Grand President, Suk 15, The Davis, The Holiday Inn on Silom Rd. among many others. These websites have good prices, maps and reviews, good luck.
http://bangkok.sawadee.com/
http://www.hoteltravel.com/thailand/bangkok/hotels.htm
http://www.asiarooms.com/thailand/bangkok.html

You can go to marriot which is a five star hotel. Its very nice there but slightly expensive. I reccomend it.