The famous Khao San Road and other Bangkok, Thailand Hotel/Accommodation Reviews

The Khao San Road (pictured here just before an enourmous downpour of rain, hence the gloom) in the Banglampu area of Bangkok has everything a budget traveller needs, and it's close to the main sights, too. There's even a branch of Boots (a UK-based pharmacist chain), handy for sunscreen, shampoo etc. Lots of cheap guesthouses, restaurants (which often show English-language videos while you eat or have a drink) and shops and stalls selling lots of stuff for backpackers. But whisper it gently, the Khao San Road is drifting towards catering for mid-market travellers too - the new Buddy Lodge hotel is a prime example of this. There's even (shock) a branch of McDonalds there now....


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Theme: Pension/Guesthouse
Comparison: least expensive

Website: http://www.khaosanroad.com/

If you're coming from or about to go to the airport, consider staying near the city end of Sukhumvit Road. There's a wide range of hotels with a choice of prices, although mid-range hotels are especially prevalent.
You'll miss the backpacker buzz of the Khao San Road, and it's not very scenic, but it can be pretty convenient, especially if you only have a one-night stop.

There are lots of western-style comforts nearby should you need them - a branch of Boots (the UK health and beauty retailer), and Pizza Hut, McDonalds, Starbucks, good bookshops and more. The Robinson Department store near Soi 19 is a handy place to visit should you feel the need to do some shopping, too. The Skytrain, which runs directly over Sukhumvit Road, makes getting around the area a breeze.

I've stayed in several places in "lower" Sukhumvit, and I particularly like Soi 5. It's relatively quiet (one-way traffic only, and not on a through route), and has lots of handy shops and restaurants.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Address: Sukhumvit Soi 5

This is my favourite hotel in Bangkok, mainly because I enjoy a real bargain! The rooms are comfortable, quiet and clean and I really like the location. While the rates for this hotel have gone up in the past year or so, if you shop around it's still often possible to get a room for around 2000 baht a night or even less, and it's well worth the money. The rate you get direct from the hotel may not be as good as those offered by booking agents, but it can be worth calling to check, particularly in low season. You should book ahead as it does fill up sometimes.

The hotel has recently been renovated, and the lobby now has a smart modern look to it - the room I was in had been upgraded too.

It's part of the Royal Princess group of hotels, a well-run Thai chain.In the UK, both Trailfinders and British Airways Holidays offer good rates for this hotel.

Unique Qualities: It's a reasonable 4 star-ish hotel - there's a pool and gym (neither of which I've got round to using!). If you're interested in cooking Thai food, they also run a quick (1 afternoon) introductory cooking course. There are also a couple of restaurants, and room service is at reasonable rates, too.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Phone: (02) 2534300
Address: Sukhumvit Soi 5
Directions: A short walk from Nana skytrain station.
Website: www.bel-aireprincess.com

I left booking a little late on my last trip (October 2002) and discovered that the Bel-Aire Princess was booked up, so I decided to give its bigger neighbour a try. It was a bit more expensive (about 40 pounds - 2400 baht - per night), and I was a little surpised to find that the rooms were a little bit on the small side - not tiny, but they could have been bigger. But it was pleasant and comfortable, and acceptably quiet - a nice retreat from chaotic Bangkok.

Unique Qualities: All the 4 star amenities, and an excellent location near Sukhumvit Road. Soi 5 is a relatively quiet side-street too, so there's not too much traffic noise. However, a very large pub has just opened next door, so there may be some noise from that now.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Phone: (02) 255 2930
Address: 2 Soi 5 Sukhumvit Road
Directions: Just around the corner from the Nana Skytrain.
Website: http://www.amari.com/boulevard/

The Bel-Aire Princess was fully booked on one of my trips, so I checked some of the nearby hotels, and got a good price on the Royal Benja, just down the same soi (side-street). It's a high-rise place, so you get a great view from the rooms on the upper levels.

However, to some extent you get what you pay for; the hotel was showing a few signs of age, and the bathroom in my room had a few broken fittings. The staff were friendly though, and the room was comfortable enough, and had cable TV. The Soi 5 location is great as well, with lots of local shops and just a short walk to Nana Skytrain station.

Overall, it's not a bad place if you want an OK hotel towards the cheaper end of the price range; but make sure you don't pay the hotels "official" rate of 85 dollars + tax for a room - it's certainly not worth that. I got a booking through www.asia-hotels.com for 105 US dollars for 3 nights stay...


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$20-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: (02) 6552920
Address: 39 Sukhumvit Soi 5, Bangkok 10110
Directions: At the end of Soi 5 off Sukhumvit; Nana is the closest Skytrain station.
Website: http://www.royalbenja.th.com/

One day, I might have enough money to stay at one of Bangkok's finest hotels, such as the Oriental, the Peninsula, and the Shangri-La. All of these hotels are located by the river south of the Grand Palace, extremely convenient for sightseeing. In case you're in a hurry, the Peninsula (pictured here from the river) offers a helicopter service to and from the airport (at extra cost, I think!).


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: most expensive
Prices: US$180 and up  » Currency Converter

I thought I'd try somewhere other than Sukhumvit to stay on this trip (Dec 2006) and I found the Indra Regent had rooms for 28 pounds a night through BA Holidays - a very good deal for peak season. The hotel is right in the middle of the Pratunam garment district - the ground floor of the hotel itself is a shopping centre mostly dealing in cheap clothes. It's some way to the nearest Skytrain stop, but other than that the location of the hotel is pretty good - just a short walk away from the huge Central World Mall and the Big C hypermarket.

The hotel itself is a nice 3-star place - a comfortable room (slight traffic noise but not enough to keep me awake), BBC World on the TV - free tea and coffee as well, but on the negative side there was a stupidly overpriced minibar (head to the nearby 7-11 for snacks and drinks). A good place to stay, as long as the price is right - note that as with other Bangkok hotels it's usually cheaper to use an agent than to book direct.


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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Phone: (02) 208 0022
Address: 120/126 Rajprarop Road, 10400 Bangkok
Directions: Pratunam district, north of the Central World mall.
Website: www.indrahotel.com

I booked this hotel for a last night in Thailand before heading to the new airport and home, and it did the job pretty well. It's close to Nana Skytrain station and together with an early start meant that I was able to have an early morning trip around the city before checking out. Free tea and coffee in the room and BBC World on the TV kept me happy, and although the hotel is on a busy road I didn't have a problem with the traffic keeping me awake. Breakfast was included but the cooked food was a bit disappointing. A good deal (at 28 pounds per night) overall, though - I'd consider staying there again if the price was similar.

Unique Qualities: The entrance is very strange - if you enter from the pavement you won't see reception, just a security guard - you will find reception up a floor. Not a big problem as once you've checked in you get a swipe card to get into your room which you keep with you, and don't have to stop at reception every time you go in and out.

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Theme: Hotel
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Phone: (02) 655 4999
Address: Sukhukmvit Soi 3, Bangkok
Directions: A short walk from Nana Skytrain station.
Website: http://www.zenith-hotel.com/
Other Contact: Fax: (02) 655 4950