Bangkok guest houses - guesthouse recommendations
Punters frantically search for a guesthouse in KSR
There are a large number of guesthouses to choose from in Bangkok, and these are excellent options for those who are trying to travel as cheaply as possible. However, both standards and prices for this type of accommodation vary widely, and visitors will need to take a close look at their room before checking in to make sure that they are getting a good deal.
The largest selection of guesthouses in Bangkok can be found in and around Khao San Road, which is a long street famed for its Bohemian atmosphere. In addition to cheap and cheerful accommodation, visitors to this part of the city will find plenty of businesses that cater to the needs of budget travellers, from second hand bookshops to travel agencies and bars that sell cheap beer. There is also the Soi Ngam Duphi area in Silom, closer to the newer centre of the city, along with others tucked away on Sukhumvit road. It’s worth knowing that the online hotel rates are so cheap that they can compete with the guesthouses and offer a much more comfortable experience. If your budget is more than US$25 a night, consider searching Agoda.
Bangkok guesthouses in the Khao San Road area
Khao San Road has become the main focal point for backpackers visiting Bangkok, and the area is a great place to use as a base as it is situated conveniently close to a number of the city’s most popular tourist attractions, while the Chao Phraya River is just a 10 minute walk away. In addition to the numerous guesthouses that can be found on Khao San Road, there are also plenty of options on Soi Rambuttri. It runs parallel, as well as opposite, to Khao San Road and is a slightly quieter place to stay, although there are also plenty of bars and restaurants located here.
Book budget hotels online (for less than $25)
Sawasdee Krungthep: Located in a quiet section of Rambuttri Road, behind the temple across from Khao San Road. This establishment offers a wide variety of clean rooms as well as friendly helpful staff and a laid-back restaurant area for watching movies. Single with a/c and bathroom: 540 baht (including breakfast); 30 Rambuttri Road, Phanakorn, tel: (02) 629 0079.
Shambara Boutique Hostel and Restaurant: Hidden down a small side-alley at the eastern end of Khao San Road, this is becoming an increasingly popular choice for backpackers as it offers clean, tastefully-decorated rooms and a charming terraced restaurant. Rooms with fan and shared bathroom (single/double): 300/500 baht (including breakfast), rooms with a/c and shared bathroom (single/double): 390/700 baht (including breakfast); 138 Khao San Road, Taladyod, tel: (02) 282 7968, email: info@shambarabangkok.com.
Bella Bella Guesthouse: A small gem of a place popular with locals for its clean, reasonably-priced rooms that come with and without air-conditioning, along with friendly staff and a good restaurant. Rooms with fan and shared bathroom (single/double): 200/270 baht; 74 Soi Chana Songkhram, tel: (02) 629 3090-1.
New Siam I: This simple place offers decent rooms for the price and is a bit quieter, being away from the bustle of the street, yet is thin on atmosphere. Rooms with fan and shared bathroom (single/double): 240/590 baht; 21 Soi Chanasongkram, Phra Athit Road, tel: (02) 282 4554.
New Siam II Guest House: Slightly more expensive but quiet, modern, and tastefully-decorated, with a friendly staff and a good swimming pool. This is a good option that is also located behind the temple across the street from the mouth of Khao San Road. Rooms with fan and en-suite, (dbl/trp): 690/1,035 baht, a/c with en-suite (dbl/trp): 790/ 1,170 baht; 50 Trok Rong Mai, Phra Athit Road, Chanasongkram, tel: (02) 282 2795.
Four Sons Inn: Situated on the bend of Soi Rambuttri is the popular Four Sons Inn, which features a decent bar and restaurant and also has the unique feature of offering DVD rentals to its guest for just 50 baht. Rooms a/c private bathroom and no window (single/twin): 400/450 baht, rooms with a/c private bathroom with a window (single/twin): 450/550 baht, discounts are available for stays longer than two nights; 327/2-3-4 Rambutri Road, tel: (02) 629 5812.
Chart Guesthouse: Located right in the heart of Khao San Road is this institution among Bangkok guesthouses. The restaurant is a popular spot for movie watching and hanging out with travellers, while rooms are clean and there is a wide variety to choose from. Single room fan shared shower: 250 baht / double, fan, shared shower: 350 baht / double, fan, en-suite 400 baht / double with a/c and en-suite: 550 baht; 62 Khao San Road, Taladyod, email: chartguesthouse@gmail.com.
Chai's House: The family-run Chai’s House is a good, quiet option with a bamboo-laden outdoor lounging area as well as a decent restaurant. It’s also a very affordable choice. Rooms; singles 150 baht with fan, and 350 for a double room with a/c and private bathroom; 59/4-8 Soi Rongmai, tel: (02) 281 4901.
Soi Ngam Duplii
Once one of the most popular guesthouse spots in the city, Soi Ngam Duplii feels a lot like the street that time forgot. Those who want to base themselves in the Silom district without having to pay through the nose for accommodation will find a good number of budget guesthouses to choose from here.
ETC Guest House: Clean, reasonable rooms, a free breakfast and good travel services make this one of the best options on Soi Ngam Duplii. Rooms: single, fan, with shared bathroom 200 baht; double, fan, with shared bathroom: 260 baht; single, fan, with private bathroom: 280 baht; double, fan, with private bathroom: 340 baht; 5/3 Soi Ngam Duplii, tel: (02) 286 9424.
Madam Guest House: A bit unusual for Soi Ngam Duplii, Madam’s is a fairly small, wooden guesthouse that is distinctively decorated. It offers a break from the bare basic functional standard of many of the area’s guesthouses. Rooms: fan with private bathroom, and fan room with shared bathroom: from 120 to 280 baht; 11 Soi Saphan Khu, tel: (02) 286 9289.
Sala Thai Daily Mansion: This interesting guesthouse is located at the end of the soi (lane), and offers large rooms with shared bathrooms. It’s popular with long-term residents and has a rooftop terrace and sociable lounge area on the third floor. Rooms with fan and shared bathroom (single/double): 300/400 baht, with A/C and shared bathroom (single/double): 500/600 baht; 15 Soi Sri-Bamphen, Phraram 4, Sathon, tel: (02) 287 1436.
Bangkok guesthouses in other parts of the city
Shanti Lodge: This is a relaxing place with nice rooms, good food, a lovely pool and a friendly atmosphere. Shanti Lodge is home to a number of long-term guests, especially during the low season (May-Oct.) Double room with fan and shared bathroom: 400-600 baht; double room with fan and en-suite: 650-850 baht; double room with a/c and en-suite: 1,000-1,400 baht; 37 Sri Ayutthya Road, Soi 16 Si Sou Thewet, tel: (02) 281 2497, email: bangkok@shantilodge.com.
Big John’s: Located on Soi Thong Lo (Sukhumvit 55) in an area with trendy upscale bars and eateries, Aussie run Big John’s is quite new but steadily gaining a reputation as a quality guesthouse with excellent Western fare, including mean meat pies. Rooms (all with a/c and shared bathroom): quad: 990 baht per room, dorm: 220 baht per bed, single: 550 baht, double: 590 baht, triple: 790 baht, ask for off-season discounts; 161/8-9 Sukhumvit Road, Soi 55 (Thonglor Soi 9), tel: (02) 712 9712.
Merlin Lodge: This boutique budget hotel is located in a prime position on Sukhumvit Road and features 20 beautifully-furnished, air-conditioned rooms, a 24 hour coffee shop, a mini-mart, free wireless internet, and magazines. Rates start from US$15 per room/night; 2294 Sukhumvit road, Sukhumvit Soi 64 (corner), tel: (02) 331 3600, email: merlinlodge@yahoo.com.
White Lodge Guest House: Situated in the Patumwan district, a short distance from the shopping areas of Siam Square, MBK mall and the surrounding area, this is a popular choice with those who are looking for reasonably-priced rooms and friendly staff. Rooms with a/c and private bathroom (single/double): 450/500 baht; 36/8 Soi Kasaem 1, Rama 1 Road, tel: (02) 216 8867.
Riverview Guest House: Near Chinatown and the River City shopping complex, this establishment is a bit more comfortable and many of the rooms here really do have a river view. The rooms are quite large, and the 8th floor restaurant comes complete with a panoramic view. The place can be difficult to find, you should print out the guest house's map and learn the direction before your trip. Rooms, fan, and shared bathroom: 350 baht, fan room and private bathroom: 450 baht, rooms with a/c and private bathroom: 700 to 1,500 baht; 768 Soi Panuangsri, Songwad Road, Talad Noi, Sampantawong, tel: (02) 235 8501, email: mail@riverviewbangkok.com.
Updated and correct: January 2012
Tips on finding a Bangkok Guesthouse
While most of the guesthouses in Bangkok are aimed at budget travellers, many are comfortable and come with a range of optional extras. Some of the city’s more upmarket guesthouses are located down quiet lanes and can be as expensive as hotel rooms.
The price for a basic room in a Bangkok guesthouse starts from as little as 150 baht a night. However, these tiny, windowless cell rooms offer little more than a bed and a ceiling fan and are only for those on an extremely tight budget who don’t mind roughing it for a day or two. Guesthouse rooms that come complete with private bathrooms and a few other creature comforts start from 300 baht, while those who are willing to pay 400-600 baht will receive amenities such as air-conditioning and a mini-bar.
Many of the guesthouses in Bangkok offer twin or triple rooms, which are good ways to save money for those who are happy to share their room with a friend or two. Dormitories are not really common in Thailand, but there are a few to be found around Khao San Road.
Most guesthouses offer additional services such as laundry, ticket booking and baggage storage and also have an attached restaurant and bar. Although the food at these establishments tends to be rather mediocre to say the least, the drinks are cheap and these are good place to relax with a beer or two while chatting to fellow travellers.
Note! These recommendations serve as a guide to what’s available now, as Bangkok guesthouses are constantly changing hands and even closing down altogether, while new ones regularly spring up in their place. Although it is a good idea to take note of these, it is also best to spend time exploring an area independently and checking out what’s on offer.
