Thailand - Planning (Chapter)

BANGKOK

New Siam Riverside HOTEL $$

(Map p 60 ; %0 2629 3535; http://www.newsiam.net; 21

Th Phra Athit; r incl breakfast 1390-2990B; ais;

bus 32, 33, 64, 82, river ferry Tha Phra Athit) One of

a couple of new places along Th Phra Athit

taking advantage of the riverside setting,

this hotel has comfortable rooms with tiny

bathrooms. But the real value is the ameni-

ties (internet, travel agent, restaurant) and

the location on one of the city’s more pleas-

ant streets.

Aurum: The River Place BOUTIQUE HOTEL $$$

(Map p 60 ; %0 2622 2248; http://www.aurum-bangkok.

com; 394/27-29 Soi Pansook, Th Maha Rat; r incl

breakfast 3950-4900B; aiW; bus 123, 508, river

ferry Tha Tien) The 12 modern rooms here

don’t necessarily refl ect the grand Euro-

pean exterior of this refurbished shophouse.

Nonetheless they’re comfortable and well

appointed, and most off er fl eeting views of

the Chao Phraya.

Baan Chantra BOUTIQUE HOTEL $$

(Map p 60 ; %0 2628 6988; http://www.baanchantra.

com; 120 Th Samsen; r incl breakfast 2400-3500B;

aiW; bus 32, 516, river ferry Tha Phra Athit) This

beautiful converted house is without pre-

tensions, preferring to be comfortable and

roomy rather than fashionable and pinched.

Many of the house’s original teak details re-

main, and the deluxe room boasts a sunny

patio.

Wild Orchid Villa BUDGET HOTEL $

(Map p 60 ; %0 2629 4378; http://www.wildorchidvilla.com;

8 Soi Chana Songkhram; r 280-1800B; aiW; bus

32, 33, 64, 82, river ferry Tha Phra Athit) The chea-

pies here are some of the tiniest we’ve seen

anywhere, but all rooms are clean and neat,

and come in a bright, friendly package. This

place is exceedingly popular, so it’s best to

book ahead.

Penpark Place BUDGET HOTEL $–$$

(Map p 60 ; %0 2628 8896; http://www.penparkplace.

com; 22 Soi 3, Th Samsen; r 300-1350B, ste 1800B;

aiW; bus 53, 516, river ferry Tha Phra Athit) This

former factory has been turned into a good-

value budget hotel. Rooms in the original

building are little more than a bed and a fan,

but a recent add-on sees a handful of well-

equipped apartment-like rooms and suites.

Some other budget and midrange options:

Hotel Dé Moc HOTEL $$

(Map p 60 ; %0 2282 2831; http://www.hoteldemoc.com;

78 Th Prachathipatai; r incl breakfast 1960-2520B;

aiWs; bus 12, 56) The rooms at this

classic hotel are large, with high ceilings

and generous windows, but the furnish-

ings could certainly use an update. Com-

plimentary transport to Th Khao San and

free bike rental are thoughtful perks.

Sam Sen Sam GUEST HOUSE $

(Map p 60 ; %0 2628 7067; http://www.samsensam.com;

48 Soi 3, Th Samsen; r 590-2400B; river ferry to

Tha Phra Athit; aiW) One of the homiest

places around, this bright, refurbished

villa gets good reports about its friendly

service and quiet location.

Rajata Hotel BUDGET HOTEL $

(Map p 60 ; %0 2628 8084; http://www.rajatahotel.com;

46 Soi 6, Th Samsen; r 650-850B; aiW; bus 53,

516, river ferry Tha Phra Athit) This old-skool

hotel is a plain but comfortable choice

for those who don’t want to stay on Th

Khao San, but who don’t want to be too

far away.

New Merry V Guest House BUDGET HOTEL $

(Map p 60 ; %0 2280 3315; [email protected];

18-20 Th Phra Athit; s 150, r 290-700B; ai; bus

32, 33, 64, 82, river ferry Tha Phra Athit) The

cheap rooms here are as bare as it gets,

but are spotless and have ample natural

light and the odd view or two.

CHINATOWN & PHAHUR AT

Yaowarat, Bangkok’s Chinatown, isn’t the

most hospitable part of town, but for those

who wish to stay off the beaten track it’s an

area where travellers can remain largely

anonymous. There’s a decent selection of

accommodation, much of it just off busy

streets, so be sure to assess the noise situ-

ation before choosing your room. The area

used to be a nightmare to get to, but the

MRT stop at Hua Lamphong has improved

things immensely.

If you’re arriving in Bangkok by train

and can’t be bothered to search elsewhere

for accommodation, there are several great

budget choices near Hua Lamphong train

station, including the Baan Hualam-

pong (p 109 ), Siam Classic (Map p 76 ; % 0

2639 6363; http://www.siamclassic-hostel.com; 336/10

Trok Chalong Krung; r 450-1400B; aiW; MRT

Hua Lamphong, river ferry Tha Ratchawong) and

@Hua Lamphong (Map p 76 ; %0 2639 1925;

http://www.at-hualamphong.com; 326/1 Th Phra Ram IV;

dm 200B, r 690-1000B; aiW; MRT Hua Lam-

phong, river ferry Tha Ratchawong).

Shanghai Mansion BOUTIQUE HOTEL $$$

(Map p 76 ; %0 2221 2121; http://www.shanghai-inn.com;

479-481 Th Yaowarat; r 2500-3500B, ste 4000B;