BANGKOK
Lub*d HOSTEL $
(Map p 86 ; %0 2634 7999; http://www.lubd.com; Th Pha
Ram I; dm 550B, r 1350-1800B; aiW; BTS Nation-
al Stadium) The title is a play on the Thai làp
dee, meaning ‘sleep well’, but the fun atmos-
phere at this bright new backpacker hostel
might make you want to stay up all night.
There are 24 dorms (including women-only
dorms), each with only four beds, and a
few private rooms, both with and without
bathrooms. There’s an inviting communal
area stocked with free internet, games and
a bar, and thoughtful facilities ranging from
washing machines to a theatre room. If this
one’s full, there’s another branch (Map p 82 ;
%0 2634 7999; http://www.lubd.com; 4 Th Decho; dm
400B, r 1050-1400B; aiW; BTS Chong Nonsi)
just off Th Silom.Swisshôtel Nai Lert Park LUXURY HOTEL $$$
(Map p 86 ; %0 2253 0123; http://www.swissotel.com/
bangkok-nailertpark; 2 Th Witthayu/Wireless Rd;
r 4100-4500B, ste 5200-6800B; aiWs; BTS
Phloen Chit, klorng taxi Tha Withayu) This hotel
has seen a few reincarnations during its
30-year history, but we like the current one.
The suites follow the sleek design theme laid
out in the lobby, while cheaper rooms follow
a more conservative wood-heavy ‘classic’
theme. Regardless, all are huge and include
balconies. Breakfast is included.Conrad Hotel Bangkok HOTEL $$$
(Map p 86 ; %0 2690 9999; http://www.conradhotels.com;
87 Th Witthayu/Wireless Rd; r 7298-10,005B, ste
14,242-17,185B; aiWs; BTS Phloen Chit) When
built in 2003, the Conrad was one of the fi rst
hotels in Bangkok to consciously make an
eff ort to appeal to the young and hip. It has
since been surpassed in this area, but still
off ers attractive and comfortable accommo-
dation. Breakfast is included.Reno Hotel BUDGET HOTEL $$
(Map p 86 ; %0 2215 0026; http://www.renohotel.co.th; 40
Soi Kasem San 1; r incl breakfast 1280-1890B; BTS
National Stadium, klorng taxi to Tha Ratchathewi;
aiWs) Most of the rooms refl ect the ren-
ovations evident in the lobby and exterior,
but the cafe and classic pool of this Vietnam
War-era hotel still cling to the past.Vie HOTEL $$$
(Map p 86 ; %0 2309 3939; http://www.viehotelbangkok.
com; 117/39-40 Th Phayathai; r/ste incl breakfast
4296/5030-12,530B; BTS Ratchathewi; aiWs)
Vie combines a convenient location and a
casual atmosphere in one attractive pack-
age. The service gets good reports, there’san emphasis on wining and dining, and if
you’re considering upgrading, the duplex
suites are spacious and off er great city
views.Asia Hotel HOTEL $$$
(Map p 86 ; %0 2217 0808; http://www.asiahotel.co.th; 296
Th Phayathai; r 3700-4800B, ste 8000-10,000B;
aiWs; BTS Ratchathewi, klorng taxi to Tha
Ratchathewi) A recent renovation has this
tourist-group staple looking slightly more
modern than the 1970s-era lobby would sug-
gest. Connoisseurs of kitsch don’t fret: the
hotel’s Calypso Cabaret (see the boxed text,
p 133 ) and a nightly Elvis show are still in
full eff ect. Breakfast is included.
Golden House HOTEL $$
(Map p 86 ; %0 2252 9535; http://www.goldenhouses.
net; 1025/5-9 Th Ploenchit; r incl breakfast 2000-
2300B; aiW; BTS Chit Lom) With parquet
flooring and built-in wooden furniture, the
27 rooms here are more like modern Thai
condos than hotel rooms. The beds are
huge, but just like those of Thai condos,
they have the potential to sag.
Novotel Bangkok on
Siam Square BUSINESS HOTEL $$$
(Map p 86 ; %0 2255 6888; http://www.novotelbkk.com;
Soi 6, Siam Sq; r 4049-6403B, ste 5449-11,403B;
aiWs; BTS Siam) Appropriate for busi-
ness or leisure, the soon-to-be-renovated
Novotel Siam is conveniently located
near the BTS and shopping. Breakfast is
included.
A-One Inn BUDGET HOTEL $
(Map p 86 ; %0 2215 3029; http://www.aoneinn.com;
25/13-15 Soi Kasem San 1; s/d/tr 600/750/950B;
aiW; BTS National Stadium, klorng taxi to
Tha Ratchathewi) The rooms here are tight
and simple, but the wealth of backpacker
amenities (computers, luggage storage,
free ice and water) makes up for this.
Wendy House BUDGET HOTEL $$
(Map p 86 ; %0 2214 1149; http://www.wendyguesthouse.
com; 36/2 Soi Kasem San 1; r incl breakfast
900-1200B; aiW; BTS National Stadium, klorng
taxi to Tha Ratchathewi) The rooms here are
small and basic, but well stocked (TV,
fridge) for this price range.
Bed & Breakfast Inn BUDGET HOTEL $
(Map p 86 ; %0 2215 3004; Soi Kasem San 1; r incl
breakfast 500-700B; aW; BTS National Stadium,
klorng taxi to Tha Ratchathewi) This mazelike
guest house has standard but comfortable
rooms.