Thailand - Planning (Chapter)

BANGKOK

cultural-based activities including bike trips

and volunteer opportunities, and inviting

communal areas ensure that you may not

actually get the chance to plug in.

Buddy Boutique Hotel BOUTIQUE HOTEL $$$

(Map p 60 ; %0 2629 4477; http://www.buddylodge.com;

256 Th Khao San; r incl breakfast 3500-4500B;

aiWs; bus 2, 15, 44, 511, river ferry Tha Phra

Athit) This gigantic complex, which includes

a pool, fi tness room and, ahem, a branch of

McDonald’s, is, as far as we’re aware, the

most expensive place to stay on Th Khao

San. Correspondingly, rooms are comfort-

able, well equipped and evocative of a breezy

tropical manor house.

Villa Cha-Cha HOTEL $$

(Map p 60 ; %0 2280 1025; http://www.villachacha.com;

36 Th Tani; r 900-2900B; aiWs; bus 53, 516,

river ferry Tha Phra Athit) Wind between statues,

lounging residents, an expansive restaurant

and an inviting pool to emerge at this seem-

ingly hidden, but popular hotel. A few clum-

sy stabs have been made at interior design

(think topless portraits), but the real draw is

the social, resort-like atmosphere.

Rikka Inn BUDGET HOTEL $$

(Map p 60 ; %0 2282 7511; http://www.rikkainn.com; 259

Th Khao San; r 1150-1450B; aiWs; bus 53, 516,

river ferry Tha Phra Athit) Boasting tight but at-

tractive rooms, a rooftop pool and a central

location, the new Rikka is one of several

great-value hotels changing the face of Th

Khao San.

Lamphu House BUDGET HOTEL $

(Map p 60 ; %0 2629 5861; http://www.lamphuhouse.com;

75-77 Soi Ram Buttri; r 400-980B; aiW; river

ferry Tha Phra Athit) Tucked off Soi Ram But-

tri, you’ll forget how close to Th Khao San

you are in this quiet, homey budget hotel.

PRICE RANGES IN BANGKOK

Hotel rooms are generally more expensive in Bangkok than elsewhere in Thailand, but

don’t fret as there’s a huge variety and signifi cant discounts can be had, making accom-

modation very good value overall. In this chapter, we have divided rooms into the follow-

ing three categories:

» (^) Budget less than 1000B
» (^) Midrange 1000B to 3000B
» (^) Top End more than 3000B
The prices listed are high-season walk-in rates, but it’s worth noting that signifi cant dis-
counts can be found by booking online. See the boxed text, p 114 for recommended sites.
So what do you get for your money? At the budget end, the days of 50B beds in
Banglamphu are over, but those counting every baht can still get a fan-cooled dorm bed
(or a closet-like room) for between 150B and 200B with a shared bathroom. The more
you’re willing to pay, the more likely you are to get a towel, hot water and air-con. If you
require privacy and your own bathroom, paying in the realm of 700B or so can get you a
capable, although generally characterless, room.
The biggest mixed bag of all, the midrange level starts out with the high-quality guest
houses, then moves into a grey area of ordinariness. Above 1000B, the hotels have all the
appearance of a hotel back home – a bellboy, uniformed desk clerks and a well-polished
lobby – but without the predictability. If you’re on a lower midrange budget, and aren’t so
keen on aesthetics, some very acceptable rooms can be had for between around 1500B
and 2000B. If your budget is near the higher end of the scale, it really pays to book
ahead, as online discounts here can be substantial.
Bangkok’s growing array of top-end hotels typically include amenities such as pool,
spa, fi tness and business centres and overpriced internet connections. The famous
brands generally provide more space, while ‘boutique’ hotels emphasise ambience. In
the top tier, rooms start at more than 10,000B, but in most of the luxurious design and
boutique hotels, and the vast majority of the international brands, you’re looking at about
6000B to 9000B, before hefty online discounting. Keep in mind that the hotels in this
category will generally add a 10% service charge plus 7% tax to hotel bills.