Bangkok (Lonely Planet) - Andrew Burke [160]
In the historic village area south of Th Ratchadamnoen Klang, this modern 48-room hotel is an excellent choice for those looking for style, value and quiet. Over three floors, the brightly coloured rooms are a good size and feature a generous splash of Thai silk. The larger deluxe rooms, in particular, are a bargain at these prices.
NEW SIAM RIVERSIDE
Map Hotel $$
0 2629 3535; www.newsiam.net; 21 Th Phra Athit; d 1390-2490B; air-con 511 & 516, ordinary 2 & 82; Tha Phra Athit (Banglamphu, N13);
The fortunes of the New Siam guesthouse empire are a metaphor for the rise and rise of Banglamphu itself. With this, the fourth and newest New Siam, they’ve boldly stepped onto the Chao Phraya riverfront with a 104-room orange behemoth. With a riverside pool, a cafe, well-equipped and vaguely stylish rooms and an attractive location, it’s one of the best options in the district – if you pay for view (from 1890B). The nearby New Siams II and III are also very popular. Book ahead.
SLEEP WITHINN
Map Hotel $$
0 2280 3070; www.sleepwithinn.com; 76 Th Rambutri; r 1100-1800B; Tha Phra Athit (Banglamphu, N13);
Reflecting the area’s steady move upmarket, Sleep Withinn is the latest place to offer enough global Zen style and comfort to attract the flashpacker baht without pricing themselves out of the budget market. The 50 compact rooms are a step up on those at the Rikka and at the usually discounted rates (1050B to 1300B) are excellent value. The rooftop pool is a bonus, though competition for sunbeds is fierce. Grumpy reception staff do take some of the shine off.
VILLA CHA-CHA
Map Hotel $
0 2280 1025; www.villachacha.com; 36 Th Tanee; r 800-2750B; Tha Phra Athit (Banglamphu, N13);
Tucked away in a cat-filled alley north off Th Rambutri, the popular 74-room Villa Cha-Cha largely lives up to its claim of being ‘really a site of calm and tranquillity’. The courtyard pool with overhanging tree, the dim lighting and the island style do most of the work, with staff contributing a laid-back but attentive disposition. Rooms are big but feel like they didn’t get quite as much attention (or Balinese statues!) as the public spaces, and can be quite dark.
RIKKA INN
Map Hotel $
0 2282 7511; www.rikkainn.com; 259 Th Khao San; s 600B, d 800-950B; Tha Phra Athit (Banglamphu, N13);
If you want a pool but don’t want to spend money on rooms with fancy decorations (such as, in many cases, a window), then the Rikka will appeal. The lobby promises more contemporary style than the 80 small rooms deliver, but credit where it’s due – for this price they’re fine. The rooftop pool is super.
ROOF VIEW PLACE
Map Hotel $
0 2280 1272; www.roofviewplace.com; Soi 6, Th Samsen; s 580B, d 680-780B, tr 1080B; Tha Phra Athit (N13), Tha Thewet (Banglamphu, N15);
The Roof View embraces a sparse but – at this price – relatively stylish minimalism that makes it the pick among an otherwise uninspiring bunch in this quiet village area north of Khao San. Rooms are squeaky clean and very white. The 6th-floor roof does indeed have fine district views, but isn’t really set up for hanging out. There’s a winch for backpacks but no lift. Guests can use the kitchen in the lobby.
BOWORN BB
Map Guesthouse $
0 2629 1073; www.bowornbb.com; 335 Th Phra Sumen; r 700-800B; Tha Phra Athit (Banglamphu, N13);
Cultural chameleons will love this antique neighbourhood of green-and-yellow shophouses and flip-flop-clad families with hardly a sign of tourist incursions. Boworn has bland but clean rooms with wet-all-over bathrooms. But it’s the familial atmosphere centred on the cafe-lobby and the garden rooftop that are most attractive – and the àroy (delicious) green curries. Wi-fi is 50B per day.
SAM SEN SAM PLACE
Map Guesthouse $
0 2628 7067; www.samsensam.com; 48 Soi 3, Th Samsen; r 500-2100B; Tha Phra Athit (Banglamphu, N13);
Built 90 years ago and once part of a hospital, this welcoming guesthouse is now a palette of pastels with rooms sharing names and colours with grapes, bananas, kiwis, peaches and strawberries, among others. Rooms vary greatly