Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [107]
Train Inn (Map; 0 2215 3055; www.thetraininn.com; 428 Th Rong Muang/Hualamphong; r 450-900B; Metro Hualamphong; ) Located directly behind Hualamphong, the city’s main train station, this tidy guesthouse is a good place to base yourself if you’ve got an early departure or a late arrival. Only the more expensive rooms have attached bathrooms, but free wi-fi and small design touches are available throughout.
Krung Kasem Srikung Hotel (Map; 0 2225 0132; fax 0 2225 4705; 1860 Th Krung Kasem; d 650-700B; Metro Hualamphong; ) The rooms at this old-timer are slightly more hospitable than the exterior (and the neighbourhood) suggest. All have balconies, and those on the upper floors offer great views of Chinatown. Located a brief walk from Hualamphong train station.
China Town Hotel (Map; 0 2225 0204; www.chinatownhotel.co.th; 215 Th Yaowarat; r 1390-1800B, ste 2200-2800B; river ferry Tha Ratchawong; ) Popular with Chinese tourists, the lobby here plays on the theme suggested by the hotel’s name, but the rooms are largely devoid of any design concept. Some suites have recently been remodelled and offer decent value.
Shanghai Inn (Map; 0 2221 2121; www.shanghai-inn.com; 479-481 Th Yaowarat; r 2900-4000B; river ferry Tha Ratchawong; ) Easily the most stylish place to stay in Chinatown, if not in Bangkok. This boutique hotel suggests Shanghai c 1935 via stained glass, an abundance of lamps, bold colours and tongue-in-cheek Chinatown kitsch. There’s free wi-fi, and the number of rooms here will have increased 50% by the time this goes to print. If you’re willing to splurge, ask for one of the bigger streetside rooms with tall windows that allow more natural light.
Grand China Princess (Map; 0 2224 9977; www.grandchina.com; 528 Th Yaowarat; r 4200-4800B, ste 8400-9000B; river ferry Tha Ratchawong; ) This characterless but spotless hotel is the conservative choice in Chinatown. Rooms are huge, and those on the top floors offer great views of the city. A rooftop pool and revolving restaurant also take advantage of the sights. Book online for significant discounts.
Silom, Sathon & Riverside
The city’s financial district along Th Silom is not the most charming area of town, but it is convenient to nightspots and to the Skytrain and Metro for quick access to modern parts of Bangkok. There’s a distinct lack of budget accommodation around Th Silom, but some good-value boutique midrangers can be found on Soi Sala Daeng. Some of Bangkok’s most famous top-enders are also located along this stretch of the river; they can be reached via the complimentary hotel ferries at Tha Sathon.
Th Sathon is home to several top-end hotels, but lacks in atmosphere, the primary feature being the vast eponymous road. If you need to stay around this area be sure to Click here for a few more hotel options around lower Th Sathon.
BUDGET & MIDRANGE
New Road Guesthouse (Map; 0 2630 6994; fax 0 2237 1102; 1216/1 Th Charoen Krung; dm fan/air-con 130/220B, d 280-1500B; river ferry Tha Si Phraya; ) Just far enough from cacophonous Th Charoen Krung (previously known as New Rd) to be quiet, this Danish-run backpacker hostel offers a wide variety of plain but neat rooms. For those on tight budgets, the clean fan dorms are among the cheapest accommodation in town. The attached JYSK travel agency is reputable.
Lub*d (Map; 0 2634 7999; www.lubd.com; 4 Th Decho; dm/s/d 520/1280/1800B; Skytrain Chong Nonsi; ) The title is a play on the Thai làp dee, meaning ‘sleep well’, but the fun atmosphere at this backpacker hostel might make you want to stay up all night. There are four storeys of dorms (including a ladies-only wing) and a few private rooms, both