Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [112]
BUDGET
Suk 11 (Map; 0 2253 5927; www.suk11.com; 1/33 Soi 11, Th Sukhumvit; dm/s/d/ste 250/500/750/2000B; Skytrain Nana; ) Extremely well run and extremely popular, this guesthouse is an oasis of woods and greenery in the urban jungle that is Th Sukhumvit. Although they’ve somehow managed to stuff nearly 100 rooms in there, you’ll still need to book at least two weeks ahead.
HI-Sukhumvit (Map; 0 2391 9338; www.hisukhumvit.com; 23 Soi 38, Th Sukhumvit; dm 300B, s 550-600B, d 800-850B; Skytrain Thong Lo; ) Located in a quiet residential street a brief walk from the Skytrain, this friendly hostel excels with its neat dorms and accompanying immense bathrooms. There is lots of tourist information, a rooftop deck, laundry and kitchen.
Soi 1 Guesthouse (Map; 0 2655 0604; www.soi1guesthouse.com; 220/7 Soi 1, Th Sukhumvit; dm 350B; Skytrain Ploenchit; ) Boasting the somewhat intimidating motto ‘See the world before it seizes you’, this narrow building has four cluttered dorm rooms. When not outside seeing the world, let yourself be ‘seized’ by the chummy communal area with pool table, TV and computers.
Nana Chart (Map; 0 2259 4900; www.thailandhostel.com; cnr Soi 25, Th Sukhumvit; dm 390B, r 1200-1800B; Skytrain Asoke, Metro Sukhumvit; ) This tidy, newish backpacker hostel packs 90 plain but more-than-adequate budget rooms, as well as some of the better dorms around featuring ensuite bathrooms. Restaurants and a travel agency are also located in the compound.
Atlanta (Map; 0 2252 1650/6069; fax 0 2656 8123; 78 Soi Phasak/2, Th Sukhumvit; r 535-650B, ste 1820B; Skytrain Ploenchit; ) Defiantly antiquated and equally frumpy, this crumbling gem has changed very little since its construction in 1952. The opulent lobby stands in contrast to the simple rooms, but the inviting pool (the country’s first hotel pool) and delightful restaurant are incentive enough. The rather fanatical anti-sex-tourist policy may leave Thai friends of either gender waiting outside. Miami Hotel (Map; 0 2253 0369; www.thaimiami.com; 2 Soi 13, Th Sukhumvit; s/d 800/1000B; Skytrain Nana; ) Definitely showing its 40 years, and currently surrounded by the noisy construction of things much grander, the Miami still manages to carry an element of old-school Bangkok charm. Ask for one of the original business cards while they last.
MIDRANGE
Golden Palace Hotel (Map; 0 2252 5115; www.goldenpalacehotel.com; 15 Soi 1, Th Sukhumvit; r 1110-1350B; Skytrain Ploenchit; ) The abundance of mirrors in the ground-floor rooms gives this away as a former tryst hotel, but for just a couple of hundred baht more, you can get one of the simple but airy rooms upstairs. A pool, coffee shop and nearby spa ensure that you won’t need to go very far to be entertained.
Federal Hotel (Map; 0 2253 0175; www.federalbangkok.com; 27 Soi 11, Th Sukhumvit; r 1200-1500B; Skytrain Nana; ) You wouldn’t know it from the exterior, but after 40 years ‘Club Fed’ finally decided to get a makeover. The upstairs rooms are comfortable and almost contemporary, but the rooms at ground level still scream 1967. The real draws are the frangipani-lined pool and time-warped American-style coffee shop.
Stable Lodge (Map; 0 2653 0017; www.stablelodge.com; 39 Soi 8, Th Sukhumvit; r 1495-1695B; Skytrain Nana; ) To be honest, we were slightly disappointed that the faux-Tudor theme of the downstairs restaurant didn’t carry on into the rooms, but could find no other faults. A recent renovation has given a bit of life to the simple rooms here, and the spacious balconies still offer great city views.
Baan Sukhumvit (Map; 0 2258 5625; www.baansukhumvit.com; 392/38-39 Soi 20, Th Sukhumvit; s/d 1540/1760B; Skytrain Asoke, Metro Sukhumvit; ) One of three similarly priced hotels located on this small side street off Soi 20, Baan Sukhumvit’s 12 rooms exude a homey, cosy atmosphere. A newer branch is