Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [245]
Safe House Court ( Map; 0 5341 8955; www.safehousecourt.com; 178 Th Ratchaphakhinai; r 350-550B; ) This apartment-court building is in the middle of the old city and has no-nonsense lodgings. The rooms at the front of the building will get a lot of street noise, while the back end will get monk noise from the nearby temple.
Gap’s House ( Map; 0 5327 8140; www.gaps-house.com; 3 Soi 4, Th Ratchadamnoen; r 350-800B; ) A quirky little gem, Gap’s House has Thai-style wooden rooms planted in a thick jungle garden cluttered with statuary, cabinets of trinkets and a sh·lah (open-air pavilion, often spelt as sala). Some rooms have antiquey furnishings but are a tad musty with thin walls. The cheaper, sturdier concrete rooms are more basic. Bring your mozzie spray. Gap’s is also famous for its Thai cooking course ( Click here) and nightly vegetarian buffet.
All In 1 ( Map; 0 5320 7133; www.allin1gh.com; 31 Soi 2, Th Moon Muang; r 400-500B; ) Formerly named Baan Manee, this apartment building has received a makeover and boasts clean rooms with cable TV. Soi 2 tends to attract an older male clientele and the nearby Mandalay disco isn’t a good sleeping companion.
RCN Court ( Map; 0 5341 8280-2; www.rcnguesthouse.com; 35 Soi 7, Th Moon Muang; r 450-500B; ) This basic place is well known for its affordable monthly rates (from 6300B) and quiet central location. The rooms are nothing special but have cable TV and fridge. At the time of writing, the 2nd floor was getting a makeover. There is an outdoor kitchen for guests, a small front patio and a fitness room.
Tri Gong Residence ( Map; 0 5321 4754; www.trigong.com; 8 Soi 1, Th Si Phum; r 700-1000B; ) Guesthouses often have humble beginnings: Kun Adam was sitting in his garden one day when a traveller asked for a room and now he’s a stay-at-home boss ushering foreigners into a comfortable home away from home. Built around a courtyard, the large rooms have better-than-average furniture, cable TV and fridge. There is also a common kitchen, free coffee corner and the enthusiastic proprietor.
Mini Cost ( Map; 0 5341 8787; www.minicostcm.com; 19-19/4 Soi 1, Th Ratchadamnoen; s 550B, d 750-1050B; ) This apartment-style spot has modern rooms with easy chairs, calming colours and a few touches of Thai-style decor. The cheapest rooms have shared bath and occupy the top floor. Except for the new construction projects, Soi 1 is a quiet and easy escape from all the tourist action on Th Moon Muang.
Montri Hotel ( Map; 0 5321 1069/70; 2-6 Th Ratchadamnoen; r 850B; ) A classic Thai-Chinese hotel, the Montri might need a little Botox work on the beds but the spacious rooms are filled with light. It is centrally located on the busy corner of Th Moon Muang and Th Ratchadamnoen. A renovation was still in progess at the time of writing.
MIDRANGE
Top North Hotel ( Map; 0 5327 9623; www.topnorthgroup.com; 41 Th Moon Muang; r 800-1200B; ) Close to Pratu Tha Phae, this old-fashioned high-rise has a central location among Th Moon Muang’s tourist services. The centrepiece pool is the main attraction for budget-minded water-lovers. Otherwise the rooms are a tad tatty.
Sri Pat Guest House ( Map; 0 5321 8716; www.sri-patguesthouse.com; 16 Soi 7, Th Moon Muang; r 1000B; ) Some flashpacker hotels can be convenient and comfortable but a tad too cookie-cutter. Sri Pat has just the right dose of personality. Rooms have sunny outlooks, celadon-coloured tiles, folksy cotton drapes and balconies. Skip the fan rooms though, as your money will go further elsewhere.
3 Sis ( Map; 0 5327 3243; www.3sisbedandbreakfast.com; 1 Soi 8, Th Phra Pokklao; r 1350-1650B; ) Get all the comfort of a hotel without all the fuss at this new flashpacker place. Rooms in the primary building (the ‘vacation lodge’) have spacious beds, clean white walls, fridge and cable TV. The adjoining building (aka ‘B&B’) has smaller carpeted rooms that might not stand up to the rainy season.
Charcoa House ( Map; 0 5321 2681; www.charcoa.com; 4 Soi 1, Th Si Phum; r 1400-3500B; ) Popping up in the backpacker neighbourhood,