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Region: Bangkok And Surrounds> Province: Bangkok> Location: Bangkok/Sukhumvit Asok to Ekamai
Big John's Guesthouse
Amenities, price, & location trump salty service
Sukhumvit 55 (Thong Lo) Soi 9, Bangkok
Bangkok Province
Tel: (02) 712 9712
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Description
Big John has relocated around the corner down Thong Lo soi 9 from the old guesthouse location on the main road. For a traveller who wants to stay in this part of Bangkok, Big John's represents reasonable value. Well away from Khao San Road, but very handy to bus, boat and BTS connections for access across the city, Big John's is a good choice for someone who wants to stay in a more Thai and very cosmopolitan part of the city. The rooms are absolutely spotless, all with clean hot-water shared bathrooms. Mixed and female-only dorms available along with comfortable single double and triple rooms. Tiny double rooms are occupied almost entirely by the bed, leaving a little floor space for your bags but nothing else. Some rooms are windowless and can feel a bit claustrophobic. Internet, pool table, sports tv and a seemingly endless run of daily specials, attracts a steady return trade. Very convenient for Ekamai bus station.
Quad A/C share b'room
950 THB (low season)
990 THB (high season)
Dorm A/C
220 THB (low season)
260 THB (high season)
Sgl A/C share b'room
530 THB (low season)
550 THB (high season)
Dbl A/C share b'room
550 THB (low season)
590 THB (high season)
Triple A/C share b'room
750 THB (low season)
790 THB (high season)
Added to Travelfish on: 4th August, 2004
Last visited or updated on: 10th June, 2007
Guest feedback
Awesome Genuine Aussie Backpacker Hostel - 
By BigBlueFinn ( total comments: 2 
) Stayed here 3/2008
Sorry, I rated the place out of 5 first time round, not realising there was an option of 10. I think John's moved buildings since many of the previous ratings and comments were made. I had an awesome time at Big John's. It's a real backpacker hostel in what is the better part of town. I met some really nice, down to earth, honest people, including John himself and his staff. Don't come if you're looking for five-star service, a sterile environment and people with personalities to match. But if you are looking for an inexpensive, basic hostel with character of its own, free internet and free wifi and **** good food this is the place for you. Big John's Backpacker Hostel is away from normal tourist haunts and the undesirables in those types of areas. Thonglor, Ekkamai & RCA are full of restaurants and clubs frequented by locals and a few travelers. I find it hard to understand some of the poorer ratings here, but I guess some people just expect too much too often. Good onya John. I'll be back mate.
Cleanliness | Facilities | Location | Romance | Rooms | Service | Value | Vibe |
Avoid like the plague - 
By lauraskrink ( total comments: 2 ) Stayed here 1/2008
We were recommended a stay here by a fellow traveller but were really disappointed. Our room was fairly ropey and the cleanliness of the entire place was definitely not up to scratch (had to use a plunger on the drains every time you showered!)
There is free internet but it wasn;t working properly when we first got there and the computers were pretty slow.
Expected there to be a good vibe considering what the website said but the restaurant/bar was always deserted. Big John was also a massive grump, as everyone else has pointed out even verbally abusing one of his staff in front of a whole group of us!
Don't stay here there are some much better placed to stay and they aren't hard to find!
Cleanliness | Facilities | Location | Romance | Rooms | Service | Value | Vibe |
Big John is a Grump! - 
By exacto ( total comments: 15 ) Stayed here 6/2006
We made a special effort to get to this out of the way place based on the positive write-ups, and were disappointed. Sufficient to say that Big John was having a bad day, and doesn't know how to be nice to his customers. For the record, the pies, while really no better than you'd get at any petrol station in Oz or New Zealand, are a decent effort for here in Thailand. Friendly, albeit a bit hen-pecked, staff.
Good place though not in the centre -
By Lother ( total comments: 27 ) Stayed here 3/2006
Location-wise not the best option, as this area is mostly home to expensive restaurants and wedding stores...
The private rooms are miniature and can fit nothing but the beds. They are very clean however, as are the shared bathrooms. The staff are nice and helpful and the food is good, with hearty vegetarian options included as well.
Fine but not the best location - 
By jabaker13 ( total comments: 8 ) Stayed here 6/2005
A bit too far from the centre of BKK for me and the walk from the Sky Train is further than Big John's map would imply. Having said that... the room, whilst small, was clean and the staff were extremely helpful (probably the best I have come across in BKK). Good value for money if you are ok with the location.
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