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The long-running Jolly Frog is an old backpacker's favourite, and if you stay here you're likely to mingle with some ageing regulars. Aside from the rock-bottom prices, it's a little difficult however to see what keeps them all streaming back. Staff can be rude and disorganised, and while the spacious, hammock-strewn lawn is indeed inviting, the rooms are much less so. The rafthouse rooms are particularly bad, though the rooms on land aren't much better -- dark and rundown, with grimy bathrooms. The big selling point here is the cheap and very popular restaurant, which probably has the most comprehensive menu anywhere in Kanchanaburi -- though also some of the impolite staff in town. Be warned that at weekends it gets really full and service can be very slow. The Jolly Frog also offers a large range of secondhand books for sale, bikes for hire, tour services and so on. For the money this is passable value and it is a good place to meet other backpackers, but overall other spots are better.
Contact details:
28 Soi China, Kanchanaburi. T: (034) 514 579
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Added to Travelfish on: 21st July, 2003
Last visited or updated on: 3rd June, 2008
Okay - 11th March, 2007
Cheap, lots of Westerners, helpful staff, nice garden, near to some good cafes, restaurants and bars. Room clean, but basic.
Jolly Frog Backpackers reviewed by bedu on 11th March, 2007, rated
Stayed here 2/2007
This is a Travelfish recommended reviewer
Total reviews submitted: 11.
bedu also reviewed: Kiwi Orchid Guest House, Mali Namphu, Nirundorn 3 Resort, Nirundorn Resort, Nok Noi (Little Bird) Hotel, On On Hotel, Sintavee Hotel, Suta House Bungalows.
Social Place - 22nd December, 2006
I was looking for somewhere a bit quieter so this wasn't the best place for me. The room was clean though and quite good value if you don't mind the poor design of it. My room had about 5 different themes going on in it from oriental bamboo to Jackson Pollock. Very strange
Jolly Frog Backpackers reviewed by chiko930 on 22nd December, 2006, rated
Stayed here 10/2006
This is a Travelfish recommended reviewer
Total reviews submitted: 12.
chiko930 also reviewed: Bamboo House, Bella Bella House, King's Hotel, Mitr Paisal Hotel, Nat II Guest House, Rimkhong Guesthouse, Sawasdee Guesthouse, Tokyo Hotel, V.L. Guesthouse, Vang Vieng Resort.
Restrauant - 9th October, 2006
I think the restaurant is excellent, and with a superb menu, but as the original description says, the rooms just aren't that great and the place can get a bit noisy - this can happen when a place is first in the LP guidebook, the cheapskates flock to it. Hard to knock a room when it comes in at 70 baht, though - must be close to being the cheapest in Thailand in a major tourist area.
Jolly Frog Backpackers reviewed by solero on 9th October, 2006, rated
Stayed here 12/2005
This is a Travelfish recommended reviewer
Total reviews submitted: 20.
solero also reviewed: Ao Yai Ma, Apple's Guest House, Blue Star Guest House, Blue Star Guest House, Burmese Inn, Koh Wai Pakarang (Coral) Resort, Koh Wai Pakarang (Coral) Resort, Koh Wai Paradise, Koh Wai Paradise, Malany Guesthouse, Muangphol Mansion, P Guest House, Reno Hotel, Trad Hotel, Wendy House, Wendy House, White Lodge.
enjoyed it - 14th July, 2006
simple clean rooms with a decent fan. gardens and terraces lovely to sit out and relax looking out over river. we did a day tour to waterfalls, elephant trekking, elephant bathing, cave visit, train ride and trip to bridge..enjoyable full day and cheaper than a lot of other places in town.
Jolly Frog Backpackers reviewed by ontour06 on 14th July, 2006, rated
Stayed here 7/2006
This is a Travelfish recommended reviewer
Total reviews submitted: 13.
ontour06 also reviewed: Apple's Guest House, BAP Guesthouse, Bottle Beach 2 Bungalows, Done Khong Guesthouse and Restaurant, Jaliya Guesthouse, Nice Place Tour and Travel 2, P.U. Guesthouse, Phonepaseuth Guesthouse, Phoukham Guesthouse, Thavisouk Guesthouse, You Hong Guesthouse.
Just don't spend all day in your room! - 27th November, 2009
Ok so the rooms are a bit pokey and damp, but a decent size. What won me over was the beautiful garden backing onto the river, where you could happily pass a day just lazing around and chatting to other travellers. If you want to meet other people and aren't bothered about the quality of the room then this is the place for you. The restaurant has a huge choice and food is good, but can be slow with poor service.
Jolly Frog Backpackers reviewed by mandy11059 on 27th November, 2009, rated
Stayed here 11/2009
Total reviews submitted: 5.
mandy11059 also reviewed: Charlie's House, Diamond Cave Resort, Shambara Boutique Hostel, Ya Ya Resort.
Alright I guess.... - 8th August, 2009
The jolly frog was alright I guess. The rooms aren't expensive but you get what you pay for -- terrible beds and noisy air-cons. While the setting is actually quite nice (a beautiful area by the river), the restaurant is a little lacking and if you're looking for any extra amenities, forget it. We asked for a towel and were offered one to buy for 200B (and it was tiny!) Would be a good choice for people on a budget who want to meet other travellers. If you can afford even a little more, nicer places can be had!
Jolly Frog Backpackers reviewed by masterofclarinet on 8th August, 2009, rated
Stayed here 7/2009
Total reviews submitted: 6.
masterofclarinet also reviewed: Libra Guesthouse, New Lapaz Villa, P&P Samui Resort, Rikka Inn, S.B.C. Resort.
Not so jolly staff - 4th February, 2006
We stayed for a few days on two occasions in the last three months. First we were lucky enough to see the sound and light show at the bridge. The guesthouse is quiet and the rooms average but the food in the restaurant is superb. The staff are a little miserable and would put you off if you weren't expecting this. Other than that, it was fairly ok value.
Jolly Frog Backpackers reviewed by womblefur on 4th February, 2006, rated
Stayed here 12/2005
Total reviews submitted: 7.
womblefur also reviewed: Apple's Guest House, New Merry V Guest House, Peachy Guest House, Thara House.
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