Jolly Frog Backpackers
Popular old-timer's choice

What we say: 
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.
Check rates around Kanchanaburi best price guarantee!Contact details:
28 Soi China, Kanchanaburi. T: (034) 514 579Visit website
What we were quoted
| Type of room | Low season | High season | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sgl fan share b'room | 70 THB | 70 THB | Rafthouse |
| Dbl fan share b'room | 150 THB | 150 THB | Rafthouse |
| Dbl fan private b'room | 200 THB | 200 THB | |
| Dbl air-con private b'room | 250 THB | 250 THB | |
| Quad fan private b'room | 400 THB | 400 THB |
Added to Travelfish on: 21st July, 2003
Last visited or updated on: 2nd June, 2008
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Quick links
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More popular accommodation
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Read Jolly Frog Backpackers reviews
Rated 3 out of 5
Based on 10 ratings and 10 reviews
Great food
Haven't stayed here, although checked it out for this site last year, and rooms are basic but passable for the value - but the prompt to write this review was eating at their restaurant for the first time earlier in the week. Enjoyed an all-fish meal and it was absolutely delicious; their raw prawns with fish sauce are outstanding.
Jolly Frog Backpackers reviewed by chriswotton (Total reviews: 9) on
Long House
Stayed in the aircon room, on 1st floor. The design is somewhat like along house of Sarawak. The room was clean, but the aircon was working well. Not suitable if one needs a quite place, as the you can clearly hear the neighbors talkining as the wood that separates the room is quite thin. You need to walk softly too if you need to walk in the middle of the night. we paid 300bh for the air con room. Passable. However, we didint try the restaurant, but it sure looks good with the presence of a lage number of customers coming in every day.
Jolly Frog Backpackers reviewed by AbgAcid (Total reviews: 20) on
loved it!
I absolutely loved this place! You can stay only for 70 BT - the cheapest that I have had in Thailand so far. Although the rooms are nothing special, but you need it actually only for sleeping... The garden is wonderful with a beautiful view on the river and some shadow, very pleasant to read a book or hang around with other people. The food at the restaurant was very delicious and cheap. And lovely funny staff. Definetelly come back(stayed already 2 times..)
Jolly Frog Backpackers reviewed by verita (Total reviews: 1) on
Just don't spend all day in your room!
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 (Total reviews: 5) on
Alright I guess....
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 (Total reviews: 6) on
Okay
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 (Total reviews: 12) on
Social Place
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 (Total reviews: 12) on
Restrauant
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 (Total reviews: 20) on
enjoyed it
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 (Total reviews: 13) on
Not so jolly staff
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 (Total reviews: 7) on