Khao San Road
Where to lay your head
Where to lay your head
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Go back to Bangkok main page »Party animals and anyone who wants to put in very little effort to find their room should consider staying on Khao San Road proper. Those seeking a slightly more laid-back atmosphere within easy walking distance of the action might opt to stay just North of Khao San Road, or Between Khao San Road and the river. The nearby Riverfront boasts some swankier options, while the Democracy Monument area puts you a bit closer to a slew of important temples and palaces. Though further from Khao San Road and the Historic Centre, the generally quieter accommodation of Samsen, National Library and beyond offers better value and lots of character.
The always-thumping heart of Thailand’s backpacker scene, Khao San Road runs for a mere half-kilometre from Chakrabongse Road in the west to Tanao Road in the east. Studded with traveller-oriented cafes, noisy bars and street carts selling pad Thai, fried bugs and fake degrees, this is the centre of the action.
Tucked into Soi Mayom within a stone’s throw of central Khao San, Laksameenarai Guesthouse has a name that’s hard to remember and a frontage that doesn’t exactly reach out and grab you. If you can overcome those obstacles, it’s a cosy spot occupying an attractive heritage house overshadowed by the low-rise neighbours. What’s this beautiful old house doing here? Owners... Read our full review of Laksameenarai Guesthouse.
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Rikka’s rooms are a lot snazzier and comfier than your typical Khao San guesthouse -- and rates are reasonable given the generous creature comforts. Clean and modern rooms come in a few different sizes, all with quality beds, small TVs, mini-fridges, safes, air-con, desks and hot-water showers in bathrooms that are compact in the cheaper rooms. Colourful Bangkok photo collages cover the orange... Read our full review of Rikka Inn.
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Opened in 2013 on a prime piece of real estate just off Khao San Road, Baan Chart Hotel has emerged as a solid midrange choice with clean rooms, creature comforts and plenty of Chinese longevity symbols for a bit of style. The fairly large property exemplifies the upmarket trend steadily sweeping over an area that, in the past, catered mainly to budget travellers. Wait, is this Khao San or... Read our full review of Baan Chart Hotel.
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Dominating the far eastern end of Khao San Road, Buddy Lodge is a large, comfortable and popular hotel that’s been around for many years. The location is central, room decor unexpectedly classy and value excellent if you book online. A rooftop swimming pool and fitness centre sweeten the deal. Still one of Khao San’s biggest and best. Buddy Group’s flagship location occupies an... Read our full review of Buddy Lodge.
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This featureless guesthouse occupies a large concrete building down the alley next to Khao San Centre, one of the liveliest bars around. You’ll no doubt hear the blaring music at night, though an air-con room in the back corner should be quiet enough for most. If you’re looking to party anyway, this is an adequate choice for a well-kept room with plenty of shared hot-water bathrooms on all... Read our full review of Budget Guesthouse.
Flashpacker factory the D&D Inn is quite reasonable value for good, clean rooms and professional staff in the middle of the Khao San Road action. The “Inn” has proven so popular over the years that owners gobbled up a huge area across the street and created the similar but slightly more expensive Dang Derm in 2010. Having undergone renovations itself in 2012, D&D should suffice for most. A... Read our full review of D&D Inn.
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Best swimming pool on Khao San is a key selling point for Dang Derm Hotel, a more mature sister to D&D Inn across the street. Looming over a part of the strip known for its party scene, the sprawling yellow building arrived around 2010 and exemplifies a gradual gentrification of the backpacker hood. It’s a fine choice for a comfy room that puts you right on top of the action. The biggest... Read our full review of Dang Derm.
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The New Joe Guesthouse isn’t very new anymore, but it’s still a reliable budget option with an inviting restaurant/bar and reasonable rooms. Some travellers will be thrown by the hidden-away location on Trok Mayom (the alley that runs parallel to Khao San to the south), though it’s a fairly quiet spot that’s only a two-minute walk from the action. You could do a lot worse than... Read our full review of New Joe Guesthouse.
Covering West Banglamphu from Lamphu canal in the north down to Ratchadamnoen Avenue in the south and the Chao Phraya River in the west, this section includes laid-back Phra Arthit Road along with atmospheric West Soi Rambutri and other alleys surrounding Wat Chana Songkhram. While it’s less of an all-out party vibe than nearby Khao San itself, you’ll still find loads of eating, drinking and meeting spots to go with countless cheap guesthouses. Think of it as Khao San lite.
Clean rooms, good-quality beds and staff who give a hoot are not so easy to find in the Khao San neighbourhood. One place that offers all of this plus a relaxing rooftop terrace and great location is BB House. The name stands for “Best Bed,” and indeed the small air-conditioned guesthouse is a terrific option for a good night’s sleep on the cheap. Lots of foot traffic around... Read our full review of BB House.
Tucked down a quiet alley off a lively stretch of Soi Rambutri, Lamphu House remains a top budget choice thanks to clean rooms at reasonable rates, pleasant staff and a great location. A large tree drapes over a relaxing terracotta-tiled courtyard with tables spread far apart in front of the four-storey building. With flush white walls and tile floors, rooms are generously sized, bright and... Read our full review of Lamphu House.
Part of a small collection of properties run by the New Siam group, New Siam II Guesthouse is an affordable option for flashpackers and families keen on enjoying a swimming pool and excellent old city location. Though older rooms are showing some wear, the value is still among the best of any hotel in this part in Bangkok. You call that a guesthouse? New Siam II covers two large... Read our full review of New Siam II Guest House.
The newest of New Siam’s collection of good-value flashpacker haunts in the Phra Arthit Road vicinity, New Siam Palace View was unveiled in early 2015. It follows the same recipe for success as its sisters: comfy, well-equipped rooms at affordable rates, and a swimming pool. This one comes with the advantage of Grand Palace views from the upper floors. Building new; street art old. Like the... Read our full review of New Siam Palace View Guesthouse.
The newish Adamaz House specializes in comfy and spotless midrange rooms down an easy-to-miss alley near Phra Sumen Fort. Stepping into the gleaming lobby with bright white floors and full wall-size mirrors and windows feels a bit like being picked up by Starship Enterprise. Accessed by a lift, rooms have a sterile feel that’s warmed up only slightly by dark-violet walls and swirly Thai-style... Read our full review of Adamaz House.
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In a charmingly dilapidated neighbourhood, Apple Guest House is a throwback to another era. It was one of a handful of the original guesthouses to open way back in the early 1980s, long before developers realised the big-profit potential of the Khao San Road area. Hardly changed a wink after all those years, Apple remains a worthy option for dirt-cheap digs and old-style Thai hospitality. A... Read our full review of Apple Guest House.
Taking its name from the nearby Phra Sumen Fort, the four-storey Fortville offers 29 rooms with a sort of medieval-modern theme, if such a thing exists. A tall doorway with crosses in the polished concrete (resembling those in the actual fort) gives way to a ground-floor coffee shop and reception. Reached via a lift, the clean rooms are simple yet well thought out, with a minimalist design, soft... Read our full review of Fortville Guesthouse.
Rates at Mango Lagoon dropped slightly since our last visit -- a good sign that the place could use some upgrades. The pale yellow six-storey building sits just behind an atmospheric wood-floored courtyard restaurant shaded by tall reaching palms and punctuated by a goldfish pond. Reached by stairs next to the reception desk where a blase woman greeted us, rooms are accessed by open-air hallways... Read our full review of Mango Lagoon Place.
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Rambuttri Village sprawls over two large buildings just back from Soi Rambutri and near the corner of Chakrabongse, within a three-minute stumble of Khao San. Apart from the excellent location, everything about the place is mediocre and the value isn’t great, but it’s a huge property that does assure you some creature comforts. The courtyard restaurant between the newer and older building is... Read our full review of Rambuttri Village.
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This small area on the other side of Tanao Road has a handful of places to stay and is home to the nearest post office to Khao San Road.
This section covers the immediate north of Khao San Road, east of Chakrabongse Road, south of Lamphu canal and west of Wat Bovorniwet. Included here is East Soi Rambutri, which runs parallel to Khao San and has a similar atmosphere. Just beyond that lie Tani and Kraisi roads, both good choices if you’re looking to be slightly removed from the action. A few of Bangkok’s best hostels are found in this neighbourhood.
Hidden behind racks of clothes for sale near Khao San Road, Baan Bovorn is a fine choice for budget travellers seeking a cosy, homely hostel experience. This family-run spot is clean and inviting, with no shortage of character. Opened in mid 2013, the hostel occupies one of the tall and narrow four-storey ‘townhouses’ that popped up by the hundreds in Bangkok during the 1960s and ’70s... Read our full review of Baan Bovorn.
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One of the best among several upmarket guesthouses near Khao San Road, Villa Cha-Cha is well-suited to flashpackers seeking a comfortable room and a swimming pool. With entrances both on Soi Rambutri and Tani Road, the top selling point is a huge expanse of common space, soothing and fairly quiet, within an easy stumble of the action. Look, trees! Tucked between rows of shophouses on either... Read our full review of Villa Cha-Cha.
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Quite possibly Bangkok’s most popular hostel, NapPark is consistently full of youthful backpackers looking to meet up and have some fun. We found the facilities mediocre, staff disorganised and value a bit questionable, but the highly social atmosphere is all that most guests seem to care about. Pull up a cushion. NapPark always buzzes with activity, and it’s unusual that the cheaper beds... Read our full review of NapPark Hostel.
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Opened in 2011 on a bustling stretch of eastern Soi Rambutri, Sakul’s characterless exterior conceals charming rooms with lots of thoughtful touches. The owner’s background in the fabric trade shows in the high-quality linens and silk butterfly pillows on semi-firm beds. While not quite as large as we’d hope for the prices, the rooms are very inviting thanks to parquet wood floors, soft lighting,... Read our full review of Sakul House.
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Right in the middle of eastern Soi Rambutri and very close to Khao San, Sleep WithInn aims for youthful flashpackers who want to be in the middle of the action. The so-called boutique decor includes a lot of dark gold, orange and black Asian-inspired art along with dark wood and large mirrors that attempt to make the 12-square-metre standard rooms feel bigger than they are. With only one tiny... Read our full review of Sleep WithInn.
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A five-minute stroll from Khao San Road, the one-year-old Suneta Hostel is the first we’ve seen in Bangkok to offer a true ‘luxury pod’ experience. Closing yourself off behind a sliding wood door in a one-person bunk may sound like torture to the claustrophobic, but it’s become a popular fad in several Asian cities. If you prefer a more traditional bunk bed set-up, Suneta supplies that... Read our full review of Suneta Hostel.
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Once considered a top flashpacker choice, Thai Cozy is now past its prime and will be forced to lower rates if it doesn’t renovate soon. That said, it’s still one of the friendlier options around, and with a wide array of rooms spanning a large building, it’s a good place to keep in mind during busier times of years. The windowless standard that we checked out was faded: old air-con, old fridge,... Read our full review of Thai Cozy House.
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Expect a 10- to 20- minute walk to Khao San Road if staying in this large area that spans everything from the north of Lamphu canal up to Thewet pier and the Dusit palaces. Picturesque old houses, low-key cafes, leafy streets and quiet nights define the area -- at least if you’re away from bustling Samsen Road itself. You’ll find some excellent boutique hotels along with several good-value guesthouses, a few of which have been open for decades.
Just north of Khao San Road, Born Free Hostel offers tremendous value for clean and comfortable dorms. A heightened level of hospitality and several thoughtful touches set this edgy, backpacker-friendly spot apart from the rest. This is one of the best in Bangkok for anyone on a tight budget who doesn’t mind sharing sleeping space with members of the opposite sex. A little slice of... Read our full review of Born Free Hostel.
Have you ever dreamed of taking an ordinary old shophouse and turning it into a plush urban pad? The family who runs Loog Choob Homestay on the fringes of Bangkok’s old city did exactly that. What used to be a rundown, uninspiring building underwent a complete transformation, and the result is an intimate place to stay with no shortage of comfort or style. Loog Choob is a sophisticated... Read our full review of Loog Choob Homestay.
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The Phranakorn Nornlen experience takes you straight into the creative soul of Thai culture. Comfortable rooms and abundant common spaces are adorned with imaginative murals; vintage displays lend the feel of a classic Thai market; and daily workshops encourage guests to create their own masterpieces. Even if you don’t stay here, it’s worth stopping by for the arts, crafts, antiques and... Read our full review of Phra Nakorn Norn Len.
Set in a restored Thai house (the original building was built in 1936) Baan Chantra offers a classy and intimate place to stay a 15-minute walk north of Khao San Road. Lovingly decorated and fitted out, the rambling house incorporates a variety of rooms, both big and small and both on and off the noisy Samsen Rd. Polished wood throughout, all rooms have private bathroom facilities, air-con,... Read our full review of Baan Chantra.
Quiet location, immaculate accommodation, exceptional service, classy decor and intimate atmosphere: that’s Baan Manusarn‘s simple recipe for success. From the friendly greeting to homely common spaces and spotless corners, it’s easy to see why this cosy bed and breakfast has earned such a phenomenal reputation after just two years in business. This is one spot that you’ll want to book... Read our full review of Baan Manusarn Bed and Breakfast.
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It’s not so often that we come across a “boutique” hotel that warrants the term, but Baan Tepa Boutique House in the low key historical district of Dusit gets it just right. With eight reasonably priced, artistically rendered rooms to choose from, this is an excellent choice for those seeking an intimate bed & breakfast experience with plenty of antiquarian charm. Baan Tepa occupies... Read our full review of Baan Tepa Boutique House.
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Bewel Hostel is one of the cleanest and friendliest choices in an area where hostels are popping up faster than flowers in the rainy season. From the bubble-gum pink facade to the giant windows and immaculate dorms, everything about the place is bright and cheerful. At first glance we thought it was a new ice cream shop. Opened in 2014, Bewel’s charming pink-and-white theme couldn’t be... Read our full review of Bewel Hostel.
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A handful of hostels have emerged in the Khao San Road area to challenge the old presumption that cheap dorms must be filled with cockroaches and cranky staffs. One such game-changer is Khaosan Immjai, a bright, clean and comfy hostel that opened in July 2013. This place is a winner. The Thai word imm-jai literally translates as full heart, an expression that denotes inner contentment. With... Read our full review of Khaosan Immjai Hostel.
Year-old Korbua House is one of a few midrange hotels to have recently materialised in Bangkok’s Samsen area, just north of Khao San Road. Tucked beside Khlong Lamphu canal, the hotel offers fully kitted out rooms with more charm than some of its larger new counterparts. For flashpackers seeking a comfortable stay in the city’s historical district, Korbua is a solid choice. Making the... Read our full review of Korbua House.
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One of the more reliable midrange hotels in the general Khao San Road vicinity, Lamphu Tree House balances comfort and professionalism with an old-style Thai elegance that draws on golden teakwood recycled from old houses. Though a bit difficult to find, the canal-side location makes this a quiet choice for families and flashpackers. Hence the name. Named after the canal that it sits next to,... Read our full review of Lamphu Tree House.
Hidden in a back-alley location near Khao San Road, Phiman Riverview Guesthouse is a good choice for artsy backpackers looking to meet and chill. In a city where most riverside rooms are reserved only for the well-heeled, Phiman offers fantastic Chao Phraya views to go with basic digs for under 200 baht a night. While not for everyone, it certainly is one of a kind. Ready for something... Read our full review of Phiman Riverview Guesthouse .
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Named after the leafy side street where it’s located, Sam Sen Sam Place was one of the first Khao San area guesthouses to go with a classic Thai-style boutique design that’s very well done well. The original century-old wooden house was revamped with a charming blend of sky blue, pastel pink and teal paint to go with dark timber floors and tall, thin windows with soft cotton drapes. Rooms vary... Read our full review of Sam Sen Sam Place.
Located a 10-minute walk from Khao San Road, Samsen Skyline Hostel aims for friendliness over trendiness and value over style. You won’t find glossy entertainment rooms or uniformed staff at Skyline, but it’s a solid choice for backpackers seeking a cheap and casual place to stay. An easy walk north of Khao San’s western end, south of the Dusit palaces, and east of the Chao Phraya... Read our full review of Samsen Skyline Hostel.
The longstanding Shanti Lodge was among the first Bangkok guesthouses to go “cool” with lattes, Vivaldi, vegetarian food and no smoking back in the ’80s. It remains popular with earthy-crunchy backpackers, even if some will find the “coolness” contrived. Shanti has enjoyed a long and successful run, but has it become a fading star? A longstanding stalwart. Though Shanti has undergone... Read our full review of Shanti Lodge.
Well-situated just over Lamphu canal and with friendly and helpful staff, the Diamond House is a good choice for flashpackers who want to be close to the Khao San action without being right in the middle of it. A garish Chinese shrine that’s attached to the bright orange-and-green seven-storey building make the whole package seem rather kitsch at first glance, but inside things are quite tasteful... Read our full review of Diamond House.
Located all the way at the end of Samsen Soi 6 in a fairly quiet spot, the nondescript Roofview Place is a good choice if you seek a clean and functional room with great service. Decor is lacking flair -- mostly white walls with a few modern couches and tile floors -- but the whole place is spotless. The helpful staff makes up for the lack of bells and whistles with great attitudes. They also... Read our full review of Roofview Place.
Established way back in 1980, the still-very-much-alive Sawatdee is a relic of the early days of backpacking in Thailand. Rather than go boutique or attempt to transform into something more modern, the owner has stuck to her original recipe of dirt-cheap rooms and an unpretentious atmosphere that feels how staying in a local’s home should feel. Clambering up and down the steep stairs is like... Read our full review of Sawatdee Guest House.
Tucked towards the end of Samsen Soi 3 in a leafy area near the river and a 10-minute walk from Khao San Road, the Sivarin is a charming little spot with clean rooms and a helpful owner. The two-floor concrete building doesn’t look like much from outside, but rooms are brighter than you’d expect thanks to several windows and pink-and-white decor that reminded us of candy canes. The large air-con... Read our full review of Sivarin Guest House.
Hidden down a leafy alleyway, Tavee Guest House is our favourite among four long-running guesthouses clustered behind National Library in the low-key Thewet area. Each are owned by members of the same family, but Tavee’s soothing common areas, quality rooms and reasonable rates make it the standout. Tucked down a lovely little lane. At first glance, the narrow alley with laundry hung out to... Read our full review of Tavee Guest House.
Another longstanding National Library area guesthouse run by the same family who own Tavee, Shanti and Sawatdee (older brother, sister, younger brother, respectively), the Sri-Ayutthaya has a tasteful design but was lacking on the friendliness when we last visited. Traditional Thai-style wood panel walls, wooden floors, floor cushions, old motorcycles and plenty of plants in the ground-floor cafe... Read our full review of Sri-Ayutthaya Guest House.
Direct river views will require a 10- to 20-minute walk to Khao San Road but will also put one of the Chao Phraya express boat piers within easy reach.
Riva Surya Bangkok sets the standard for luxury accommodation in the Khao San Road area. Rising between laid-back Phra Arthit Road and the Chao Phraya River, the mid-size hotel’s gorgeous design toes the line between modern sleekness and old-style Thai elegance. While not cheap, this is an exceptional choice for a honeymoon or end of trip splurge. Approaching from the street entrance,... Read our full review of Riva Surya Bangkok.
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The Navalai offers very smart, hotel-style rooms in an excellent riverside location that’s practically on top of Phra Arthit express boat pier. While the brochure boasts rooms in four distinct styles, don’t expect a big variation in the decor nor style of the rooms, all of which are quite swish. Expect lots of sumptuous white linen, dark turquoise art, light wooden furnishings and flourishes of... Read our full review of Navalai River Resort.
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The most grandiose of the New Siam properties, New Siam Riverside looks rather humble next to the swanky Riva Surya. A step up from its sister properties, the yellow building offers splendid views from the riverside rooms and the breezy swimming pool and restaurant, but we found rooms to be just adequate for the price. While they call this property a guesthouse, it’s truly a small hotel with a... Read our full review of New Siam Riverside.
This is a catchall for any places to stay that don’t fall into any of the other areas. Check the maps and text for specific location and directions as some may be quite a walk from Khao San Road.
A 10-minute walk east of Khao San Road, the Democracy Monument area around Ratchadamnoen Khlang Road hosts some interesting flashpacker to midrange accommodation. The area makes a great base for sightseeing but is sometimes the focal point for political demonstrations; you might check the news before booking.
Set in a beautifully restored late-19th century house in the historic district, Baan Noppawong is among Bangkok’s very best bed and breakfasts. Look no further if you seek elegance, romance and comfort to go with an intimate atmosphere and excellent location. The house was built in the late 1800s by a noble family — the Noppawong na Ayudhaya’s — and is now owned and operated by... Read our full review of Baan Noppawong.
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Opened in 2005, Old Bangkok Inn remains a terrific option for higher-end travellers seeking an intimate experience. The heritage building sits on land that once was part of a royal palace and has, according to the inn’s website, been in the same family for seven generations. Though inspired by B&Bs in Normandy and New England, the inn was created with all the elegance of Thai artistry. One of... Read our full review of Old Bangkok Inn.
Strategically located down a quiet alley off the Democracy Monument traffic circle, Ratchadamnoen Residence delivers very comfortable serviced apartments with an intimate guesthouse vibe. It’s one of a growing number of quality midrange choices for those looking to stay in the historic district, but away from Khao San Road. Set in a nondescript renovated townhouse, the R Residence... Read our full review of Ratchadamnoen Residence.
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Opened at the tail end of 2012, Baan Dinso at Ratchadamnoen is situated at the heart of Bangkok’s historic district and has spotless, elegant rooms directly overlooking Democracy Monument. One classy joint. The new sister establishment of the original Baan Dinso, a short walk away down Dinso Road, Baan Dinso at Ratchadamnoen occupies a freshly renovated four-storey building that used to... Read our full review of Baan Dinso at Ratchadamnoen.
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