Refreshing rooms in the old town
Set back from a busy old town thoroughfare in a building that once housed an elementary school, Feung Nakorn Balcony has a bunch of clean and comfy room types including several designed for families.
Accessed by stairs and open-sided halls (those are the “balconies”), the rooms come in cream, pastel green or light violet with framed photos of old Bangkok on the walls. Several windows bathe the tiled floors in sunlight, and all rooms are well kitted out with desks, flatscreen TVs, free WiFi, fridges, soft mattresses and ceramic basin sinks in the well-kept bathrooms with hot water. Even the cheapest rooms were probably built to serve as classrooms so you get considerably more space than at most Bangkok hotels.
A total of more than 30 rooms allowed designers to arrange them with various types of travellers in mind. Though a little pricier than we’d expect, eight-bed and four-bed dorms are available for solo travellers on a budget. Doubles come with choice of queen or twin beds. Several triples are also available, and groups of four have at least five different options to choose from. Along with the spaciousness, it’s this high level of flexibility that makes Feung Nakorn stand out.
The cheapest family rooms have double beds plus bunk beds, and these rely on bathrooms that are shared between a couple of rooms and situated just outside the doors. Families with more leeway in the budget can go for a family suite that was added during the property’s transformation into a hotel and comes with floor-to-ceiling windows, more than 60 square metres of space and cushioned lounge chairs on a large private terrace.
The rooms we’ve inspected smelled fresh and almost have the feel of a countryside cottage. This calming sensation also derives from a setting that places you at least 50 metres away from the main road, so traffic noise should be minimal. We also like the central courtyard designed like an English garden, with walkways draped in flowering vines leading to fountains.
Guests can also hop over a goldfish pond to relax at a bar and spacious dining area where the included breakfast is served. If that doesn’t satisfy, a sleek cafe and a quirky ice cream parlour sit within steps of the reception desk. While some staffers speak clearer English than others, everyone we’ve encountered has shown a good, service-minded attitude.
The hotel was named after the road that it’s located off, which is essentially an extension of Tanao Road. Studded with heritage buildings housing open-fronted shops that specialise in temples supplies, jewellery and some great food, the surrounding streets are some of our favourites to walk down in Bangkok. The location also makes a stellar base for sightseeing.
Head north on foot to reach Khao San Road in about 15 minutes. Pop across the street and you’ll be a stone’s throw from Wat Ratchabophit and Phraeng Phuthon Square. The Grand Palace, Wat Pho and a couple of river ferry piers are a kilometre to the west, while Wat Suthat and the Giant Swing stand about the same distance to the east.
If you seek a more intimate property in this price range, Neighbour Phuthon has eight smaller but similarly kitted out rooms set behind a century-old rowhouse with a cafe in the heart of Phraeng Phuthon. If looking to pay a little less for a hotel-style property, check out The Warehouse and Dinso Mon Hotel.
Below we’ve listed the prices posted at the property, but poke around online and you’ll likely find discounts.
Address: 29 Fueang Nakhon Rd, Bangkok
T: (02) 622 1100; F: (02) 622 3632
Email: writeus@feungnakorn.com
Web: http://www.feungnakorn.com
Coordinates (for GPS): 100º29'53.13" E, 13º44'55.29" N
See position in Apple or Google Maps: Apple Maps | Google Maps
Room rates: 1,500B to 4,000B
What we were quoted as a walk-in.
Dorm air-con 600 baht in a four-bed dorm | 550 baht | 550 baht |
Dbl air-con private bathroom | 1,980 baht | 2,180 baht |
Quad air-con share bathroom Up to 2,800/3,200 baht | 2,400 baht | 2,800 baht |
Triple air-con private bathroom | 2,780 baht | 2,980 baht |
Family room Up to 4,280/4,780 baht | 3,960 baht | 4,360 baht |
Reviewed by
David Luekens
David Luekens first came to Thailand in 2005 when Thai friends from his former home of Burlington, Vermont led him on a life-changing trip. Based in Thailand since 2011, he spends much of his time eating in Bangkok street markets and island hopping the Andaman Sea.
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