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A one-of-a-kind setup starts with a little burger joint up by the road and then leads to an open-air bar where locals mingle with travellers after dark. Off to the side stands a two-storey concrete building with a few private rooms. Behind that is a string of converted shipping containers housing the dorms along with a couple more privates and a TV room with a sofa. Maps and a bunch of info on Bangkok cover one wall, with a floor-to-ceiling window along the other.

Plenty of greenery at The Yard. Photo: David Luekens

All the way in back, an open-fronted reception area is staffed by a couple of young English-speaking women who do an exceptional job of caring for their guests. We were met with genuine smiles and there wasn’t a hint of annoyance or frustration when we asked to see the dorms and as many of the private rooms as possible.

While we appreciate the recycled shipping containers, they do mean that the six- and four-bed mixed and women-only dorms are somewhat cramped into long and narrow spaces. Each with personal reading lamp, electrical outlet, locker and soft mattress with quality linens, bunks are placed close together. The 550-baht price tags seem high compared to places like HI Mid Bangkok and Adventure Hostel, but the service is superior and Ari is a pricey neighbourhood in general. Featuring hot water, rain showers and fancy soaps, the shared bathrooms are similarly small but clean.

Simple but comfy. Photo: David Luekens

While the two private rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows in shipping containers are interesting, we’d opt for a larger and better-value private room in the older concrete building up front. Accessed by stairs and equipped with mattresses on hardwood floors, TVs and several windows, a pair of double rooms rely on two shared bathrooms situated on the same floor. Across the hall is a spacious triple room with a day bed, ensuite bathroom and huge private balcony.

In addition to the TV room, bar and tables set up in the central yard, the hostel offers a kitchenette, laundry facilities, breakfast, free WiFi, bicycle rental and book exchange. While not really a party hostel, The Yard is a great place to chill out and make some friends over a few drinks. Staff are renowned for their advice when it comes to onward transport and things to do in Bangkok; they even lead free Chinatown street food tours on Tuesday nights.

Interesting spaces. Photo: David Luekens

Located within a 10-minute walk of Ari BTS station, The Yard is set on a side lane that stays relatively quiet at all hours. The surrounding neighbourhood teems with street food and an intriguing collection of upscale dining and drinking options, such as Salt, Jim’s Burgers and Beers, Casa Azul and Somtum Bangkok. Chatuchak market is three stops north up the skytrain line, while Victory Monument is two stops to the south.