Blue Star Guesthouse
One of the better budget spots
More on Kanchanaburi
The long-running Blue Star remains a strong backpacker choice in a relatively quiet location. While it’s missing a rafthouse option, the log bungalows and standard rooms in a couple of concrete buildings offer a wide range of choices.
Travelfish says:
Our favourites are the bungalows set on stilts and reached by footpaths raised above a swampy lagoon filled with tropical palms and flowers. These are far from new but it’s hard to complain about a little grunge in the bathrooms when prices start at just 200 baht. The cheapest editions come with firm beds, linoleum walls, screened windows, portable fans and cold-water bathrooms that are private but situated a few steps outside of the rooms, outhouse style. An extra 100 baht bags you a taller stilted bungalow that puts you high above the property.
Though the value isn’t as good as the fan rooms, larger air-con bungalows with wooden interior walls and hot-water ensuite bathrooms are not bad choices either. Those who aren’t into the rustic design can go for a darker but newer room with choice of fan or air-con in a two-floor concrete bungalow set closer to reception. The priciest of these bags you a fridge and wide LCD TV with English channels. The only rooms to avoid are the two cave-like air-con rooms with no real windows in the main stonewall building below reception.
We like the back-to-nature bungalow setup, but you don’t get a true river view due to a riverine island adjacent to the property, and mosquitos can be an issue. Offering tour and transport bookings along with info on exploring the area, Blue Star has one of the more present staffs of any budget guesthouse in town. They join travellers at tables and loungers in a small garden area near reception, where WiFi supposedly works.
Neighbouring Sam’s House is another old-school spot with a very similar setup but slightly noisier location; you could head over there if Blue Star is full.
Contact details for Blue Star Guesthouse
Address: 241 Mae Nam Khwae Rd, Kanchanaburi
T: (034) 512 161; (081) 639 1688; F: (034) 624 732
Email: Bluestar_guesthouse@yahoo.com
Web: http://www.bluestar-guesthouse.com
Coordinates (for GPS): 99º31'3.11" E, 14º2'7.23" N
See position in Apple or Google Maps: Apple Maps | Google Maps
Room rates: Under 600B
Room rates
What we were quoted as a walk-in.
| Bungalow fan private bathroom 300 baht for a taller bungalow | 200 baht | 200 baht |
| Standard double room Fan-cooled | 450 baht | 450 baht |
| Bungalow air-con private bathroom 650 baht for a triple | 550 baht | 550 baht |
| Deluxe bungalow Add 100 baht for a fridge | 750 baht | 750 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.