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With low season discounts, it’s still only in the flashpacker range yet it manages to combine a downtown location with a delightful and peaceful riverside location and slightly plusher rooms than its neighbours, Galare and Ban Narai. Off Charoen Prathet Road, it’s a bit of a walk to the sights of the Old City, but close to both Worarot Market and the night bazaar.

No frills rooms. Photo: Mark Ord

River View has been around for quite a few years and while rooms appear well maintained, the exterior appears a bit tired. Ground floor houses the restaurant and reception with some rooms at the rear overlooking the garden and others located on the two upper floors. The restaurant looks good with plenty of quality wooden furniture, and serves lunch, dinner and drinks as well as the included breakfast. On dry days you can decamp to a table in the pleasantly cluttered garden, which boasts a mixture of mature trees, pot plants and hanging ferns and orchids. Beyond the garden, directly facing the river, is a good-sized swimming pool.

Rooms are far less spectacular than the garden and are decidedly on the simple side but at least clean and equipped with fridge, cable TV, air-con and ensuite hot showers. Some have balconies facing the garden—others don’t—and given the 300 baht difference in price it’s probably better going for the latter as you get not only the balcony but a generally brighter room as well.

Homely grounds. Photo: Mark Ord

River View Lodge isn’t going to win any prizes for room decor but you stay here for the location, garden setting and riverside pool. Numerous in-town, similarly priced spots, have better value for money rooms, but they lack the riverside trumps.