For 700 baht I stayed in the older, unrenovated wing in a somewhat clean room with a double bed, dresser, mirror, small table, and chair. Large windows let in bright sunlight but offered unpalatable views of a squalid alley. I'd recommend using your own sheets and towels as those provided were musty and frayed. The heavy-duty air-conditioner quickly turned my room glacial, so either sleep in a hoodie or endure stifling heat.

The tiny bathroom was set up so that I had no choice but to shower over the toilet. A screened air vent directly over the sink was brimming with cockroach carcasses. I brought this to the staff's attention; they assured me it was OK because the cockroaches were dead. It still forced this insectophobe to brush teeth and bathe with eyes closed.

Surprisingly considering its smack-in-the-middle Khao San location, the noise level was low, though I am a heavy sleeper. All rooms have cable TV. The roof-top pool is a perfect antidote to the Bangkok sun... more