Khao San Road

Budget

Budget
$
Star Dome Inn
104/1 Rambuttri Rd
+66 2 629-1136
400-600 baht
in the road that runs parallel to Khao San Road in the north

All rooms have a private bathroom with cold water. Hot water is only available in the more expensive rooms. Internet is available for 60 baht per hour and there are laundry facilities. The inn is next to a disco/pub, so expect excessive noise in the lower floor rooms.

Budget
$
K.S. House
133 Phra Sumen Rd
+66 2 629-1763
350-520 baht
next to Siam Commercial Bank

Another budget guest house that offers 55 standard rooms with either a fan or air-conditioning. They have a great cafe/restaurant with nice food set on a rooftop. Breakfast not included even though the website says so. Also, the free Wi-Fi does not reach most rooms. They do have internet terminals in the lobby, but you have to pay a fee to use them.

Budget
$
Siam Oriental Inn
190 Khao San Rd
+66 2 629-0312
350-500 baht
in the middle of Khao San Road

Nice, clean and quiet rooms, both fan and air-conditioned, all with a private bathroom. There's a lively restaurant, an internet cafe where you can surf the web for 1 baht per minute and a photo-processing store. Other amenities include laundry, where you have to pay by kilogram, and luggage storage.

Budget
$
Sawasdee Welcome Inn
5-7 Trok Rong Mai
+66 2 629-3308
300-880 baht
from Chakrabongse Road, walk into Trok Kasap and take a left into Trok Rong Mai

This is a decent guest house that is quiet, as it is off the busy Soi Rambuttri, but still close enough so you can walk there. Rooms are dark, and you get nothing more than a bed and a sink. Don't expect English-speaking staff either.

Budget
$
NapPark Hostel
5 Tani Rd
+66 2 282-2324
480-750 baht per person
near the Tani Road and Chakrabongse Road intersection

Absolutely great place to stay for backpackers as it has a Thai-style homey decoration with Thai cushions and garden surroundings. Rooms are dorms, but the bathrooms are among the cleanest of Khao San Road and there is free high-speed Wi-Fi throughout the building. The English-speaking staff are really nice and ready to help you 24 hours a day. You can chill out at their chic and cosy coffee bar.

Budget
$
Green House
84 Rambuttri Rd
+66 8 6617-7717
410-590 baht
right next to Merry V Guesthouse

A simple and functional guest house with 80 rooms close to Khao San Road. Some rooms are cleaner than others, so inspect before checking in. There's a wide range of rooms, including single, double and triple rooms with either fan or air-conditioning. Beside a guest house, it is also a restaurant, travel agency and internet cafe.

Budget
$
D&D Inn
68-70 Khao San Rd
+66 6290 5268
750-1,100 baht
at the police station side of Khao San Road

A huge hotel by Khao San Road standards with a roof-top swimming pool, massage facilities, and a very clean and efficient 24 hour internet cafe. All rooms have attached bathrooms, air-conditioning, TV, and rates include breakfast and use of the pool. They do not allow check-in until after 13:00.

Budget
$
New Merry V Guesthouse
18-20 Phra Athit Rd
+66 2 280-3315
450-550 baht

A good low budget option for the budget conscious traveller. Its aging rooms are divided into fan, air-conditioned and "deluxe" rooms, the latter are more expensive, have a TV and don't face the busy street. Don't confuse this one with the other Merry V, which is in the middle of Soi Rambuttri.

Budget
$
New Siam II
50 Trok Rong Mai
+66 2 281-7461
690-840 baht
in Trok Rong Mai, right around the corner from Soi Rambuttri

One of the best hotels in the Soi Rambuttri area. It is just enough off the main drag to be quiet, but still very close to the action. They advertise as having the largest rooms for the price, and they seem to be right. The rooms are clean and are well-maintained, and the staff is friendly. There are safe boxes in some rooms and lockers downstairs. The restaurant menu is basic and the food not too exciting, but the sofas are good to meet people.

Budget
$
Penpark Place
22 Sam Sen Soi 3
+66 2 281-4733
450-750 baht
a fair hike inside Soi 3

This hotel is quite far from Khao San Road, but on the plus side, that's why this hotel is in such a peaceful environment. It is a clean and quiet place with a nice garden and river view at the rooftop. Rooms are quite large with a wide window. High-speed internet and free Wi-Fi available. A good place to relax, meet friends, and to have an early-morning coffee.

Budget
$
Lamphu House
75 Soi Rambuttri
+66 2 629-5861(-2)
400-980 baht
in the middle of Soi Rambuttri

Lamphu House is a resort-style guest house. Even its cheapest rooms have bamboo beds and rattan lamps, giving it a modern and airy feel. Cheap rooms only have a fan, shared bathrooms and no windows, while the more expensive rooms have air-conditioning, ensuite and balconies overlooking the courtyard. A big plus is that you can store your backpack here for about 10 baht a day. You don't need to be a hotel guest to use this service.

Budget
$
Sawasdee Smile Inn
35 Trok Rong Mai
+66 2 629-2340
400-680 baht
from Chakrabongse Road, walk into Trok Kasap and take a left into Trok Rong Mai

This hotel has a unique colonial architecture, with more than one hundred rooms available. Sawasdee Hotels is a big chain with plenty of other locations as well. Things can get impersonal, the cleanliness is so-so and rooms are very basic and small. It really is for backpackers only, who do not have a lot of demands. There are other hotels in the area that offer bigger rooms, more amenities and better service for a similar price.

Budget
$
Bella Bella House
74 Soi Chana Songkhram
+66 2 629-3090(-1)
450-550 baht
next to the 7-Eleven

This budget guest house has 25 clean and new, if somewhat spartan rooms. Not the most exciting rooms, but they get the job done. There's no elevator, so take a lower floor room if you're lazy, though the upper floor rooms have a nice view at the rooftops of Wat Chana Songkhram. Internet access not free, food and beer are all available in the medium-sized restaurant downstairs. Some complain about the rude and unfriendly managers, however. Stay elsewhere.

Budget
$
Live Good Guesthouse
81/2 Soi Bowonrangsi, Tanao Rd
+66 2 282-5092
100-300 baht
in the alley behind Burger King; immediately next to New Central Guesthouse

A basic and clean guest house. Rooms with shared bathrooms are small and spartan, and there are no power outlets. There are different kinds of rooms, the double fan room goes for 200 baht. There are internet, restaurant and laundry services available downstairs.

Budget
$
Rambuttri Village Inn
95 Soi Rambuttri
+66 2 282-9162
700-1500 baht
in the middle of Soi Rambuttri

Quiet series of uninspired buildings with small rooms, its main draw is its relaxing rooftop swimming pool. However, their website neglects to mention that it shuts down at 18:00 despite alluring photographs suggesting otherwise. Its rooms range from basic fan rooms to "deluxe" air-conditioned rooms. Biggest issue is the staff. If you have a problem, neither staff nor management will care about complaints nor will they offer refunds or compensation, even if it is the hotel's fault. They require a 1,000-baht refundable key deposit that can only be paid in cash Thai baht only. If you cannot produce the deposit, they will not let you in your room even if you have already paid for it beforehand. There is no communal area. Free WiFi.

Budget
$
Rainbow Guest House
43 Chakrabongse Rd
+66 2 280-6648
150 baht dorm 350-600 private rooms
opposite Gazebo Bar

This place is basic, but its priced for it. They have air-conditioned dorm rooms that are good value. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, nice Indian food and beer, and free private security lockers for all guests you can use your own padlock or borrow one of their's. The noise can be troublesome though for the private rooms in the front near Gazebo Bar, but the dorms in back are quieter. Update-May 2012. Good value compared to rest of Khao San Road, but still very close. Room not too noisy.

Budget
$
 

Most backpackers head straight for Khao San Road as it has by far the cheapest accommodation in all of Bangkok. Don't have high hopes on luxury if you're staying here; most of these places are dark, dingy, unclean and if you're unlucky, you might have to spend the night with bedbugs. Also keep in mind that anything on Khao San Road itself will be loud, and anything with exterior windows will get hot.

Try walking a block or two off Khao San proper to find something a little quieter. Soi Rambuttri, the small street past the police station, has reasonable guest houses, though can still be loud in the evenings. The street gets darker and quieter as it wraps around the temple grounds of Wat Chana Songkhram, where you can find some quiet guest houses. Sam Sen Road and the surrounding area is another escape from the noise and chaos, with some cheap guest houses at a further distance of the action.

Budget
$
Thai Cozy House
111/1-3 Tani Rd
+66 2 629-5870(-4)
550-1,000 baht
at the Tani Road and Sip Sam Hang Road intersection

Family-run guest house with decent rooms that have cable TV, fridge, air-conditioning and hot shower. Ideal location just far away enough from the crowds, but close enough to the action. They also have plenty of other services, including a restaurant, travel agent and internet.

Budget
$
New Joe Guest House
81 Trok Mayom
+66 2 281-2948
350-550 baht
in the middle of Trok Mayom

It's a basic guest house with small and simple rooms, but at least they are fairly clean. Try this place if you're just looking for a cheap place to sleep. It has a nice cafe/restaurant attached to it. They have nice Thai and Western food, such as pizzas, and it is set in a garden environment.

Midrange

Midrange
$$
Amarin Inn
96 Trok Surau Chakrabongse
+66 2 282-2796
800-1,500 baht
from Santichaiprakarn Park, walk to Phra Sumen Road, then pass the 7-Eleven and you'll see the Amarin Inn sign on the right. It is opposite the department of industrial works.

It is down a long alley — far away from the noise of the main street, but only a few minutes walk from the action. It is fairly clean and spacious rooms of an older style, all with air-conditioning and en-suite bathrooms. Guests are allowed onto the roof to look at the Bangkok skyline, a rarity in the area. Wi-Fi is available on all floors and there is a free internet terminal.

Midrange
$$
Bhiman Inn
55 Phra Sumen Rd
+66 2 282-6171(-5)
1,200-1,300 baht
in the middle of Phra Sumen Road

This boutique hotel, with a rather odd logo, is a sister hotel of the Viengtai and is a bit cheaper. It is a fifteen-minute walk north of Khao San Road. Staff friendly, good swimming pool, but poor breakfast offering very little choice.

Midrange
$$
New Siam River Side
21 Phra Athit Rd
+66 2 629-3535
1,590-2,590 baht
opposite Peachy Guesthouse

A great location at the banks of the Chao Phraya River, with the express boat pier and the Khao San Road area closeby. If you're willing to pay extra for it, make sure that you actually book a "river view room", as many of the other ones face the road! Rooms are quiet, clean and just good. The breakfast is big and varied, and served buffet-style beside the pool and river. Definitely worth it. The attached restaurant can also be visited by non-guests and mains go for 100 baht or less.

Midrange
$$
Khaosan Palace
139 Khao San Rd
+66 2 282-0578
1,000 baht
in the middle of Khao San Road

A fairly basic guest house right in the middle of the action with an impressive Thai-style entrance and rooftop pool. The rooms are a bit on the small side, but always clean and include cable television, cold or hot shower and air-conditioning or fan. The pictures on their website do seem nicer than they are in reality though. Big downside of this hotel is the noise from nearby cafes, expect excessive noise till about 04:00 if your room is at the road side.

Midrange
$$
Rikka Inn
259 Khao San Rd
+66 2 282-7511
1,150-1,450 baht
at Burger King side of Khao San Road

New hotel right on Khao San Road with good rooms in a modern style. They have air-conditioning, private toilet and bathroom, but not much more. The swimming pool on the roof is an attraction, but only open from 10:00. Small and large safe deposit boxes available at 20-40 baht/day. The obligatory 1,000 baht deposit is uncool though.

Midrange
$$
 

There are several mid-range hotels in the area, with swimming pools, mini bars, etc. Mid-range covers a wide spectrum, from decent three-star hotels to upper class guest houses. Phra Athit Road is a good place to start looking, its location right beside the Chao Phraya River made it home to some more luxury hotels.

Midrange
$$
Cha Cha Villa
36 Tani Rd
+66 2 280-1025(-7)
1,450-2,750 baht
near the intersection with Chakrabongse Road

Nice looking boutique hotel that is especially worth it for its amazing jungle gardens that include a waterfall and a pool. It also has a nice garden restaurant. Rooms have all the amenities, including air-conditioning, cable TV, en-suite bathroom and coffee/tea facilities. The views are a bit deceiving though. Do not leave valuables from your room, as you have to be careful with the cleaning staff. There are also no lockers available.

Midrange
$$
Diamond House
4 Sam Sen Rd
+66 2 629-4008
1,000-2,000 baht

A chic boutique hotel in the quieter Sam Sen area. The cheaper-end rooms are not that big and do not have windows. The rooms are clean though, and have cosy Thai atmosphere. Staff is also very helpful if you have questions or problems. A tip is to book this one on their website as their walk-in rates are much higher.

Midrange
$$
New World City Hotel
2 Sam Sen Rd
+66 2 281-5596
1,200-4,500 baht
immediately take a right after crossing the canal at Chakrabongse Road

This hotel is for those on a lower mid-range budget. Rooms are okay, and some of them have a fun view over the canal. Some rooms are a bit dated though. It's only a short walk to Khao San Road, but is still far enough not to be annoyed by noise.

Top end

Top end
$$$
Baan Chantra
120/1 Sam Sen Rd
+66 2 628-6988(-9)
2,700-4,500 baht
at the southern end of Sam Sen Road

Baan Chantra is an upmarket hotel in a beautiful Thai historic home dating from 1936. The front rooms overlook the busy road, but it is relatively quiet at night. The rooms are spotless with ensuites, air-conditioning, mini-bar and a full breakfast. The staff is very helpful.

Top end
$$$
Buddy Lodge
BF, Buddy's Shopping Plaza, 265 Khao San Rd
+66 2 629-4477
2,400-3,900 baht
at the Burger King side of Khao San Road

This hotel is special as it is one of the few higher budget hotels right on Khao San Road. Rooms are good with fridge, TV, phone and air-conditioning. It has a great rooftop pool, balcony, room service, free Wi-Fi and bar.

Top end
$$$
Viengtai Hotel
42 Rambutti Rd
+66 2 280-6434(-45)
2,400-5,200 baht
at the road that runs parallel to Khao San Road in the north

This hotel is a popular choice for Thais visiting Bangkok. Rooms are large and have air-conditioning, but are not really inspiring and the ones facing the road can have noise coming from the bars. The big pool is a nice way to cool down in the afternoon. The staff is superbly efficient and friendly as they are in most hotels. The breakfast is superb, offering many choices among different cuisines.

Top end
$$$
Navalai River Resort
45/1 Phra Athit Rd
+66 2 280-9955
3,000-4,500 baht
right in front of Phra Athit pier

Great riverside view of the Chao Phraya as you can hear the river flowing. The room looks spectacular; the style of the interior combines Thai traditional design with modern decoration. There's Wi-Fi available that works inside the rooms. Also has a great restaurant downstairs, the Aquatini Bar and Restaurant that is listed separately in the Eat section.

This guide uses the following price ranges for a standard double room:
Budget Under 1,000 baht
Mid-range 1,000 baht to 2,500 baht
Splurge Over 2,500 baht

Khao San Road is Bangkok's main backpacker drag. Cheap new guest houses spring up and disappear on a monthly basis, therefore accommodation is hard to recommend, but there is always something available for a small budget. As hipsters and upper class folks have been starting to discover the road, it is more and more becoming an area that has accommodations for every price class.

Before checking into an unfamiliar place, always ask to see a room first, and don't be afraid to test the fan or the air-conditioning if you think you will need it. Some Khao San Road guest houses do not accept Thai guests, or any extra guests at all in some cases.