One of the Best Hotels in Ximending District, Taiwan
I’ve stayed in plenty of budget hotels all over Taipei, Taiwan. And I prefer searching for hotels in Taipei’s Ximending District. Simply because it’s one of the best areas to stay for tourists. So what do I look for when I’m searching for hotels on the internet?
I start with hotels with weird names. And it doesn’t get any weirder than Hotel Papa Whale.
Sure, I know it’s an odd way to pick a hotel. But let’s face it, Hotel Papa Whale is an eye catching unique name. If this was a marketing ploy, it worked. Even while I was searching for Hotel Papa Whale reviews I could see a lot of guests who’ve stayed there previously have the same sentiment.
Anyways if it indeed was a marketing ploy it worked. After delving into Hotel Papa Whale’s details to make this review I took a good look at the hotel’s surrounding area.
I became satisfied as it looked like a decent hotel to stay in Taipei. So I leaped and booked a room. That was a few years ago.
After a few more stays at this wildly popular budget hotel in Taipei’s Ximending district, I decided to write up a review of Hotel Papa Whale this time to help bolster my most excellent post Guide to Visiting Taipei.
Guest reception area at Hotel Papa Whale…
The Location
Hotel Papa Whale is located in Ximending District as I already mentioned. It’s the best area to stay in Taipei hands down for first-time tourists visiting the city. Though the hotel property is on the outskirts of Ximending there is a benefit. And that is it’s not too crowded.
Yet still easy to walk out from the hotel and enjoy the atmosphere as well as find plenty of yummy Taiwanese food and snacks outside the hotel vicinity.
Plus the dozens of 7-Elevens nearby. I’m not kidding. You’ll see when you get there.
Ximending District is most active starting from the afternoon until late at night so expect a lot of people both locals and tourists alike. Although it’s mainly a shopping area I believe most people go to Ximending for the food.
Ximending District has a lively nighttime atmosphere. It’s a great area to stay for shopping and eating day and night…
Hotel Papa Whale is not exactly centrally located in Ximending. But you can still walk from the hotel to Taipei Main Station to catch the Airport Train in about 15 minutes.
The hotel property is huge and encompasses a third of the entire block. With a huge hot pot, sushi restaurant, and dessert shop on the ground level. It’s all part of the hotel so if you book a room at Papa Whale with breakfast included you’ll be eating hot pot for breakfast.
However, I never booked a room that included breakfast at Hotel Papa Whale. Only because there are so many restaurants outside to eat instead. But maybe one day I’ll try it out just for the experience.
The Room
For this trip to Taipei, the room type I booked at Hotel Papa Whale for this review is called “Elegant Double Room” and the room size is 13 m² with no view.
If you’ve never stayed inside a room with no window before it’s odd at first. But you get used to it.
However, Hotel Papa Whale has this workaround where they place daylight LED strips outside faux windows. Which makes it seem like you’ve got a view of the outside. Well, sort of…
The weird thing is it’s on 24 hours. Unless there was a light switch but I couldn’t find it. It’s good that the hotel had blackout curtains installed or else my circadian clock would go bonkers.
I booked a room on Agoda.com for $80 USD a night with taxes included and no breakfast. Which is not a bad price at all for a hotel in a prime location in Taipei. But there are cheaper rates for rooms located on the basement level of Hotel Papa Whale.
Please excuse my pajamas on the bed. I don’t know what I was thinking…
The other side of the room and more of my dirty laundry…
A nice big work desk to fit the junk for a travel bloggers needs…
The bed was really nice and comfortable. And the large screen television in front of the bed was a bonus. With lots of television channels including a bunch of movie channels with Hollywood hits. It’s a nice room, big too with high ceilings so you don’t get that cooped up feeling. Unlike most newer hotels today that are built smaller.
Another plus point for Hotel Papa Whale is the amount of universal electrical sockets available in the room. Which comes in handy for any digital nomad. With gear that needs constant battery charges. And because the installed sockets are compatible with most plugs you don’t need to carry around power adapters.
To me, that’s a bonus point for Hotel Papa Whale.
What is a bit odd are the hallways of the hotel. And it is a big hotel with only one set of elevators. There are a total of 365 rooms with 4 floors of guest rooms.
So if you’ve got yourself a room at the far end you will be walking for a little bit. But of course, they do have hotel staff who can help you move large luggage around.
Doesn’t this look like a dormitory on a spaceship?
Check out that hallway that leads to my room. It has this cool sci-fi look and feel. I felt like a Storm Trooper was going to round the corner anytime soon. Anyways, back to the room review.
The Bathroom
Hotel Papa Whale has earned a lot of points in my book for their bathroom design. There are these cool bathroom fixtures sort of giving off a steampunk style and feel. The shower room and bathroom are separated by a wash basin.
And of course, there’s free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel property. And I must say the connection was fast and I never had any problems with connecting and signal drop-offs.
Also, every room has an individual thermostat so you can set the temperature to cold or warm. There is also a small electronic safe plus a refrigerator with 2 bottles of water stocked daily during room cleaning.
The Overall Hotel Property
So there’s also a laundry room though I have never used it before. I usually save all my dirty laundry until I’m back in NYC to wash it all. Hotel Papa Whale is not considered a fancy hotel. There’s no swimming pool, or fitness center with white-gloved services.
But they serve the purposes of travelers who simply desire a modern and clean room to rest after a long day of sightseeing. Which suits me perfectly.
A large selection of books for guests to browse through in the hotel lobby
Sorry, I didn’t have a chance to review the breakfast offerings from Papa Whale Hotel. I try to be as thorough as I can whenever I do hotel reviews.
But to be honest, whatever Taipei hotel review I do I’m not tempted at all by hotel breakfast. Unless its overall room rate is too good to pass up.
Lots of restaurants in Taipei open early ready to serve breakfast…
You can find a ton of good restaurants near the hotel if you just walk towards central Ximending. Part of the overall travel experience is eating like locals. That’s my take on it so I don’t believe you need to book a room at Papa Whale Hotel with breakfast.
The Takeaway
On my most recent visit to Taipei, I stayed in Hotel Papa Whale for a week for this blog review. I had no problems with the rooms and services. There are lots of hotels in Ximending District to pick and choose from.
Hotel Papa Whale is one of the best ones in my book for anyone not looking to spend more than $50USD to $80USD a night.
For me, the price was just right. Hotel Papa Whale is not far from Taipei Main Station so you can easily access Airport Bus or Airport MRT train. It’s within walking distance to many of Taipei’s historical sightseeing locations like the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial and also the Taiwan National Museum and others.
Most importantly Hotel Papa Whale is in the Ximending District, which is one of the best areas to visit Taipei, especially for first-time visitors who want to see the best of Taipei.
If you would like to add your own Papa Whale Hotel review to this blog post please drop a comment below. You can find the best rates and reviews on Agoda.com as I did.
JJ (Chatuchak) Weekend Market is such a popular area in Bangkok that I often get asked where the best budget hotels and hostels are located near one of the most famous shopping destinations in the city.
In this post, I’ll give you my picks of the best and well reviewed hostels and hotels near JJ Weekend Market that is also convenient for sightseeing the rest of Bangkok. I’ll also introduce a few popular boutique hotels near JJ Marke..
Also if you’re reading this and still don’t know where to stay in Bangkok I’ll point out some benefits and reasons why staying at a hostel or hotel near JJ Weekend Market is convenient and beneficial especially for first-time visitors to Bangkok.
5 Reasons to Stay at a Hotel or Hostel Near JJ Weekend Market
JJ Weekend Market is still central Bangkok. Yet room rates for hotels and hostels are affordable with reasonable rates in that area. With surprisingly good quality hotels too.
Because Bangkok is a growing city the area near JJ Weekend Market is changing in a good way. There are subway and train stations in the area with good places to check out.
Like the name says, it’s a weekend market. So you can bet there will be hordes of tourists and locals alike heading to JJ Market. Which means packed trains and problems finding taxis. If your purpose is to explore the market it’s smart to book a hotel near JJ Weekend Market.
Even if you’re not only in Bangkok to visit JJ Market there are plenty of shopping malls in the area like Central Lad Prao Mall, the One Park Mall, and Union Mall. There are more things to do around the than you’d think which I wrote about here.
If you’re catching a flight out of Don Meung Airport (DMK), JJ Weekend Market area is just 14km away. Book a hotel around the vicinity of JJ Market and you’ll be close to the airport and still be able to explore Bangkok. Mo Chit Bus Terminal also called Northern Bus Terminal is also not far off either.
JJ Weekend Market is a great place to pick up cups and plates at reasonable prices…
3 Best Areas to Stay Near JJ Weekend Market in Bangkok
Here’s my list of the best areas to stay near JJ Weekend Market including names of hostels and hotels with good reviews and best location in order of preference. These select locations are in walking distance to the BTS Sky Train station.
Ari – Hip and chic restaurants and boutique shops in this neighborhood.
Saphan Kwai – Just a bit quieter and less hectic than Ari, Saphan Kwai is a quaint location.
Mo Chit – So this station is closest to JJ Weekend Market. But there’s fewer hostels and hotels near Mo Chit except a few here that you’ll like.
1. Ari (อารีย์)
Hotel Price Range: $25USD to $100USD BTS Station: Ari
Why Stay in Ari: Hip and chic neighborhood in Bangkok perfect for the young or at least the young at heart.
Soi Ari or specifically Ari neighborhood is just south of JJ Market, just two Sky Train stops away. It’s busiest on Phahon Yothin Road but most of the hotels and hostels listed below are situated on the quiet areas of Ari where bars and small Western and Asian restaurants serving yuppie Thai clientele dine and drink.
Ari has a mix of budget and affordable hotels close to JJ Weekend Market. Many operate as hostels and boutique type properties that you will enjoy.
Here’s a set of hotels and hostels near Ari BTS Station you’ll enjoy staying in.
Bangkok’s Ari neighborhood is very busy, especially on weekends when most locals are on their day offs. But it’s relative proximity to JJ Weekend Market is the main reason why you’d want to stay in this area because it’s also convenient for sightseeing the rest of Bangkok.
2. Saphan Kwai (สะพานควาย)
Hotel Price Range: $10USD to $50USD BTS Station: Saphan Kwai
Why Stay in Saphan Kwai: Everything’s here, food, shopping and train stations.
Saphan Kwai is just one BTS Sky Train stop away from JJ Market and this area is an eclectic mix of old Bangkok and upcoming trendy fashion boutiques, cafés, and restaurants. Saphan Kwai is an old school neighborhood popularly known for its street food however so you can’t go hungry or overspend on food in this area.
Saphan Kwai neighborhood is not as busy compared to Ari. So if you’re looking for a hotel or hostel in Bangkok that isn’t in such a busy area, yet close to JJ Weekend Market then you should focus on this neighborhood.
Here’s a set of hotels and hostels near Saphan Kwai BTS Station to consider:
Saphan Khwai area hotels and hostels are much more affordable as you will see. Many affordable hostels perfect for budget travelers looking for a clean hotel near JJ Weekend Market and the Saphan Kwai BTS station.
3. Mo Chit (หมอชิต)
Hotel Price Range: $10USD to $55USD BTS Station: Mo Chit MRT Station: Chatuchak
Why Stay in Mo Chit: Everything’s here, food, shopping and train stations.
Mo Chit is where JJ Weekend Market is located. So if you choose any of the hotels listed below you’ll be very near one of the world’s most famous weekend market. This neighborhood is at it’s busiest on the weekends however. Mo Chit is where you’ll find the most budget hotels near JJ Weekend Market.
During the weekdays when the market is closed it’ll be quiet. However, there’s a big mall near JJ Weekend Market called Central Lad Prao and Union Mall, which is only one station away on the MRT Chatuchak Station.
Here’s a set of hotels and hostels near Mo Chit BTS Station to consider:
In general Mo Chit area is more quiet with less to do in the immediate JJ Weekend Market surroundings. It’s also the reason I place Mo Chit #3 on this list of the best areas to stay near JJ Weekend Market. Mo Chit also has the most amount of budget hostels and hotels out of the three areas listed here.
So if you’re visiting Bangkok during the weekend and would like to stay near Don Meung airport to catch a flight then Mo Chit area is the area to stay in Bangkok during your visit.
The Takeaway
Ari, Saphan Kwai, and Mo Chit are the three best areas near JJ Weekend Market with very good budget hostels and affordable 2 and 3-star hotels. If your goal is to spend a lot of time at over at JJ Weekend Market I don’t recommend staying in an area too far away, like Khao San Road for example just to save some money by staying in cheaper guesthouses found in that area.
It doesn’t make sense to spend money on round trip taxi rides at a neighborhood further away when there are perfectly affordable hostels and hotels near JJ Weekend Market.
Guide on Things to Do Around Chatuchak Weekend Market You Might’ve Never Known About
If you’ve visited Chatuchak Weekend Market (a.k.a Jatujak also JJ Market จตุจักร) more than a few times you’ve probably become too familiar with one of Bangkok’s most famous shopping attraction. And by now, maybe it’s boring.
That’s why I listed 5 points of interest that are near and around Chatuchak Weekend Market you might find new and interesting.
A lot of my friends that frequently visit Chatuchak all think that the market is only good for buying cheap clothes and tchotchke souvenirs. There are over 15,000 stalls opened on weekends so it’s kind of hard to leave Bangkok’s largest flea market with your hands void of plastic bags stuffed with Thai souvenirs.
But there’s a whole lot more than t-shirts and throw away hats and sunglasses at Chatuchak Weekend Market. Or this little hip and chic spot right inside JJ Market I wrote about here.
Did you know Chatuchak has the largest aquarium fish market open 7 days a week?
Admit it, even if you’re not an aquarium hobbyist you did learn something new today. Just a short distance from Chatuchak Weekend Market there’s also an area where you can find Thai hand made items to decorate your home.
And skip the food sold inside Chatuchak Weekend Market and head to Aor Tor Gor Market, where you can buy the best durian in Bangkok just a short distance away.
JJ Green Night Market -One of the easiest night markets to travel to Bangkok…
Even though I’m very familiar with Chatuchak Weekend Market due to the fact that I’m always playing tour guide for my visiting friends and family. I always try to find alternative areas around Chatuchak to show my friends.
And I’m more than happy to share it here! First off is a place I highly recommend and it’s my go-to place for good authentic Thai food and the freshest fruit this side of Bangkok at Aor Tor Gor Market.
1. Aor Tor Gor Market (ตลาด อ.ต.ก.)
Through the years Aor Tor Gor Market which is super close to Chatuchak Weekend Market, by the way, is making a name for itself today. This is the market Thai locals go for good eats and the freshest but pricey fruit year round.
The real reason why you would want to come to Aor Tor Gor Market is for the food. The second reason why you would want to come to Aor Tor Gor Market is for the variety of fruit.
There’s a food court section with tables to enjoy our lunch but afternoon times when the lunch crowd hits it’ll be hard to find empty chairs and tables.
After scarfing down some delicious Thai food you’re going to want to walk off those calories. How about some furniture shopping? Anyone up for some antiquing?
Opening Hours: 6:00am – 8:00pm (every day) Location: Kamphaengphet Road, opposite Chatuchak Weekend Market. Best Way to Get There: Take the MRT subway to Kamphaeng Phet station. Exit #3 is the nearest to Aor Tor Gor.
2. Furniture and Home Decoration
One would easily think Chatuchak Weekend Market was created specifically for foreign visitors. But no, this popular market has local roots and a place for local Thais to hang out, shop and eat. Which is why you’ll find lots of furniture shops from modern to vintage.
Many expats including myself and local Thais can find stylish furniture and home decor near the surroundings of Chatuchak Weekend Market. Personally, I’m not into antiquing but if buying old things floats your boat you’ll want to wander around this area for some items to stick in your abode.
Whatever you can’t carry with you on the plane there are many shipping companies located in the area ready to help you arrange shipping from boxing to packing and delivery.
Now that you know where to find furniture and home decorations, how about having a pet fish with an aquarium to go along with your brand new home decor?
Opening Hours: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm (every day though most shops open Friday to Sunday) Location: Kamphaengphet Road, between Chatuchak Weekend Market and JJ Mall Best Way to Get There: Kamphaeng Phet – Take the MRT subway to Kamphaeng Phet station. Head out from Exit #2 walk straight up Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road and head 300 meters before JJ Mall.
3. Browsing the Largest Aquarium Fish Market in Bangkok
For the hobby aquarist at heart, you’ll find one of the largest aquarium supply centers in Bangkok right by Chatuchak Weekend Market. Thailand is one of the biggest exporters of tropical fish in the world.
From freshwater and saltwater fish to aquatic plants. You’ll even find supplies to set up your home aquarium at reasonable prices. Even if you’re not ready to buy and take home it’s quite nice to just take a walk through and enjoy the beautiful aquarium designs.
Lots of aquatic hobby products are produced in Thailand. Which means the cost is lower. Most countries even allow transporting live fish as carry on. As long as it doesn’t exceed the liquid allowance on certain flights to certain countries.
Opening Hours: 10:00am – 7:00pm (everyday) Best Way to Get There: Best to take a taxi to Kamphaengphet 4 Road, opposite Chatuchak Weekend Market
4. Get a Manicure and Pedicure with Nail Art
Glam up your nails before heading back home or the night out in Bangkok…
There’s a very popular and affordable little nail salon near Chatuchak Weekend Market called Glamour Girls Nail Salon. I wrote a review post about them here.
After a long day of checking out those areas why not drop by for a bit of nail therapy. They also provide spa manicures and spa pedicures services. But Glamour Girls Nail Salon are best known for acrylic extensions and nail art service in Bangkok near JJ Weekend Market.
After getting your nails glammed up at Glamour Girls, why not head over to one of Bangkok’s popular night markets that is easy to get to, which is JJ Green Night Market.
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 9:00pm (every day) Location: The One Park Mall Bangkok opposite from Union Mall. Best Way to Get There: Take the MRT train to Phahon Yothin Station and head out from Exit#3 Website: http://www.glamourgirlsnailsalon.com/
5. JJ Green Night Market **(Closed Indefinitely)**
One of the easiest night markets to visit right within Bangkok near Chatuchak Weekend Market…
(Update February 2020 – I know that this night market is super popular. Currently it has moved to a different location in Bangkok’s Laksi district and renamed as JJ Green 2 Night Market)
Open Thursday to Sundays, JJ Green Night Market is at its peak busiest on weekends from 6 pm to midnight. Fridays and Saturdays are the busiest though, especially during long holiday weekends.
Located a short distance from Chatuchak Weekend Market it’s a smaller market but has an enjoyable ambiance at night. There are bars and pubs also which sometimes open past midnight.
Also, a good place to buy local Thai made products like clothes designed by Thais. It’s also a popular area to scope out second-hand items at reasonable prices. And of course, you’ll find cheap sunglasses and hats.
Lots of snacks can be found at JJ Green Market too but if you love seafood I recommend going to Koongtung (กุ้งถัง ). It’s seafood boil style with fresh shrimps, clams and crabs. If you can’t handle spicy they have different levels you can order.
Opening Hours: Thursday – Sunday 5:00 pm – 2:00 am Address:เลขที่ 1 ถนนกำแพงเพชร 3, แขวงจตุจักร, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900 Best Way to Get There: Even though there is an MRT (Chatuchak) and BTS (Mo Chit) stations nearby, JJ Green Night Market is a little bit deep inside Chatuchak Park. So best to take a taxi.
The Takeaway
Chatuchak Weekend Market is like an institution in Bangkok. The area surrounding Chatuchak is growing with more businesses especially with the new BTS train lines being constructed around the area. Which means more people will be able to travel to Chatuchak easily.
With all the progress and more visitors means more shops and businesses opening up in the neighborhood. And I wouldn’t be surprised if one day you took a walk around Chatuchak Weekend Market and discovered something new for yourself.
Guide on Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur for First-Time Visitors
If you’re searching for the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur then I’ve got you covered. Kuala Lumpur is one of the most exciting cities I’ve had the pleasure to travel frequently in Southeast Asia through the years.
And I can confidently say these are the 5 Best Areas to Stay in Kuala Lumpur!
So I know which areas tourists should book a hotel for their first trip to Kuala Lumpur based on my experiences. Here in this post, I’ll point out the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur that are safe and perfect for sightseeing.
I’m going to make personal recommendations on the best hotels near KL’s nightlife, shopping, and of course most importantly for finding excellent Malay food. I’ll point out where to stay in Kuala Lumpur on a budget or to live it up in 5 star hotels. In essence, you’re going to learn where the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur are right here so you can pick that perfect hotel.
And as you can see from this post, I really do enjoy eating in Kuala Lumpur and that’s just one of the many reasons why I am so passionate about coming to KL.
3 Quick Tips on Your Kuala Lumpur Hotel Search for Your First Trip in Malaysia
Book your KL hotels near a train line. It’s one of the best ways to get around and explore the city. I recommend staying at a hotel near any of the hotels along the KL Monorail Line, specifically Imbi Station and Bukit Bintang Station.
If you can’t stand the smell of cigarettes then be sure to specify you want a nonsmoking floor. Trust me on this you’ll thank me later.
Don’t be turned off if you see a room rate that is too cheap. Many $20USD per night hotel rooms in Kuala Lumpur are decent and clean but on the small side. And there may not be a window.
Kuala Lumpur is rapidly expanding its subway train lines…
The 5 Best Areas to Stay in Kuala Lumpur for First-Time Visitors
Bukit Bintang– Kuala Lumpur’s primary shopping center with many hotels from guest houses to the city’s top 5-star hotels. From here you’re in easy walking distance to explore popular parts of the city. My recommendation and one of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur.
Changkat– If you like your hotels near bars for booze then Changkat is where you want to be. From dive pubs to wine bars if you pick a hotel near Changkat you’ll be right at home.
KL Sentral– Trains and buses plus a shopping center all rolled into one at KL Sentral. KL Sentral is the city’s main transportation hub so book a hotel here if you’re planning on taking day trips out from KL.
Chinatown – Sort of the city’s historic district with old-fashioned shophouses, restaurants, and counterfeit luxury goods markets.
Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC)– Here’s where you’ll find lots of 5-star hotels in KL’s business district. Hotels in this area are close to KL’s most famous building and landmark, the Petronas Towers. LRT Ampang Line has a few stations around KLCC.
Below I have a selection of four hotels in five different areas of KL that I think you will enjoy staying in.
All the locations I recommend are right in central Kuala Lumpur, perfect for any first-time visitors for sightseeing purposes. Keep reading and you’ll know why they are the 5 best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur for first-time visitors!
But first, check out my video and get a quick look at traveling to Kuala Lumpur from Bangkok. There’s also a review of Chaos Hotel in Bukit Bintang!
Update – Malaysia’s Hotel Tax
As of September 1st 2017 a 10RM per room per night hotel tax has gone into effect.
Malaysia’s 10MYR per room hotel tax is to be paid upon check in…
The first area I highly recommend staying in is called Bukit Bintang. It’s my favorite area in Kuala Lumpur!
1. Bukit Bintang
Hotel Price Range: $25USD to $250USD Subway Line: KL Monorail Bukit Bintang station and LRT Bukit Bintang station Why Stay in Bukit Bintang: Everything’s here, food, shopping, and train stations. One of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur even for backpackers on a budget.
Big expensive chain hotels in KL are surrounded by smaller locally run budget hotels all over Bukit Bintang…
Speaking from personal travel experiences in KL, I really do believe that Bukit Bintang is one of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur ever.
Bukit Bintang is like the Times Square of New York City. It has flashy billboard lights, and shopping centers, full of activity and people. I highly recommend booking a hotel in the Bukit Bintang area of Kuala Lumpur for your very first visit.
Yes sure it’s where all the tourists go to stay. And that’s for a good reason. Everything you could want and possibly need for a fun experience in KL can be found in Bukit Bintang.
Even though Bukit Bintang is such a busy neighborhood prices for hotels are not so expensive. Even though all the top hotel chains like Marriott and Millennium Grand are there believe it or not you can find economy hotels with single rooms as cheap as $25USD.
That’s not bad at all considering you can easily walk to the posh shopping centers of Bukit Bintang and walk to Jalan Alor, KL’s famous street food haven.
For traveling families Bukit Bintang will be the perfect location for kids and most certainly for adults.
I highly recommend staying at a hotel in Bukit Bintang, especially when it’s your first visit to Kuala Lumpur. It’s easy to travel to and get to where you need to go because of the train stations. There are so many varieties of restaurants all around plus the shopping malls to check out.
Trust me, after staying in Bukit Bintang for yourself you will know for sure why it’s one of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur.
But for the more adult crowd, it’s not a bad idea to look into Kuala Lumpur’s Changkat area, which is not far from Bukit Bintang.
2. Changkat
Hotel Price Range: $15USD to $250USD Subway Line: KL Monorail Bukit Bintang station and LRT Bukit Bintang station Why Stay in Changkat: The mecca of international bars and pubs in KL. Easy walking distance to Bukit Bintang and KLCC. Changkat is easily one of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur for nightlife.
Changkat’s restaurants, bars, and pubs add an international flair to KL’s nightlife…
Changkat borders Bukit Bintang so it’s still an advantageous location for your first visit to Kuala Lumpur. The only difference is you have to walk just a little further to Bukit Bintang Monorail station and LRT Bukit Bintang station. But if you put yourself up at a hotel near Changkat you’ll be near KL’s popular mini pub crawl street that is closed off at night to vehicles.
Changkat is also near Jalan Alor, KL’s famous tourist food spot popular for hawker stands and foods found throughout Southeast Asia. Jalan Alor is where you should go find famous Malay food and other Southeast Asian favorites.
Also, a strip of affordable massage parlors can be found along the streets leading to Changkat. A great little location in KL for adult travelers. So I recommend staying at Changkat for KL’s nightlife. Because the location is also not far from Bukit Bintang. The only difference is that Changkat is a more adult-oriented neighborhood in Kuala Lumpur.
Out of the four hotels on this Changkat hotel list I recommend Izumi Hotel Bukit Bintang and you can take a look at my post review here.
Stay in Changkat and you’ll know why it’s one of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur for partying.
Changkat is a decent area to pick and choose hotels as there are also many hotels in low price ranges to slightly upscale hotel properties to book.
It is a more adult-oriented location in Kuala Lumpur so you may come across touts looking to persuade men to partake in “special” massages. But even so, Changkat is a pretty good area to stay and explore Kuala Lumpur during your first-ever visit to the city.
3. KL Sentral
Hotel Price Range: $30USD to $250USD Subway Line: All train lines and certain bus lines converge at KL Sentral Why Stay in KL Sentral: If you’re in KL for a few days and need quick access to KLIA airports. KL Sentral is the best area to stay in Kuala Lumpur for shopping.
Booking a hotel near NU Sentral Mall is a good idea for a first visit to KL…
KL Sentral is where you can find the most good quality budget hotels in Kuala Lumpur.
As the transportation hub of Kuala Lumpur, there won’t be a problem finding a hotel in KL Sentral. From there you can travel to most parts of the city via the train system and even to most parts of Peninsular Malaysia.
Every single train line in Peninsular Malaysia converges on KL Sentral. This is why this is a great area to choose a hotel if you’re planning on exploring Western Malaysia.
Another reason why KL Sentral is a very good area to pick a hotel in Kuala Lumpur is because it’s attached to NU Sentral Mall. So you’re not far off from retail therapy as well as a wide variety of dining options from fast food to casual sit-in dining.
Because KL Sentral is linked to all train lines you can take a quick trip to Bukit Bintang as well as Changkat. So you’re not far off from popular tourist spots in Kuala Lumpur. This is one of the main reasons why KL Sentral is one of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur.
As I mentioned earlier I am a frequent visitor to Kuala Lumpur. Sometimes I just visit for a few days and when I do I prefer to book a hotel near KL Sentral. Mainly because I like using the KLIA Express train located beneath KL Sentral station to get to the airport.
NU Sentral Mall which is connected to KL Sentral station has lots of retail brand name stores as well as plenty of casual restaurants plus Western fast food chains.
KL Sentral is an ideal area to stay in KL when you’re planning on exploring Kuala Lumpur and other parts of beautiful Malaysia.
4. Chinatown
Hotel Price Range: $10USD to $70USD Subway Line: Chinatown is a wide area. Pasar Seni MRT is in the center of Chinatown. KL Monorail Line Mahajarela is near the entrance to Petaling Street. Then up north of KL’s Chinatown is Masjid Jamek LRT station. Why Stay in Chinatown: The old world meets the new world at KL’s Chinatown. Chinatown is the best area to stay in Kuala Lumpur on a budget.
Kuala Lumpur is certainly a multicultural city with its local Chinese population present…
Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown is a colorful and lively part of the city filled with restaurants and hawker stands serving up good cheap eats and cheap shopping. If you’re here you’re looking for hotels near or along Petaling Street.
Petaling Street is KL’s shopping bizarre filled with loads of goods, mostly cheap and fake but that’s part of the fun, isn’t it?
You can also walk to other points of interest in KL such as Central Market and Merdeka Square, sight of KL’s independence.
So if you want to see the old parts of Kuala Lumpur, picking a hotel right in KL’s Chinatown will put you in touch with KL’s rich history. This is why many consider Chinatown as one of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur.
Ahyu Hotel
I Highly Recommend the Ahyu Hotel in Chinatown
I frequently stay at Ahyu Hotel when I come to Kuala Lumpur alone. It’s a short walk to Masjid Jamek LRT station. So it is easy for me to get to this hotel from KL Sentral after taking the 1 hour 30-minute bus ride from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
Rooms cost about USD 20 with taxes and these are the rooms with windows. So of course windowless rooms are cheaper. Most importantly it is clean and the rooms look new and in good condition. There’s a small fridge, room safe and the Wi-Fi internet speed is sufficient.
The front staff service is super friendly, it is a terrific hotel! And you will enjoy the Indian restaurants nearby. I certainly did!
Currently, it’s a good time to start your exploration of KL by booking a hotel in Chinatown. Through the years I’ve noticed that this little slice of KL is undergoing major renovation. New hotels are built up and many small businesses, particularly hipster cafés and restaurants are popping up all over the area.
KL’s Chinatown is undoubtedly one of my favorite spots in the city and it’ll be interesting to see how the transformation will look.
Regardless I find Chinatown is the best area in Kuala Lumpur for budget travelers.
5. Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC)
Hotel Price Range: $40USD to $300USD Subway Line: Ampang Line and KLCC Why Stay in Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC): This is KL’s flash business center with many new hotels including 4-star properties. Best hotels in the Kuala Lumpur area all in the KLCC area.
KLCC- The financial district of Kuala Lumpur…
If cash is not a concern for you then KLCC has the best hotels in Kuala Lumpur for you. KLCC neighborhood is Kuala Lumpur’s financial business area. I stayed in KLCC the fewest times because I used to go over to the Thai Embassy in KL to apply for a new visa.
KLCC is where you will find the most high-class business hotels in Kuala Lumpur. If you have the money and can pay for high-end hotel rooms then KLCC is the best area to stay in Kuala Lumpur for you.
KLCC is also where you can find the Petronas Towers, Malaysia’s famous skyscraper. Staying at KLCC you’ll still have some advantages when exploring the rest of Kuala Lumpur. There are several LRT train lines located along KLCC.
There are also a few shopping centers and the biggest one is located on the lower levels of the Petronas Towers. Plenty of restaurants can be found in the area as well. But if you’re staying there check out the food court inside Suria KLCC on level 2.
KLCC area is a bit more spread out. So I recommend looking for a hotel near the Petronas Towers because it’ll just be more convenient for sightseeing on your first visit to KL. The closest one on this list is Le Apple Boutique KLCC which is a very nice hotel with and in walking distance to an LRT train station too plus a shopping center.
The Takeaway
Kuala Lumpur is an amazing city to explore in Malaysia. I travel there often back and forth from Thailand at least 3 or 4 times a year. So I’m quite familiar with the areas of KL particularly where to stay for sightseeing.
Please remember the 10MYR per night hotel tax that was introduced on September 1st, 2017. You pay directly to the hotel upon check-in. However, if you book with a hotel booking website like Agoda.com, the tax is collected through their portal.
Now that you know where the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur are I’m sure you’re going to fall in love with the city as much as I have. It’s been one of my favorite cities to visit ever since my first visit. I’m pretty sure you’ll feel the same way on your very first memorable trip to Kuala Lumpur.
A Taste of the Beach Life at Baan Sukhita in Chanthaburi, Thailand
Thailand has a lot of beaches. Some good. And some not so good. Everyone, including yours truly that is planning to stay indefinitely in Thailand is always out in the search of the best beaches as a side trip from Bangkok, either for a day or more. And that’s what we found at Baan Sukhita in Chanthaburi, Thailand.
A few weeks ago for the very first time I visited Chao Lao Beach where I made a review of Maldive Beach Resort. While driving around I came across Ao Yang by chance.
Ao Yang is a bay, so not a beach even if there is a small one. “Ao” in Thai “อ่าว” pronounced àao with a low tone means bay. But theres a small beach lined with restaurants and a parking area for visitors to the beach and restaurant customers.
The view right outside of Baan Sukhita Hotel. Quiet and peaceful bay in Chanthaburi Thailand…
There are several hotels and guesthouses along Ao Yang. But we chose to stay at Baan Sukhita because we had already seen it while driving through when we last visted Chao Lao Beach. And their sea view rooms left a good impression on us which is why my wife and I decided to go back check it out.
Reception desk at Baan Sukhita…
Baan Sukhita is just a simple hotel. But in a good way. It’s not a fancy place for the fancy folks that enjoy high tea in the noon overlooking the bay. It’s ideal for any visitor looking to get away from Bangkok just for a little while to reset and rest. Which is just right up our alley.
Baan Sukhita Chanthaburi – The beachfront rooms on the left are triple deluxe sea view rooms and the ones on the right are normal sea views rooms…
Baan Sukhita has sea view rooms just 50 or so meters from the beach with a picket fence and the road in between.
There’s no fitness center. No Swimming pool. A row of beach chairs, benches and tree trunks shaped into chairs with a lovely view of the bay from the property lawn.
No hotel bar with happy hours. So be sure to stock up on your favorite beers and snacks as there are no full convenience stores in Ao Yang.
Many hours were spent on this hammock… Pure bliss with the gentle breeze blowing in from the bay…
But there is a cool tree hammock! Just a single hammock is slung between two beautiful trees. Now I can imagine this hammock wouldn’t be enough during the weekends with more guests staying at Baan Sukhita.
Since my wife and I stayed during the weekday we were pretty much alone. So I had the hammock all to my self!
Baan Sukhita has 21 Rooms With 3 Room Categories:
Standard Nature View – 20 m² / 2 Adults and 2 Kids 0-11 age
Sea View – 24 m² / 2 Adults and 2 Kids 0-11 age
Triple Deluxe – 32 m² / 3 Adults 2 Kids 0-11 age
Room #106 with a sea view. Our home sweet home, well at least for 4 night…
On this trip I booked a sea view room and stayed in room #106. Per night we paid 1500THB ($55USD). The property was renovated back in 2014 and well maintained. The room still looks new with a nice comfortable queen sized bed, a flat screen television plus some chairs, a mini fridge stocked with 2 bottles of water daily and a small work table.
Sea view rooms lead straight out to the beach…
The bathroom has a shower room and the fixtures looked brand new. Though I believe the bathroom would benefit with a ventilation fan to to keep the air moving out.
First impressions of the room, nice and clean…
I also think the room would really benefit with more light fixtures. At night with all the existing room lights turned on the room was still too dim especially near the area where the work table was placed.
The Wi-Fi was not stable but I could always piggy back off the hotspot from my phone to my laptop computer. Television has a dozen Thai channels and a movie channel with Hollywood hits but of course it’s dubbed in Thai.
Garden view rooms at Baan Sukhita…
The Breakfast
Breakfast which was included with our room rate at Baan Sukhita is served from 7am to 9am. There’s not a lot of breakfast variety but understandably so. It’s a small hotel property which receives most of its guests on weekends.
No sense to cook up a bunch of food which will just go to waste with not enough people to eat it.
Western style breakfast at Baan Sukhita…
It’s not exactly buffet style but if you want to order more food the hotel kitchen staff were more than happy to cook another set. They even offered to make an omelette just to change up the menu a bit as we stayed for 4 nights. Staff were very nice at Baan Sukhita I have to add.
Khao Tom Moo Gung – A Thai style rice soup with minced pork and shrimp normally eaten for breakfast…
What they do serve is sufficiently enough. Sunny side eggs, some boiled ham and chicken sausage with toast is the western option. Khao Tom Moo Gung is the Thai breakfast of choice served with lots of fresh shrimp and minced pork was my favorite and I had it every morning with American style breakfast.
Things to See Near Baan Sukhita
To really explore Chanhtaburi and the area surrounding Baan Sukhita you’ll need to have a car or hire a driver. It’s the only way to get a glimpse of the natural beauty that surrounds Baan Sukhita. The area is mainly popular for beaches and there are a handful to enjoy. But I just want to mention that because these beaches are less traveled or visited you will find trash along the sand.
Lots of signs with English pointing to places of interest. But having Google Maps to get around was helpful…
Beaches near Baan Sukhita Hotel
Ao Krathing – This beach is owned by the army. You have to walk down to the beach, about 150 meters down a man made stone pathway. But coming back up could be tiring. Not a far drive from Baan Sukhita.
Hat Chao Lao – This beach is the nicest with long stretch of sand and not as much rocks in the surf. Great for swimming. Not a lot of resorts on this beach still quiet even on weekends. Drive time to Chao Lao Beach’s eastern tip is about 20 minutes.
Hat Laem Sing – Similar to Hat Chao Lao but a lot more busy during the weekends. Drive time from Baan Sukhita to Laem Sing takes about 10 minutes.
Recommended Area to Visit in Chanthaburi
Chanthaburi Waterfront – I haven’t been all over the city of Chanthaburi but I came across this little section of town near a river. It’s a nice little place to visit, explore and perhaps enjoy a cup of coffee at one of the many cafés by the river. A recommended side trip while staying over in Baan Sukhita.
Chanthaburi Waterfront – Because the area has Chinese and Vietnamese background you’ll see their influences all around…
The Takeaway
I like Baan Sukhita a lot for the ambiance and environment. If you want to travel Thailand, relax at a beach with not ton of people around than this is the type of place you’ll like and enjoy. I certainly did.
But you also have to have some expectations as well. Ao Yang is not a very developed. There’s a row of seafood restaurants along the bay where the locals go to enjoy freshly caught seafood right off the bay. And that’s all there is in the immediate vicinity of Baan Sukhita Hotel.
There’s absolutely nothing to do at night. Matter of fact the area is deserted at night except for the seafood restaurant owners and workers that live nearby. There are many dogs in Ao Yang area too and from my experience they are friendly. Especially when they get to know you. But if you’re afraid best to avoid them.
This is Frank, but in Thai is name is pronounced “Flang”, very friendly when he gets to know you…
During the day you can lounge on the hammock or take a dip in the beach and explore Chanthaburi by car. But this is the kind of rest and the sort of thing I enjoy. And enjoy I did at Baan Sukhita Hotel. I highly recommend staying at this nice little beach hotel in Chanthaburi, Thailand.
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