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.
A Cozy 3 Star Hotel on Chao Lao Beach in Chanthaburi, Thailand
If you’re looking for a beach getaway side trip from Bangkok, look no further than Chanthaburi(จันทบุรี, pronounced Jantaburee) province. By car you’ll find one of the nicest and cleanest beaches southeast of Bangkok called Chao Lao(หาดเจ้าหลาว), about 250km away, past Pattaya and Rayong.
Chao Lao Beach may not be as famous as the other well known beaches in Thailand, but I really do believe that one day it will be another popular sought after beach destination in Thailand. And to date there are not a lot of hotels and resort on Chao Lao Beach in Chanthaburi.
Finding a quiet spot on Chao Lao Beach wouldn’t be difficult at all.
Here’s the beach right behind Maldive Beach Resort…
But I’ve got just the right place to stay right on the beach in Chanthaburi called Maldive Beach Resort. This 3 star hotel right on Chao Lao beach is just a 3 hours and 30 minute drive from central Bangkok via tollway. Which is not too shabby for some clean water along a nice quiet stretch of beach on the Gulf of Thailand.
Maldive Beach Resort – Nice Side Trip from Bangkok
I highly recommend Maldive Beach Resort for families looking to spend time on a beautiful quiet beach. Because the rooms at this resort are very spacious. So if you’re traveling with an extended family and looking for a nice hotel with spacious rooms around Chanthaburi then Maldive Beach Resort should be considered.
Lobby of Maldive Beach Resort in Chanthaburi, Thailand…
The Maldive Beach Resort has 42 Rooms With 6 Different Room Categories:
Standard: 35 m² / 2 Adults and 2 Kids 0-4 age
Family Standard: 35 m² / 4 Adults and 2 Kids 0-4 age
Superior Sea View with Balcony: 58 m² / 2 Adults and 2 Kids 0-4 age
Family Sea View: 60 m² / 4 Adults and 2 Kids 0-4 age
Garden Villa: 39 m² / 2 Adults and 2 Kids 0-4 age
Beach Front Villa: 39 m² / 2 Adults and 2 Kids 0-4 age
During this trip I booked 2 room types at the Maldive Beach Resort: 1) Standard and 2) Family Standard.
Photos of the room you see above are of the standard rooms and the only difference between standard and the family standard rooms are the extra beds of course for more guests.
The beds in our room were comfortable and the air conditioners looked new and kept our rooms nice and frosty. Don’t expect much television channels. But you have a terrific view of the beach at least.
So all of the rooms we stayed in had a balcony. However, as of writing Maldive Beach Resort is going through some cosmetic renovations. So the balcony view below is not too impressive as of date. I expect that once they are finished there will be some sort of garden view below.
Not much of a view out of the standard and family room balcony but should be better after renovation…
I had a glimpse of the beach front villa and it looked really nice. If I ever plan on staying at Maldive Beach Resort again I’ll probably book the beach front villa.
Chao Lao Beach at Maldive Beach Resort
The main reason why you’d want to stay at Maldive Beach Resort is… well for the beach, right? The beach is called Chao Lao. The waters are far away enough from Bangkok so it’s clean and clear. The sand is white and soft on the feet.
While I was out on a morning swim I saw resort staff clearing the beach of debris. Which is a good sign that they care about their property and environment.
Chao Lao Beach is one of the nicest beaches in Southeast Thailand…
It’s not a private beach but due to the lack of resorts on the beach it certainly seems like it. There are not a lot of people, particularly tourists in the area and that’s probably due to the lack of direct transportation from Bangkok and other cities.
At the beach right on Maldive Beach Resort. My water quality test…
So you’re going to need your own set of wheels either self drive or hired driver. But the beach is worth it plus the fact that Maldive Beach Resort’s room rates are not expensive. Sure, you’re in the middle of nowhere. Which is why you’ll need a car to get around Chanthaburi on your own because the location around the hotel is beautiful like we discovered on our own.
Water quality is seasonal of course. And according to the staff at Maldive Beach Resort, the beach water is at its best from late May through late March.
I went there late January and the water was beautiful and clear with no jellyfish whatsoever.
One of the Most Family and Most Definitely Kid Friendly Hotel in Chanthaburi
I would recommend Maldive Beach Resort if you’re traveling with kids mainly for the kiddie pool. It’s got this awesome spiral pool slide connected. As a fully grown man I can say I probably had more fun sliding down it than kids.
There’s also nice little pool for adults as well with nice chairs to lounge on nearby. But to be honest we spent most of our pool time at the kiddie pool.
There’s no fitness center with cardio and weights but I suppose you can always run on the beach or swim laps for exercise.
An awesome swimming pool for the kids at Maldive Beach Resort…
Breakfast and Dinner at the Maldive Beach Resort
As I mentioned the area around Maldive Beach is a quiet. There are a few other resorts nearby but not much. There’s a 7-Eleven about a kilometer walk away. There’s a little hotel café on premise with a cozy space to hang out.
It seemed like this hotel includes breakfast in every room category. And breakfast is served at Maldive Beach Resort’s fresh and newly renovated restaurant from 7am to 10:30am.
They don’t have a huge variety of choices. But that’s to be expected for a hotel property in the outskirts of Bangkok. You’ll have the usual Thai fare like rice soup, fried rice and some sort of noodle dish. And for Western fare there’s eggs cooked to order, ham and sausage. Plus a choice of breakfast cereal and breads to toast.
If you’re on a beach then you better have seafood. And they do have that on the menu. All of their seafoods are cooked the traditional Thai way. There’s no real Western menu at Maldive Beach Resort except for some steaks. But the seafood dinner we had was tasty and very delicious with reasonable prices.
The Takeaway
I’ve been in Thailand for nearly a decade and as much as I’ve traveled around the country I am still impressed after all these years to find such incredible beaches and beautiful scenery. And, it’s quite fun to come across simple yet nice hotels such as the Maldive Beach Resort.
A nice little area in front of the adult pool to enjoy a cocktail or two…
It’s not a fancy hotel by all means. There are no elevators but the hotel complex is only 3 floors. There’s no concierge but there’s daily room cleaning of course. It’s not easy to get to. You’ll need to hire a driver or just self drive.
Nice size adult pool that is deep enough for a good swim…
But Maldive Beach is the type of place where you can book a room for an entire week and just chill out on site right in front of Chao Lao Beach.
Ratchada Bangkok – The Best Area to Stay in Bangkok for 24 Hour Cafés and Food
Not too long ago I wrote a post on the best areas to stay in Bangkok for first time visitors here. In this post I’ll point out which is the best area in Bangkok to stay for the night owls.
You know the type. They sleep during the day and go out when the suns down. Or you’re simply an insomniac or a writer with the late night inspiration looking to bang out that novel until sun up. What ever the reason I’m going to show you the best area in Bangkok for hanging out all night.
Luckily certain areas of central Bangkok is becoming night owl friendly. By that I mean there are plenty of 24 hour cafés and eateries to hang out in complete with free Wi-Fi and use of power ports. A full proper 24 hour supermarket. And of course the old stand by 7 Elevens which are always a plenty and reliable for quick late night munchies.
The best area in my opinion for tourists that plan on staying out all night and looking to stay in Bangkok for short and long term is called Ratchada.
Ratchada (Ratchadapisik Road) is a long stretch of road and is considered one of the main avenues in central Bangkok. So there are many hotels for all budgets including affordable condo and apartment rentals in the area.
3 Reasons Why Ratchada is the Perfect Area to Stay in Bangkok for the Night Owls (and Also First Time Visitors to Bangkok)
Three MRT stations are right in the heart of the busiest areas of Ratchada 1) MRT Huai Kwang 2) MRT Thailand Cultural Centre 3) MRT Phra Ram 9
Ratchada has the most concentration of 24 hour cafés and restaurants, particularly inside a mall called The Street. There are a few malls, big supermarkets and a very popular night market near MRT Thailand Cultural Centre station.
Lots of affordable hotels are in Ratchada that are really good for sightseeing in Bangkok.
The most 24 hour cafés and fast food restaurants can be found at The Street Mall on Ratchada Road…
The Street Ratchada Shopping Mall
The Street Shopping Mall is located on a busy intersection of Ratchada Road. This is the perfect mall for anyone visiting Bangkok and planning on staying up all night. If you’ve got a bunch of friends that love staying past midnight too than you’ll love this mall even more because the cafés inside, particularly Starbucks has huge tables and lounge space. There are electrical ports and free Wi-Fi too.
Only the basement level and ground level shops are open 24 hours. The shops on the upper levels have normal opening and closing hours.
This little outdoor bar near the side of the The Street Mall closes past midnight, sometimes…
If caffeine is not your thing then there’s a small outdoor bar right by the side of The Street Mall. Not a bad place to get some beers and chill out through the night when it’s a little cooler.
The upper floors have shops with clothes, an IT and mobile phone section and even more restaurants on the upper levels, but as I mentioned already only the basement and ground level shops are open 24 hours.
On the basement level there’s also Foodland Supermarket with a fast food restaurant also open 24 hours.
Best Way to Get to The Street Mall – The Street Shopping Mall is just a few minutes walk from Thailand Cultural Center MRT subway station, just be sure head out from Exit#4
All the 24 hour cafés and restaurants at the Street Mall are located on the ground and basement level…
Plus You’re Not Far From Huay Kwang Either…
Huay Kwang is also another popular local neighborhood which Ratchadapisek Road cuts right through. Huay Kwang is famous for it’s food scene, particularly street food hawkers and seafood restaurants. It’s where locals go to grab some good eats although prices at restaurants and hawker stands are more expensive it still manages attract locals living nearby and afar.
Huay Kwang is also an ideal location for budget travelers because there are many hotels with reasonable rates in the neighborhood with a MRT subway station. Check out a list of Huay Kwang hotels here.
You can walk from The Street Shopping Mall to Huay Kwang in 10 minutes. Check out my short little post on Huay Kwang and find out where I go to enjoy some awesome street food.
The New Rot Fai Market Ratchada – Just Another Reason Why You’ll Love to Stay in This Area
The New Rot Fai Market Ratchada – Rot Fai in Thai means train. But, there’s no trains. No worries, just go there and have fun. New Rot Fai Market Ratchada is perhaps one of Bangkok’s easiest to reach night markets. It’s just behind Esplanade Mall and you can get there by taking the subway train to Thailand Cultural Center MRT Station. Be sure to get out from Exit #3.
New Rot Fai Market is very popular with Thai locals but because its so easy to find many foreign visitors make it a must visit.
There’s lots of food from traditional and regional Thai to Asian, Western and European foods and desserts. And since it’s a market you won’t be hard pressed to find second hand items like clothes and shoes. But of course you’ll find new items as well.
Lots of bars line this market too so not a bad place to start the night out because New Rot Fai Marketopens from 5pm to Midnight only from Thursday to Sunday.
The Takeaway
Ratchada Bangkok is quickly becoming one of the city’s best hang out spots for locals due to the amount of 24 hour businesses in central Bangkok. Plus it’s not far at all from Huay Kwang, another night owl hangout for Thai locals.
And because there are 3 MRT stations within Ratchada it’s also a prime location which means if you pick a hotel in this area you’ll have easy access to exploring other areas in Bangkok, like Sukhumvit, Chid Lom and Silom.
Take it from me, as a guy living here for so many years I’ve seen Ratchada grow from quiet empty plots of land to a revitalized commercial center filled with restaurants and condos.
Ratchada, is a great area for any visitors to Bangkok looking to hang out in Bangkok all night. It’s also a very good area for first time visitors to Bangkok looking for a hotel or to hang their suitcases.
3 Best Areas to Stay in Osaka for First Time Visitors (With a List of Recommended Osaka Hotels)
After visiting Osaka for so many years I’ve now narrowed down 3 of the best areas to stay in Osaka for first time visitors.
And I’m strictly writing this from my own past experiences traveling and exploring this amazing city of Osaka, Japan.
Because I am often asked for names of the best affordable hotels in Osaka to stay for a memorable first trip. I figured now is a good time as any as to write a post on the best areas to stay in Osaka. Especially now when Japan is a super popular tourists destination, especially with the current weaker Yen. So you get more with your hard earned dollars.
You won’t have difficulty finding good food in Osaka…
And as the second largest city in Japan, Osaka has lots of distinct neighborhoods with affordable hotels and rustic ryokan guest houses. Even those famous fun little Japanese capsule hotels are popular accommodations for single or small group of travelers.
My recommended Osaka hotels are located in prime locations of the city. Without the big price tags. All the hotels I recommend here are easy to find. And especially easy to get around Osaka for your very first epic visit to this amazing city after dropping off your luggage.
And I’ll also include some pointers for booking Osaka hotels. Also give my advice on whether or not you should pay for breakfast at the hotel of your choice or not.
Osaka has some of the friendliest fun loving and tourist friendly people in Japan…
If you are undecided if whether you should stay in Tokyo or Kobe instead, here are 5 reasons why Osaka is the perfect start point on your inaugural Japan journey.
5 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD STAY IN OSAKA FOR YOUR FIRST VISIT TO JAPAN
Osaka is close to Kansai International Airport (KIX) via public transportation. Kobe Airport is also reasonably close especially by train.
Osaka is a great jumping point for visiting other cities in Japan’s Kansai region. Because of all the train stations connecting to nearby major cities such as Kyoto, Nara, Himeji and Kobe.
In Japan, Osaka holds the title as the “The Nation’s Kitchen” and considering it’s Japan, a gourmand’s paradise, that’s quite a title to behold. So you’re going to find a wide variety of local Japanese and Western foods to enjoy.
Osaka is one of the easiest to wander around on foot. The streets are flat and well-paved. Osaka is Japan’s second biggest city so go have fun exploring.
Don’t like to walk? Osaka has the Midosuji subway line. This subway train line runs north and south. Kind of like the backbone of Osaka. Making stops at popular neighborhoods in Osaka such as Shin-Osaka, Umeda, Shinsaibashi, Namba, and Tennoji.
So those are the five reasons why you should pick Osaka as the city to explore for your first visit to Japan.
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. If that’s the case, you’ll find out whether or not breakfast at the hotel is a must for your first visit to Osaka for a holiday.
TO BOOK HOTELS IN OSAKA WITH OR WITHOUT BREAKFAST? THAT IS THE QUESTION
Let’s face it hotel breakfasts are not really free. The price is lumped into the room rate. From my experience, Osaka hotels or Japanese hotels in general do not automatically include the breakfast option. You have to select the breakfast option at an additional cost.
Below are rates for hotel rooms with and without breakfast for 2 guests. If you book the room with breakfast it comes out about $8USD per person. Which is not a bad price for a buffet breakfast.
Check breakfast price, sometimes it’s actually a good deal
MY PERSONAL TAKE ON JAPANESE HOTEL BREAKFAST
Eating three square meals a day in Osaka with snacks in between is a pricey ordeal. Especially if when you are not dining alone. And ordering coffee at a Starbucks for two in Japan is not cheap. Yes, we do love our expensive caffeine wherever we go. Even coffee in small cafes in Japan can be expensive.
At buffets, you get unlimited coffee, albeit not the best-tasting coffee. But you get unlimited green tea and it’s the good powdered green tea.
Even an affordable and delightfully delicious sandwich with hot or iced coffee from 7-Eleven in Japan will cost around $8USD per person.
A typical breakfast buffet choice at hotels in Japan. Filling, but is it worth the money?…
That’s why in Japan when I travel with my wife these days I always book a hotel room with breakfast included. If you take the above sample you’ll see that the price for breakfast divided between the two of us is about $8USD per person.
That’s not bad considering I eat a lot. I mean I really, really eat a lot. My wife doesn’t but I make up for her share to the point I’m sure the hotel loses out.
Obviously, not all hotels in Japan charge the same price for breakfast. Personally, any hotel in Japan that charges $8USD to $15USD for buffet breakfast on top of the hotel room rate I consider reasonable.
There were times that I ate so much at the hotel breakfast buffet that I skipped lunch. Okay, most of the time. As I mentioned, I can really, really eat a lot.
IF YOU CAN’T STAND SECONDHAND SMOKE, MAKE SURE YOU BOOK NON-SMOKING ROOMS
I’m not a smoker and neither is my wife. Typically Japanese hotels, capsule hotels, hostels, and guesthouses have specific floors or designated smoking areas. While booking Japan hotel rooms you will be given the chance to choose non-smoking and smoking rooms.
I made a mistake once and booked a smoking room in Tokyo by accident. Don’t ask how. But I can say it’s not a good idea to book a hotel room online after a night of hard drinking.
The Wayfaring Soul Tip #10 “Book hotels when sober.”
Since Japanese hotel rooms are very small the smell of cigarette smoke gets condensed to the point I felt I was getting choked. I had to stay one night as there were no nonsmoking rooms when I checked in. Luckily one was available the next day which the hotel staff gladly moved me into. But that was one rough night.
I always make sure I book a non-smoking room in Japan…
If you’re like me and you can’t stand the smell of stale cigarettes you’d better remember to select a non-smoking room.
So now you know it’s probably best to book a Japanese hotel room with breakfast and to stay away from smoking rooms if you’re a non-smoker, I’ll show you where to book your hotels in Osaka for the best vacation ever.
HERE’S WHERE TO STAY IN OSAKA WITH HOTELS PERFECT FOR SIGHTSEEING
There are three primary areas that I highly recommend you to search for a hotel in Osaka. Each of these areas has a certain unique character and charm. All the locations I mention below in Osaka are very cool places to stay especially for first-time visitors:
Minamai Area – It’s all here in Minamai. Shopping, eating, and an infinite number of locations to take your selfies. Overall Minami is the best area to stay in Osaka. But be warned, it’s also the busiest area with many tourists and locals.
Kita – A slightly more expensive area in uptown Osaka. A more family and kid-friendly part of Osaka too. It is less crowded and hectic but you can take an easy stroll down to Minami for more action.
Tennoji – This area is a toned-down section of Osaka with peaceful parks and hotel rates that are more affordable compared to Minami and Kita. This is the best area to stay in Osaka to take in the slow pace and tranquil qualities of Japan.
1. MINAMI AREA – This is Where You Want to Stay for Food, Shopping, and Pure Eye Candy
The most famous spot in Minami is an area called Dotonbori. It’s Times Square in New York City. The Piccadilly Circus of London. Many people including myself consider Minami as one of the best areas in Osaka for first-time visitors.
I also recommend booking a hotel around Dotonbori. Because you’re also within easy walking distance to Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade, which is another popular area in Osaka to explore, eat, and shop. It’s like a two-for-one in terms of travel convenience.
Staying at a hotel near Dotonbori means you won’t have to go far for food and shopping…
Hotel prices in Minami are not cheap. That said you can still find bargains and deals for hotels around Dotonbori. And still, save cash for traveling expenses in Osaka.
Because if you stay in Dotonbori you don’t have to worry about taking a train to get there. Dotonbori is one of Osaka’s most famous areas. Chances are you’ll be traveling there more than once if you’re basing yourself in Osaka and exploring cities on the outskirts.
I’ve always been a fan of the Japanese brand of Sotetsu hotels. Both of these Japanese chains of business classed hotels are also great for tourists. And their rates usually include breakfast. Sotetsu Grand Fresa Osaka Namba is conveniently near Namba Station and steps to Dotonbori a very popular tourist hotspot for food, sightseeing, and selfies.
Kita means north in Japanese but this area is also called Umeda. Just north of Dotonbori along Midosuji Boulevard, about a 15-minute walk north or a very short train ride on the Midosuji subway train.
JR Osaka-Umeda station is also here in Kita and with a convenient JR West office so you can pick up pre-ordered JR passes.
In general Kita hotel rates are higher. And that means the rooms are of higher quality. There are more hotels in Kita than Minamai area. So it’s quite possible to find not cheaper but rather better hotel deals within the neighborhood of Kita.
Osaka’s City Hall is a small narrow island surrounded by the O River…
This location in Osaka is less congested and crowded. But that doesn’t mean it’s not as fun as Minami Area. And if you’re traveling with young children they’ll definitely have a fun-filled day at Kids Plaza Osaka. This is why I recommend Kita as one of the best areas to stay in Osaka for your first visit, especially with young children.
3. TENNOJI – Quiet and Beautiful With a Nice Public Park
Just south of Kita and Minami, Tennoji has the most affordable hotel classes between the two other areas. It’s quieter yet you won’t be hard-pressed to find places to eat and shop.
Tennoji is also a major train transportation hub. JR Tennoji station is where I took the train for a short day trip to Wakayama City. When you get a chance be sure to check out Tennoji Park.
That’s where you’ll find the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts and Osaka Zoo. So Tennoji is also a good area to pick a hotel if you’ve got kids traveling with you as well.
It’s also one of the best areas to stay in Osaka if you want to be close to one of the city’s most beautiful parks and open spaces.
Lots of malls in Tennoji as well as a major train hub in Osaka with many hotels nearby…
Tennjoi is the area I least stayed the most in. That doesn’t mean I don’t like Tennoji I just prefer being in the Minami area is all. But if the hotels I like in Minami and Kita cost more during my travel period I usually find cheaper hotel rates in Tennoji.
Of course, I also like Miyako City Osaka Tennoji which is an expensive hotel. But if you find out there’s a good price for your particular travel dates you should book it because it’s a really nice hotel in Osaka.
So there you have it, I’ve covered the 3 areas in the amazing city of Osaka that I’m sure will be perfect for first-time tourists to Japan with hotels for some awesome sightseeing.
There are several Don Quijote stores in Osaka to pick up souvenirs during your first Japan trip…
THE TAKEAWAY
Osaka is an awesome city filled with spacious avenues, peaceful parks, and one of the wildest shopping and entertainment districts in Japan. Granted Japan hotels are not cheap. But they are not overpriced either. There are ways to save on food, such as booking a room with breakfast as I mentioned.
Staying at a hotel in Osaka where you can easily walk from one popular tourist attraction to another is a way to save on costs. That is otherwise spent on public transportation and taxis.
Which is why I recommend staying in Minamai, Kita, and Tennoji. Those are the 3 best areas to stay in Osaka for first-time visitors. You can easily explore central Osaka by staying in those three areas alone for a breathtaking first experience in Japan.
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