These Are the Best Hotels Around MBK Shopping Centre
I’ve been living in Bangkok for 20 years. So my friends always ask me where they should stay around Mahbunkhrong Centre (MBK Centre) because they want to find tasty food and shops conveniently. Most importantly they want to stay at a hotel in the center of Bangkok.
So I noticed a lot of hotel booking websites promote hotels that are not even near MBK.
I have no idea why and it bothers me too.
If you are looking for a good hotel around MBK, I am here to help.
In this post, you’ll find Bangkok hotels so close to MBK Centre that you don’t need to take a taxi or sky train to get there. You can simply walk to MBK in a couple of minutes. Or even skip across the street. One of the nice hotels I recommend below you can even just walk down to the lobby.
That’s how easy and close to MBK Centre you will be by staying at any of the hotels reviewed below.
Where Exactly is MBK Centre?
MBK shopping center is located in the Pathumwan District. You can consider this area as central Bangkok. I mean just looking at the sheer volume of high-end shopping centers and small to medium-sized malls one can easily see that the area of Siam Square is one large chic shopping complex.
Also, two Sky Train Stations meet at Siam Square Station, the Light Green Sukhumvit Line, and the Dark Green Silom Line.
One more station nearby is called National Stadium Station, which is a part of the dark green Silom line. This station is directly linked to MBK Centre, as well as close to most hotels reviewed below.
National Stadium BTS Station
In a way, the area around MBK Centre is made for the younger Thai generation. Particularly Siam Square, an area filled with Thai boutiques beauty shops with dental and skin clinics.
Also, especially all the themed cafes which are widely popular and shared on social media.
Sort of reminds me of Harajuku in Tokyo or Hongdae in Seoul. You will feel that vibe, especially during weekends when the streets are filled with Thai locals shopping, eating, and hanging out with friends.
Siam Square with Siam Paragon in backgroundMany unique shops throughout Siam SquareA very popular Isaan restaurant on Soi 5
Reasons to Stay Around MBK Centre
You will be near two BTS Sky Train platforms, National Stadium station, and Siam Square station
Walking distance to Siam Discovery Mall, Siam Paragon Mall, and Siam Square One
Many types of Western and Asian restaurants. Also, MBK has a good food court and so does every mall in the vicinity.
There’s something for everyone. Whether you are traveling with the young or old and everyone in between this is a top location for couples and families.
With a short taxi ride, you can quickly travel to Bangkok’s Chinatown and riverside.
You can take the BTS train at National Stadium station, transfer at Siam station, and take another train to Chatuchak Weekend Market in 30 minutes.
You can take the BTS train at National Stadium station, transfer at Siam station, and take another train to Phaya Thai station for the Airport Rail Link to Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
Bangkok Art and Culture CentreJim Thompson House Museum
Around MBK are two immediate tourist attractions.
First is the Bangkok Art and Culture Center which showcases the works of local artists through galleries and special exhibits. Worth dropping by to walk around and support local talents.
Second, is Jim Thompson House; this is the first tourist attraction I visited during my first visit to Bangkok. The house else completely built with teak wood and to me, it’s an interesting visit especially if you’ve never seen a teak house before.
Ibis and Mercure hotels in the background
My Bangkok Hotel Booking Tips
There are many hotels in Bangkok, which is a good thing. Because they all try to keep prices as competitively low as possible. Though the area around MBK shopping center and Siam Square is considered a prime location, hotel prices will reflect as such.
In general Bangkok hotel prices are higher from November through late April. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find hotel deals during that period.
Thailand is still one of the best countries in Southeast Asia with affordable hotel rates and amazing quality.
Every hotel reviewed below provides guests with free Wi-Fi internet, and complimentary bottles of water refilled daily during room cleaning.
Hotels near MBK Centre are popular with foreign tourists
Thai hotel check-in times are usually 2 pm. However if you arrive a few hours earlier, and there are rooms available you may be able to check in earlier.
Typical check-out times are around noon.
And hotels usually ask for a room security deposit so be sure to have some Thai Baht on hand. These roomsecurity deposits are usually around 1000THB to 2000THB depending on individual hotel policy and duration of stay.
You will be given a receipt for the security deposit so be sure not to lose it. You will need the receipt to get your cashback.
I do notrecommend using a credit or debit card for a security deposit unless you don’t mind waiting 3 days or more for a refund.
Now that you know what’s around MBK Centre and why it’s a great area for your first visit to Bangkok here’s my short list of hotels that are super close to MBK Centre and near Siam Square.
Out of all the hotels on this list, the Pathumwan Princess Hotel is directly attached to MBK Centre. It can’t get any more convenient than that. All you have to do is walk downstairs and boom. You’re on the first floor inside MBK Centre.
The Pathumwan Princess with its 5-star rating is also the priciest. But it is not crazy expensive when you compare hotel rates against Western and East Asian hotels.
This is an excellent quality hotel with comfortable beds and guest rooms are decent sized too. A standard guest room is around 36 square meters and has a shower stall and bathtub. Standard guest rooms cost around USD 250 a night with taxes included.
Though if you can afford to pay USD 100 more you can stay in a corner room for a terrific city view.
I would actively check room rates for Pathumwan Princess because if the timing is right you can book a standard room 30% cheaper.
Of course, when you pay that amount of money, you’ll find some awesome guest facilities like a swimming pool, fitness room, and outdoor garden. Even a tennis court if you fancy smacking around a fuzzy green ball.
This branch of Novotel has been in the area of Siam Square like forever. And I stayed here more than a few times when I was a tourist in Bangkok, many moons ago.
Novotel Siam Square is located right behind the Siam Square One shopping complex. MBK Centre is directly across, about 400 meter walk.
Just north of the hotel, about a 300-meter walk is BTS Station Siam and Siam Paragon Mall. So yes, this hotel is in a good location.
And I’ve been recommending Novotel to friends since. If you’re unfamiliar with the Novotel name it’s a popular European chain of hotels.
It’s a large hotel with swimming pools and a fitness center plus a game room for kids. Making this hotel a popular family-friendly hotel.
Standard rooms here are 30 square meters in size. And pricey in my opinion. One of those rooms costs about USD 130. It’s certainly one of the higher-quality hotels in the Siam Square location.
This always popular Holiday Inn is located right across MBK Centre. It’s listed as a 4-star hotel. But to me, it’s a 3-star. Not that it’s a bad thing for the hotel.
Standard rooms are 23 square meters, which is a bit tight even for 2 guests. And it costs around USD 90 per night with taxes. But the rooms are modern and well maintained due to international standards.
There are 28 square meter rooms available and cost USD 15 to USD 20 more.
There’s no swimming pool but there is a small fitness room.
So you might be asking is this Holiday Inn Express worth it?
For one thing, the location is excellent. And if you prefer staying at a hotel with international standards, then I think so.
There’s a McDonald’s in the hotel lobbyGet a room on high floor for city view
As one of the newer hotels in the Siam Square area, Mercure Bangkok has smaller standard guest rooms which are around 25 square meters. It’s a bit pricey at USD 110 per night including taxes. But if you can find below USD 100 then I think it is a good deal.
The Mercure has a small swimming pool and a small fitness center. Overall this Mercure property is considered compact but it has 29 floors. I recommend staying in a room as high as possible for an amazing view of the city.
If you want to stay in a larger room you have to book a deluxe suite and those cost around USD 220. Not worth it. But of course, it’s entirely up to you.
Overall this is a neat and clean hotel with international standards which I know you will enjoy.
This Ibis property is located right below the Mercure Bangkok Siam. Because both are run by the same international hotel chain.
Though standard rooms at Ibis are cheaper, around USD 75 per night. Which is a decent price considering it’s close to BTS National Stadium train station. And directly opposite MBK Centre like all the hotels mentioned here.
Not to mention the amazing neighborhood.
It’s a no-frills hotel but rooms are clean and modern, which many travelers prefer.
This is a Thai-owned hotel in the Siam Square area since the 1960s. Of course, the property has been updated and renovated to today’s boutique-style look and feel. Like all the hotels in the blog post everything, food, shopping, and transportation is right outside the door with just a short walking distance.
Reno Hotel has an outdoor swimming pool and a small gym. This is a smallish hotel with about 50 rooms so I think if you want a nice little quiet oasis this is a good choice
Standard rooms here cost about USD 70 and room size is about 24 square meters.
I think many will enjoy the chic zen-like vibe of Reno Hotel. And be sure to check out the cafe by the front entrance. The coffee is really good and reasonably priced.
Whenever I can I like recommending Thai-owned hotels. This is an average ordinary hotel with standard rooms that cost around USD 35. With standard room sizes of about 22 square meters.
This is a Thai apartment or serviced apartment and one of the oldest in the area. The rooms and hotel haven’t been updated but if you want to stay in the heart of Siam Square on a budget this is a good option.
It’s a small and quiet hotel, off the main road directly opposite MBK Centre. If you just need a clean room with no bells and whistles, Muangphol Mansion is all you need.
Standard rooms here cost only USD 40 per night. Which is a fantastic deal! The only thing is the room size is 10 square meters. And gotta share a bathroom. It is a hostel after all.
If you choose rooms with shared bathrooms there are female and male separate bathrooms.
However, a slightly larger room with a private bathroom can be had for an extra USD 10 to USD 15. Which is still very good.
It’s another no-frills hotel, but it’s a good option for staying in a great neighborhood. And you don’t want to pay too much.
These hotels listed here are perfect for traveling couples to traveling families. The location simply has everything. Transportation, food, shopping, and entertainment are all within easy walking distance to MBK Centre and for exploring Siam Square and the rest of Bangkok.
Whether you are a honeymoon couple in Bangkok or especially a traveling family, Pratunam is a good area because a lot is going on around the area. It is well-developed with many restaurants and cafes. Many low to high-end shopping options as well as peculiar attractions like temples and shrines throughout.
And because it is in what’s considered a prime Bangkok neighborhood hotel room prices in Pratunam are slightly higher compared to hotel rates in the outer districts of the city like nearby Huai Khwang and Bangkok’s Chinatown.
That said, hotel rates in Pratunam are very affordable, especially for hotels in the 4 to 5 star range.
Ratchathewi BTS Station on Phaya Thai Road
If you’re traveling with family I highly recommend staying around Pratunam, This area has the most hotels with spacious rooms, big enough for 3 adults and a child. There are just so many family-friendly hotels in Pratunam. The fact is most of the hotels I reviewed below were built before 2000.
Most hotels built before that period have large rooms. While more recently built Bangkok hotels have smaller rooms. Even though most of the hotels mentioned below are older, they are updated to modern standards.
The hotels I reviewed here are located around the 1-kilometer stretch of Phetchaburi Road. Between Ratchadamri Road and Phaya Thai Road. This is one of the particular areas I recommend staying in Bangkok for your first visit to Thailand.
Choosing a hotel in Pratunam is one of the best ways to explore and experience that hectic chaotic side of Bangkok. And it is one of the super busiest areas in the city.
Thai food stall on Phetchaburi RoadSmall shopping centre on Phetchaburi RoadPhetchaburi Road Soi 17 Shopping LanePathumwananurak Park
Why Stay in Pratunam, Bangkok
Pratunam has the most affordable 4 to 5-star hotels with rooms that fit a family of four comfortably.
Many affordable Thai and international brand hotels in Pratunam.
It is located in the city center.
Lots of Western, Asian, and especially Thai food options.
If you love to shop, Pratunam won’t disappoint.
It’s sort of close to Ratchathewi BTS station.
Close to Airport Rail Link station at Phaya Thai BTS station.
You can walk to many places of interest.
Many popular Southeast Asian shrines for true believers around Pratunam.
Pratunam is one of the busiest areas in Bangkok, 7 days a week because it is one of central Bangkok’s most important commercial business hubs. A popular Thai wholesale clothing industry located within Pratunam Market attracts clothing retail shop owners from all over Thailand.
As well as foreign visitors looking to bring items to sell back to their home country. In many ways, it is the same as Sampeng Market near Yaowarat Road in Bangkok’s Chinatown.
Central World Shopping CenterJust a massive mega mall
5.9 kilometers to the north of Pratunam is the famous Chatuchak Weekend Market. The nearby Ratchathewi BTS Sky Train station will take you to Bangkok’s largest open-air market in 15 minutes.
To the south, on foot, you can take a leisure stroll down to Bangkok’s mega-mall Central World for shopping therapy. A large popular budget supermarket called Big C. An Apple store and other buildings filled with luxury goods like Gaysorn.
Siam Square another popular section of Bangkok full of shopping centers can be reached on foot, but will be a bit of a hike to malls like MBK Centre. But you can reach these shopping centers via Skywalk, an elevated, shaded walkway that is connected to major shopping centers.
Bangkok’s Erawan Shrine
The Erawaran Shrine is also in the vicinity and you can visit all on foot.
So your feet never touch the street pavement. You can pop in and out of a shopping center to cool down with air-con while sipping bubble tea.
Booking a hotel room in Pratunam makes it easy to explore this exciting, fast-paced center of Bangkok.
Quick Bangkok Hotels Booking Tips & Advice
Bangkok’s high season is typically from November through late April. But because there are so many hotels in Bangkok many hotels keep room rates competitive. This means that even through the high travel season you can find hotel deals and discounts from various hotels throughout Pratunam.
Thai hotel check-in times are usually 2 pm. However from my experience, if you arrive a few hours earlier, and the room type you reserved is available, they will allow early check-in for guests.
Thai hotel check-out times are noon. And of course, it never hurts to ask for a late check-out if needed.
All hotels and hostels listed provide Wi-Fi internet access at no cost.
Complimentary water, tea, and coffee with hot water kettle in rooms.
Be sure to reserve 1000THB to 2000THB on hand as most Thai hotels require security deposit during check-in.
If it is in your budget I recommend staying at a 4 to 5-star hotel around Pratunam. Because you can get a really good deal for around USD 100 per night and that’s an excellent price.
To find discounts and reviews of hotels in Thailand I recommend Agoda.com. It is a website I use to find hotel deals around Asia.
We’ll start with some of the best 4 to 5-star hotels I Pratunam below. While one of the most well-known 4-star hotels in this area is the Baiyoke Sky Hotel, billed as the tallest hotel in Thailand with 83 floors, I think there are much better alternatives.
This is the top hotel in Pratunam right on the Petchaburi Road and Ratchadamri Road intersection. The Amari is a Thai brand hotel and well-known in Southeast Asia. It’s the perfect hotel for travelers looking for high-quality rooms, guest facilities like a swimming pool and gym, and top-notch service.
This hotel was built in early 1990 which means the rooms are larger than today’s newly built hotels in Bangkok. But of course, the rooms have been updated with a modern feel and environment.
As the only true 5-star hotel in Pratunam, you think you could expect a crazy 5-star price.
When the standard 40 square meter room at Amari Bangkok will set you back around USD 130.
This Novotel is one of the newest hotel properties in Pratunam district even though it was built in 2011. And the poshness certainly shows in the price even though standard rooms are in the 20 square meter range. So out of all the Pratunam hotels on this list, because Novotel is the newest the rooms are the smallest.
Though without a doubt this hotel location is perfect for exploring the surrounding area. Such as the Platinum Malls, Pratunam Market as well as the local night market next to the Berkeley Hotel across the road.
Ratchapasong Walkway facing PratunamRatchaprasaong Walkway facing south to Chidlom Shopping DistrictRatchaprasong Skywalk Map
This hotel is connected to the Ratchaprasong Skywalk. So you can easily walk down to Central World Mall, Big C Supermarket, Chidlom shopping district, and even down to Siam Square.
Novotel Bangkok Platinum Pratunam is also one of the taller hotels so you can get an amazing view of the city. It’s got the usual facilities you’d expect at a top-notch hotel.
The standard guest rooms cost around USD 150. But it is possible to find rooms for around USD 80 if the timing is right.
I don’t know about you but I prefer large rooms with a balcony. When I first stayed at Centre Point Pratunam Hotel many years ago I liked it instantly. Back then it was also a serviced apartment so I stayed there for 6 months.
It’s tucked a short distance down Petchaburi Soi 15 so you get this little bit of an oasis feeling, while outside there’s a lot of car traffic. It gave off a cozy feeling. And I stayed on the 17th floor facing the main Petchaburi Road so I had a terrific view from the balcony.
Though today of course the hotel has gone through a renovation and updated. I think it’s an even better value today.
For around, USD 85 two guests can stay in a decent spacious 47 square meter room. There’s a nice little swimming pool and a small gym for guests to use. Young kids will certainly enjoy the playroom.
With over 750 rooms the Berkeley Hotel Pratunam is easily the largest hotel on the block. Of all the 4 to 5 star hotels in this review, this is another recommended hotel if you want to stay in a spacious room for families.
They have these 58 square meter family rooms with two large beds, separate showers, and a bathtub. For USD 170 per night for 3 adults and 1 kid occupancy. That’s a fantastic deal considering the size of the room.
Plus the great location, and the amount of food options in and outside the hotel. There is a small and sort of popular street bazaar called Palladium Night Market outside. This is a hotel you should consider staying with family.
I think this hotel has the most affordable large guest rooms in Pratunam. For around USD 160, you can stay in a 120 square meter 2 bedroom executive suite! I think most traveling families with four adults and one child will appreciate all that space.
The hotel is directly connected to a popular Thai shopping complex called the Grand Diamond Plaza. Inside you will find many Thai and Asian styles of clothing plus accessories, shoes, and nail and hair salons. Directly below there’s a Burger King and Starbucks close by.
Even though the rooms are a little dated I think it’s still clean and well maintained. Highly recommended for those traveling in groups and who want to stay inside the same room.
One of the newly renovated hotels in Pratunam, this comfortable, cool, and fashionable hotel is recommended for couples. Who is looking for clean and modern rooms that are most importantly not overpriced.
The size of standard rooms at Vela is 29 square meters. Which is fine for 2 people. And one night cost around USD 70. Usually, it costs more but if the timing is right I think it’s a really good deal!
The tiny drawback is the tiny fitness room and swimming pool.
Of all the areas I reviewed in Bangkok for hotels, Pratunam, without a doubt has the most family-friendly hotels. Large spacious rooms, playrooms for kids, and swimming pools.
And as you can see the hotel rates are not crazy high.
So if you’re traveling with a lot of people and want to stay together, consider any one of these fantastic Pratunam hotels!
The Best Boutique Hotels and Hostels in Bangkok’s Chinatown
Bangkok has one of the largest Chinatowns in the world. And if you stay there you’ll experience a vibrant neighborhood morning through night. In this post, you’re going to find the best hotels in Chinatown. From very affordable hostels to affordable classy heritage boutique hotels.
After Wat Mangkorn MRT subway station was built in Chinatown, hotels and hostels seemingly sprung up overnight. Where you can find many really good quality Thai heritage hotels for around USD 30 to USD 50 per night.
There are plenty of restaurants and hawker stands for delicious seafood, especially Thai and Chinese traditional cuisine. Many 7-Eleven convenience stores too to curb your 24-hour appetite.
Like I always say if you want to save cash on hotels in Bangkok it is better to book further away from the city center.
I didn’t always think that way. About 10 to 15 years ago I would always recommend people stay within central Bangkok. But today hotel prices in those areas went up. Not saying that Thai hotels in general are expensive when compared to Western countries or East Asian country hotels.
But will you save a lot more money? And how’s the quality of hotels in Bangkok’s Chinatown?
Chinatown map inside Wat Mangkorn MRT subway station.
Where is Bangkok’s Chinatown?
Why Stay There?
I know many travelers are looking to stay in heritage-style boutique hotels. They want to enjoy the history of a neighborhood and feel like they’ve gone back in time. Yet not so far back that there’s no air conditioning and toilets inside their room. I hear you.
Bangkok’s Chinatown is located in the older yet charming Samphanthawong District of Bangkok.
This is a foodies’ paradise. Especially at night on Yaowarat Road when the sidestreets are closed off so street food vendors can operate.
Many good quality Thai hotels with affordable prices. Thrifty backpackers can find decent accommodations there too.
Much closer to the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Khao San Road, and the Chao Praya River.
It is generally less hectic and slower than the fast pace in central Bangkok.
Subway Blue Line on Wat Mangkorn MRT station.
Travel up and down or across the Chao Praya River at the nearby Ratchawongse Pier.
West of Bangkok’s Chinatown lies the Chao Praya River. Northeast about 1.5km is the Grand Palace with Wat Praew Kaow and the impressive Wat Pho with its reclining Buddha. Far to the east is the hustle and bustle of central Bangkok. You can easily travel with the Blue Subway line with a station close to the center of Chinatown.
I like to visit this area because of its slow urban pace. There are many fingers of alleyways to explore and wander around. When my feet get tired there are so many cafes to sit down and rest for a bit.
Souvenir shop on Yaowarat Road
And I know many soulful travelers want to experience old historic charms in a city. Bangkok’s Chinatown has many old temples tucked away into corners between buildings. With quaint little shops around for many generations selling food and drink to things you’ve never seen before.
It’s a Chinatown so you will find many restaurants selling Chinese dim sum, noodles, and rice dishes.
When you feel like reversing gears and checking out the shopping centers and nightlife Bangkok is famous for, just take the subway train. It’ll get you there in no time.
So if that’s your travel style and you want to save some money on hotel stays, Bangkok’s Chinatown is right for you.
Grand China Hotel Bangkok
My Top Bangkok Chinatown Hotels
To start I’d like to recommend a couple of hotels along the main vein of Bangkok’s Chinatown called Yaowarat Road. These hotels put you in the heart of everything the neighborhood has to offer, food, shopping, and proximity to the subway station and access to the riverboat pier.
All hotels listed below have free internet Wi-Fi access, daily bottled water refills, and refrigerators. Plus water kettle, tea and coffee packets. Some hotels provide bathrobes and umbrellas for guest use. And yes every room has an air conditioner. I wouldn’t recommend staying at a hotel without one.
Yaowarat Road Hotels (The Heart of Chinatown)
If you want to stay at a hotel right in the heart of Chinatown and the great food and street scene, Yaowarat Road is where you want to be. There are three hotels listed directly below for you to consider.
This is one of the most well-rounded hotels you’ll find in Chinatown because it’s one of the largest. Guests staying at Hotel Royal Bangkok have pool and fitness room access.
Rooms with no windows are cheaper here and cost around USD 60 per night. In contrast, rooms with city views cost around USD 10 to USD 15 more. Certainly one of the most modern hotels along Yaowarat Road.
If you’re traveling with a large family and prefer a larger room you’ll find it here.
A perfect hotel for foodies because around 6 pm the street vendors and restaurants start spilling out onto the streets.
This is another one of the largest and perhaps oldest hotels in Chinatown. But it has been updated of course to compete with the newer hotels nearby. That said the rooms are still a little dated. The building also has a mini-mall in the lobby and a Starbucks in front.
As an older building the rooms inside Grand China Princess are larger than average. Standard rooms are around 26 sq. meters and cost about USD 70.
The Grand China Princes has many room types though so of course the larger the room or the better view it has the price goes up a bit. For example, a room with a river view will set you back USD 100.
All guests at the Grand China Princes also have access to the swimming pool and fitness center. Though be sure to check out the rooftop bar for an amazing view of Chinatown below.
I mentioned earlier that Chinatown has many heritage-style hotels. If you want to stay at a hotel with an old-world ambiance but with contemporary facilities then I highly recommend Shanghai Mansion right on Yaowarat Road.
Now the standard rooms here average in size about 27 sq. meters, which is good. I know this sounds crazy but I like the blackout curtains as it helps with the soundproofing from the outside noise. You’ll see that the interior design of the rooms is high quality and they pay attention to detail.
This stylish boutique hotel will wow you as you enter the hotel’s lobby. I like this hotel because it’s clean, and the hotel staff are friendly and professional.
So this hotel has no swimming pool or fitness center. And the price is kind of high compared to other hotels in the area. A standard superior room at Shanghai Mansion costs around USD 80 per night.
Best Hotels “A Little” Outside Bangkok’s Chinatown
No doubt Chinatown can get quite busy and with all that busyness there’s noise. You want someplace more quiet, yet don’t mind a short walk to Chinatown. I hear you.
Here’s a small selection of Thai-Chinese-style boutique hotels for you to consider. They’ve got great reviews. And believe it or not most are priced around USD 50 for 2 guests! Though rooms will be small.
This terrific little-budget hotel gives off those days of old speakeasy vibe. Standard rooms are on the small side, about 20 sq. meters, and cost around USD 40 per night.
The beds here are quite comfortable for the price, clean room, and a clean bathroom with a modern feel. You can’t ask for more for such an affordable hotel near Bangkok’s Chinatown.
But the hotel is well managed, the rooms are clean and the hotel staff are professional and friendly. I highly recommend this little hotel and I think you guys will like it.
Here’s a cute little hostel near Bangkok’s Chinatown with an owner on the premises. I’ve been recommending this to folks traveling on a budget for a while and it never disappoints.
This charismatic property provides guests with that long ago feeling of Thai Chinese charm. There are so many details and furniture inside that’ll make you feel you’ve gone back in time.
There are a total of only 5 rooms so if you wish to stay here I highly recommend booking far in advance. The standard rooms cost about USD 40 a night. Even though there’s no swimming pool and fitness center you’ve got the ambiance.
I know many solo travelers are looking for a no-frills, yet clean and cool affordable hostel. And the location of Luk Hostel can’t be beaten. Located parallel to Yaowarat Road, tucked away in a lane filled with wholesale goods.
Luk Hostel has many types of room types. From female and male-only dormitories. To small 9 sq. meter single standard rooms. All for USD 15 a night.
Around the hostel are many places to grab traditional Thai foods like noodles and stir-fries.
Just a perfect all-around hostel to stretch out a long stay in Bangkok.
I hope you have a chance to visit Bangkok’s Chinatown even if you don’t plan to stay around there. It’s an incredible place to experience Thai Chinese culture.
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Recently a good friend of mine asked for hotel recommendations for his first trip to Bangkok, Thailand. He wanted a decent-quality hotel. Doesn’t want to spend a lot of money. A nice buffet breakfast included in the room rate would be nice, but not important.
I had good news and bad news for him.
The bad news is it would’ve been an easier request 15 to 20 years ago. Today Thai hotel prices in central Bangkok went up. And you have to pay extra for a buffet breakfast.
The good news is even though prices are higher, Bangkok hotel prices are still more affordable compared to Western and East Asian hotels. However, if you want decent quality Bangkok hotels without spending a lot of money, there is a way.
And the way to do that is to book hotels outside of central Bangkok.
But not so far out that you will be too far away from places that make the city so interesting and fun.
There’s this neighborhood called Huai Khwang that is by the edge of central Bangkok that I recommend. Whether this will be your first time in Bangkok or you’ve been here a few times. I think Huai Khwang is perfect mainly because it is not touristy. Hotels are more affordable and restaurants in this area are priced for locals.
Ratchadapisek Road is a major roadway connecting Central Bangkok to Huai Khwang
Where is Huai Khwang and Why Stay There?
Decent hotels from $35USD to 5 star$100USD+ price range
Huai Khwang MRT Subway Station
Great local street food and restaurants priced for locals
Close to shopping centers
Affordable traditional massage shops everywhere
Experience local life in Bangkok
Huai Khwang is a district sitting right above central Bangkok. Sandwiched between Chatuchack Weekend Market to the northwest and the central Sukhukumvit/Asoke junction directly south. It is what I refer to as a locals’ local area where the working class live, eat, and hang out with friends and family.
On the main Huai Khwang intersection there are MRT subway entry/exits where many locals use to get to and from work. And to travel to other parts of the city as well.
Huai Khwang MRT Subway Entry/Exit #1
If it is convenient for you I highly recommend traveling to central Bangkok via subway. The Huai Khwang station is the subway’s Blue Line which means you can easily travel to Terminal 21 Mall and Chatuchak Weekend Market in around 15 minutes. Both are also transit points for the Sky Train.
The area around Huai Khwang is comprised of residential apartment blocks and tall condominiums. And that means there are many restaurants and shops nearby to feed and entertain local Thais.
A brand new Chinatown is also in the area where a new generation of Chinese immigrants moved in and set up many restaurants, particularly Mala Hotpot restaurants.
There is a seedy aspect to the Huai Khwang neighborhood in the form of brothels. You wouldn’t know it is there unless you look for it. But whatever happens inside never spills outside.
Huai Khwang is indeed a family-friendly neighborhood. Though it wouldn’t hurt to keep a close eye on your husband when he says he’s going out to buy a carton of milk.
Huai Khwang is Almost Active 24 Hours at Night
One of the many things I like about this neighborhood is the amount of restaurants that open late through the night. Some Chinese restaurants are open 24 hours for hotpot and dim sum. And there’s also a cafe I like that opens 24 hours called Oasis Coffee.
My Top Huai Khwang Hotel Picks
So there are a handful of 3 star to 5 star hotels in central Huai Khwang, located along Ratchadapisek Road (Ratchada Road for short). Then you can find most 2 star to 3 star hotels on Pracharatbamphen Road and this is where you find hotels going for USD 30 per night, not including taxes and breakfast.
This road has many Chinese restaurants and 24-hour eateries
I’ll start with the two biggest popular hotels in Huai Khwang. Hotels along Ratchadapisek Road are more expensive but not overpriced in my opinion. While hotels along Pracharatbumphen Road are more on the budget level.
Okay, this is the only true 5-star hotel in Huai Khwang.
Once you walk through the front doors of Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada and enter the massive lobby you will certainly know you’re inside a classy hotel. It’s one of the oldest hotels in the area. But it has gone through several upgrades and renovations throughout the years.
Because it is an older property it also means the rooms are larger than today’s newly built hotels. Updated rooms mean flat-screen televisions and USB power ports. Most importantly a super comfortable mattress and pillows.
And since this is a Thai hotel in the 5-star category guests can enjoy working out in the massive fitness center and outdoor swimming pool. If you can book a room that fits your budget with a buffet breakfast included, I would take the offer. Because the food choices offered are worth it.
Standard rooms here cost around USD90 per night without taxes and a buffet breakfast. However, if the timing is right you can find room rates that do include breakfast.
The Emerald Hotel is also on the main road of Ratchadapisek across from Swissotel Bangkok. Just like its rival 5-star hotel, the Emerald Hotel was built around the early 1990s. This means that rooms are larger than most newer hotels built recently.
There are also swimming pools and a fitness center for hotel guests. Even a billiard room which is not often something you would find inside a Thai hotel.
One of the reasons why I’m writing about Emerald Hotel is because it’s affordable. But some would argue it’s not a true 5-star hotel. Mainly because the rooms are not modern and spiffy. And there are signs of wear and tear.
I just searched now and found a room for USD70 not including taxes and breakfast. So if you want to stay in a hotel with a large room and numerous guest amenities you might want to consider Emerald Hotel.
This is the main reason why Emerald Hotel gets an honorable mention. Just be sure to read the reviews before deciding to book.
This popular hotel in Huai Khwang is located 250 meters walk from Huai Khwang intersection and Huai Khwang MRT subway station entry/exit #1. It might be hard to find since it’s a short distance on a side street, just off Pracharatbumphen Soi 5.
When you see a 7-Eleven convenience store on the corner just make a left turn and walk about 50 meters and you will see the Amaranta Hotel on the right-hand side.
Again this hotel was built about 20 years ago. So there are larger rooms at very affordable prices. The rooms have been updated not recently, but there are tablets to control room lights.
There is a rooftop pool and bar with a good view over Huai Khwang. Plus fitness center is complete with a sauna and steam room. These are not something found in most newer hotels along central Sukhumvit unless you’re willing to pay more money. Standard rooms at Amaranta Hotel cost around USD70.
The Palazzo Hotel is another one of the larger hotels along Ratchapidsek Road. Located just right across a small street from the Emerald Hotel. A standard room costs around USD50, which is around 30 sq. meters.
This hotel does have an outdated design but I think most would agree the most important thing is cleanliness. As a larger hotel, it is well maintained. Though surprisingly there is no swimming pool or fitness center.
The only real thing going for this hotel is its location. It’s certainly worth checking out though if there are no other options in the area.
This hotel is located same street as the Palazzo Hotel and about 300 meters from the main Ratchadapisek Road. Also in the USD50 price range. Though standard rooms are slightly larger and since it is newer than Palazzo Hotel rooms are more updated.
Also, there is no swimming pool or fitness room as well. No frills but again if you want to find a clean cheapish room to stay in Huai Khwang this is a good option.
Built in 2019 the Ibis Styles Ratchada Hotel is the newest and most popular budget hotel in Huai Khwang. And it’s in a super location, about a 150-meter walk to Huai Khwang MRT subway station entry/exit #3.
The lobby is spacious and quite modern. There’s a small play area for children which is a good touch.
As a newer hotel, it means rooms are compact, about 25 sq. meters. But there are 29 and 30 sq. meter room options that don’t cost much extra. There’s no swimming pool but there is a small fitness center.
This hotel is slightly further away but not by much. It’s in the part of Huai Khwang just right where the new Chinatown begins along Pracharatbumphen Road.
MeStyle Garage Hotel is certainly unique as it has a car theme. I’ve stayed in the standard rooms before and I have to admit the room design is too much. And a bit too dark for my taste. Mind you I’ve only stayed one time. So other rooms could be brighter or less cluttered.
There is no swimming pool or fitness center. But if you love hanging outside along rooftops it’s got a nice space to chill out and relax with a beer.
Standard rooms at MeStyle Garage Hotel are around USD50 without taxes and breakfast.
This is where we get into the USD40 price range. Which means rooms are smaller. There are no swimming pools. And in certain instances further away from Huai Khwang MRT subway stations.
This is an example of a super affordable hotel just 250 meters from Huai Khwang subway station. It’s also directly opposite the 4-star Amaranta Hotel.
CMYK was recently renovated in 2023 and kept prices the same pre-renovation. Rooms are of course small, about 20 sq. meters. 30 square meter rooms cost slightly more and in my opinion if you can find one for the right price get the bigger room.
Currently one of the best budget hotels in the area.
So there you have it, a selection of recommended hotels in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district. As you can see the room rates are not overpriced. Like I always say to people planning to visit Bangkok. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on hotels to have an amazing holiday in Thailand.
Affiliate disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a hotel booking via links we may receive a small commission, at absolutely NO EXTRA cost to you. Any commission received helps keep this blog alive and our cats fed.
Google Maps is like a double-edged sword, and I am strictly speaking as a business owner who is (currently level 8) local guide. In fact, speak to any business owner with a verified address on Google Maps, and they’ll have the same sentiment. Obviously, I am also a consumer, just one of the many users of Google Maps looking for the nearest pizza restaurant with NYC style pizzas.
Or reviews of pet hotels in Bangkok. Hopefully ones that won’t mix my sweet kitties with other sweet kitties in a small room. Yes, it’s happened to me before. And you bet I left a scathing review for said pet hotel.
It helps customers find businesses nearby, around, or miles away. Letting one know what to expect before stepping inside. There are photos of the inside and outside of establishments, and you’ll definitely know if the service stinks or not. Without it, potential customers might have a hard time knowing about or even finding you.
To put is short, Google Maps is awesome… but…
Negative online reviews to any businesses can have detrimental effects. Just as easy as anyone can make reviews on Tripadvisor.com anyone with Gmail accounts can write one as well. Though there are many kind hearted local guides whom genuinely want to share that great experience they had at a business they found through google maps.
Many are not motivated to write positive reviews and it could be for many reasons, such has they forget or they don’t have the time.
However, Google local guides are more motivated to write negative reviews. Such as if poor service by rude staff or unsanitary conditions is experienced. And just simply getting ripped off and scammed are strong motivations to quickly write scathing one star reviews. And rightfully so.
Thinking it Through… Before Leaving that Review
Before I go on and explain why. Let’s go back a little bit.
If you plan on starting a business someday you might be interested in this. Because you want to do a bit of research right? Well reading reviews from Google local guides is a great way to suss out gripes people have. You can filter out the 1 star reviews and just look through complaints. This way you can find what people are complaining about. Then you can avoid certain situations that might motivate reviewers complain about.
You can filter star reviews on Google Maps
So I was going through reviews on similar businesses that I plan on starting in the near future. And although many of the low star reviews are valid.There were bad reviews I personally feel are undeserving. And here’s where you, as a local guide making reviews can hopefully understand.Because there are valid reviews, whether good or bad. And then there are unfair reviews.
You Can’t Blame Everything on a Business
So I’m going to use a restaurant as an example here. I love cooking and I love eating! As a Google local guide myself I enjoy writing reviews to promote my favorite restaurants. Millions do the same, it’s kind of fun and supporting local hard working folks with restaurant businesses is worthy in my eyes.
That said I am fully aware that there are restaurant businesses that don’t have good intentions. And do not look at customers the same way.
Let’s dissect that review. Dirty unsanitary food is absolutely a valid poor review. But was the food served by staff. Or the owner? We don’t know 100%.
Though I have been to this restaurant numerous times I can say it’s most likely served by workers. And just speaking from experience, if you have a handful of workers you are bound to end up with a couple that don’t care whether or not your business gets a valid 1 star review.
Or a dirty plate of food in this case. But is it fair to blame an establishment for workers that don’t give a damn?
It’s a tricky debate.
Above is to me a classic example of unfair 1 star reviews. Especially when food is such a subjective subject so I get it. But comparing the food at your favorite local joint, in your home country to me doesn’t make sense.
Hainan chicken rice is served all over Southeast Asia. And different countries, no matter how near, use different ingredients. Or prepare foods differently. There’s a certain bias when you have your favorite local joint at home in mind. And if it don’t taste the way it taste or better then your hometown Hainan chicken is it fair to dish out a 1 star review?
Another review I came across for a popular coffee shop I frequent received low star rating because there was a group of noisy customers. I mean come on now. There was another low star review from another Google local guide that it was too cold inside the cafe.
Speaking from personal experience, this cafe has friendly people working inside. It has a lot of space where friends can hang out and chit chat. A lot of people talking inside a confined space is going not going to guarantee peace and quiet. And truly unfair to any business that have no control over customers’ behaviours.
Google maps is great and millions of people around the world find it useful and insightful. But the local guides that write up these reviews I think really have to put in more thought as to what they write.
If you’re looking for a high-quality nail salon in Bangkok, Glamour Girls Nail Art Salon is a great choice. This salon specializes in nail extensions. And especially nail art. Matter of fact years ago I wrote a post about visiting this popular Bangkok nail salon with my friends at their old location which has since been shut.
And I reiterate. I am a man. I do not get my nails “done” or “did” or whatever. I’m terrible with grammar.
But my female Thai friends certainly enjoy their salon services so much that they always, always want to support their favorite local businesses.
Located in the heart of Bangkok, Glamour Girls Nail Art Salon is easily accessible and conveniently located near many other popular attractions. Particularly the night markets, Jodd Fair and Ratchada Train Market are one and two stops away respectively.
They have several branches but the most convenient location is in Huai Khwang district of central Bangkok. Located inside the Amaranta Hotel’s rear lobby. At the moment if you book a room at Amaranta Hotel as a guest, you’ll receive a 10% discount voucher.
It’s an easy to find location. Especially if you love traveling by MRT subway train. Glamour Girls Nail Art Salon is a mere 200 meter walk from Huai Khwang MRT station exit #1. This particular neighborhood is a mish-mash of commercial and mostly residential buildings. So if you want to see a side of Bangkok where locals eat and live you’re in the right place.
They’ve since toned down their pink themed color at their new location. And into a more austere and “minimal” look. I learned that since they’ve moved into a hotel property they had to follow some design guidelines
The technicians at Glamour Girls Nail Art Salon are highly skilled and experienced in creating beautiful and long-lasting nail extensions. They use only the highest quality products to ensure that your nails stay looking great for as long as possible.
You can choose a variety of nail extension products, including PVC, polygel, acrylic, gel extensions. Now I don’t know what all that means. But they break everything down about their nail extension services here on their website.
One of the unique features of Glamour Girls Nail Art Salon is their focus on custom nail extension shapes. As I was told many nail shops in Bangkok can not design shapes that foreigners prefer.
Particularly if you like coffin and stiletto shaped nails. Which are not the styles local Thais normally choose. However their technicians are highly skilled and able to shape your nails to your liking.
If you have a specific design or idea in mind, the technicians will work with you to create a custom look that matches your style and preferences. They can also help you choose the right color and style for your extensions, taking into account your skin tone and other factors.
In addition to nail extensions, Glamour Girls Nail Art Salon offers a range of other services, including manicures, pedicures, and eyelash extensions. They also have a selection of nail accessories like stones, charms and decals.
Overall, Glamour Girls Nail Art Salon is a great choice for anyone looking for high-quality nail extensions in Bangkok. With their experienced technicians, high-quality products, and focus on custom designs, you can be sure that you’ll leave the salon feeling beautiful and confident.
So why not book an appointment today and treat yourself to a day of pampering and relaxation at Glamour Girls Nail Art Salon?
Yeah so I started a food channel on YouTube back middle of 2019. At the time I was working on some ideas for a documentary. I had a computer and software to edit said documentary. But I was missing the most important piece.
Video footage for said documentary.
So I cobbled together some of my favorite easy food recipes and uploaded them to YouTube. I continued sparingly through the year just learning the art of editing. Then one day one of my videos about making Beef Chow Fun gave me a huge boost in subscribers.
I gotta admit. Hitting past 1000 subscribers was exhilarating to say the least. Yet nerve wracking at the same time. Because at the moment I’m just really an idiot, with an audience.
This blog is and always will be about TRAVEL
But food is forever intwined with travel. You still gotta eat where ever and which ever corner of the globe you end up on.
And my cooking channel is called Wally Cooks Everything and I’ve been working quite hard on it. Currently I am starting to integrate a bit of travel videos into that cooking channel since the world is opening back up for travel.
My most recent trip was to Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Where I picked up some Indian spices and tried to pick apart the ingredients of some of my favorite dishes like the Nasi Lemak with fried chicken.
And I always visit the city’s Chinatown. If you love interesting Chinese foods with a touch of Malaysian flair you will love checking out the city’s Chinatown. Just be sure you pick up a nice cold bottle of soy bean milk. You can’t miss the soy bean milk vendor or the sweet old lady selling multi flavored mochi while strolling down Petaling Street!
I’m still in Thailand so I will be making some Thai centric travel videos also like these where I showcase one of my favorite spicy boat noodle restaurant.
As you can see from my blog posts on hotel reviews now I also make hotel reviews in video format like the short vacation we took to Pattaya and stayed at the Grande Center Point Hotel.
I’m not the greatest at video editing. But I like to think I’m getting better. Still a long way to go I know.
Regardless making videos to me is a lot of fun. And for those of you that follow this blog and enjoy the content please check out some of the videos on my channel.
I will still update this blog once in awhile when I have the time or something interesting to stay. So thank you all for coming along.
It’s a Great Time to Check Out 5 Star Family Friendly Hotels in Pattaya…
Especially if you’re in Thailand right now. The Thai government has worked out a tourism scheme where Thai nationals are offered discounts for hotel stays, to help the all important tourism industry afloat.
My wife and I decided since our baby girl is a little bit older it’s time to expand her travel horizons. We found a great deal for a night at Mövenpick Siam Na Jomtien Pattaya, which means it’s time for another Thai hotel review.
Downside is we had to go right at the tail end of another long Thai holiday weekend. Which from my experience could be a bad thing.
So how was our room at Mövenpick Siam Na Jomtien Pattaya? Did we have to fight through a vicious mob of tourists waiting to get their rooms?
How was the breakfast?
You’re about to find all that out.
Is it Expensive?
We booked a deluxe sea view room for 4500THB for one night with breakfast and taxes included through Agoda.com. Though room rates fluctuate according to time and room availability. Last I checked I saw a price for 3500THB on a weekday.
Where’s it at?
Mövenpick Pattaya is located on Jomtien Beach, which is 170km away from where we live in Bangkok. Driving time was about 2 hours plus 30 minutes because we ran into some road constructions. Why is there road construction going on during a long holiday weekend, when they know people will be using the roads is beyond me.
The easiest ways to get there is self drive. But if that’s not an option there are public buses that will take you Pattaya. Then you’ll need to find local private transport like a taxi. Or if you really want to rough it, figure out which Songthaew (public transport truck) will take you near it, cause it’ll never drive to the front of the hotel because it’s out of their route.
There are direct minvans going from Bangkok to Jomtien but again you’ll have to find a way to get in front of the hotel which is on the beach and away from the main road.
Then you will have to schlep your luggage down to the hotel which is built on high ground. Luckily there is a set of elevators by the hotel’s parking garage on ground level but you will have to search it out or a security guard could point the way.
The lobby the day after right before the day there was like a line going up to the glass doors…
First Impressions
I’ve stayed in a lot of hotels throughout Thailand. Most recently the Veranda Resort Hua Hin which I highly recommend if you’re going to Hua Hin.
And I must say, I could sense the 5 starness immediately that Mövenpick Siam Na Jomtien oozes out.
The hotel’s lobby is a bit small and overlooked a cool little roundabout driveway. Or rather it’s not small, there’s just a lot of guests waiting to check in. Good thing is they were expecting lots of hotel guests so they had plenty of receptionist for crowd control.
Checking In
Standard check in time is 3pm. I don’t know if Mövenpick Siam Na Jomtien is strict with the 3pm check in time. But usually from my experience hotels in Thailand are flexible and generally let you check in early. Provided that a room is ready and available.
But don’t take my word for it. I recommend calling or emailing them for early check in or late check out requests.
I can’t tell you from my experience because, like I mentioned, it’s a long holiday weekend and we showed up on the tail end. Which is still a busy time. Lots of guests were checking out which meant housekeeping is still busy keeping house.
We arrived around 3:30pm and could already tell from the line ahead of us people weren’t getting their room key at the moment. When it came to our turn we got the same message and were told we had to wait thirty minutes to an hour.
Which is not a big deal.
Especially when we asked for late check out of 3pm the following day which the receptionist quickly agreed.
Mövenpick Pattaya’s usual check out time is 12pm.
I was like damn it they agreed so fast. We should have asked for 5pm check out.
When they agree too fast it means we could have asked for more. Just kidding… don’t be greedy.
There were some minor construction but once everything is patched up this will be one good looking 5 star hotel…[/caption]
Exploring the Grounds
First thing we did was head out to take a look at the beach. Like the hotel name states, Mövenpick Siam is right on a nice quiet section of Jomtien beach. First we had to pass through two large swimming pools. There’s a nice little kiddie pool but our little one was just too small to have fun in it at the moment. There are some waterslides located around several parts of the main swimming pool. I really got the impression that Mövenpick is a fun family friendly hotel on Jomtien beach. I mean just looking at the families all the children playing in the pool you can’t help but feel that way. Passing the hotel’s beachside restaurant we found lots of lounge chairs and large sun beds. It’s a big hotel so good to know there are plenty of chairs and places for guests to hang out during peak travel times. When we got to the beach we found a nice long stretch of clean sand. There weren’t a lot of people out and about wandering or taking a stroll. It took about 5 minutes to walk from the hotel lobby down beachside. Most of the hotel guests were splashing around the pool and I noticed people were especially enjoying the pool’s water slide. And there were about 3 different water slides line along the main swim area. There are two main swimming pools and in the middle a pool bar, though that was under construction at the moment. This Siam Na Jomtien is a 35 floor building and the height of the building provided good shade coverage for those that don’t like to risk getting too much sun on one side of the pool. Here’s a top down view of the swimming pools and the beach from our room on the 21st floor. While the other swimming pool got plenty of sun coverage for those that don’t mind a bit of color on their skin. There’s a fitness center equipped with modern equipment, dumb bells, universal weight machines and treadmills. I’d work out but I’m satisfied at the moment with my dad bod. After taking in the location and lazing around on the some sun beds for 45 minutes we went back to the hotel lobby to pick up our room key.
First Look at Our Room
We booked a deluxe king sea view room on the 21st floor. We booked our room through Agoda.com and paid around 4500THB per night. That’s the price with taxes and breakfast included.
Mövenpick Siam Na Jomtien rooms were renovated in 2020 so the rooms are expected to be in really good condition.
Our deluxe king sea view rooms are 42 square meter with a balcony looking out to the sea. It’s a lot of space for just the two of us and our baby.
Speaking of our baby, we requested a playard and one was sent up to our room. Including a small cover and blanket.
The bathroom was spacious with separate shower stall and a modern looking bathtub.
Didn’t try out the bathtub though but I should’ve. It’s got this cool little round shape and looked fun to have a bubble bath in.
The hot water was consistent as well as the water pressure.
Overall our room was clean and fresh. Our bed was super comfortable, like sleeping on a cloud. The air condition was frigid cold. The Wi-Fi was fast and plenty of channels to watch on the television. We were high up and had a terrific view of the sea in front of us.
We really, really liked our room.
The Breakfast
I gotta tell ya. I’ve been itching for an American breakfast for a long, long time. Sure I love to cook at home.
But having someone prepare a buttload of bacon, home fries and eggs to order, plus a bunch of different breads to toast, I am in heaven.
Mövenpick’s breakfast choices definitely did not disappoint my All-American hearty appetite.
My wife enjoyed their Thai breakfast options, some noodles, Khao tom rice porridge with shrimp was her favorite.
Their Thai breakfast looked so good I made some space for some rice noodles with fishballs.
During this pandemic my wife and I felt completely safe. There are hand sanitizers throughout the areas with many guests.
Our breakfast table had a bottle of alcohol spray.
There’s an infrared temperature camera checking guests’ temperatures and hotel staff are wearing masks.
Mövenpick Jomtien Pattaya is such a large hotel property you can most definitely find a quiet space all for yourself.
Was my Mövenpick Siam Na Jomtien review helpful to you? This is an affiliate link which means if you make a booking with either company I make a small commission.
With no added extra cost to you.
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Okay well, not I personally. Being a man, that would all be entirely impossible. My wife however I admit did all of the hard work. Of all the years of expat living here in Thailand I knew one day I would have a child born here. I’ve been married to my Thai wife for nearly 8 years after all.
Even to the point my wife was at the 10-month mark, yes 10 months my wife was carrying our child it was not until I waited until the ninth month to see what would I need to do as a foreigner. Because I’ve never had a baby in Thailand before. Nor anywhere else as a matter of fact.
As a foreigner living in Thailand, I didn’t know if I needed to bring any particular documents to the hospital, besides my US passport.
However, during our last prenatal check, I was asked to bring a translation of my passport. Which was an odd request. Which any case wasn’t needed in the end. More about that later on.
Choosing the Right Hospital
Pick the Best Hospital Near You – It’ll Make a Big Difference
We chose a hospital already called Synphaet Lumlukka which is a 5-minute drive from our house. It’s a newly opened JCI-accredited private hospital. My wife found it while doing hospital research in Bangkok for the birth of our firstborn.
Luckily, there are several really good private hospitals in our neck of the woods to pick and choose from.
Has English-speaking doctors and nurses. Even though my Thai language skills are getting up there, I’m not at the level of understanding Thai medical terminology.
It’s only a 5-minute drive.
As a side note, we looked for hospitals that did not handle COVID-19 patients, which is not difficult as most private hospitals in Bangkok do not.
Pre-Check Up
Under the advice of my wife’s obstetrician, we opted for a scheduled C-section. Originally we planned for a natural birth hoping the birth date would be around the 9-month mark.
That never happened and as we neared month number 10 and an ultrasound checkup our doctor noticed our baby’s weight was hovering around 4 kilograms (8.88 pounds). Our doctor, just doing her job, informed us of a list of birth complications that may arise from large-sized newborns.
Though I have to admit, we did get freaked out, even though it’s not the doctor’s intention.
Cost of giving birth at Synphaet Lumlukka Hospital…
So we chose birth by c-section and scheduled a date and time. That might’ve worked out better as my wife isn’t too keen on pushing out a 9-pound baby.
The cost for a natural birth at Synphaet Lumlukka is B32,000 which includes a two-night hospital stay. For a c-section, the price jumps to B44,000 and includes a three-night stay. The price you see below the birth package is for a hysterectomy.
The Big Day
We picked the first and earliest time available. We were advised to show up at 5:30 am and the c-section procedure promptly started around 9 am.
This is also the day to handle paperwork in preparation for a birth certificate. As I mentioned earlier, during our last prenatal examination I was asked to bring a translation of my passport. I was a bit confused about that.
Until I realized what they wanted was a translation of my first and last name into Thai. This makes absolute sense as the names that appear on a Thai birth certificate are only printed in Thai.
My English name was already translated to Thai when I went to get a Thai marriage certificate. So we gave them a copy of our Thai marriage certificate which has my name in Thai on it.
I also handed a marriage affidavit which states I was never married. Me, as a US citizen, I can download a form and get it notarized by the US Embassy in Thailand. In my case, I went to the US embassy in Bangkok and this service cost $50USD. On top of that my marriage affidavit must be translated into Thai. I used a translation service near the Bangkok US embassy, though I forgot how much it cost.
Never hurts to bring along as many documents as needed.
If You Don’t Have a Thai Marriage Certificate…
Then you will have to get the name on your passport translated. Your name must be translated into Thai so it can be added to the birth certificate.
As soon as my wife was prepped, 9 am crunch time was rolling in faster than a lightning storm. It’s time to meet my firstborn daughter.
I was shown a waiting room filled with chairs, magazines, and a big TV. I just stared at the wall. I tell you, early mornings inside a Thai private hospital feel like one of the loneliest places on earth.
There’s nothing to do but wait and try to get some quick shut-eye.
Childbirth Delivery Package in Thailand
Public Hospital VS. Private Hospital
The only experience that I had with a Thai government hospital regarding childbirth was when one of my employees who is a single mother went into labor.
Public hospitals in Thailand are full of patients. Due to the free to low-cost hospital care and treatment is the major factor.
Our employee stayed at the hospital for a total of 3 days in a maternity ward with 5 other new moms. Her total hospital bill was around B10,000 which included jaundice treatment for her newborn. Hospital service she said she was treated well.
You see, public hospitals in Thailand have a not-so-stellar reputation. I don’t think it’s all that bad. Though my wife’s sister who gave birth at a public hospital near her part of town had a horrible experience.
She had a c-section so had to have a urine drainage bag attached to her through a catheter. Which a family member had to dispose of. Which was supposed to be the nurses’ job. When she was discharged she was still in pain from the c-section. And she has a zig-zag scar from the incision.
There were other bits of stories about the nurses’ attitudes that left a bad impression, that I won’t get into. Let’s just say her sister wasn’t all too happy.
The cost of Quality Hospital Care is Higher in Thailand – Yet Lower Compared to the West
Thailand’s private healthcare system is one of the best in Southeast Asia. But I didn’t know what to expect. My only experience with a private hospital in Bangkok was for a serious case of gout.
All private hospitals in Thailand offer childbirth delivery packages. The closer you are to central Bangkok the higher the price tag for services and procedures.
The price of our package for a cesarean section set us back B44,000. But if we went to Bumrungrad Hospital in central Bangkok it’ll cost us B149,000. We could have three babies for that price.
Most private hospital childbirth packages include private rooms for a two-night stay for a natural birth and a three-night stay for a c-section procedure. And also included is a birth certificate filed for you, with the nearest governmental office of your instruction.
Not having to go into a government office is a huge bonus for us. We all know how much fun waiting around a government office is.
Ask Questions – It’s Free After All
You should go in and speak with hospital personnel about childbirth delivery package services. Ask for a tour of the private rooms as well as the nursery facility in all the hospitals you visit. We visited three different hospitals and chose Synphaet Lumlukka because we felt confident they could take care of our needs and do a good job on our important day.
Time Flies When You’re Waiting for Your Newborn
My daughter was officially out into the new world 10 minutes past 9 am. I saw her briefly along with a pediatrician assigned to her, where she was immediately taken to the nursery ward. I couldn’t accompany them yet because there were still checkups that needed to be done. Which meant more waiting for me.
But at least I could do so in the private room we’ll be staying in for 3 nights for my wife to rest and recuperate.
Synphaet Lumlukka Nursery Ward
When you’re paying for private hospital care in Thailand you’re paying for semi-personalized care. There’s an around-the-clock watch on newborns, while mom rests in her private room. The babies are fed, diapers changed and bathed by a squad of nurses.
A pediatrician comes in and does some routine check-ups to make sure babies are as healthy as can be. As well as look for warning signs and concerns. For instance, a pediatrician detected a heart murmur in our baby. A cardiologist was called in and an ultrasound was performed.
Fortunately, it’s a minor heart defect that could heal as our baby grows. But in any case, it was non-life threatening and required no treatment. That heart check-up added about $100 to our final bill though.
That’s our baby in the foreground!
Private Hospital Rooms
I’ve stayed inside quite a few hospital private rooms in Bangkok. To this day, I equate Thai private hospital rooms to Thai serviced apartments.
Minus the swimming pool and bar.
There’s a small kitchen with a mini-fridge stocked with a few cans of soda and boxes of juice. Which gets replenished daily. A microwave in the room with an electric kettle for making hot coffee and Ovaltine was also provided by the hospital. Even a small sink for dishwashing.
The bathroom has a large shower room. The entire bathroom is spacious. Plus a hygiene care kit is also supplied, even towels. So no need to bring stuff from home except clean clothes and undies.
Wi-Fi internet was fast and big screen television with plenty of channels.
I’ve done plenty of hotel reviews in Asia as part of my travels. I never thought I’d be making a review about a hospital room.
Holding My Baby for the Very First Time
I was super anxious to see my firstborn inside the nursery. My wife was resting and being that she’s tied to her catheter she couldn’t go with me.
Newborns are kept inside the nursery for 24-hour care. Where their heartbeats and breathing are checked.
And the security measures are really good. The hospital nursery requires fingerprint scans from authorized personnel to go in and out. It was the only way for me to get inside and exit.
I also had to take my shoes off but Crocs were handed to me and a hospital robe also. Plus I had to wash my hands thoroughly. It’s good to see they take cleanliness seriously.
The nursery is cozy with plenty of space for parents to get acquainted with their newborns. But the nursery at Synphaet Lumlukka also doubles as a space to educate first-time parents on newborn care.
A nurse giving instructions on bottle feeding with milk formula…
There’s a room where nurses show new parents hands-on care from breastfeeding to how to properly bathe a newborn.
The main reason why we chose a private hospital is because I can stay with my wife in a private room. A sofa which doubles as a bed is what I slept on for 3 nights. Blankets and pillows were provided when they knew I was staying over.
At a public government hospital that wouldn’t be possible. Unless you’re paying for a private room.
But it’s a hospital which means nurses have to make their rounds. So in the middle of the night while sleeping you will be woken by nurses coming in and out to administer blood pressure checks.
Private Hospital Care Has Its Advantages
There’s a reason why private hospitals charge more. The care provided is more personal. And a lot more comprehensive. I can’t compare it to my employee’s experience while giving birth at a public government-run hospital in Bangkok.
Most importantly there’s a private room where I can stay with my wife. No need to share with complete total strangers including people who visit.
Our daughter’s birth certificate was taken care of by the hospital as part of the childbirth delivery package. A photo is taken as well along with the certificate placed in a neat little portfolio.
Sure, a childbirth delivery package at a private hospital is more expensive than a public one. But I don’t think expecting parents can put a price tag on peace of mind.
1 response to “Having a Baby in Thailand as an Expat”
Dominic
This was a nice and informative post, Warren. Very detailed and a good read overall. Thanks for the insight you provided from a dad’s perspective.
Here’s What to Do If You’ve Got a Non-Immigrant O Visa Based on Marriage in Bangkok…
I have Thai Non-Immigrant O visa based on marriage to a Thai wife. And April 15th, 2020 was the date I needed head to exit Thailand and return to reactivate another 90 days.
But… because there’s this COVID-19 mess going around and travel has semi-halted and borders have shut in and around Thailand.
As a result the first few weeks of April the Thai Government Immigration office in Bangkok saw a surge of panicked foreign tourists and Thai visa holders trying to get in to sort out things out. And I read people were turned away because staff couldn’t handle the unexpected workload.
On top of that, I have a baby due sometime near the end of this month or early May.
Which means traveling outside the country, even if I could, is not an option since going out and about increases my chances of getting infected with the disease, and bringing it home to my family.
Thai Visa Amnesty of April 2020
Lucky I waited a little while before heading to the Thai immigration office in Bangkok. The Thai government came out with a visa amnesty giving tourists some breathing room until April 30th. Before the amnesty went into effect, very long lines of foreign tourists could be seen waiting outside of immigration offices.
The Wayfaring Soul Tip #9 “It’s better to over-prepare than under-prepare.”
As most foreign tourists making their way to Thai immigration offices throughout the country were short term visitors but couldn’t get out of Thailand due to flight cancellations or border closures. A lot of foreign visitors got panicky. I wouldn’t blame them.
Because any foreign overstaying visitor would’ve been hit with a 500THB per day penalty fee at immigration checkpoints.
With the Thai visa amnesty in effect, this was great news for me as I could expect a lot less people inside Bangkok’s Thai immigration office.
Doing some research about what paperwork I needed to bring …
Here’s How My Experience Started…
It’s April 12th. My current visa stamp expires in 3 days. First thing I did was do a little google search and check what paperwork I needed to bring with me. You would think you’d only need to bring your passport.
But as a guy living here for a long while, I know things are not as simple. It is better to over-prepare than under-prepare and you will soon read why.
I could not find anyone sharing any experience about going to the Thai immigration office to reactivate a Non-immigrant O visa due to the fact that I can’t leave the country.
I could only find the information about Thai visa amnesty. But the information found there was not specific to my visa type.
So the next thing I did was call the phone number as listed in the photo for Bangkok’s Immigration Office and ask around.
Surprisingly, someone answered after three rings. I explained my situation. Which is I have a Non-Immigrant O visa based on marriage. I was told to just come in with my passport.
I Wish It Was That Easy…
In a way she was partially right, you do need to bring your passport. But the other paperwork (which I list below) I brought was not mentioned. But I brought it anyways. That’s just the way I do things.
But, you have to make photocopies. Which you can do inside Thai immigration office. Since I didn’t know for sure if there would be lots of people inside I wanted to get all my photocopies done beforehand.
Here’s What I Photocopied and Brought With Me:
Passport photo page, including Thai visa page, last exit stamp page including TM 7 departure card.
1 Passport sized photo (obviously you don’t need to photocopy this)
Thai marriage certificate plus any paperwork regarding your relationship to spouse. **Also bring the original paperwork**
Spouse’s Thai national I.D. Card
Blue book or Tabien Baan (ทะเบียนบ้าน), which is a house registration book. Either with your name or spouses’ name.
A short letter written by your spouse stating you live with your spouse including current Thai home address.
I saw some photos days before Thai visa amnesty and saw lines right about this point…
Off to the Thai Immigration Office in Bangkok I Go…
I was confident that I got all my paperwork. My wife and I left our home at a little before 8am and reached the Thai Immigration Changewattana building B around 8:30am.
My wife is nearly 9 months pregnant and we felt prudent she stayed inside the car.
When I walked to the front entrance of the building I was pleasantly surprised not to find a long line of foreign tourists waiting to get in.
Normally, there would be people streaming in and out of that office…
When I made it past security I thought, okay, maybe there will be more people waiting inside to get their visas sorted out.
Nope.
The Thai visa amnesty worked its magic. I wouldn’t exactly say there’s no people inside. Which there are. But it’s just a lot, lot less people. Even less people than I remember when I had was visiting Thailand on Multi Entry Tourist Visas.
I also saw photos of this area last week where there were lines of people…
There’s a makeshift table near the entrance of Immigration Division 1 office. I explained to the immigration officer my situation. The officer asked where’s my wife and I told them she’s waiting outside, inside our car because she’s pregnant.
I was handed the visa extension form which I happily filled out and went to get my ticket number.
My ticket number…
I was surprised to see there’s 22 persons ahead of me. Which is not a lot. Numbers were called relatively quickly.
Only thing is there are not a lot of seating available, due to social distancing measures. I think previously before the visa amnesty went into effect lines of foreigners had to stand and sit a meter apart. Plus many seats were taped off to keep people away from each other.
I can see why the environment would be so inhospitable before the visa amnesty.
Social distancing at work…
My Number’s Up…
Overall I waited about 30 minutes before my number came up. I went to the cubicle I was directed to and laid out my paperwork like a proud schoolboy laying out his prized book report.
And then.
“Where’s your wife?” I was asked.
First, I assumed my wife didn’t need to accompany me. Also she being nine months pregnant I didn’t think this would be an ideal environment for her to be inside.
There’s no way I could talk myself out of this one even when I explained to them she was pregnant. But I didn’t want to be difficult. Seeing as there’s a lot less people inside I thought it should be fine. I called my wife and met her near the entrance.
When I brought my wife in, from then on everything was smooth sailing.
So if you have a Thai Non-Immigrant O visa based on marriage, bring your spouse!
But as I said, she’s pregnant and I wanted to be on the safe side. And there are a lot less people inside the immigration office.
Waiting to get my passport back. Still not a lot of people inside…
I was never asked about TM 30, the reporting of foreigners requirement in Thailand. My wife has me registered already but this information was never asked.
Signing Paperwork and Taking Pictures…
Remember to bring your original Thai marriage certificate. The immigration officer handling me used her webcam to take a photo of my wife and I holding our Thai marriage certificate together.
I asked for 90 days and got laughed at. They gave me 60 days which is better than 30 days. The fee was 1900THB so I’ll take that.
After we signed the paperwork I waited for another 20 minutes and my passport was returned to me with a fresh 60 days.
Conclusion
Bring your wife! That is if you need to sort out your Thai Non-O Immigrant visa based on marriage in Bangkok when you can’t exit Thailand. I guess it makes sense. I mean a Thai marriage certificate is just a piece of paper and immigration officers don’t know if you got divorced.
And bring every piece of photocopied paperwork I mentioned above. Bring the originals also just in case.
Bangkok’s Thai Immigration office opens 8am to 5pm with a one hour break for lunch at 12pm.
I hope this information helped you out. I wish I found it online or wherever earlier.
There were some minor construction but once everything is patched up this will be one good looking 5 star hotel…[/caption]
I really got the impression that Mövenpick is a fun family friendly hotel on Jomtien beach. I mean just looking at the families all the children playing in the pool you can’t help but feel that way. Passing the hotel’s beachside restaurant we found lots of lounge chairs and large sun beds. It’s a big hotel so good to know there are plenty of chairs and places for guests to hang out during peak travel times. When we got to the beach we found a nice long stretch of clean sand. There weren’t a lot of people out and about wandering or taking a stroll. It took about 5 minutes to walk from the hotel lobby down beachside. 
Most of the hotel guests were splashing around the pool and I noticed people were especially enjoying the pool’s water slide. And there were about 3 different water slides line along the main swim area. 
There are two main swimming pools and in the middle a pool bar, though that was under construction at the moment. This Siam Na Jomtien is a 35 floor building and the height of the building provided good shade coverage for those that don’t like to risk getting too much sun on one side of the pool.
Here’s a top down view of the swimming pools and the beach from our room on the 21st floor. While the other swimming pool got plenty of sun coverage for those that don’t mind a bit of color on their skin. There’s a fitness center equipped with modern equipment, dumb bells, universal weight machines and treadmills. I’d work out but I’m satisfied at the moment with my dad bod. After taking in the location and lazing around on the some sun beds for 45 minutes we went back to the hotel lobby to pick up our room key. 
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