A Little Side Trip From Taipei With Kitty Cats – And a Mystery Shrouding the Village’s History
Recently on my latest Taiwan trip, I came across Houtong Cat Village 侯硐貓村 in Ruifang District, just northeast of Taipei about 35 kilometers and just 1 hour away from Taipei Main Station by train.
After a few days spent sightseeing in Taipei, I decided it was time for a leisure side trip. I wasn’t looking for a full-day trip away from Taipei. Because I also wanted to drop by various locations to explore along the way.
So I googled for some must-see places to visit in Taiwan that were at least an hour away from Taipei and found Houtong Cat Village. A village with lots of cats. Say no more. I’m there.
Anyone who knows me knows I love cats. I adore them to death and have three cuddly fur balls back home in Thailand. I even created an Instagram account for my feline rascals named Cats of Sai Mai (<– Note: shameless plug to get more followers on my cats’ Instagram account) so I couldn’t pass on the chance of being in the pleasant company of cats again.
Houtong Cat Village with the Keelung River cutting through it…
Houtong Cat Village – Or is It Monkey Station?
I can’t read Chinese so while I was doing research for this blog post I wanted to add the Chinese translation of Houtong Cat Village which is this “侯硐貓村” (as listed on google maps) to my blog. You know me, I like to be thorough with my travel blog posts like a good blogger should be.
But the thing is the actual railway station name for the village has this name “猴硐車站” which translates to Monkey Station. Hmm, monkeys and cats, this could get interesting.
But alas, there’s not a single monkey in this village. At least not anymore. When Japan took control of Taiwan in the late 1890s a coal mining industry was started in this village after it was discovered to be rich in coal deposits. There’s even a retired coal mining cave named after monkeys that is a converted tourist attraction today.
It doesn’t matter which name you prefer to call it, Houtong Cat Village or Monkey Station either one will get you here as this is the only village in Taiwan famous for a sizable cat population outnumbering village residents.
The Best Map of Houtong Cat Village (in English)
Most of the maps were in Chinese but I found the only map of the village in English. I wish I had found it earlier during my visit. Because there were a few points of interest I missed out on.
However, one thing I want to point out is that there are slight inconsistencies like the Ruey San Coal Dressing Plant. It doesn’t look like the illustration at all.
Here’s what the Ruey San Coal Dressing Plant looks like…Credit: http://librarywork.taiwanschoolnet.org/gsh2012/gsh7217/houtong_map.html
Granted the entire cat village is not a huge place as you can see on the map. You can find billboard maps at certain points inside the railway station and Houtong Square. But those maps are only in Chinese.
I missed out on the visitor center as I didn’t even know it was there. I found the tourist information center and thought it was the same. Just my opinion but I think they should move the visitor center next to the tourist information center so everyone can find it easily.
猴硐車站 Huotong Station Entrance
So What Happened to the Monkeys?
My theory is since humans have such a propensity to be enormous a-holes the monkeys were forcefully displaced or hunted due to the prospering coal industry. I can imagine that the monkeys were looked upon as a nuisance and were getting in the way of day-to-day mining operations.
I mean, if monkeys lived inside the cave I wouldn’t be surprised at all if a couple of wrenches, hard hats and perhaps coal miners’ lunches went missing oftentimes.
Or maybe the monkeys got scared and fled deep into the mountains after watching 6000 humans move into their neighborhood to work the mines and support the industry.
But Ruifang District’s coal mining stopped operating in the early 1990s and with the downfall of the coal industry, the town population dwindled to less than 100 people as unemployed residents left in search of jobs elsewhere. Yet still no monkeys in sight.
But this isn’t the mystery I’m looking to solve…
But First, Here’s a Look at Houtong Cat Village
Houtong Cat Village opens at 8:00 am and the shops close around 6:00 pm. I arrived at the village in the afternoon and since it was early April the weather was cool and at times windy. It was cloudy which added an extra chill in the air. You can hear the wind blowing on my video’s audio.
There are not a lot of cats on this side of the town which is west of the Keelung River while I was there. At the end of the video, you’ll see the entrance of Monkey Cave. You can only get inside with a guided tour. More details about Monkey Cave are below.
During my visit, most of the cats were found on the residential side of the village…
To find more cats you have to cross the futuristic-looking cat bridge opposite Monkey Cave. This area is where what’s left of the local population lives. And the locals are active in caring for the cats.
I wish I made a video of this part of town but I was too busy playing with the cats. One of the moments as a blogger I wish I had three arms. Oh well, this just means I have to add this to my list the next time I’m back in Taiwan.
How Many Cats Are in Houtong Cat Village?
Hard for me to say since I was only there for about 3 hours. Cats sleep most of the afternoon time and have nocturnal traits. But they are active during mornings and evenings which is the conventional wisdom offered by cat behaviorists.
But I can tell you it’s best to keep your expectations down. I honestly thought I’d find a boatload of cats all lined up in a row everywhere waiting to greet me with purrs while curling under my feet.
Inside Houtong Station you’ll find this photo board near the ticket booth. There are only about 80 cats…
If you ask me about cat behaviors I can tell you this, cats are awake and sleep whatever time they damn please on their own accord. If I recall correctly I came across 15 different cats. And I am sure there are more around somewhere. It’s a big village with plenty of hiding spaces for kitty.
It’s just that it was chilly in the morning and even though the afternoon warmed up a little when the clouds cleared the cats were still snoozing in or keeping warm somewhere.
All the cats I saw that day were adults. Was hoping to see some kittens…
While searching online for Houtong’s cat population number I came across this article stating 200 cats. Another article stated that 80% to 90% of the cat population was neutered and spayed.
At Houtong Station there’s this poster board lined up with cat photos. But I only counted 80 cats and none of them were kittens.
Which leads me to think will there be another generation of cats to bolster the current cat population?
So the next time I go back to Houtong Village I’d like to find out what the official number is closer to.
But first, there’s a mystery to solve and it starts with finding out who Peggy Chien, the woman who single-handedly revitalized the village of Houtong is…
The first time I’ve ever seen a litter box in a train station filled with kitty nuggets…
Houtong Cat Village – How They Get Famous So Fast?
As curious as a cat (pun intended) I was trying to find out how Houtong became a village famous for its cats in a decade.
Online research pointed me to a Taiwanese photographer named Peggy Chien (a.k.a. Chien Pei-ling) who started it all with her Flickr account.
Long story short Peggy’s numerous cat photos in Houtong Village piqued the curiosity of cat-loving Taiwanese people. Eventually, the world matter of fact as her series of cat photos was reportedly seen on Flickr with 800 million views.
That’s an insane number of views. Even for cats if you think about it.
There’s not even a mention in National Geographic’s article about Taiwan’s famous cat village Peggy Chien.
This is the best information I could find about Peggy here. And many other news sources scraped the same article about her to the point I don’t even know where the article originated.
And those articles are the only sources I could base my research on for this blog post.
Maybe this little kitty knows who Peggy Chien is…
Coincidentally Peggy’s husband is a veterinarian and along with a group of volunteers in 2007 they all traveled to Huotong and systematically neutered, spayed, and vaccinated most of the feline population.
With plenty of healthy cats roaming around and thousands of eager visitors waiting to play with kitties, Houtong grew into a village that hosted cat lovers worldwide with cat cafés and shops crammed with cat-themed souvenirs.
Just like that a new tourist industry and the attraction were born. That’s the short history version of course but that’s how this village of kitties in Taiwan came to be such a popular day trip from Taipei.
The Real Mystery of Houtong Cat Village
I wanted to add a photo of Peggy to my blog and as adept as I am with this internet thingie I can’t locate one photo of her. There’s no luck finding the actual Peggy Chien (also her alias) of Houtong Village’s claim to fame on Facebook and Instagram.
We all know how easy it is to find people these days on both social media platforms especially if there’s notoriety attached to a name. And reportedly she published several books featuring the cats of Houtong Village too.
Granted maybe she doesn’t have a Facebook account. But she’s reportedly a photographer by trade. If so the least she would have is an Instagram account, right?
I mean look, even my cats have their own Facebook page here. (<– Note: look, another shameless attempt to get more likes! Might as well click the link and follow my cat’s FB page and be done with it)
Souvenir store on the residential side of the village. Regardless of where Peggy Chien is it’s undeniable that cats have revived this village…
Also, I couldn’t even find one book title she published. Or her Flickr account with the 800 million views that started it all. Not even a photo of herself in Houtong Village doing what she does best. Mysterious indeed don’t you think? (cue X-Files theme song)…
Back to the Cat Village
But I digress. I suppose it doesn’t matter. What matters is that a wonderful little village has been given a second life with thousands of visitors coming in on weekends to have a chance to enjoy the company of cats and breathe the fresh mountain air.
The denizens of Houtong averted the possibility of their village becoming a ghost town. There’s a good uplifting story in there no matter how you look at it.
Maybe even a Hollywood movie will be made one day where they’ll cast Scarlett Johansson to play Peggy Chien. Have you seen Ghost in the Shell?
Peggy if you’re out there they should make you the Mayor of Houtong Cat Village.
This is the first souvenir shop right downstairs from Houtong station…The village square has a handful of restaurants and souvenir shops…This souvenir shop sells Taiwan’s famous pineapple cakes in the shape of cats…
Chances are if you’re in Houtong Cat Village you’re also going to want to check out Monkey Cave. It’s connected to the Ruey San Coal Transportation Bridge over the Keelung River.
Assuming you’ve successfully maneuvered past all the folks taking selfies. This bridge is a great spot to get a magnificent 360 view of the mountains surrounding the village.
I haven’t been all over Taiwan yet but after spending a little bit of time on this bridge overlooking the Keelung River and viewing the mountains with thick lush green trees and plants one can’t help but think “Wow Taiwan is really beautiful”.
Ruey San Coal Transportation Bridge connects Monkey Cave and Houtong Village Square…
Monkey Cave
This is the only attraction in Huatong Village with an entrance fee. An adult ticket cost NT$150 and if I recall correctly NT$100 for children. I think it’s worth it and the money funnels back into the village so why not?
Sitting on a toy train and getting ready to get into Monkey Cave…
You and a group of tourists ride a toy train through a short section of tunnels. Eventually, there will be an open area where everyone gets off. The tour guide/toy train operator only spoke Chinese.
He explained the history of Monkey Cave the daily lives of coal miners that lived in the village and how they worked. I can’t understand Mandarin Chinese but I’m pretty sure that’s everything he said.
Maybe if I could understand Mandarin Chinese I would’ve learned what happened to the monkeys.
This little toy train with enough space for approximately 20 people…Tour guide and toy train operator. He only speaks Mandarin Chinese…The next time you complain about your job just remember this photo…
After the explanation, visitors stay in the area for about 15 to 20 minutes where they can put on hard hats and handle pneumatic drills and push around wheel barrels. The perfect time for obligatory snapshots and selfies.
It’s the one time in your life you get to play pretend you’re a coal miner. If you’re traveling with kids I think they will enjoy this part of the tour.
There are fewer cats to see around Monkey Cave…
After visiting this side of the Keelung River it was time for me to head to the other side of the village where it is said you can find even more cats.
Remember, the Keelung River splits the village in two so all I had to do was make my wake back across the bridge through the railway station and walk across the cat bridge.
If you do not want to take a tour of Monkey Cave you can certainly learn a lot about the village’s past coal mining operation at the visitor center near Huatong Railway Station. There are public bathrooms inside the visitor center…
From the Monkey Cave entrance to the cat bridge is a short 15-minute walk. This village isn’t all that big. Which is why you probably won’t need to stay here the entire day.
I remember as I was making my way across the village the sun started to peak out and the wind died down. With luck, more cats will come out to warm themselves and soak up the sun.
Off to the Other Side of the Village, I Go
Cat Bridge -Kind of resembles a cat but could be I took this pic at the wrong angle…
On this side of Houtong, you’ll see it’s the main residential section of the village. Some of the residents have converted their dwellings into cafés and some sell souvenirs and food outside of their homes.
But you’ll also see evidence of collapsed homes and some that fell into disrepair. I was quickly reminded that Houtong Village once had a population of around 6000 people when the coal mining industry was booming.
A row of cat café in Huatong Village…
I could see there were more cats in this section of the village. This makes sense because there are locals in this part of town with a ready supply of kitty kibble to feed hungry feline residents. Most of them looked feral however and don’t let humans too near them.
And because the clouds cleared you can see a handful of cats sunning themselves after a chilly start in the morning. Cats wearing collars were more friendly and playful most likely because they’re used to being around people.
Awwww…Don’t you just admire a cat’s grooming ability?…
The Rules of Huatong Village Cat Club
You can tell the residents of the village value the feline population that shares space with them. All the cats I’ve seen look well-fed and cared for.
Some I saw lived indoors with residents but every single cat was coming and going minding their businesses. But almost everywhere I saw have cat shelters placed all over. It’ll be difficult to find a homeless cat in Houtong that’s for sure.
There are even rules posted throughout the area such as:
Do not scare the cats or chase them
Do not feed the cats inferior food
Do not use flash photography on the kitty
And there are rules to protect the village property and personal health like:
Do not leave leftover food
Wash hands after playing with cats
Pick up garbage and keep all areas clean
Feeding Time – A resident prepares a mix of wet and dry cat food for feeding time…The entrepreneurial spirit is not dead in Huatong Cat Village…Many cats are looked after by local business owners like this kitty inside this cat café…
How to Get to Houtong Cat Village from Taipei
What I did was take a northbound train to Ruifang. Train fare cost NT$56 one way at Taipei Main Station. You can purchase tickets from automated vending machines but there are no English instructions.
However, station workers are wearing a yellow vest that can speak English and they can assist you with purchasing the right ticket and direct you to the correct platform.
Make sure you don’t lose your ticket because there will be a station attendant waiting to collect your ticket near the station exit. If you lose your ticket they will make you clean every single litter box in the station.
Houtong Railway Station
Spending two to three hours in Houtong Cat Village is sufficient enough. Additionally, you can also visit nearby Shifen Old Street 十分老街 with its scenic waterfall.
Plus the old gold mining town of Jiufen 九份 also another historic district in Taiwan (I’ll have blog posts about both areas soon) to make a complete day trip from Taipei.
The next time I return to Houtong Cat Village I’m going to make sure I don’t go there on weekends. Because the Riufang train route is very popular with visiting tourists and locals making stops at Huatong, Shifen, and Jiufen. It’s better off visit on weekdays to avoid crowds.
The Takeaway
If you’re looking for a nice little side trip from Taipei and have a soft spot for cats you should come visit Houtong Cat Village. The landscape surrounding the village is breathtaking and if you visit there during the summer the view is even better.
But I certainly enjoyed my time there even though the temperature started chilly.
I recommend visiting Houtong Cat Village with your kids…
If you’re traveling with children this will be a fun outing for them. All the kids I saw looked like they were having a good time.
Whether by chance or design, I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. And this is a place that I would certainly visit again when I’m back in Taiwan.
If you need some information about visiting Houtong Cat Village or if you know anything about Peggy Chien so that I may update this blog post, please drop a comment below.
One of the Best Hotels in Ximending District, Taiwan
I’ve stayed in plenty of budget hotels all over Taipei, Taiwan. And I prefer searching for hotels in Taipei’s Ximending District. Simply because it’s one of the best areas to stay for tourists. So what do I look for when I’m searching for hotels on the internet?
I start with hotels with weird names. And it doesn’t get any weirder than Hotel Papa Whale.
Sure, I know it’s an odd way to pick a hotel. But let’s face it, Hotel Papa Whale is an eye catching unique name. If this was a marketing ploy, it worked. Even while I was searching for Hotel Papa Whale reviews I could see a lot of guests who’ve stayed there previously have the same sentiment.
Anyways if it indeed was a marketing ploy it worked. After delving into Hotel Papa Whale’s details to make this review I took a good look at the hotel’s surrounding area.
I became satisfied as it looked like a decent hotel to stay in Taipei. So I leaped and booked a room. That was a few years ago.
After a few more stays at this wildly popular budget hotel in Taipei’s Ximending district, I decided to write up a review of Hotel Papa Whale this time to help bolster my most excellent post Guide to Visiting Taipei.
Guest reception area at Hotel Papa Whale…
The Location
Hotel Papa Whale is located in Ximending District as I already mentioned. It’s the best area to stay in Taipei hands down for first-time tourists visiting the city. Though the hotel property is on the outskirts of Ximending there is a benefit. And that is it’s not too crowded.
Yet still easy to walk out from the hotel and enjoy the atmosphere as well as find plenty of yummy Taiwanese food and snacks outside the hotel vicinity.
Plus the dozens of 7-Elevens nearby. I’m not kidding. You’ll see when you get there.
Ximending District is most active starting from the afternoon until late at night so expect a lot of people both locals and tourists alike. Although it’s mainly a shopping area I believe most people go to Ximending for the food.
Ximending District has a lively nighttime atmosphere. It’s a great area to stay for shopping and eating day and night…
Hotel Papa Whale is not exactly centrally located in Ximending. But you can still walk from the hotel to Taipei Main Station to catch the Airport Train in about 15 minutes.
The hotel property is huge and encompasses a third of the entire block. With a huge hot pot, sushi restaurant, and dessert shop on the ground level. It’s all part of the hotel so if you book a room at Papa Whale with breakfast included you’ll be eating hot pot for breakfast.
However, I never booked a room that included breakfast at Hotel Papa Whale. Only because there are so many restaurants outside to eat instead. But maybe one day I’ll try it out just for the experience.
The Room
For this trip to Taipei, the room type I booked at Hotel Papa Whale for this review is called “Elegant Double Room” and the room size is 13 m² with no view.
If you’ve never stayed inside a room with no window before it’s odd at first. But you get used to it.
However, Hotel Papa Whale has this workaround where they place daylight LED strips outside faux windows. Which makes it seem like you’ve got a view of the outside. Well, sort of…
The weird thing is it’s on 24 hours. Unless there was a light switch but I couldn’t find it. It’s good that the hotel had blackout curtains installed or else my circadian clock would go bonkers.
I booked a room on Agoda.com for $80 USD a night with taxes included and no breakfast. Which is not a bad price at all for a hotel in a prime location in Taipei. But there are cheaper rates for rooms located on the basement level of Hotel Papa Whale.
Please excuse my pajamas on the bed. I don’t know what I was thinking…
The other side of the room and more of my dirty laundry…
A nice big work desk to fit the junk for a travel bloggers needs…
The bed was really nice and comfortable. And the large screen television in front of the bed was a bonus. With lots of television channels including a bunch of movie channels with Hollywood hits. It’s a nice room, big too with high ceilings so you don’t get that cooped up feeling. Unlike most newer hotels today that are built smaller.
Another plus point for Hotel Papa Whale is the amount of universal electrical sockets available in the room. Which comes in handy for any digital nomad. With gear that needs constant battery charges. And because the installed sockets are compatible with most plugs you don’t need to carry around power adapters.
To me, that’s a bonus point for Hotel Papa Whale.
What is a bit odd are the hallways of the hotel. And it is a big hotel with only one set of elevators. There are a total of 365 rooms with 4 floors of guest rooms.
So if you’ve got yourself a room at the far end you will be walking for a little bit. But of course, they do have hotel staff who can help you move large luggage around.
Doesn’t this look like a dormitory on a spaceship?
Check out that hallway that leads to my room. It has this cool sci-fi look and feel. I felt like a Storm Trooper was going to round the corner anytime soon. Anyways, back to the room review.
The Bathroom
Hotel Papa Whale has earned a lot of points in my book for their bathroom design. There are these cool bathroom fixtures sort of giving off a steampunk style and feel. The shower room and bathroom are separated by a wash basin.
And of course, there’s free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel property. And I must say the connection was fast and I never had any problems with connecting and signal drop-offs.
Also, every room has an individual thermostat so you can set the temperature to cold or warm. There is also a small electronic safe plus a refrigerator with 2 bottles of water stocked daily during room cleaning.
The Overall Hotel Property
So there’s also a laundry room though I have never used it before. I usually save all my dirty laundry until I’m back in NYC to wash it all. Hotel Papa Whale is not considered a fancy hotel. There’s no swimming pool, or fitness center with white-gloved services.
But they serve the purposes of travelers who simply desire a modern and clean room to rest after a long day of sightseeing. Which suits me perfectly.
A large selection of books for guests to browse through in the hotel lobby
Sorry, I didn’t have a chance to review the breakfast offerings from Papa Whale Hotel. I try to be as thorough as I can whenever I do hotel reviews.
But to be honest, whatever Taipei hotel review I do I’m not tempted at all by hotel breakfast. Unless its overall room rate is too good to pass up.
Lots of restaurants in Taipei open early ready to serve breakfast…
You can find a ton of good restaurants near the hotel if you just walk towards central Ximending. Part of the overall travel experience is eating like locals. That’s my take on it so I don’t believe you need to book a room at Papa Whale Hotel with breakfast.
The Takeaway
On my most recent visit to Taipei, I stayed in Hotel Papa Whale for a week for this blog review. I had no problems with the rooms and services. There are lots of hotels in Ximending District to pick and choose from.
Hotel Papa Whale is one of the best ones in my book for anyone not looking to spend more than $50USD to $80USD a night.
For me, the price was just right. Hotel Papa Whale is not far from Taipei Main Station so you can easily access Airport Bus or Airport MRT train. It’s within walking distance to many of Taipei’s historical sightseeing locations like the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial and also the Taiwan National Museum and others.
Most importantly Hotel Papa Whale is in the Ximending District, which is one of the best areas to visit Taipei, especially for first-time visitors who want to see the best of Taipei.
If you would like to add your own Papa Whale Hotel review to this blog post please drop a comment below. You can find the best rates and reviews on Agoda.com as I did.
JJ (Chatuchak) Weekend Market is such a popular area in Bangkok that I often get asked where the best budget hotels and hostels are located near one of the most famous shopping destinations in the city.
In this post, I’ll give you my picks of the best and well reviewed hostels and hotels near JJ Weekend Market that is also convenient for sightseeing the rest of Bangkok. I’ll also introduce a few popular boutique hotels near JJ Marke..
Also if you’re reading this and still don’t know where to stay in Bangkok I’ll point out some benefits and reasons why staying at a hostel or hotel near JJ Weekend Market is convenient and beneficial especially for first-time visitors to Bangkok.
5 Reasons to Stay at a Hotel or Hostel Near JJ Weekend Market
JJ Weekend Market is still central Bangkok. Yet room rates for hotels and hostels are affordable with reasonable rates in that area. With surprisingly good quality hotels too.
Because Bangkok is a growing city the area near JJ Weekend Market is changing in a good way. There are subway and train stations in the area with good places to check out.
Like the name says, it’s a weekend market. So you can bet there will be hordes of tourists and locals alike heading to JJ Market. Which means packed trains and problems finding taxis. If your purpose is to explore the market it’s smart to book a hotel near JJ Weekend Market.
Even if you’re not only in Bangkok to visit JJ Market there are plenty of shopping malls in the area like Central Lad Prao Mall, the One Park Mall, and Union Mall. There are more things to do around the than you’d think which I wrote about here.
If you’re catching a flight out of Don Meung Airport (DMK), JJ Weekend Market area is just 14km away. Book a hotel around the vicinity of JJ Market and you’ll be close to the airport and still be able to explore Bangkok. Mo Chit Bus Terminal also called Northern Bus Terminal is also not far off either.
JJ Weekend Market is a great place to pick up cups and plates at reasonable prices…
3 Best Areas to Stay Near JJ Weekend Market in Bangkok
Here’s my list of the best areas to stay near JJ Weekend Market including names of hostels and hotels with good reviews and best location in order of preference. These select locations are in walking distance to the BTS Sky Train station.
Ari – Hip and chic restaurants and boutique shops in this neighborhood.
Saphan Kwai – Just a bit quieter and less hectic than Ari, Saphan Kwai is a quaint location.
Mo Chit – So this station is closest to JJ Weekend Market. But there’s fewer hostels and hotels near Mo Chit except a few here that you’ll like.
1. Ari (อารีย์)
Hotel Price Range: $25USD to $100USD BTS Station: Ari
Why Stay in Ari: Hip and chic neighborhood in Bangkok perfect for the young or at least the young at heart.
Soi Ari or specifically Ari neighborhood is just south of JJ Market, just two Sky Train stops away. It’s busiest on Phahon Yothin Road but most of the hotels and hostels listed below are situated on the quiet areas of Ari where bars and small Western and Asian restaurants serving yuppie Thai clientele dine and drink.
Ari has a mix of budget and affordable hotels close to JJ Weekend Market. Many operate as hostels and boutique type properties that you will enjoy.
Here’s a set of hotels and hostels near Ari BTS Station you’ll enjoy staying in.
Bangkok’s Ari neighborhood is very busy, especially on weekends when most locals are on their day offs. But it’s relative proximity to JJ Weekend Market is the main reason why you’d want to stay in this area because it’s also convenient for sightseeing the rest of Bangkok.
2. Saphan Kwai (สะพานควาย)
Hotel Price Range: $10USD to $50USD BTS Station: Saphan Kwai
Why Stay in Saphan Kwai: Everything’s here, food, shopping and train stations.
Saphan Kwai is just one BTS Sky Train stop away from JJ Market and this area is an eclectic mix of old Bangkok and upcoming trendy fashion boutiques, cafés, and restaurants. Saphan Kwai is an old school neighborhood popularly known for its street food however so you can’t go hungry or overspend on food in this area.
Saphan Kwai neighborhood is not as busy compared to Ari. So if you’re looking for a hotel or hostel in Bangkok that isn’t in such a busy area, yet close to JJ Weekend Market then you should focus on this neighborhood.
Here’s a set of hotels and hostels near Saphan Kwai BTS Station to consider:
Saphan Khwai area hotels and hostels are much more affordable as you will see. Many affordable hostels perfect for budget travelers looking for a clean hotel near JJ Weekend Market and the Saphan Kwai BTS station.
3. Mo Chit (หมอชิต)
Hotel Price Range: $10USD to $55USD BTS Station: Mo Chit MRT Station: Chatuchak
Why Stay in Mo Chit: Everything’s here, food, shopping and train stations.
Mo Chit is where JJ Weekend Market is located. So if you choose any of the hotels listed below you’ll be very near one of the world’s most famous weekend market. This neighborhood is at it’s busiest on the weekends however. Mo Chit is where you’ll find the most budget hotels near JJ Weekend Market.
During the weekdays when the market is closed it’ll be quiet. However, there’s a big mall near JJ Weekend Market called Central Lad Prao and Union Mall, which is only one station away on the MRT Chatuchak Station.
Here’s a set of hotels and hostels near Mo Chit BTS Station to consider:
In general Mo Chit area is more quiet with less to do in the immediate JJ Weekend Market surroundings. It’s also the reason I place Mo Chit #3 on this list of the best areas to stay near JJ Weekend Market. Mo Chit also has the most amount of budget hostels and hotels out of the three areas listed here.
So if you’re visiting Bangkok during the weekend and would like to stay near Don Meung airport to catch a flight then Mo Chit area is the area to stay in Bangkok during your visit.
The Takeaway
Ari, Saphan Kwai, and Mo Chit are the three best areas near JJ Weekend Market with very good budget hostels and affordable 2 and 3-star hotels. If your goal is to spend a lot of time at over at JJ Weekend Market I don’t recommend staying in an area too far away, like Khao San Road for example just to save some money by staying in cheaper guesthouses found in that area.
It doesn’t make sense to spend money on round trip taxi rides at a neighborhood further away when there are perfectly affordable hostels and hotels near JJ Weekend Market.
Guide on Things to Do Around Chatuchak Weekend Market You Might’ve Never Known About
If you’ve visited Chatuchak Weekend Market (a.k.a Jatujak also JJ Market จตุจักร) more than a few times you’ve probably become too familiar with one of Bangkok’s most famous shopping attraction. And by now, maybe it’s boring.
That’s why I listed 5 points of interest that are near and around Chatuchak Weekend Market you might find new and interesting.
A lot of my friends that frequently visit Chatuchak all think that the market is only good for buying cheap clothes and tchotchke souvenirs. There are over 15,000 stalls opened on weekends so it’s kind of hard to leave Bangkok’s largest flea market with your hands void of plastic bags stuffed with Thai souvenirs.
But there’s a whole lot more than t-shirts and throw away hats and sunglasses at Chatuchak Weekend Market. Or this little hip and chic spot right inside JJ Market I wrote about here.
Did you know Chatuchak has the largest aquarium fish market open 7 days a week?
Admit it, even if you’re not an aquarium hobbyist you did learn something new today. Just a short distance from Chatuchak Weekend Market there’s also an area where you can find Thai hand made items to decorate your home.
And skip the food sold inside Chatuchak Weekend Market and head to Aor Tor Gor Market, where you can buy the best durian in Bangkok just a short distance away.
JJ Green Night Market -One of the easiest night markets to travel to Bangkok…
Even though I’m very familiar with Chatuchak Weekend Market due to the fact that I’m always playing tour guide for my visiting friends and family. I always try to find alternative areas around Chatuchak to show my friends.
And I’m more than happy to share it here! First off is a place I highly recommend and it’s my go-to place for good authentic Thai food and the freshest fruit this side of Bangkok at Aor Tor Gor Market.
1. Aor Tor Gor Market (ตลาด อ.ต.ก.)
Through the years Aor Tor Gor Market which is super close to Chatuchak Weekend Market, by the way, is making a name for itself today. This is the market Thai locals go for good eats and the freshest but pricey fruit year round.
The real reason why you would want to come to Aor Tor Gor Market is for the food. The second reason why you would want to come to Aor Tor Gor Market is for the variety of fruit.
There’s a food court section with tables to enjoy our lunch but afternoon times when the lunch crowd hits it’ll be hard to find empty chairs and tables.
After scarfing down some delicious Thai food you’re going to want to walk off those calories. How about some furniture shopping? Anyone up for some antiquing?
Opening Hours: 6:00am – 8:00pm (every day) Location: Kamphaengphet Road, opposite Chatuchak Weekend Market. Best Way to Get There: Take the MRT subway to Kamphaeng Phet station. Exit #3 is the nearest to Aor Tor Gor.
2. Furniture and Home Decoration
One would easily think Chatuchak Weekend Market was created specifically for foreign visitors. But no, this popular market has local roots and a place for local Thais to hang out, shop and eat. Which is why you’ll find lots of furniture shops from modern to vintage.
Many expats including myself and local Thais can find stylish furniture and home decor near the surroundings of Chatuchak Weekend Market. Personally, I’m not into antiquing but if buying old things floats your boat you’ll want to wander around this area for some items to stick in your abode.
Whatever you can’t carry with you on the plane there are many shipping companies located in the area ready to help you arrange shipping from boxing to packing and delivery.
Now that you know where to find furniture and home decorations, how about having a pet fish with an aquarium to go along with your brand new home decor?
Opening Hours: 10:00 am – 8:00 pm (every day though most shops open Friday to Sunday) Location: Kamphaengphet Road, between Chatuchak Weekend Market and JJ Mall Best Way to Get There: Kamphaeng Phet – Take the MRT subway to Kamphaeng Phet station. Head out from Exit #2 walk straight up Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road and head 300 meters before JJ Mall.
3. Browsing the Largest Aquarium Fish Market in Bangkok
For the hobby aquarist at heart, you’ll find one of the largest aquarium supply centers in Bangkok right by Chatuchak Weekend Market. Thailand is one of the biggest exporters of tropical fish in the world.
From freshwater and saltwater fish to aquatic plants. You’ll even find supplies to set up your home aquarium at reasonable prices. Even if you’re not ready to buy and take home it’s quite nice to just take a walk through and enjoy the beautiful aquarium designs.
Lots of aquatic hobby products are produced in Thailand. Which means the cost is lower. Most countries even allow transporting live fish as carry on. As long as it doesn’t exceed the liquid allowance on certain flights to certain countries.
Opening Hours: 10:00am – 7:00pm (everyday) Best Way to Get There: Best to take a taxi to Kamphaengphet 4 Road, opposite Chatuchak Weekend Market
4. Get a Manicure and Pedicure with Nail Art
Glam up your nails before heading back home or the night out in Bangkok…
There’s a very popular and affordable little nail salon near Chatuchak Weekend Market called Glamour Girls Nail Salon. I wrote a review post about them here.
After a long day of checking out those areas why not drop by for a bit of nail therapy. They also provide spa manicures and spa pedicures services. But Glamour Girls Nail Salon are best known for acrylic extensions and nail art service in Bangkok near JJ Weekend Market.
After getting your nails glammed up at Glamour Girls, why not head over to one of Bangkok’s popular night markets that is easy to get to, which is JJ Green Night Market.
Opening Hours: 10:30am – 9:00pm (every day) Location: The One Park Mall Bangkok opposite from Union Mall. Best Way to Get There: Take the MRT train to Phahon Yothin Station and head out from Exit#3 Website: http://www.glamourgirlsnailsalon.com/
5. JJ Green Night Market **(Closed Indefinitely)**
One of the easiest night markets to visit right within Bangkok near Chatuchak Weekend Market…
(Update February 2020 – I know that this night market is super popular. Currently it has moved to a different location in Bangkok’s Laksi district and renamed as JJ Green 2 Night Market)
Open Thursday to Sundays, JJ Green Night Market is at its peak busiest on weekends from 6 pm to midnight. Fridays and Saturdays are the busiest though, especially during long holiday weekends.
Located a short distance from Chatuchak Weekend Market it’s a smaller market but has an enjoyable ambiance at night. There are bars and pubs also which sometimes open past midnight.
Also, a good place to buy local Thai made products like clothes designed by Thais. It’s also a popular area to scope out second-hand items at reasonable prices. And of course, you’ll find cheap sunglasses and hats.
Lots of snacks can be found at JJ Green Market too but if you love seafood I recommend going to Koongtung (กุ้งถัง ). It’s seafood boil style with fresh shrimps, clams and crabs. If you can’t handle spicy they have different levels you can order.
Opening Hours: Thursday – Sunday 5:00 pm – 2:00 am Address:เลขที่ 1 ถนนกำแพงเพชร 3, แขวงจตุจักร, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900 Best Way to Get There: Even though there is an MRT (Chatuchak) and BTS (Mo Chit) stations nearby, JJ Green Night Market is a little bit deep inside Chatuchak Park. So best to take a taxi.
The Takeaway
Chatuchak Weekend Market is like an institution in Bangkok. The area surrounding Chatuchak is growing with more businesses especially with the new BTS train lines being constructed around the area. Which means more people will be able to travel to Chatuchak easily.
With all the progress and more visitors means more shops and businesses opening up in the neighborhood. And I wouldn’t be surprised if one day you took a walk around Chatuchak Weekend Market and discovered something new for yourself.
Guide on Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur for First-Time Visitors
If you’re searching for the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur then I’ve got you covered. Kuala Lumpur is one of the most exciting cities I’ve had the pleasure to travel frequently in Southeast Asia through the years.
And I can confidently say these are the 5 Best Areas to Stay in Kuala Lumpur!
So I know which areas tourists should book a hotel for their first trip to Kuala Lumpur based on my experiences. Here in this post, I’ll point out the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur that are safe and perfect for sightseeing.
I’m going to make personal recommendations on the best hotels near KL’s nightlife, shopping, and of course most importantly for finding excellent Malay food. I’ll point out where to stay in Kuala Lumpur on a budget or to live it up in 5 star hotels. In essence, you’re going to learn where the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur are right here so you can pick that perfect hotel.
And as you can see from this post, I really do enjoy eating in Kuala Lumpur and that’s just one of the many reasons why I am so passionate about coming to KL.
3 Quick Tips on Your Kuala Lumpur Hotel Search for Your First Trip in Malaysia
Book your KL hotels near a train line. It’s one of the best ways to get around and explore the city. I recommend staying at a hotel near any of the hotels along the KL Monorail Line, specifically Imbi Station and Bukit Bintang Station.
If you can’t stand the smell of cigarettes then be sure to specify you want a nonsmoking floor. Trust me on this you’ll thank me later.
Don’t be turned off if you see a room rate that is too cheap. Many $20USD per night hotel rooms in Kuala Lumpur are decent and clean but on the small side. And there may not be a window.
Kuala Lumpur is rapidly expanding its subway train lines…
The 5 Best Areas to Stay in Kuala Lumpur for First-Time Visitors
Bukit Bintang– Kuala Lumpur’s primary shopping center with many hotels from guest houses to the city’s top 5-star hotels. From here you’re in easy walking distance to explore popular parts of the city. My recommendation and one of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur.
Changkat– If you like your hotels near bars for booze then Changkat is where you want to be. From dive pubs to wine bars if you pick a hotel near Changkat you’ll be right at home.
KL Sentral– Trains and buses plus a shopping center all rolled into one at KL Sentral. KL Sentral is the city’s main transportation hub so book a hotel here if you’re planning on taking day trips out from KL.
Chinatown – Sort of the city’s historic district with old-fashioned shophouses, restaurants, and counterfeit luxury goods markets.
Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC)– Here’s where you’ll find lots of 5-star hotels in KL’s business district. Hotels in this area are close to KL’s most famous building and landmark, the Petronas Towers. LRT Ampang Line has a few stations around KLCC.
Below I have a selection of four hotels in five different areas of KL that I think you will enjoy staying in.
All the locations I recommend are right in central Kuala Lumpur, perfect for any first-time visitors for sightseeing purposes. Keep reading and you’ll know why they are the 5 best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur for first-time visitors!
But first, check out my video and get a quick look at traveling to Kuala Lumpur from Bangkok. There’s also a review of Chaos Hotel in Bukit Bintang!
Update – Malaysia’s Hotel Tax
As of September 1st 2017 a 10RM per room per night hotel tax has gone into effect.
Malaysia’s 10MYR per room hotel tax is to be paid upon check in…
The first area I highly recommend staying in is called Bukit Bintang. It’s my favorite area in Kuala Lumpur!
1. Bukit Bintang
Hotel Price Range: $25USD to $250USD Subway Line: KL Monorail Bukit Bintang station and LRT Bukit Bintang station Why Stay in Bukit Bintang: Everything’s here, food, shopping, and train stations. One of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur even for backpackers on a budget.
Big expensive chain hotels in KL are surrounded by smaller locally run budget hotels all over Bukit Bintang…
Speaking from personal travel experiences in KL, I really do believe that Bukit Bintang is one of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur ever.
Bukit Bintang is like the Times Square of New York City. It has flashy billboard lights, and shopping centers, full of activity and people. I highly recommend booking a hotel in the Bukit Bintang area of Kuala Lumpur for your very first visit.
Yes sure it’s where all the tourists go to stay. And that’s for a good reason. Everything you could want and possibly need for a fun experience in KL can be found in Bukit Bintang.
Even though Bukit Bintang is such a busy neighborhood prices for hotels are not so expensive. Even though all the top hotel chains like Marriott and Millennium Grand are there believe it or not you can find economy hotels with single rooms as cheap as $25USD.
That’s not bad at all considering you can easily walk to the posh shopping centers of Bukit Bintang and walk to Jalan Alor, KL’s famous street food haven.
For traveling families Bukit Bintang will be the perfect location for kids and most certainly for adults.
I highly recommend staying at a hotel in Bukit Bintang, especially when it’s your first visit to Kuala Lumpur. It’s easy to travel to and get to where you need to go because of the train stations. There are so many varieties of restaurants all around plus the shopping malls to check out.
Trust me, after staying in Bukit Bintang for yourself you will know for sure why it’s one of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur.
But for the more adult crowd, it’s not a bad idea to look into Kuala Lumpur’s Changkat area, which is not far from Bukit Bintang.
2. Changkat
Hotel Price Range: $15USD to $250USD Subway Line: KL Monorail Bukit Bintang station and LRT Bukit Bintang station Why Stay in Changkat: The mecca of international bars and pubs in KL. Easy walking distance to Bukit Bintang and KLCC. Changkat is easily one of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur for nightlife.
Changkat’s restaurants, bars, and pubs add an international flair to KL’s nightlife…
Changkat borders Bukit Bintang so it’s still an advantageous location for your first visit to Kuala Lumpur. The only difference is you have to walk just a little further to Bukit Bintang Monorail station and LRT Bukit Bintang station. But if you put yourself up at a hotel near Changkat you’ll be near KL’s popular mini pub crawl street that is closed off at night to vehicles.
Changkat is also near Jalan Alor, KL’s famous tourist food spot popular for hawker stands and foods found throughout Southeast Asia. Jalan Alor is where you should go find famous Malay food and other Southeast Asian favorites.
Also, a strip of affordable massage parlors can be found along the streets leading to Changkat. A great little location in KL for adult travelers. So I recommend staying at Changkat for KL’s nightlife. Because the location is also not far from Bukit Bintang. The only difference is that Changkat is a more adult-oriented neighborhood in Kuala Lumpur.
Out of the four hotels on this Changkat hotel list I recommend Izumi Hotel Bukit Bintang and you can take a look at my post review here.
Stay in Changkat and you’ll know why it’s one of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur for partying.
Changkat is a decent area to pick and choose hotels as there are also many hotels in low price ranges to slightly upscale hotel properties to book.
It is a more adult-oriented location in Kuala Lumpur so you may come across touts looking to persuade men to partake in “special” massages. But even so, Changkat is a pretty good area to stay and explore Kuala Lumpur during your first-ever visit to the city.
3. KL Sentral
Hotel Price Range: $30USD to $250USD Subway Line: All train lines and certain bus lines converge at KL Sentral Why Stay in KL Sentral: If you’re in KL for a few days and need quick access to KLIA airports. KL Sentral is the best area to stay in Kuala Lumpur for shopping.
Booking a hotel near NU Sentral Mall is a good idea for a first visit to KL…
KL Sentral is where you can find the most good quality budget hotels in Kuala Lumpur.
As the transportation hub of Kuala Lumpur, there won’t be a problem finding a hotel in KL Sentral. From there you can travel to most parts of the city via the train system and even to most parts of Peninsular Malaysia.
Every single train line in Peninsular Malaysia converges on KL Sentral. This is why this is a great area to choose a hotel if you’re planning on exploring Western Malaysia.
Another reason why KL Sentral is a very good area to pick a hotel in Kuala Lumpur is because it’s attached to NU Sentral Mall. So you’re not far off from retail therapy as well as a wide variety of dining options from fast food to casual sit-in dining.
Because KL Sentral is linked to all train lines you can take a quick trip to Bukit Bintang as well as Changkat. So you’re not far off from popular tourist spots in Kuala Lumpur. This is one of the main reasons why KL Sentral is one of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur.
As I mentioned earlier I am a frequent visitor to Kuala Lumpur. Sometimes I just visit for a few days and when I do I prefer to book a hotel near KL Sentral. Mainly because I like using the KLIA Express train located beneath KL Sentral station to get to the airport.
NU Sentral Mall which is connected to KL Sentral station has lots of retail brand name stores as well as plenty of casual restaurants plus Western fast food chains.
KL Sentral is an ideal area to stay in KL when you’re planning on exploring Kuala Lumpur and other parts of beautiful Malaysia.
4. Chinatown
Hotel Price Range: $10USD to $70USD Subway Line: Chinatown is a wide area. Pasar Seni MRT is in the center of Chinatown. KL Monorail Line Mahajarela is near the entrance to Petaling Street. Then up north of KL’s Chinatown is Masjid Jamek LRT station. Why Stay in Chinatown: The old world meets the new world at KL’s Chinatown. Chinatown is the best area to stay in Kuala Lumpur on a budget.
Kuala Lumpur is certainly a multicultural city with its local Chinese population present…
Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown is a colorful and lively part of the city filled with restaurants and hawker stands serving up good cheap eats and cheap shopping. If you’re here you’re looking for hotels near or along Petaling Street.
Petaling Street is KL’s shopping bizarre filled with loads of goods, mostly cheap and fake but that’s part of the fun, isn’t it?
You can also walk to other points of interest in KL such as Central Market and Merdeka Square, sight of KL’s independence.
So if you want to see the old parts of Kuala Lumpur, picking a hotel right in KL’s Chinatown will put you in touch with KL’s rich history. This is why many consider Chinatown as one of the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur.
Ahyu Hotel
I Highly Recommend the Ahyu Hotel in Chinatown
I frequently stay at Ahyu Hotel when I come to Kuala Lumpur alone. It’s a short walk to Masjid Jamek LRT station. So it is easy for me to get to this hotel from KL Sentral after taking the 1 hour 30-minute bus ride from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
Rooms cost about USD 20 with taxes and these are the rooms with windows. So of course windowless rooms are cheaper. Most importantly it is clean and the rooms look new and in good condition. There’s a small fridge, room safe and the Wi-Fi internet speed is sufficient.
The front staff service is super friendly, it is a terrific hotel! And you will enjoy the Indian restaurants nearby. I certainly did!
Currently, it’s a good time to start your exploration of KL by booking a hotel in Chinatown. Through the years I’ve noticed that this little slice of KL is undergoing major renovation. New hotels are built up and many small businesses, particularly hipster cafés and restaurants are popping up all over the area.
KL’s Chinatown is undoubtedly one of my favorite spots in the city and it’ll be interesting to see how the transformation will look.
Regardless I find Chinatown is the best area in Kuala Lumpur for budget travelers.
5. Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC)
Hotel Price Range: $40USD to $300USD Subway Line: Ampang Line and KLCC Why Stay in Kuala Lumpur City Center (KLCC): This is KL’s flash business center with many new hotels including 4-star properties. Best hotels in the Kuala Lumpur area all in the KLCC area.
KLCC- The financial district of Kuala Lumpur…
If cash is not a concern for you then KLCC has the best hotels in Kuala Lumpur for you. KLCC neighborhood is Kuala Lumpur’s financial business area. I stayed in KLCC the fewest times because I used to go over to the Thai Embassy in KL to apply for a new visa.
KLCC is where you will find the most high-class business hotels in Kuala Lumpur. If you have the money and can pay for high-end hotel rooms then KLCC is the best area to stay in Kuala Lumpur for you.
KLCC is also where you can find the Petronas Towers, Malaysia’s famous skyscraper. Staying at KLCC you’ll still have some advantages when exploring the rest of Kuala Lumpur. There are several LRT train lines located along KLCC.
There are also a few shopping centers and the biggest one is located on the lower levels of the Petronas Towers. Plenty of restaurants can be found in the area as well. But if you’re staying there check out the food court inside Suria KLCC on level 2.
KLCC area is a bit more spread out. So I recommend looking for a hotel near the Petronas Towers because it’ll just be more convenient for sightseeing on your first visit to KL. The closest one on this list is Le Apple Boutique KLCC which is a very nice hotel with and in walking distance to an LRT train station too plus a shopping center.
The Takeaway
Kuala Lumpur is an amazing city to explore in Malaysia. I travel there often back and forth from Thailand at least 3 or 4 times a year. So I’m quite familiar with the areas of KL particularly where to stay for sightseeing.
Please remember the 10MYR per night hotel tax that was introduced on September 1st, 2017. You pay directly to the hotel upon check-in. However, if you book with a hotel booking website like Agoda.com, the tax is collected through their portal.
Now that you know where the best areas to stay in Kuala Lumpur are I’m sure you’re going to fall in love with the city as much as I have. It’s been one of my favorite cities to visit ever since my first visit. I’m pretty sure you’ll feel the same way on your very first memorable trip to Kuala Lumpur.
A Taste of the Beach Life at Baan Sukhita in Chanthaburi, Thailand
Thailand has a lot of beaches. Some good. And some not so good. Everyone, including yours truly that is planning to stay indefinitely in Thailand is always out in the search of the best beaches as a side trip from Bangkok, either for a day or more. And that’s what we found at Baan Sukhita in Chanthaburi, Thailand.
A few weeks ago for the very first time I visited Chao Lao Beach where I made a review of Maldive Beach Resort. While driving around I came across Ao Yang by chance.
Ao Yang is a bay, so not a beach even if there is a small one. “Ao” in Thai “อ่าว” pronounced àao with a low tone means bay. But theres a small beach lined with restaurants and a parking area for visitors to the beach and restaurant customers.
The view right outside of Baan Sukhita Hotel. Quiet and peaceful bay in Chanthaburi Thailand…
There are several hotels and guesthouses along Ao Yang. But we chose to stay at Baan Sukhita because we had already seen it while driving through when we last visted Chao Lao Beach. And their sea view rooms left a good impression on us which is why my wife and I decided to go back check it out.
Reception desk at Baan Sukhita…
Baan Sukhita is just a simple hotel. But in a good way. It’s not a fancy place for the fancy folks that enjoy high tea in the noon overlooking the bay. It’s ideal for any visitor looking to get away from Bangkok just for a little while to reset and rest. Which is just right up our alley.
Baan Sukhita Chanthaburi – The beachfront rooms on the left are triple deluxe sea view rooms and the ones on the right are normal sea views rooms…
Baan Sukhita has sea view rooms just 50 or so meters from the beach with a picket fence and the road in between.
There’s no fitness center. No Swimming pool. A row of beach chairs, benches and tree trunks shaped into chairs with a lovely view of the bay from the property lawn.
No hotel bar with happy hours. So be sure to stock up on your favorite beers and snacks as there are no full convenience stores in Ao Yang.
Many hours were spent on this hammock… Pure bliss with the gentle breeze blowing in from the bay…
But there is a cool tree hammock! Just a single hammock is slung between two beautiful trees. Now I can imagine this hammock wouldn’t be enough during the weekends with more guests staying at Baan Sukhita.
Since my wife and I stayed during the weekday we were pretty much alone. So I had the hammock all to my self!
Baan Sukhita has 21 Rooms With 3 Room Categories:
Standard Nature View – 20 m² / 2 Adults and 2 Kids 0-11 age
Sea View – 24 m² / 2 Adults and 2 Kids 0-11 age
Triple Deluxe – 32 m² / 3 Adults 2 Kids 0-11 age
Room #106 with a sea view. Our home sweet home, well at least for 4 night…
On this trip I booked a sea view room and stayed in room #106. Per night we paid 1500THB ($55USD). The property was renovated back in 2014 and well maintained. The room still looks new with a nice comfortable queen sized bed, a flat screen television plus some chairs, a mini fridge stocked with 2 bottles of water daily and a small work table.
Sea view rooms lead straight out to the beach…
The bathroom has a shower room and the fixtures looked brand new. Though I believe the bathroom would benefit with a ventilation fan to to keep the air moving out.
First impressions of the room, nice and clean…
I also think the room would really benefit with more light fixtures. At night with all the existing room lights turned on the room was still too dim especially near the area where the work table was placed.
The Wi-Fi was not stable but I could always piggy back off the hotspot from my phone to my laptop computer. Television has a dozen Thai channels and a movie channel with Hollywood hits but of course it’s dubbed in Thai.
Garden view rooms at Baan Sukhita…
The Breakfast
Breakfast which was included with our room rate at Baan Sukhita is served from 7am to 9am. There’s not a lot of breakfast variety but understandably so. It’s a small hotel property which receives most of its guests on weekends.
No sense to cook up a bunch of food which will just go to waste with not enough people to eat it.
Western style breakfast at Baan Sukhita…
It’s not exactly buffet style but if you want to order more food the hotel kitchen staff were more than happy to cook another set. They even offered to make an omelette just to change up the menu a bit as we stayed for 4 nights. Staff were very nice at Baan Sukhita I have to add.
Khao Tom Moo Gung – A Thai style rice soup with minced pork and shrimp normally eaten for breakfast…
What they do serve is sufficiently enough. Sunny side eggs, some boiled ham and chicken sausage with toast is the western option. Khao Tom Moo Gung is the Thai breakfast of choice served with lots of fresh shrimp and minced pork was my favorite and I had it every morning with American style breakfast.
Things to See Near Baan Sukhita
To really explore Chanhtaburi and the area surrounding Baan Sukhita you’ll need to have a car or hire a driver. It’s the only way to get a glimpse of the natural beauty that surrounds Baan Sukhita. The area is mainly popular for beaches and there are a handful to enjoy. But I just want to mention that because these beaches are less traveled or visited you will find trash along the sand.
Lots of signs with English pointing to places of interest. But having Google Maps to get around was helpful…
Beaches near Baan Sukhita Hotel
Ao Krathing – This beach is owned by the army. You have to walk down to the beach, about 150 meters down a man made stone pathway. But coming back up could be tiring. Not a far drive from Baan Sukhita.
Hat Chao Lao – This beach is the nicest with long stretch of sand and not as much rocks in the surf. Great for swimming. Not a lot of resorts on this beach still quiet even on weekends. Drive time to Chao Lao Beach’s eastern tip is about 20 minutes.
Hat Laem Sing – Similar to Hat Chao Lao but a lot more busy during the weekends. Drive time from Baan Sukhita to Laem Sing takes about 10 minutes.
Recommended Area to Visit in Chanthaburi
Chanthaburi Waterfront – I haven’t been all over the city of Chanthaburi but I came across this little section of town near a river. It’s a nice little place to visit, explore and perhaps enjoy a cup of coffee at one of the many cafés by the river. A recommended side trip while staying over in Baan Sukhita.
Chanthaburi Waterfront – Because the area has Chinese and Vietnamese background you’ll see their influences all around…
The Takeaway
I like Baan Sukhita a lot for the ambiance and environment. If you want to travel Thailand, relax at a beach with not ton of people around than this is the type of place you’ll like and enjoy. I certainly did.
But you also have to have some expectations as well. Ao Yang is not a very developed. There’s a row of seafood restaurants along the bay where the locals go to enjoy freshly caught seafood right off the bay. And that’s all there is in the immediate vicinity of Baan Sukhita Hotel.
There’s absolutely nothing to do at night. Matter of fact the area is deserted at night except for the seafood restaurant owners and workers that live nearby. There are many dogs in Ao Yang area too and from my experience they are friendly. Especially when they get to know you. But if you’re afraid best to avoid them.
This is Frank, but in Thai is name is pronounced “Flang”, very friendly when he gets to know you…
During the day you can lounge on the hammock or take a dip in the beach and explore Chanthaburi by car. But this is the kind of rest and the sort of thing I enjoy. And enjoy I did at Baan Sukhita Hotel. I highly recommend staying at this nice little beach hotel in Chanthaburi, Thailand.
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.
A Quick Osaka City and Eating Guide from the Wayfaring Soul
I love wandering around Osaka, Japan because it’s a huge city with so much space to get lost in. It’s got a great energy with a unique mix of beautiful architecture. And then there’s the food! Oh my god the amazing food! And I’m not just referring to sushi.
There’s a reason why Osaka has the title of the Nation’s Kitchen “天下の台所 (tenka no daidokoro)”! It’s quite a title to receive if you think about it because Tokyo-Kanto region has a much larger population.
Ayu Sashimi, so fresh theres still blood on the bones…
So in this little walking and dining Osaka guide, I started off at my hotel near Hommachi Station with a stop over at JR Osaka Station to pick up my 4 Day JR West Kansai Rail Pass. And then heading over to Osaka’s City Hall at Yodobashi Station to start my walk straight down Midōsuji Boulevard and ending at Osaka’s famous Dotonbori shopping and food district.
You can walk up and down Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade too if you have the time and energy to do so. Shinsaibashi is basically one long covered street full of shops and restaurants.
Before starting our stroll, we first went to Osaka Station to pick up our 4 Day JR Rail Pass…
Starting Off at Osaka’s City Hall with a Quick Bite to Eat
I was staying at Cityroute Hotel near Hommachi Station. Which is just a few stations to Osaka Station where I picked up my JR rail passes.
Then it was off to Osaka’s City Hall on the Yodabashi Line, Exit #1. I peeked at google maps quickly and saw a few cafés in the area because we we’re dying for some caffeine.
I’m not sure what it is but I discovered that Japan has some really good hot dogs. As a New Yorker I do miss and crave Gray’s Papaya hot dogs. And I can’t find decent hot dogs in Thailand. Osaka has a rich cuisine variety and yes! I do consider hot dogs in Japan a cuisine!
Iced latte and hot dogs with special sauces at Café Veloce Yodoyabashi…
We quickly found Café Veloce (website in Japanese only) after getting out from the subway station. This is a great little spot to get a quick bite and coffee because we were expecting to walk a lot today. Make sure you go upstairs to the second floor. You’ll have a great view of Osaka’s City Hall building and the O River.
Osaka’s City Hall is small narrow island surrounded by the O River…
Our plan was to walk from Osaka City Hall along Midōsuji Boulevard, bypassing Shinsabashi and ending at Dotonbori for a late lunch then head back out to hotel for a short rest and than back out for dinner.
Midōsuji Boulevard
Midōsuji runs directly north and south of the city. It’s the spine of Osaka and you can walk from Kita, all the way down to Namba. Just like it is in Seoul, South Korea you don’t need to take the subway to get around the best sights and locations in Osaka. Find this long and wide boulevard and you can’t get lost in Osaka.
This bridge connects Osaka City Hall along Midōsuji Boulevard…
After our quick bite it was already 1:30pm and even though it was high noon the light was harsh and bright in certain areas and in others it wasn’t.
We were in the start of of Japan’s winter but the temperature was not cold at all, about 22 °C (72 °F ) and the trees still had a lovely yellow appearance. But many leaves had already fallen off considerably.
Weird But Beautiful Light
I like taking pictures but it was kind of difficult because there were a lot of shade from the tall surrounding buildings and bright spots from the sun coming through. But it was still a beautiful with a lot of bright interesting light coming through.
The boulevard is lined with ginkgo trees and the leaves turned a bright yellow which made an amazing contrasts from the shadows of the office buildings.
Midōsuji reminds a lot like New York City’s famed Fifth Avenue with so many high end brand name stores. We passed by Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Chanel and Gucci stores. There was even an Apple store as well.
The boulevard was quiet though and not as hectic and congested on the streets as NYC’s Fifth Avenue. That was one thing that really surprised me. There’s not a lot of people walking around for a big city like Osaka.
An entire building of just Louis Vuitton…
Also what struck me was how quiet the city was. But it makes sense if you think about it. Most of the cars are electric or hybrid. And lots of locals ride bicycles to get around.
Never a bad time to stop and take a pic of a cute little pooch…
Also what struck me was how quiet the city was. But it makes sense if you think about it. Most of the cars are electric or hybrid. And lots of locals ride bicycles to get around. Living in Bangkok and NYC I’ve become accustomed noise pollution.
They say that Japan is a nation of new and old entwined together in harmony. So it’s not uncommon to see traditional temples and shrines surrounded by modern high rises and offices.
This little stroll from Osaka City Hall to Dontonbori along Midōsuji Boulevard only took us around 30 minutes. Could’ve been quicker but we took our time and I was taking pictures. It’s an easy walk and most Japanese prefer to walk or ride their bicycles the short distances instead of relying on the subway trains.
A Landmark in Dotonbori – Don Quijote
So how do you know you’ve arrived into Dotonbori? When you see this mega thrift store called Don Quijote right on the corner of Dotonbori Bridge. This super thrift store is known for carrying beauty supplies, household goods, snacks and all kinds of other goodies at reasonable prices for Japan.
Don Quijote is a thrift chain store known throughout Japan. This branch is located right on Dotonbori Bridge.
Head inside and you’ll see wall to wall, shelf to shelf items. There are home appliances, clothing, Japanese snacks and beverages. They even sell bicycles. The most popular items I saw inside seemed to be the makeup and beauty section located on the second floor.
Don Quijote is a very popular spot for tourists to pick up make ups and other beauty supplies…
Lots of creams, lotions, nail polishes, lipsticks and mascara. My wife was having a field day inside. All I bought was a nail clipper.
The building has six floors and you can get lost amongst the aisles just wandering around. And Don Quijote is open 24 hours so you can head in to spend that extra Yen burning a hole in your wallet.
Enter Dotonbori
Chances are anything everything you’ve seen about Osaka, on television, on Instagram or the magazines you’ll come across the iconic snow crab on top of Kani Douraku restaurant.
Snow crab is expensive as you’ve mostly likely learned while watching episodes of Deadliest Catch on television. So if you want to have a nice snow crab meal be ready to dole out some big cash.
Restaurant Kani Douraku, the crab house restaurant in Dotonbori, Osaka.
But what if you don’t want to blow your entire Japan trip on pricey crustacean? Kani Douraku has a stand outside selling charcoal grilled snow crabs. And you can some day tell someone that you indeed tried snow crab in Osaka, Japan.
You have can buy a few small pieces of grilled snow crab leg for 900¥. And when I mean small, I mean small. Not even a full single crab leg. About a quarters worth I’d guess. I’m not complaining, just telling it like it is.
I only ate a little bit because I’ve had it before but it was the first for my wife and she found the grilled crab meat sweeter then the blue crabs or big claw crabs in Thailand. It’s good crab. But is it worth the 900¥? I think it’s worth it just to try. But I can’t imagine myself or anyone else spending that amount of money on couple of crab meat on a consistent basis.
Got Shellfish Allergies? There’s More to Eat at Dotonbori…
Take a walk around Dotonbori promenade and if you threw a rock in any direction, chances are it’ll hit a restaurant. Ramen, food vendor, sushi and Osaka’s famous takoyaki are all there right in front of your face.
Takoyaki in Osaka is something you’ve got to try for yourself. It’s bits of octopus (tako) encased in a pancake batter and grilled (yaki) on hot oiled cast iron with round molds. When cooked the octopus balls have a crusty outside but the insides are piping hot but soft.
Then the balls are drowned in mayonnaise and a sweet and tangy brown sauce. To finish, takoyaki are liberally peppered with chopped scallions and bonito flakes (fish jerky). With a nice frosty beer it’s a great snack during Osaka’s winter.
Otherwise, take caution when you bite into the balls as they are piping hot and it’s the way Osakans prefer it. Every takoyaki stand or restaurant will offer customers a variation of toppings so have fun experimenting.
Ramen Restaurants in Dotonbori
It’s Japan so plenty of ramen restaurants are around and Osaka is no exception. Filling the stomachs of hungry salary man and women with noodles in a rich broth day and night. There are many popular restaurants in Osaka. Some you have to wait to get in like Ichiran Ramen and they have two branches in Dotonbori.
Ramen broth or soup is usually made with chicken or pork with a combination of other ingredients. I have seen some ramen restaurants with vegetable broth. And ramen noodles are eggless. But to be sure for yourself go google translate your dietary needs and print it out so you can show to restaurants.
The Wayfaring Soul Travel Tip #141: “Japanese restaurants typically have discounted lunch menus or special menus from 11:30am to 2:00pm. Though it’s best to get in an hour before to beat the lunch crowd.”
I’ve eaten at many ramen restaurants in Osaka and my belly size is proof. And I’ve never had bad ramen. Not one time. Sure, some places make it different than others. But that’s what makes any restaurant unique, right?
I’ve walked around Dotonbori and Shinsaibashi many times and I can tell you a lot of ramen restaurants are typically busy during the lunch and dinner rush. Japan’s restaurants are usually at the busiest from 11:30am to 2:00pm because they have lunch specials and discount during those hours.
Sushi in Osaka
Something that absolutely boggles my mind is how affordable sushi and sashimi is in Osaka. Normally in Bangkok if you want decent sit down sushi at a decent Japanese restaurant it’ll actually cost more than having sushi in Japan.
Sashimi and sushi as fresh as it can get in Osaka…
At this particular restaurant we ordered a mixed sashimi plate with an assortment of sushi, mixed shrimp and vegetable tempura plus 4 beers. The price came out to 7200¥ or about $65USD. And there’s no need to tip and no service charge added. We went to a few sushi restaurants in Dotonbori area and prices are about the same depending on the style of course.
But I can confidently say you can find many restaurants in Osaka with surprisingly affordable and most importantly fresh sushi to enjoy.
You don’t even need to find food at sit in restaurants. There are many al fresco dining options today in Dotonbori where everyone can enjoy eating on communal tables. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why Osaka is known as the “Nation’s Kitchen”.
I’ve been visiting Osaka for years and it’s always a joy to come visit and eat the food served by some of the friendliest peoples. Because there are so many tourists from all over visiting Osaka these days there are English menus and descriptions available.
But even if none are available Japanese menus are usually littered with food photos. Finally remember to always bring cash as most Japanese restaurants, street food vendors and ramen shops do not accept credit cards.
Dontonbori bridge. Straight up is Shinsaibaishi Shopping Arcade…
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