The Best of Khao San Road, Bangkok
Khao San Road is known to be the Times Square of Bangkok! Hustling and bustling with backpackers, tourists, food vendors, and enough booze to flood a lake. If this appeals to you, you’ve come to the right spot. For us, we’re not the biggest of partiers, but felt as though visiting was a Bucket List Item, so we looked a bit deeper for the trendy areas that offer great food, incredible service, and a bit of a more PG-13 experience.
Where to stay?
Luxury: IBIS Styles Hotel
This hotel is incredible! A two minute walk to Khao San Road, this hotel is extremely convenient. For about 2,500 baht ($83) per night, you get a luxury stay equipped with amenities such as a pool, spa, 4 attached restaurants (StrEATs) and some pretty well designed rooms. If you’re not on a budget and want to live it up in Thailand, the IBIS Styles Hotel is the right choice for you.
Note: The IBIS Styles Hotel is connected to StrEATs (see below).
Midlevel: The Secret Service Bed & Breakfast
During our trip, we stayed here. A five minute walk from the hustle and bustle of Khao San Road, but for us, it was the perfect location. The Secret Service Bed & Breakfast is considered a Poshtel, meaning that it is extremely well designed and is more of a destination than just a place to sleep. For around 600 baht (19 dollars), you have access to a rooftop bar/restaurant, lounge equipped with Apple Desktops, and a reading lounge. This Bed & Breakfast is a great choice for someone who is looking for a clean, home-y atmosphere with a budget in mind.
Budget: D&D Inn
The D&D is located right on Khao San Road, which could be appealing for some, but unattractive to others. For someone who wants to enjoy the authentic Khao San Road experience, this hotel might be for you. You’re 10 feet from the nearest bar and are surrounded by over 50 other options of bars if the one downstairs doesn’t suit your fancy. You can get a decent private room for around 500 baht (16 dollars).
Pro Tip: If you register as an Independent Travel Agent, you will save money. You’ll have access to industry rates and be able to earn 10-20% commission back on your stay. Feel free to reach out if this is something you want more information about. We’re now able to travel more, for less!
Where to eat?
Beer Buddy & The Wine Tasting Room
Our first meal on Khao San Road was at The Wine Tasting Room which is a little courtyard directly off Khao San Road. Decorated like an upscale outdoor vineyard, we felt right at home amidst the busy surroundings of the restaurant. Our first meal? Shrimp Pad Thai. Absolutely scrumptious; and the best part? It cost 160 baht ($5.30). For the atmosphere and quality of food, we were pleased!
We wish we were lying when we said we spent more than 7 hours in StrEATs. But no, we are not lying. The atmosphere is undeniably charming. There are four sections of StrEATs; the Cafe, Bakery and Bar/Restaurant, and buffet, all connected by sliding glass doors and a seamless aesthetic. With that being said, you can get anything that suits your fancy at StrEATs, from breakfast acai bowls and fresh squeezed juice to burgers and authentic thai food, cocktails, and coffee. It’s your one stop shop and unbelievably affordable for the quality of food that’s provided. Note: StrEATs is connected to the IBIS Styles Hotel.
