If You Like Big Bahts & You Cannot Lie, Stay In Bangkok’s @Hua Lamphong Hostel

The ideal location to begin or end your journey

Picture this: You touch down in Bangkok, jet lagged and disoriented and all you want is a clean and comfortable space to take off your backpack, grab a shower and pass out. @Hua Lamphong gives you that and so much more. A thirty-minute taxi ride from the airport, or a cheaper, navigable ride using the Sky Train and MRT subway system, @Hua Lamphong provides basic comfort with immaculate cleanliness in the perfect spot to recharge before kicking off your explorations.

If this is the start or end of your journey, @Hua Lamphong, is an easy connection to the airport and literally across the street from the main terminal railway station. Put it this way, Hua Lamphong Station is pretty much the starting or ending point for practically every train journey throughout the country, so wherever you are arriving from or heading to by train, @Hua Lamphong Hostel puts you in the perfect spot.

Make sure if you catch a taxi from the airport that the driver sees the address and understands you aren’t looking for a ride to Hua Lamphong Station, but @Hua Lamphong Hostel… From experience, that’s a mix up to avoid! Keeping a hostel’s phone number on you, as a precaution, is always a good idea; sometimes things get lost in translation and it’s nice when a driver can speak to a hostel local for directions. For those looking for a sure fire way to avoid confusion, you can even arrange a pick up/drop off with an airport shuttle through the hostel, though the service comes at a cost.

Basic as it is, @Hua Lamphong has everything you need and more

Whether you’re looking for a dorm room or a private, @Hua Lamphong has a variety of basic, but comfortable accommodation options, and beyond that, a number of great facilities and services. Established in 2010, @Hua Lamphong is a hostel that exudes efficiency. Though no one will carry your bags for you up to your room, the staff is friendly, helpful and able to assist you in booking tours and finding your way around.

The whole hostel is equipped with free Wi-Fi and for those looking to meet fellow travelers, there’s a great common space with computers, telephone, fax and even a restaurant/bar. The rooms are bare bone and the hostel doesn’t get big points for creative decorating, but the minimalism actually accentuates the cleanliness, and the practicality of the design is not to be missed.

Shake that healthy “Baht!”

You’ll find the crispness of your sheets meet all your hygiene demands and the convenience of outlets, personal lamps and locker space ideal. Also, for those who are fans of energy efficiency, your room key card powers your lights and air conditioning, so when you arrive, don’t be confused if the lights don’t switch on; just stick your key card in the slot beside the door, and you’re in business!

Ready for your shower? Don’t be surprised by the bathroom set up. Throughout Southeast Asia, it is common for the toilet and shower to share a space with nothing separating the two – and as long as the water pressure does the trick - which it does – the set up is inconsequential. That said, if you opt for the dorms, there are barriers between showers to ensure privacy.

At the bargain price range of 327 THB (approximately 9 USD) a night (dorms) to 1074 THB (approximately 30 USD) (Deluxe Dorm) and a number of convenient options in between - including single (700 THB/19 USD) and twin privates (887 THB/25 USD) - what matters is that you have everything you need for a comfortable night, and @Hua Lamphong delivers. As far as your own “Baht,” you might notice a hose by the toilet – consider it Thailand’s version of toilet paper. You can’t mock it till you try it, so just aim, fire spray and shake!

Now get out and explore!

@Hua Lamphong is not an accommodation to hole up in for luxury. It’s simple, it’s comfortable, and it’s in a great location…so get out, and explore! The hustle and bustle of Bangkok’s streets can be intimidating at first, but load up on deodorant – it is extremely humid –, put on some sunscreen and hit the town. There is a lot happening within walking distance of @Hua Lamphong, so before hopping on the easy to access subway, check out what’s right in front of you.

A left turn onto Rama IV Road takes you to the beautiful “Wat Trai Mitr,” one of Thailand’s most famous temples, best known for its big golden Buddha. From there, head to Chinatown, and prepare to indulge in some of the best food Bangkok has to offer; you’ll dream of it forever more.

Explore the fresh food markets and experiment with street cuisine – fresh snapper accompanied by garlic crab rice, prawns and an ice cold Singha Beer will whet your appetite for a trip to remember…and when the food coma kicks in, your clean, comfortable room at @Hua Lamphong will be waiting.