Nana Hotel

Built in 1963, Nana Hotel remains much as it was in its heyday -- the perfect set for an R&R scene in a '70s war movie. A dated, boxy white exterior gives way to a cozy interior with brown leather couches, bamboo pillars, low ceilings, wooden trims, and marble tile floors. It's all very retro, to be sure, and guests are provided a welcome drink upon arrival. Clientele can be colorful, but most tend to be business travelers or solo tourists looking for a cheap home base near Bangkok's party scene. Keep in mind that most of these travelers are men, most of whom are drawn by the location -- infer what you will from that. The action around the red-light district that winds its way off of Sukhumvit Road in this part of town is unavoidable, and across the street is the infamous Nana Plaza, which may put off more conservative guests. Yet, for the price and central location near the prime shopping and nightlife districts of Bangkok, the Nana Hotel still offers a decent bang for its buck so long as expectations are managed.

The Sukhumvit district is densely packed with shopping, dining, and nightlife, making the area surrounding Nana Hotel popular both day and night. Soi Nana, in particular, is home to one of the city's racier red-light districts, including Nana Plaza, the self-titled "World's Largest Adult Playground." Despite its target audience, the hotel can be fine for tourists who are willing to put aside the goings-on of the single male clientele and the workers on the streets outside. It's located only a five-minute walk from the Nana or Ploen Chit Skytrain stations. From there, it's a five- to 10-minute ride to the major malls lining Sukhumvit Road, including Terminal 21, the MBK Center, and CentralWorld. It will take about 25 minute to reach the trendy Silom area, which is also home to tons of nightlife and upmarket dinings. Phaya Thai Skytrain station is only five stops away and provides a transfer to the Airport Rail Link for easy public transportation to Suvarnabhumi Airport (the total ride will take 40 minutes), while a cab can take anywhere from 30 to 90 minutes with Bangkok's notorious traffic. Budget an hour to reach Don Mueang Airport, the city's other international terminal.

For a hotel that dates back to the 1960s, the Nana shows her age. The spacious rooms are designed in dated colors and styles, bland leather chairs, scuffed wooden furniture, and dull brown carpeting that are in need of an overhaul. All room categories come with the same features, including air-conditioning, safes, mini-fridges, daily replenished water bottles, 29-inch LED TVs, and phones. Floor plans differ, with entry-level rooms offering 269 square-foot layouts (25 square meters) and higher-category rooms providing 431 square feet of space (40 square meters). Suite bathrooms feature glass-walled standing showers and jetted tubs, while all other bathrooms include only standard shower/tub combos. Tiles in bathrooms could do with a deep clean, and new mattresses in all rooms would go a long way to spruce them up. Additionally, there have been complaints about occasional bugs and noise from the on-site Hooters bar in lower-floor rooms.

Nana Hotel's outdoor swimming pool and secluded hot tub are some of the key draws for repeat guests, as the pool is larger than the hotel's competitors in the area. There are plenty of lounge chairs for sunbathing around the pool and the hot tub is off to the side, surrounded by plants and trees that create a bit of privacy. For bites, Nana Restaurant & Coffee Shop offers both international and Thai dishes, including a free breakfast buffet that's included with every reservation. There's also a Hooters serving standard American fare like burgers and wings. For drinks, the hotel's cocktail lounge and pool bar are decent options. A well-priced laundry service with same-day turnaround and 24-hour room service are also big pluses, as are the on-site tailor, beauty salon, and Thai massage parlor. A business center and event ballroom are available and can be requested outside normal business hours, as well. The tour desk can arrange taxi and minibus service, and there's on-site parking as well. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.