Suneta Hostel Khaosan

Suneta Hostel is housed in a two-floor building with interiors that combine modern elements with the retro feel of old Bangkok. The lobby features an antique tuk-tuk, upholstered chairs and sofas with colorful Thai embroidered throw pillows, and wood trim and paneling. The space also has a flat-screen TV with DVD player, an old radio, shelf of books, and fridge with cold beers and soft drinks for purchase. Guests mix and mingle in this common area, which is also where the free breakfast is served. The Suneta attracts backpackers and budget travelers with its affordable rates, convenient location close to nightlife, and its genuine Thai atmosphere. Note that the minimum age to stay here is 18, so there are no children. 

Suneta Hostel Khaosan is on Soi Kraisi road, on a gritty block with hostels, restaurants, street food stalls, bars, convenience stores, and shops. It's conveniently near Khaosan Road (a little under a five-minute walk), but far enough away from the noise. Khaosan Road features a night market, shops, restaurants, street food stalls, bars, clubs, and buses to destinations throughout Thailand. Several bus lines stop at Khokwuaw Junction, which is a five-minute walk from the hostel. The Democracy Monument is an eight-minute walk away, and it's about a 10-minute walk to Phra Athit Road with its cafes, bars, and live music. Just northeast of Phra Athit Road are Phra Sumen fort, the Chao Phraya River, and Phra Athit Pier with the Chao Phraya Express boat. The Grand Palace -- the official residence of the kings of Siam and Thailand since 1782 -- is a bit over a 20-minute walk, or around 15 minutes by tuk-tuk. A short walk south of the Grand Palace is the Wat Pho temple complex. Bangkok Railway Station is about a 15-minute drive or 20-minute bus ride from the hotel. Both Don Mueang International Airport and Suvarnabhumi Airport are a 30- to 60-minute drive. Keep in mind that traffic is a beast in Bangkok and drive times vary widely.

The 18 dorm-style rooms at Suneta Hostel are clean and basic, with whitewashed bare walls, hardwood floors, and wooden furnishings. Because the hostel is located away from Khaosan Road, rooms are quiet. Rooms come in four categories: dorm rooms with cabin-style beds, four-bed mixed dorms, six-bed female dorms, and 16-bed mixed dorms. Cabin rooms have cozy one-person private wooden bunks equipped with flat-screen TVs and headphones (plus USB movies are available from the front desk), while other rooms provide privacy curtains -- but no TVs. All rooms have air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, reading lamps, power outlets, and personal lockers. Bathrooms are shared and come with hairdryers, free towels, showers, and soap/shower gel.

Suneta Hostel serves an ample free breakfast buffet that includes fried eggs, chicken sausages, potatoes, chicken nuggets, cereal, toast, fruit, coffee, tea, and juice. It's well liked by previous guests. Free tea, coffee, crackers, and biscuits are available all day. A communal kitchen is available for guest use, and it includes a refrigerator, microwave, hot water kettle, coffeemaker, dishes, and glasses. Another refrigerator is filled with cold beers and soft drinks that are available for purchase. The guest common area also has a laptop, printer, large flat-screen TV with DVD player and DVDs, and a shelf of books and magazines. The staff is available 24 hours a day and can provide sightseeing advice. A coin-op laundry room is on-site as well. The hostel has no parking, and there is very little street or public parking in the area. Guests are advised not to drive to the hostel.