The Key Bangkok Hotel by Compass Hospitality

This small hotel spans six floors in part of a building that's accessible via a downtown side street. Inside, the lobby is small and functional, with cream marble floors, low ceilings lined with track lighting, and a beige-colored sofa and a couple of matching chairs off to one side, right by the light-wood reception desk. Most of the lobby is filled with chairs and tables used during the daily breakfast service, and there's a small bar just opposite reception serving drinks throughout the day. A few more tables and chairs are located just by the main entrance and are primarily used by smokers, though this small patio is an equally good spot to escape the freeze of the lobby's air-conditioning, which is blasted to unreasonably cool temperatures. Most guests are tourists, many of whom are from Europe, Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore, though the property does cater to business travelers looking for self-catering facilities. 

The Key is located on a narrow side road in the Asok neighborhood, just behind Robinson Department Store and the huge Terminal 21 shopping mall. There's a traditional massage parlor right next door and plenty of shops, bars, and eateries in the immediate vicinity. It's a three-minute walk to the Asok BTS (skytrain) station, offering easy access to many of the city's malls. The Reclining Buddha Temple (Wat Pho) takes about half an hour to reach when there's no traffic, as does the Grand Palace. Wat Saket (Golden Mountain) is 25 minutes away without traffic via the Sirat Expressway. The Jim Thompson House, the architecturally stunning former home of an American silk entrepreneur, takes 20 minutes (or more) to reach, depending on traffic. It's abut 45 minutes by car or public transportation to Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok's main international hub, while Dong Mueang International Airport takes around an hour to reach by car (or an hour and a half by public transportation).

The Key offers a variety of room types, all with kitchens or kitchenettes equipped with dishes, plates, and microwaves. Rooms measure from 32 to 60 square meters (345 to 646 square feet) and both smoking and non-smoking rooms are available, divided by floor -- note that cigarette smells linger in smoking rooms, so those with a strong preference should specify ahead of time. Decor is similar across room types, with a mix of light and dark wood in the floors and furniture plus upholstered sofas and chairs in neutral hues of beige, gray, or blue. A mix of recessed lighting and table and bedside lamps keep the rooms bright but non-abrasive. Standard amenities include air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs with DVD players (in bedrooms and living rooms in the case of One-Bedroom Suites), irons and ironing boards, and full-sized fridges stocked with minibar refreshments. Bathrooms are snug, with basic toiletries, and hairdryers are provided. Most have shower/tub combos as opposed to walk-in showers -- owing largely to the fact that the hotel gets a fair amount of Japanese guests, who prefer tubs. Luxury Suites add whirlpool tubs. Also, note that in some rooms there's a stone ledge separating the bathrooms from the main living areas, which makes for a tripping hazard and may prove frustrating for guests with limited mobility. Wi-Fi is free and reliable in rooms and throughout the hotel. 

In terms of on-site amenities, The Key doesn't offer much. There is free Wi-Fi available throughout the property along with a small meeting room that can seat up to six people. There's also a cafe in the lobby -- Chabis -- with indoor and outdoor seating offering drinks and snacks plus a small breakfast buffet with hot and cold dishes; it's included in most room rates. Laundry service and airport transfers can be arranged through the front desk.