Arawana Express Chinatown

Getting to the hotel by taxi was easy. The room was spacious, fresh, and very clean, and the stove and microwave were especially handy, something you don't usually find in Chinatown hotels. They provide towels, soap, shampoo, coffee, water, and a kettle, so you can pack light. Great for anyone looking for comfort and practical amenities in a busy part of Bangkok. Highly recommended.

I chose this budget hotel for a few nights because of its good location, but you do get what you pay for. The alley is narrow and hard for Grab or Bolt cars to get into. I was on the first floor, and the room smelled like sewage. Housekeeping gave me a fragrance spray bottle, but it was empty by the time I left. The hot water took forever, and the water pressure was extremely low. WiFi was spotty, especially at night when most guests came back from their outings, and using it was a real struggle. There were bugs all over the room, it was very humid, and the A/C didn't seem to work properly. There's a washer and dryer, but they're outside in the alley, so doing laundry late at night would be difficult. The front desk was rude when I raised my complaints. They offered me a different room, but I still had all the problems I mentioned. I wouldn't stay again and would recommend finding another hotel in the area.

The hotel's location wasn't great either. The alley was often blocked by parked vehicles, which made it hard for cars to get in. The whole atmosphere felt very different, and much worse, than the other places I stayed in Bangkok. I strongly advise against booking here. There are better options at a similar or lower price. I left after just 24 hours and lost the whole amount I'd paid. Honestly, it was far too expensive for what they offer. I had paid extra for a window, but it looked onto a cramped space filled with electric cables and walls from nearby buildings, so I wouldn't pay more for that. The room had a strong unpleasant smell from what seemed like old furniture. A loud fan ran constantly, so bring good earplugs if you plan to sleep here. The linens were worn and stained, and it was obvious they hadn't been changed or properly cleaned. The soap and shower gel dispensers were empty when I arrived and never refilled. If you're considering it for the kitchen, the stove and pans were in awful, unusable condition. The staff were mediocre at best. They ignored us and didn't try to help, even when the booking platform contacted them about the problems we'd had.

Everything feels old at this hotel. I stayed at Arawana Pattaya and expected a similarly great experience, but this place is very vintage. I'd only recommend it if you're looking for a very budget-friendly hotel.