Baan Vajra

The homemade breakfast is a must. We were nearly late for our flight because we wanted to enjoy it by the koi pond and fountain. There’s a 711, food, and plenty of coffee shops just outside the gate, which always has a guard. The owner was so friendly and accommodating, greeted us by name each time, though I unfortunately can’t remember his name. The property and rooms are beautiful, right in the middle of the big city, but once you’re inside it feels peaceful and tranquil. I can’t say enough good things about the place.

A little oasis right in the heart of Bangkok. The rooms are really nice and always clean, and the outdoor patio feels magical.

The location worked really well for me, which is why I chose this hotel. But once I arrived, things fell short. After an 18 hour flight, the manager’s questions about where I’d come from and where I was going next, plus the push to use their taxi services, made me feel like I was being questioned by a police officer. I just wanted to get to my room and shower. The rooms are incredibly tiny, with no space to open a suitcase. Mine smelled bad and had mold, which the manager blamed on rainy season. That didn’t seem right to me, and it would mean hotels everywhere should stink too. The grey towels were disappointing as well. It didn’t meet my expectations at all.

The shower was the best part of the bathroom, with lots of room. But after two nights, I wouldn’t recommend the hotel. My room felt cramped, with barely enough floor space to open my suitcase, and there was nowhere to hang towels after a shower. The lift was noisy and woke me in the morning. I also felt really sad seeing the pond out front. There were far too many goldfish in such a small space, and some sat at the bottom barely moving. It felt cruel.