Durian Inn

For $36 USD a night we had a very clean private room with its own shower. It felt more like a simple hotel than a hostel. Breakfast was basic, and there was laundry on the roof plus a patio. We could walk to trains and buses, and the large market was about a mile away. From here, it was easy to get around Bangkok or travel elsewhere in the country by bus. I stayed in Fall of 12', and thought the place was pretty amazing.

I stayed here twice, first in a double room and later in a dorm. The double was nice with a big bathroom; the dorm bed had its own outlet and light, and the room had both air conditioning and a fan. The Wi-Fi was exceptional, and the price was about US $11. Staff spoke excellent English and were helpful with sightseeing and getting around, including advice about visiting Myanmar. It's well placed for the weekend and night markets, though far from khao san Rd and grand palace. Cheap beer and good food stalls are nearby.

Need a cab to the airport in the middle of the night? They can arrange one. They prefer two hours' notice, though a cab may show up about 30 minutes after you ask.

I got a great feel for the local, real Thai side of the area. It's also a transport hub, so getting around Bangkok and the surrounding area is easy.