Park 19 Hotel

This is my favourite place to stay in the Thonglor/Ekkamai area. The rooms are modern, clean and nice, and the staff are really friendly. Facilities are spot on, with a nice pool and gym. There’s a 7/11 just a short three-minute walk across the road. I’d recommend it.

The rooms are impressively spacious and have a decent balcony, and the price is great for this area. Getting around for sightseeing is the tricky part. Transport to the city center is poor, and every Grab ride took me nearly an hour in traffic. BTS stations are a half-hour walk away. It’s a good fit if you care more about room size and price than being central, and if you like upscale Ekkamai.

It was quiet at night, and the place felt clean and well managed. There’s a swimming pool and gym for residents. The location is easy to reach, with plenty of shopping malls nearby that you can get to easily. They also offer free tuk tuk rides up to 3 km.

The staff were fantastic, from the concierge and security to the shuttle driver. They were always helpful and smiling, and that Thai warmth made us feel welcome every day. Getting there takes a bit of figuring out. We found it easiest to get off the Airport Rail Link at Ramkhamhaeng and take a Grab from there. The closest 7-Eleven is about a five-minute walk along the main street, so you’ll need to leave the lobby slippers behind for snacks. The apartment-style setup worked well, but our so-called balcony had a huge air-con vent. It looked ugly at first, then came in handy on a rainy night as a shoe and sock dryer. By morning, our footwear was crispy dry. Not the balcony we pictured, but functional. We booked a two-bedroom place expecting both rooms to be equally comfortable. One was a lovely master suite with a queen bed, ensuite bathroom, big window and full sun. The other was tiny by comparison, with no windows or ventilation, and an air-con that stopped every 15 minutes. With the door shut and lights off, it was silent and pitch black, like outer space, and a little scary. It’d be great if you’re not claustrophobic. The pool and outdoor gym looked pretty and a bit luxurious, though we never used them. The Wi-Fi seemed nonexistent. Bring your own hotspot if you need reliable internet. Park 19 has its charm and quirks. The location works once you know the trick, the facilities look good from a distance, and the staff are great. Just know the two-bedroom rooms are a lottery: you might get the sunny suite or end up in the ogre’s den. At least the balcony vent can dry your shoes for free.