Patumwan House

I’ve been returning to Patumwan house for more than ten years, and it’s still my favourite place for a first stay when I arrive in Bangkok. This was written before the planned 2023 renovations. The design is older, but I like it, and the rooms are very spacious for either a short or long visit. Patumwan is handy for Siam, and the Skytrain, Canal ferries, and other transport are about five minutes away. The staff are always friendly and ready to answer questions. With good prices and bag storage too, it’s my base whenever I’m in the City.

The reception staff were nice, and the hotel is near shopping centres, though a bit far from attractions. The rooms are large, with a small kitchen and a big fridge, but the bathrooms are small. It’s an old hotel in Patumwan, and much of the room feels old, even if it’s maintained well. The mattress wasn’t up to standard, and the pillows were really bad. They don’t provide water bottles, so you have to buy a whole crate from them.

The rooms were in poor condition. Our AC leaked down the walls and onto the floor, so we had to find a box and plastic bag to catch the water. We reported it, but nothing was done. The shower temperature kept swinging between freezing and scalding, and it burned my children. When I asked for repairs, they said no one was available and there were no other rooms. At the front desk, two young women gave terrible service. They didn’t know I speak Thai and bad-mouthed my family in front of us. They sat on their phones instead of helping me check in or answer questions, and seemed annoyed when I asked about laundry and getting taxis.

The location is really close to Siam, and they let us check in a little early, which are the reasons I’m giving two stars. The facilities are old, and the room uses a bulky key instead of a key card, so you have to carry it around. Service was okay, but could have been friendlier. The bed was the worst part for me: the mattress was quite uncomfortable, though I know that can come down to personal preference.