Phranakorn Nornlen Hotel

The restaurant downstairs served my favorite Tom Yum in Bangkok. I tried it at four different places, and liked the hotel’s version best. Main dishes are reasonably priced, though drinks are a bit expensive. The staff are always eager and happy to help, with service that feels like a five-star resort. I loved the retro-industrial look, the bright colors, and the murals in what I believe is every room. The huge windows let sunshine into my room, and I spent hours enjoying it every day. The place feels welcoming and homey, and it’s so peaceful inside that sleeping in was easy. I’d especially recommend it for couples. I can imagine waking up in one of these beautiful rooms and having breakfast downstairs would feel romantic. The serene downstairs area is so pretty that many women pose there for photos. If you like the retro-industrial style and lots of color, you’ll probably love it. They also have a seriously big, locked luggage room. They let me leave some of my bags there for free while I traveled around Thailand. I’d never had a hotel store my luggage without charging a fee beforehand, and that felt like another example of how helpful they are.

After ten years, I came back and was glad I did. The neighborhood is quiet, a good fit if you want to enjoy Bangkok without feeling overwhelmed. Staff are very friendly and helpful. The rooms are simple but carefully thought out, with the things you need and attention to detail.

There’s a lot of retro decor and kitschy detail throughout this unusual hotel. If you like that style, the artwork is wonderful. It’s quiet, away from the nearby main street, and the staff are attentive and very helpful. The AC and Wi-Fi worked well. Still, I wouldn’t call it a three-star hotel, though some of the issues may be typical at that level. The rapid transit is quite far away. There were no hand towels or face cloths, no in-room tea or coffee setup, and the water and sink arrangement was odd. Maybe the lack of coffee supplies is meant to encourage people to pay for the in-house café. The beds were hard, maid service came mid-afternoon, and our toilet leaked. The room door locks didn’t feel very secure, and the throw pillows were quite dirty.

A lovely little garden hideaway in busy Bangkok. The boutique hotel is full of greenery and art, and the staff are some of the kindest and most helpful I’ve met. The rooms are quirky, pretty, and tidy. My favorite detail was the hand-drawn frescos on the walls.