Wild Orchid Villa Bangkok

The location was phenomenal. We could walk to Khao San Road in about five minutes, but being far enough away meant we didn’t have to worry about the noise. The air conditioning was perfect, and there was no smell from the bathroom, a huge plus in Bangkok. We loved the people at Wild Orchid Villa. Cham, the humorous night attendant, Opor, the lovely day concierge, and Ju, the tour coordinator, were especially great. Ju protected us first-timers from a tuk tuk scammer and suggested well-priced alternatives that were good quality and reliable. Opor was so polite and helped us with beginner Thai phrases, which we really appreciated. The building is a little old, which makes sense in Old Town. The paint was chipping a bit on the mirror and the laminate was coming off one desk, but for the value, it’s an absolute score if those things don’t bother you. If you don’t need all the bells and whistles of a fancy room, this is the spot: great value, wonderful people, and an unbeatable location.

There are several restaurants and bars nearby, and Khao San Rd is a 5-10 minute walk away. A massage studio and laundry service are less than a minute on foot. The staff were generally very friendly and supportive, and they can store your luggage if you arrive well before check-in or need to leave it after check-out. The bed was amazingly comfortable, and the rooms were okay, though the rest of the interior and the bathroom could use an upgrade. A small table and chairs on the balcony would be nice. The restaurant downstairs was okay, and so was the food, though service could sometimes feel bored and slow. The pool area is fine and enclosed, but the route to it through the basement is a bit strange.

There are 5 floors and no elevator, and I found a 2 inch cockroach running up my side while I was sitting on the bed. I got rid of it and tried to ignore it. The beds are hard as a rock, though if you like that, you’ll be fine. Bangkok mattresses are generally firm, but these were by far the worst. I booked 2 nights through Agoda as a non-refundable deal and mentioned in my reservation that I needed a soft bed because of back issues. After the first night, my back was so bad I was barely able to move. To their credit, they were happy to change my room and try extra blankets, but it didn’t make the bed softer and all the mattresses were the same. I had to change hotels. They refused to refund the unused night, saying Agoda had the money. Agoda contacted them to agree to a refund, but they still refused. Within their rights, sure, but pretty shitty in the circumstances. The rest of my holiday was ruined because my mobility was extremely limited and I could barely do anything.

I always stay here when I come to the area. It’s close enough to koh San road, but far enough away that I don’t hear it at night. Trains and buses are easy to get to, and there are restaurants and street food all around, just what I want. It’s basic, but it has everything I need when traveling and makes a perfect base for going onwards, with options for getting around.