Shinnabhura Historic Boutique hotel

The bed was the softest, most cloud-like one ever, so this could be the place if you want a soft bed after weeks in Thailand. The staff were absolutely delightful and made us feel very welcome. We booked because of the high rating and excellent reviews on booking.com. Parts of the hotel are charming, with historical artefacts and original materials. We were given a very dark, dingy grand deluxe room at first, but asked to move and were happily transferred to a much lighter, nicer room, 432. The hotel badly needs refurbishment. Water damage has affected all the paintwork, though with repairs and a coat of paint it could be lovely. Breakfast was a good attempt, but probably would have been better with fewer, higher quality choices. The restaurant was okay, though a bit pricey for what it was, and drinks were expensive. The massage was good and reasonably priced. The fitness room was hilarious, a glass box over a marsh with three pieces of cardio equipment and some weights. Not sure why they bothered!

Breakfast had plenty to choose from, with Thai and international dishes, and there’s a little museum on site with Ayutthaya-era clothes and weapons. The hotel itself has a lovely vintage feel and good facilities. It’s just beyond the city, which makes it quiet and peaceful.

We barely slept during our three nights here. Bar music went on until midnight, the rooms let in sound from next door, and the central air conditioning was loud. The bed was comfortable, but the bathroom curtain was black with mold and kept sticking to us in the shower. We eventually moved to a clean hotel by the river for a quarter of the price, with much better service. The architecture and decor look great in photos and have a historical style, but the hotel doesn’t feel historic or high-class. Service and cleanliness were poor for such an expensive stay. Very disappointing, and I’d be wary of the positive Google reviews.

The staff were welcoming, and breakfast was good. We also ate at the hotel’s only restaurant. The food was tasty, though a bit pricey, and I thought the pool could be cleaner. It’s a few minutes from downtown, with a large gas station and 7-Eleven nearby. I’d recommend the place and would gladly come back.