BAAN PAKNAM HOTEL (SHA Certified)

I signed a six-month contract and lived here for the full six months. It’s a good hotel in a new building, and the owners are extremely kind. There’s also a security guard. The building has an elevator and washing machines that cost just 30 or 40 baht to use. It’s right by the roadside, which makes it accessible, though you’ll need to walk 5-15 minutes to catch a bus. For the nearest train station, you can take a bike for 15-20 baht, a taxi for 35 baht, or a bus for 8 baht, or walk about 18 minutes.

I was in the area for a day at Samut Prakan Zoo and Ancient City, and picked this as the cleanest, best-rated affordable hotel nearby. I took the BTS to its final station, KHEHA, then a taxi for about five minutes. There didn’t seem to be many other hotel options around, and there’s a 7-11 right next door. Check-in is available 24 hours. I booked through Agoda and paid 750 baht, about $22. There were more food delivery choices on the GRAB app than I expected, though most menus here are in Thai and it can be hard to tell what you’re ordering. The room was fine and everything worked: aircon, warm shower water, toilet and TV. The TV had no English channels or subtitles. There’s no pool or gym, but there is a self-service washing machine outside the office. Bring 100 baht for the keycard deposit at check-in.

It was quiet, which I liked, and the hotel has nice rooms with good service. Restaurants, coffee shops and malls are close by. Transport would be ideal, though.

Good communication, cheap food nearby, and the place was very clean. It’s close to 7/11. There’s a 100 baht deposit.