I booked BuddyLodge for my very first visit to Thailand having had it recommended by a couple of people. I was travelling from the UK alone and was being collected at the airport, but wanted to stay for a few days in Bangkok before moving down to my new home in Hua Hin.
Location
The hotel is located on the very busy Koh San Road in Bangkok, which is a haven for travellers from all over the world and aptly nicknamed "the centre of the backpacking universe". The street is actually heaving all day and well into the night with stalls, tuk tuks and bars. It’s towards the top of the street and you are likely to get dropped on in your taxi at this end if you’re travelling from the airport.
The road is approximately 1km long which only spans a couple of blocks but is home to countless budget guesthouses and hotels, internet cafes, restaurants, massage parlours, travel agents, clubs, bars, bookshops, tailors, chemists, market stalls, tattoo shops and various random street sellers selling fake designer clothes.
The hotel is located to the very slight left of MacDonald’s and the large ‘M’ sign is perfect to use as your guide when you forget where you’re
staying. There are stalls in the entrance area and although there is a visible name sign above the hotel it is a little difficult to see if you’re in the right place. The entrance foyer is home to various shops including a tattoo shop and clothes stalls, making the area very busy, especially when you’re trying to push your way through it millions of bags after a 14 hour flight.
The hotel
You will have to walk well into the foyer of the hotel, passing the various shops before finding the reception desk which is located to the right. It was manned all of the time by at least one member of staff who all wear uniforms and have the obligatory smiles and instantly say ‘Sawadee ka’ as you walk towards them. Some of the staff have very limited English but if your Thai isn’t amazing you well get by, by using gestures and pointing at things. The staff were all very friendly and keen to help where they could.
On check in they will have your name if you have booked online on a print out. You have to fill in your details and they will take a photocopy of your passport, don’t worry about this, the majority of hotels in Thailand do this. After filling in the relevant papers and collecting the key we were escorted to our room.
There are porters in the hotel that will bring your bags up to your room quite happily. As we were on the third floor and only shown the stairs I jumped at the chance of this little luxury. I left my huge bags down stairs and they were brought to the room about 10 minutes later by a very smiley man in a hat.
‘Buddy Bar’ is also in the hotel and it offers drinks as well as various different meals, including Western choices. I’d personally recommend exploring the city and finding cheaper places to eat.
The hotel has a spa on the third floor. Kinnaree Spa has a treatment list available at reception and you can also book there. I didn’t actually use the spa so can’t given an in depth review of what it’s like, but I was aware it was there. The spa is open 10.00 A.M. - 10.00 P.M and offers treatments such as:
Thai Traditional Massage Body Scrub and Wrap Facial Treatments Waxing Manicure Pedicure
The hotel is classed as a ‘boutique’ style hotel and has 76 rooms decorated with oriental wooden furnishings.62 of the rooms are standard class and 49 of those have twin beds and the rest contain doubles. There are also a further 14 deluxe rooms which contain double beds.
There is also a swimming pool on the roof of the hotel. It’s really quite fabulous, with panoramic views of the city of Bangkok and a member of hotel staff on scene to bring you cocktails if required, but there’s also a small bar at the side where you can order food and drinks. There are sun loungers around the edge of the pool which is all decked in wood. The pool is free to use if you’re a guest at the hotel. The hotel is also home to a fitness suite / gym. You can use this if you’re staying at the hotel but people outside can also buy monthly or yearly passes which allows them use.
You gain entry to the room by key card, which is easy to store on your person that a key.
The room
Each of the standard rooms has: -
-Electricity 220V - Refrigerator & Mini Bar - Complimentary 2 bottles of waters - Colour Television with in-house Satellite TV - In-room safe deposit box - Key card access - Working table - Toilet amenities - Shower room with hot and cold water - Hair Dryer - IDD telephone call - Private Balcony - Air-Condition - Wi Fi Internet (Pay to use)
I think the deluxe rooms only had an additional large balcony, whereas the standard have quite a small one, but still enough for one room and enough standing space for two people. I stayed in a standard room and only used the balcony to go out to smoke on. It’s best to avoid balconies at night anyway, due to the large amounts of mosquitoes.
The room was very basic but also very clean. There was wood panelling all round the room and the twin beds were a good size, being much larger than a single. The room also had a dressing table with mirror, two bedside units with lamps, and a decent sized cupboard which also contained the safety deposit box. The bathroom was very clean with white tiles throughout. There was a large mirror opposite the toilet and the shower in the corner, there’s no separate trays for the majority of the showers in Thailand. They usually just run away into a hole in the corner of the bathroom. You’ll also get used to seeing the sprays next to the toilet which in the long run will probably discourage you from using toilet paper.
The room was quite impressive with easy to use air conditioning and although basis fulfilled my needs. There was plenty of bed linen and towels which all appeared clean and in good condition.
The cost
Don’t be shocked by the prices, the hotel isn’t cheap by Thailand standards. It’s not really one for backpackers unless it’s your first night off the plane and you’re looking for a little luxury to recover from your jet lag. It is quite luxurious in comparison to a lot of hotels in Bangkok. It’s a hotel I’d recommend to pretty much anyone, as it’s great for people travelling alone but also for families, whereas some hotels are aimed more at certain groups.
Standard Room costs - Single/Double/Twin 2,000THB. per room per night
Deluxe Room costs Single/Double/Twin 2,400THB. per room per night
Rooms at Buddy Lodge can booked online, over the telephone or through your travel agent. The times I have stayed I have booked online as you are usually able to get it slightly cheaper.
The hotel and rooms are very clean with plenty of facilities Staff are keen to help and are friendly Inclusion of pool and breakfast in price Location is fantastic Close to many attractions and amenities It’s a great base for exploring
The bad
It can be quite noisy in the rooms due to the noise on the street outside, so if you’re room is towards the front of the hotel and lower down, don’t expect a quiet night It’s not cheap in comparison to other Bangkok hotels
Anything else
Check out time is 12:00, you are able to check out time and an extended of 19:00 which costs you half the rate of the room again.
Buddy Lodge is close to many amenities. It is only the very busy Koh San Road which has numerous stalls and shops selling more or less everything. There is a Boots pretty much adjacent to the hotel on the opposite side of the road; there are various places to eat close by including a Macdonald’s underneath the hotel. Bars and restaurants are located all over. Taxis and tuk tuks can be flagged down at the end of the road, which is about a 3 minute walk from the hotel. Taxi’s coming from the airport all seem to know where Buddy Lodge is. Buddy Lodge is a very short distance from attractions such as: -
Temple of the Emerald Buddha And The River of the Kings (Chao Phraya) The Grand Palace You can easily walk to these attractions or get a taxi for a few Baht.
The hotel is about 45 minutes away from Bangkok airport in a taxi, is quite a good spot to stay when you’re either leaving or entering Thailand. The nearest bus stop is only 2 minutes away.
Overall I would suggest this hotel to pretty much anyone. It’s clean, located in a great spot and everyone has heard of it.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
I'd willingly go back to this review should me and my partner decide to take a trip to Bangkok ( after any political maelstrom, of course). It's anyway close to my country. Very helpful review.
Advantages: Great for recovering after jetlag, nice rooms, air con, good location Disadvantages: Can be a little noisy, a little more expensive than the real 'budget' packpacking haunts
Lou_london 08.04.2008 (08.04.2008)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Buddy Lodge, Bangkok
Advantages: Excellent location, Wide range of Facilities, Friendly atmoshere, Good value for money. Disadvantages: The outside noise until the early hours, Very few sunbeds on the rooftop pool.
ambr123 22.03.2009 (22.03.2009)
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Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Buddy Lodge, Bangkok
Advantages: Great for recovering after jetlag, nice rooms, air con, good location Disadvantages: Can be a little noisy, a little more expensive than the real 'budget' packpacking haunts
Lou_london 08.04.2008 (08.04.2008)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Buddy Lodge, Bangkok
Advantages: Excellent location, Wide range of Facilities, Friendly atmoshere, Good value for money. Disadvantages: The outside noise until the early hours, Very few sunbeds on the rooftop pool.
ambr123 22.03.2009 (22.03.2009)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Buddy Lodge, Bangkok
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exceptional by (21%):
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