ibis Styles Bangkok KhaoSan Viengtai Bangkok

Style and Character

Despite the fact that the building has been around for half a century, the ibis Style exudes young, contemporary flair – a successful cross between a smart mid-range hotel and a well-run hostel. The funky colours extend from the large and busy lobby to the stripey pool and the rooms which feature pop art tapestries and carpets.

Service and Facilities

Service is switched-on, youthful and friendly and staff are happy to help with onward travel arrangements. The rather narrow 15-metre, ground-floor pool is adjoined by a smaller kids' pool and a bar. A couple of computer terminals in the lobby are free to use for guests.

Rooms

The attractive and compact air-conditioned rooms are either kept in predominantly blue or orange tones. All rooms are partly carpeted and well laid-out and come with a safe, fridge, television and tea and coffee-making facilities. Some rooms feature single beds and two bunk beds. A few family rooms feature a double bed and bunk beds, and are popular with groups of friends travelling together. The windows are a little small.

Food and Drink

The bright and air-conditioned Streats Restaurant offers themed Thai buffet lunches from Mondays to Fridays, but also serves à la carte innovative Thai cuisine, both for lunch and dinner based on the menu of the original Viengtai Hotel whose chefs continue to work in the kitchen.

There's also a good selection of comfort food including tasty salads and excellent cheesecake and it's possible to sit outside and marvel at the busy street life. At the Streats Bar, seven types of burgers, all based on Thai dishes are served, including a satay burger, a lab burger and even a tom yam burger. The Streats Bakery sells fresh pastry, cakes and bread from early morning into late evening.

Breakfast is served buffet-style until 10.30am, with fresh bread, cereals, omelettes, English breakfast and a few Asian options. Long sleepers can avail themselves to à la carte options the rest of the day.

For those who'd rather eat in their rooms, breakfast, lunch and dinner boxes can be delivered to one's door.

Value for Money

Double rooms from 2,040 Thai Baht (£46) in low season; and from 2,900 Thai Baht (£66) in high. Breakfast included. Free Wi-Fi.

Family-Friendly?

The large family rooms contain a double bed and two bunk beds, perfect for families with younger children. Some rooms connect. Extra beds and babysitters can be arranged. The Kids' Club has games and beanbags.

Location

The ibis Styles was once the Viengtai Hotel, which opened its doors to tourists in the 1953 as the first hotel in the area catering to foreigners. Since then, nearby Khao San Road and surrounding blocks have turned into the Thai capital's infamous budget area. The nearest pier, Phra Athit is five minutes's walk away and connects visitors by ferry to the historic river sights and to the BTS skytrain at Saphan Taksin, a 30-minute journey down the river.