Lub d Bangkok Silom Bangkok

Style and Character

Plywood doors, smooth concrete walls – covered in street art-style wall paintings – broad metal staircases and bright red furnishings in the dorms and rooms make for a youthful ambience. While the ground-floor common area feels like a hostel lounge in the daytime, it transforms into a party pub as soon as the sun goes down. Perfect for young travellers looking to make new friends on the road.

Service and Facilities

The staff are switched on and speak good English. They can organise free trips to Chatuchak Weekend Market, Khao San Road and to a rooftop bar in the Silom area. The ground-floor lounge, bar and reception area is the living heart of the hotel. The large table in the room’s centre is forever occupied by a changing flux of guests. Several computer terminals are free to use. Activities designed to connect guests are organised on most nights. The theatre room, complete with a huge screen and bean bags for seating, shows movies. The Thai whiskey night is also hugely popular, though potentially headache-inducing.

Key cards are used for access to the building, stairways, rooms or dorms. For a 150 Thai Baht (£3.40), guests may use the gym and the attractive swimming pool at the Narai Hotel on Silom, a five-minute walk away. There's also a laundry service and an in-house travel desk.

Rooms

Small railway twin rooms feature bunk beds and share bathrooms, while the small but smart double rooms come with towels, a TV, toilet, shower and safe.

The 10 dorms all feature comfortable beds with private plug points and reading lights and a large personal locker. Four dedicated female dorms are in a secluded area accessible only with a special key card. The separated bathrooms are spacious and spotless.

Food and Drink

The Lub D Bangkok Silom has no restaurant but serves a small selection of microwaved meals for all those too lazy to seek out one of the many Thai eateries nearby. The bar is open around the clock though it stops serving alcohol after midnight. The best place for an early evening drink is on the patio outside the hostel where guests may drink, smoke, make merry and watch the street life. Guests can use the fridge and microwave for their own food and there is free hot and cold water.

Breakfast consists of a croissant and toast, orange juice, and a little fruit, with tea or coffee.

Value for Money

Double rooms from 1200 Baht (£28) in low season; and from 2000 Baht (£46) in high. Dorm beds from 300 Baht (£6.70) in low season, 600 Baht (£13.40) in high. Breakfast excluded and costs 90 Baht (£2) for dorm guests and 130 Baht (£3) for guests staying in a private room. Free Wi-Fi.

Family-Friendly?

Kids stay free in the private rooms with their parents and board games await in the communal lounge area.

Location

The hostel is located between Surawong and Silom business districts. The nearest skytrain station is seven minutes’ walk away at Chong Nonsi. There are a few interesting sites in the vicinity including the spectacular Mariamman Hindu temple, the historic Neilson Hays Library and the infamous Patpong night market with its go-go bars and market goods.