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Sawasdee Inn

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  • 147 Soi Rambutri
     Bangkok, Thailand
    281 8138
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Scott
First Reviewer
3 out of 5
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4
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6
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Editor Pick

Sawasdee Inn

  • December 13, 2008
  • Rated 4 of 5 by SeenThat from Tel Aviv, Israel
Sawasdee Inn

Sawasdee Smile Inn seemed the correct place for searching the famous Thai smile; eager to meet it, I entered.

On Thai Hotels

A substantial part of the tourism industry in Thailand comes in the form of boutique hotels, small, independent establishments based on local workforce and resources. Often, they combine a travel agency, restaurant and an internet kiosk. On the other side of the spectrum are international chains specializing in large hotels and resorts. Somewhere in between there is room for other approaches; one of them was adopted by Sawasdee Hotels.

In essence, the Sawasdee hotels and guesthouses are very Thai. The ground floor is open to the street and features – beyond the reception desk – a well-aired restaurant and a few computers. The rooms are in the upper floors and are not different of those found in other Thai establishments. However, Sawasdee is a chain.

They operate mainly in Bangkok (several areas) and Pattaya, offering always a professional and friendly service. If joining their members club there is a ten percent discount on addition to any other seasonal one.

Finding the Smile

At first, finding Sawasdee Smile Inn may seem a difficult task. Its address refers to a soi attached to a secondary street in the Khaosan Road area. Who knows where is Trok Rong Mai?

In practice, the task is easy. At the western end of Khaosan Road, is Thanon Chakkrapong and the Wat Chanasongkhram Ratchaworamahawiharn, a remarkable Mon Temple. Soi Rambuttri begins at the northern corner of the temple and surrounds it. Almost at its end – on the third side of the temple if entering the street from the corner with Thanon Chakkrapong - is a narrow alley connecting Soi Rambuttri with Thanon Chao Fa. At the very corner of this junction is Sawasdee Smile Inn.

The convoluted path of Soi Rambuttri means that Smile Inn is very close to Khaosan Road. There is no need to walk all the way around the temple. The soi seems to have a dead end in clear sight from the guesthouse. But it isn’t so. Reach the dead end and take a look at your right: there is a Muay Thai kickboxing school. Enter it carefully; don’t bother the people training there because they know how to kick back. On the other side there is a tiny door leading to an even smaller alley; the alley ends next to the western end of Khaosan Road.

On the Completeness of Minimalism

Sawasdee hotels provide the guest almost with everything at prices that similar hotels can’t match. The rooms have air conditioners, a shower with hot water, television and a queen-size bed; some branches include refrigerators in the room. What’s the trick? First, they are a chain, thus their relative administrative costs are lower. Second, my initial statement was somewhat misleading. They provide everything, but they also crowd it in incredibly small rooms. Sometimes the only window in the room faces a narrow corridor. The space between the bed and the wall across the room is barely enough for a person to stand there; in fact, it is the width of a backpack. The television is just 14" and often offers only aerial channels.

The rooms below 400 baht per night are too small for being considered as a real option. However, those above that sum are ideal for short stays – for example while passing through Bangkok in the way from Northern to Southern Thailand. The rule while deciding to stay here is to check out the room before checking in. As always in Thailand, that means making sure the water heater in the bathroom works and that the air conditioner provides cool air. Checking out if the television provides anything beyond Thai programs isn’t a bad idea.

Another point to consider is their locations. The vast majority of the hotels in the chain offer irresistible locations next to Bangkok’s main attractions.

The final point is the first one to be spotted while entering the place. On the ground floor and next to the reception desk is a large restaurant offering basic Thai-Western hybrid dishes. Being open to the street and on a corner, the place is very enjoyable during Bangkok’s evenings. Other services offered include laundry, a few computers offering internet access and luggage storage.

From journal Bypassing Khaosan Road

Editor Pick

Sawasdee Inn

  • May 25, 2002
  • Rated 3 of 5 by uncoding from San Francisco, California
There is one place to go for mango smoothies and people-watching near Khao San Road: The Sawasdee Inn. This meeting place in this popular alley is just 50 yards from the main drag. When that's packed with people this alley will be buzzing and weary travelers will fill the open-air restaurants for a break. Many backpackers make reservations to local sights, the islands, and elsewhere, at the travel agent inside. Backpacks serve as seats for those who missed out on the big teak chairs around the coffee tables where Westerners read paperbacks or travel books to sharpen their itineraries. Hotmail computers are always on in this lobby that's open 24 hours a day.

If you've spent enough time at the khlongs and temples of this crazy city and just can't take any more, come to the Sawasdee Inn where you can stare at a slate that lists cheap ticket prices to everywhere. One-way to Los Angeles: $250.00 Kathmandu: $210.00. Bhutan: sorry, no quote for that isolated Himalayan Kingdom with the tariff for tourists. But there are quotes for Phnom Pen, Vientiane, Hanoi, Sydney, and Bali, as well as Amsterdam in case the Thai weed just doesn't so it for you. Staring at that slate will take you away!

Tuk-Tuk rides are even cheaper. I recommend at least one before insulting them for the exhaust and the driver's tricks to get you to buy jade gems or silk sarongs 'on your way' to the Grand Temple..

While the lobby of the Sawasdee Inn is awesome- the stream of travelers is a dream for those wanting to get the real story on things like the Full Moon Party at Goh Samui- the rooms are another story. During my stay the tiny room with a balcony did not bust my budget$5 -6, nor did I feel much ambiance- it was just like a bad dorm room with an outside restroom and bath. Maybe that's why the lobby is so popular- because the rooms are not great. At one of the high-rise hotels I later paid twice as much $13/night, but enjoyed being in the room and showering there, too. That was a hotel- not a hot, cramped place to pass out after a long flight. As a result I recommend the Sawasdee Inn as a gathering place and for Thai or Western breakfast- and for booking flights and tours. The staff is nice and numerous and it beats the crowds just a block away on Khao San Road.

An ATM is located on the corner and a 7-Eleven around the block where you can buy sunscreen, cold drinks and Pringles. The rest of the alley includes many guesthouses and hotels, a nightclub, vendors of grilled foods and fruit. Don't pet the little dogs that wander about in the early cycles of their reincarnation. They don't look well and offer an ugly contrast to the clean lobby of the Sawasdee Inn.

For a map of Khao San Road: www.guesthousethai.com, (www.guesthousethai.com/area_khaosan_mmap.asp)

From journal Bangkok And Beyond

Editor Pick

Sawasdee House

  • May 22, 2001
  • Rated 3 of 5 by Nik Browne from London, United Kingdom
Sawasdee Guest House just off Ko Shan road is an ideal location for the busy nightlife, just a two minute walk but far enough away to be quiet. The Lounge has a very chilled out atmosphere with long chairs you can lie back in and either read, sip a beer or cocktail or just recover from a night out. The staff are really friendly if you treat them with respect. Considering the ludicrous hours they work, it is amazing they are still willing to smile. Although rooms are basic you can''t do too much wrong for 200bt for a shared bathroom but up to 500bt with air conditioning and ensuite. You really pay for the atmosphere and lounge, 24hr bar as well - bonus!!

From journal bangkok rediscovered

Editor Pick

Sawasdee House

  • July 23, 2000
  • Rated 2 of 5 by Scott from Holland, Michigan
Khao San road is fun to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there. Sawasdee House is just around the corner from the main drag behind Wat Chana Songkhram. There veranda restaurant and the Bangkok Bar next door makes this a popular place and a good place to meet people and hear about their adventures. This is one of the more expensive guesthouses in the area (which is not saying much!). The rooms range in price from 250 baht single with a fan and shared bath but no outside window to 750 baht for a double with air-con, private bath and a small balcony. They don't have hot water and I've never needed it in Bangkok.

The down side of this place is that it can get quite noisey especially at night when the restaurant sound system starts competing with the booming bass from the disco next door. If your not a night owl it will be frustrating at times. They have a travel agent, laundry and bag storage all available at the front desk.

From journal Khao San Road

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