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If anyone is currently visiting Bangkok and would like to take advantage of the refreshingly cooler weather to go exploring BKK in the daytime this might be a good option. The Song Wat festival is running over the next 3 days from 11.00-21.00 but the bars will be busy after that of course. This is a perfect opportunity to explore what has to be the coolest part of Bangkok right now. To get to Song Wat you just need to either catch the MRT to Wat Mangkon and walk 5 mins through Yaowarat or get off a boat at Ratchawong pier and that drops you just a few steps from Song Wat Road. Here's the location of one of the good bars in the middle of this neighborhood just in case you want to find your way there. https://maps.app.goo.gl/9nPenexAGgyBQHx47 The Song Wat neighbourhood is a small area between Chinatown/Yaowarat and the river. It has an interesting blend of attractive buildings mixed with street art and funky galleries spilling out onto the streets. Exploring this neighborhood on foot can be very rewarding and there's lots of hidden surprises down the back alleys so it can easily take an afternoon. It's one of the most beautiful and interesting parts of the city, definitely somewhere that would appeal to any photographers out there too as there's a lot to see. There are lots of excellent food options and very funky bars in Song Wat but rather than give an extensive list right now I'd just suggest going to the festival and eating or drinking wherever appeals as it's all going to be good and you might just prefer to enjoy what's happening on the streets for the festival. However I would recommend sitting at one of the riverside bars such as Barbon at sunset to enjoy the beautiful views if you're visiting for just one day. If any of you do decide to pay a visit to Song Wat over the next few days for the festival please feel free to message me for any specific recommendations as I know the area very well, it's probably my favourite part of Bangkok. Edit: One more thing, this would make an excellent place to go with a LB date and make her happy, even if she doesn't know the place herself she'll recognise bits from her social media. Unfortunately that means she'll also inevitably want a lot of pictures taken in the same places but that would keep any LB happy and it's an easy way to have a day out together. It's not an expensive option either.

That's good to see, last time I stayed there it was like an Airport lounge. Thanks for the review.

Great review there @tinpanali  My last stay at HopeLand was in January 2024, and it seems nothing has changed. Your description is still spot on with my experience. Only instead of the a construction area, it was a peaceful garden with palm trees or something on that side of the hotel 

So…I just checked out of Hope Land Soi 8 having stayed there 5 nights and am on my way down to Pattaya in one of Nam’s Taxis. My hot take on the Hope Land: * I really liked it. Location for me was perfect - just a short stroll down the Soi on to the Sukhumvit Rd. From there you are only a few mins walk from any of the Bars we often visit  (there is also that useful cut through to Soi 4). * Soi 8 is a really pleasant, friendly street. Fairly busy at the Suk Rd end it gets progressively quieter and greener as you make your way along. Nice mix of commercial, hotels and private residences. It’s a dead end so no through traffic and it’s easy and comfortable to walk along day and night. Hope Land located approx half way along. * Decent sprinkling of bars and restaurants along the Soi from cheap and cheerful to interesting, high end Thai eating.  * Hotel: It’s definitely a little bit worn and shabby to be honest but nothing that some TLC, a few coats of paint and new room Ifurniture would’nt fix. On the plus side my One Bedroom Suite was huge and great value (booked on Agoda about 4 months ago and came in at approx 1900THB per night).

Loads of space in the rooms, AC very effective, shower hot with good power, everything was clean, really comfortable bed, small balcony (important for me) was useful and my regular companion insisted that we utilise it for some evening errr… activities. Wi-Fi great in living area, lousy in the bedroom (I ended using my hotspot there). Not a very smart TV was poor but I watched it for only about 5 mins so kinda irrelevant to me. As discussed above, in-room lighting is a bit crap with low wattage bulbs not helping. Lots of sockets everywhere though. Good rooftop pool with all day sun, a few sunbeds and grassy area. Nothing fancy but OK for a 3 star in heart of the City. No idea about the Gym or Sauna.  Front Desk Team continue to seem disinterested but that’s ok, unless I am a frequent visitor I’m not really there to make friends with Reception. They were though helpful and swift the two times I interacted with them - check-in and check-out. Housekeeping, by contrast,  were cheerful and friendly. Room seemed to be cleaned within 20 mins of ‘please make up room’ tag going up. Tips help.  No idea about breakfast there’s too many great options in Bangkok to be trapped into a Hotel breakfast package.  Didn’t see anyone sleeping in / hanging around, the lobby area. Perhaps management have stopped that? It’s not a scientific survey but most guests seemed to be Europeans and Americans (mainly singles, but also couples and families) and a few Thais, Koreans, Singaporeans etc. It seems unlikely that there are going to be big tour groups of Chinese or Indians staying (not saying this is a good or bad thing). Entirely Guest friendly and no signing in or checking in of guests ever occurred (might be a risk-consideration if bringing back a Freelancer from Soi 4 at 5.00am….) Complimentary golf buggy transfers down to end of Soi is back on. So, all good. Downside? There is a freakin huge construction going up directly adjacent to the Hotel on its north side (Sukhumvit Rd side).  This could be going on for some time and it’s VERY noisy Mon-Sat if your room is on that side of the building. There are 7 floors of accommodation and best as I could see you need to avoid room numbers ending 19,18,11,10, 09, 08, 07, 06, 05 (ie 519, 518, 511, 510 etc etc) I’d stay again next visit. 

I'm in town for the weekend and decided to check this place out, as I needed a feed prior to the CIB11 Naughty Nurses evening. It was a quick stroll from Radisson Suites Soi 13, made all the more simple as there seems to be more walk-through options in the Ambassador Hotel, now with the renovation work they are doing, or perhaps they've always been there and I've just never noticed. After being shouted a greeting, about an inch from my face, by the over-enthusiastic young lad playing door tout, I took a seat at the counter to watch the world walk by. Upon receiving the menu, I thought this place must be pretty much the same as Krua Khun Puk (Soi 11/1), but flipping through the pages, the selection looked quite different. Anyway, I settled on some spring rolls and a chicken kee mao. 

While waiting for the food to arrive, an English gent stopped to peruse the menu at the front door. Immediately, young lad fired up and started shouting........."Welcome! What you wan? What you wan? You like prawn? This very good!!" and started flipping pages pointing out dishes, while continuing his unnecessarily loud delivery at this poor bloke. Through all this the bloke just stood there, stoic, unmoved. You could see the steam rising and eventually, to his credit, he just put up his hand, turned to the kid and just quietly said, "Stop!"
Message received, kid backed off and in the end no harm done as 30 seconds later he was walking up the steps and further into the venue.

Shortly after, the food arrived. The spring rolls clearly freshly made, very tasty, thought a little oily for me. The Kee Mao was great, just a little spicy, but not so much that I couldn't finish it. Two dishes and a Leo, B540 which I thought was pretty reasonable. For sure another option for future visits, though will say I think I prefer Krua Khun Puk, as that joint just seems much busier and vibrant.......and cheaper too.