阿倫居酒店(Arun Residence)

This little hotel is a bit odd in its design and room layout. Our room was two-story with the bed upstairs and the bathroom down some narrow and winding stairs. When we opened the drapes on our bedroom window we saw the outdoors, but also the downstairs lobby, so we left it closed. The bed was comfortable and the location convenient to the river, but this isn't somewhere I'd want to hang out. Good if you want to be near the river for boat rides and temple visits.

Location was perfect – walking distance to public transit (Sanam Chai MRT, Chao Phraya Tourist Boat) and major attractions (Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Grand Palace). View of Wat Arun from the room (there are only two rooms!) and rooftop bar was spectacular, be it in the daytime, at sunset, or at night. The complimentary welcome drink at the rooftop bar was a nice touch. Staff was friendly and mostly helpful. Do be aware that there is no secure storage for left luggage (prior to check-in/after check-out) and one should be in decent physical shape to ascend/descend flights of narrow stairs inside the split-level room as well as outside the room. The room was otherwise clean, tastefully decorated, and well-stocked with amenities.

I'm pretty sure this is the only room available in the complex, which is mostly a restaurant. The food is pretty good, and of course you're paying for the location. The suite is quite nice, with a large bathroom. The view and balcony is one of the best in the world. This is somewhere I'd stay once or twice for that purpose, and don't forget Wat Pho and Wat Phra Keow are at the end of the Soi. The staff are more focussed on the restaurant and this belongs to a group of three hotels/restaurants in the area. You can specify breakfast, but that requires a quick walk two blocks to another location where the options are very limited. In effect, you're here for the view and location. The food and service and secondary. Also, there's no parking. Tip: There's no lift, and with young children/older people the stair climb can be brutal. Make sure you tip the staff member that carries your luggage up and down.