The hype
Travelers love the massive rooms and pools but consistently complain about the slow elevators and 'tired' feel.
Prince Palace Hotel Bangkok
$35-65/ night
Book this if You want a massive suite for the price of a hostel bunk and don't mind 1990s decor or a chaotic wholesale market downstairs.
Why People Love It
- Incredible value — huge suites for under $50
- Two large rooftop pools with skyline views
- Direct access to the canal boat (Khlong Saen Saep) for traffic-free travel
Quick Take: A faded 90s giant that offers unbeatable space and views if you can tolerate dated carpets and a lobby transfer.
Reviewed by @janniners: I loved the retro grandeur here—felt like a palace on a budget! The lobby is massive with gold everywhere, but the real winner is the rooftop pool. Swimming with that panoramic skyline view of Old Town Bangkok was the perfect way to end my day.
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
Many reviews mention a 'musty' smell in the hallways and confusion with the multiple towers (A, B, C).
- You are a family needing a 2-3 bedroom suite on a budget
- You enjoy 'local' chaos and wholesale shopping
- You are comfortable navigating public transport (canal boat)
Cleanliness & Maintenance
6.5
- Housekeeping: Daily service is reliable, but they are fighting a losing battle against the building's age.
- Bathroom hygiene: Functional but dated. Expect discolored grout and older fixtures. Water pressure is usually good.
- Maintenance: The biggest weak point. Peeling wallpaper, scuffed furniture, and worn carpets are common.
- Linens & towels: Clean and white, but often threadbare or rough from years of industrial washing.
- Odors & scents: Common complaints of musty/damp smells in hallways and some rooms due to old carpets and AC systems.
Sleepability™
7MODERATE
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- Rattling air conditioning units
- Hallway noise from thin doors
- Market noise (only on very low floors)
Before you book
Good to know
- The hotel is located above a wholesale clothing market (Bo Bae Tower); great for cheap clothes, bad for traffic.
- A deposit of 1,000-2,000 THB is required at check-in (cash or card).
- The '11th Floor Lobby' means you take one elevator from the ground to the 11th, then transfer to another bank for your room.
What to pack
- Earplugs (for the AC hum)
- Slip-on shoes (for easy pool access)
- Google Maps offline (taxi drivers often get confused by the specific tower entrance)
Room Genie
Best picks
- Tower A 'Superior Room' (newly renovated) for the freshest feel
- Executive Suites on high floors for sweeping city views
Rooms to avoid
- Tower B rooms (often older, 'apartment' style with darker corridors)
- Rooms near the elevator banks (noise)
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“I would like to request a 'Newly Renovated' Superior Room in Tower A, on a high floor away from the elevators. Please avoid Tower B if possible.”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Is the hotel near the BTS/MRT?
No. The nearest stations are far. Your best transport bet is the Khlong Saen Saep canal boat (Talad Bo Bae pier) right next door.
Is the neighborhood safe?
Yes, but it's gritty. It's a working-class wholesale district. It's safe, but chaotic and not 'tourist polished'.
Does the hotel have a pool?
Yes, two excellent outdoor pools on the 11th and 12th floors with a pool bar.
Is breakfast included?
Depends on your booking, but it's a massive buffet. If paying separately, it's around 350 THB.
Are there bugs?
Reviews occasionally mention cockroaches, which is common in older Bangkok buildings near markets. Keep food sealed.
Can I walk to Khao San Road?
It's a bit of a trek (30+ mins). A tuk-tuk or taxi is recommended and cheap from this location.
Insider Tips
- ✨
Use the 'Talad Bo Bae' pier for the canal boat to get to Siam Paragon in 15 minutes for ~15 Baht—it beats the traffic every time.
- ✨
The fruit market near the hotel (Mahanak Market) is open 24/7 but best visited late at night for fresh tropical fruit at wholesale prices.
- ✨
If staying in Tower B, press '10' for the lobby transfer, not '11'—the signage is confusing and 11 leads to a dead zone in that tower.
5 things to know before you go
💡The 'Insect' translation error in some online descriptions is just bad English, but the hotel *is* old.
💡The elevator wait times can be excruciating during check-out hours (11 AM - 12 PM).
💡There is a hidden 'shrine' room and antique artifacts sprinkled around the hotel public areas.
💡The 7-Eleven in the basement is a lifesaver for late-night snacks.
💡You can buy an entire new wardrobe in the market downstairs for less than the cost of one night's stay.
Local Playbook
Map
See where Prince Palace Hotel Bangkok is located and what's nearby.