The hype
Travelers love the massive room size and location but universally agree the furniture and decor are ancient.
Royal Benja Hotel
$40-65/ night
Book this if You prioritize square footage over modern design and want to be near Nana without the direct noise.
Why People Love It
- Rooms are massive (45+ sqm) compared to modern shoebox hotels
- Located at the quiet end of a busy party street (Soi 5)
- Budget-friendly rates for central Sukhumvit
Quick Take: A fading giant that offers ballroom-sized spaces trapped in a 1990s time capsule.
Reviewed by @KingManni: I stayed in the Grand Deluxe Sky City View room and was blown away. For £65, getting a 25th-floor skyline view and a massive bathroom with a tub felt like a steal. It’s not modern-minimalist, but the space and views make it an incredible value for Bangkok.
Guest Who Stayed Here Said
Reality check
The 'Deluxe' rooms are tired, musty, and worn—you are paying for space, not hygiene or style.
- You are traveling with a group/family and need extra floor space
- You want to be near Nana Plaza but need a quiet sleep
- You are on a strict budget but refuse to stay in a hostel
Cleanliness & Maintenance
4.5
- Housekeeping: Daily service is performed, but it's surface-level. They make the bed but often miss dust in corners or under furniture.
- Bathroom hygiene: High risk area. Grout is often discolored, and there are frequent reports of cockroaches emerging from drains.
- Maintenance: Poor. Peeling wallpaper, chipped furniture, and leaky faucets are common. The building is showing its age aggressively.
- Linens & towels: Towels are often graying, thin, or have stubborn stains. Sheets are clean but worn.
- Odors & scents: Dominant notes of musty carpet, old wood, and occasionally cigarette smoke even in non-smoking rooms.
Sleepability™
7MODERATE
0-4LOUD
4-7.5MODERATE
7.5-10SILENT
- Loud, rattling old air conditioning units
- Thin walls between connecting rooms
- Hallway noise from large tour groups
Before you book
Good to know
- A 1,000 THB cash deposit is often required at check-in
- The walk to Nana BTS is about 7-10 minutes; hotel tuk-tuk is inconsistent
- 7-Eleven and Foodland are just a 2-minute walk away
What to pack
- Power strip (outlets are scarce and often in weird spots)
- Slippers (you might not want to walk on the carpets barefoot)
- Earplugs (for the AC rattle)
Room Genie
Best picks
- Grand Deluxe Room (Renovated) — significantly cleaner and more modern than the standard Deluxe
- High floors (20+) for decent city views and less street hum
Rooms to avoid
- Standard Deluxe Rooms on lower floors — these are the 'time capsule' rooms with old carpets and higher risk of bugs
- Rooms near the elevator — high foot traffic from tour groups
Room Request Genie – copy & paste
“I am requesting a 'Grand Deluxe' renovated room on a high floor (20+). Please ensure the room has been recently fumigated and is away from the elevator.”
FAQ & Hidden tips
Everything you actually want to know before you book.
Is the hotel guest-friendly?
Mixed reports. Security is strict and ID is required. Some guests report no fee, others mention a 'joiner fee' for visitors not booked. Assume a fee to be safe.
Is there a free shuttle to the BTS?
Yes, there is a tuk-tuk service to the main road, but it runs on a loose schedule. Walking is often faster.
Does the hotel have a gym?
Yes, but it's a museum of fitness. Old machines, many broken or rusty. Do not book for the gym.
Is breakfast included?
Usually yes, but it's a chaotic buffet catering to mass tour groups. Quantity over quality. Expect crowded tables.
Is the pool clean?
It's huge, but water clarity is a common complaint. It often looks murky. Swim at your own risk.
Are there smoking rooms?
The hotel has designated smoking floors. If you are a non-smoker, emphasize this at check-in to avoid a lingering smell.
Insider Tips
- ✨
The 'Took Lae Dee' restaurant inside the nearby Foodland (Soi 5) is a legendary 24-hour spot for cheap, good food—better than the hotel breakfast.
- ✨
Don't trust the '5-star' plaque; treat this like a budget 3-star to avoid disappointment.
- ✨
The snooker room on the 4th floor is often empty and a weirdly quiet place to hang out.
5 things to know before you go
💡The elevators can take forever during breakfast hours due to large tour groups.
💡The furniture is so heavy and solid it feels like it was built to survive a bomb, even if it's ugly.
💡There is a distinct 'old hotel smell'—a mix of carpet cleaner and humidity—that never quite leaves.
💡The bathtub is huge but the water pressure can be a trickle.
💡You might find a 'massage' menu in the room that is... ambiguous.
Local Playbook
Map
See where Royal Benja Hotel is located and what's nearby.