By Susanna Lo
First House Hotel
The First House Hotel in Bangkok has one of the best locations in the city. It's walking distance from Pratunam wholesale market for some of the best shopping in Thailand. The hotel is decorated in a traditional Thai environment with basic amenities such as television, phone, Internet and en suite bathrooms. The hotel also offers a 24-hour massage service.
Wows and Woes
This hotel is so cheap you could move in for a month. The rates are less than $50 a night. When you step out on the street, everything is available to you within a short walk.
Thailand is always hot and sticky, and hotels without a pool, such as First House, leave a lot to be desired. The tuk-tuk drivers offered by the hotel are also quite aggressive and annoying in their pursuit of the American dollar.
Insider Tips
The massages are cheap--less than $10. Have one in the morning to start your day and have one at night before you go to sleep.
Author's Most Memorable Moment
I love a good massage. The First House Hotel has a spa that's open 24 hours. After my third day of visiting twice a day, the management arranged for the masseuse to come to my room twice a day, with a cup of tea in the morning and a glass of Thai whiskey each night, and of course an amazing Thai massage to go with the drinks.
Bottom Line
You can't beat the price, location or the cleanliness of this hotel.
About the Author:
Susanna Lo is an established writer/director/producer who has won awards in The Berlin and Montreal film festivals and is a member of PEN International. She's written for Paramount on Star Trek: Voyager and Seven Days. Susanna is a dedicated world traveler living in several countries in Europe, Asia and North America.
