Sukhumvit Soi 1Backpackers Hostel Reviews

baby, I wish I could do it all for free. maybe I'll Take an aircon out of one of the dorm rooms and only charge 200 baht for a fan room. I'll think on it. Thanks for your review. Soi1david

I have no problem with over 50's staying here, we are here to help any travelers, and some need more help than others. If the hostel was difficult to find, I can only assume you did not read the arrival directions. Directions are very good, In Thai and English, showing it to any Taxi will get you to the front door. At the front door we have a sign that is about 12 foot long above the door that say's "Soi1guesthouse". In front of that about belly level, is another 10 foot sign written in blue with a bright orange back ground, "Soi1guesthouse". Above these two large signs is a sign attached to the building that hangs about 8-10 foot over the street from the 3rd floor that is 8ft by 4ft, That says "soi1guesthouse” and also our “phone number” below it. This sign can be seen clearly from quite a distance. Soi 1 is about a 400 meter street with only one 7-11 shop on it. Most directions add that we are next to the 7-11, (Itself very well lit up). So with those 5 location finders 98% of my guest, who are much less experienced (half your age) find us with no problem. I understand you had a "difficult" time finding us, But I am at a lost to be able to supply any further directions that could have helped you. (We do have our phone # listed on all arrival info so if by chance you have a difficult time finding us just ask taxi to call, they will do this for you for no extra charge.) We rented our downstairs restaurant out for a week for a reunion of Ethiopian families to celebrate an event they were having. The place was repainted and full of flowers I thought it was quite colorful and festive. They, of course, served Ethiopian food for the time they were here and I was very surprised to see how many people here at the hostel knew about Ethiopian food, Two English teachers on holiday from China, Claimed to me that it was lovely food, they ate there 3 of the 4 nights they stayed here, Knew all the names of the dishes, and raved to me how it rivaled the Ethiopian restaurants in NYC. Their (the Ethiopians) agreement with me is finished now and they no longer are here. Again, I wonder where your complaint lies here. You gave us a 2 for location... This alone tells me you did have a difficult time understanding your surroundings, As most of our reviews, even the low rated ones, give our location a 5. Why? Because it is unbeatable. One of the reasons rent here on Sukhumvit is the highest in Thailand. And with the Hospital about to expand their ground.. Will even be more expensive soon. Our Location Rocks! You did manage to stay here for 3 nights, I must remind you that this is high season and with 30+ people staying here each of the nights you did (In party mode) our maids get busy. We don't have a shower monitor that cleans the shower after every use, but we do have a signs on every floor that read, “If you need something cleaned please contact the desk. It will be taken care of immediately.” But from your complaints I don't think you read signs. Your best scores for us were for, security, staff, atmosphere and Value for money. Conflicting with most other reviews, your low ranking of our Location and atmosphere also leads me to believe, “From my point of view”, that you would have been more suited to a hotel and not the social environment that we, as a hostel, provide. Thanks for your review as I think it will help others define better if our environment here suits them. Explorers, Travelers and open minded peoples of any age are welcome. We supply a safe, clean and informative venue for all. And we like to party a bit also. Why not? 80 yrs.. do all you can! Our Motto “ Seize the world before the world seizes you!” Soi1david

Thanks for your review Ms.P. We enjoy what we do here. Bangkok can be a bit daunting for 1st time arrivals. We make sure you get the info you need to stay on top. Our location is so good that I fear the rent here will soon be to high. Come and see us while you can. Seize the world before the world seizes You. Soi1guesthouse

All bathrooms are cleaned twice daily and when anyone mentions they are dirty. When the showers are dirty, It's more than likely the person before you left hair on the drain, Shaved in shower. We can't monitor showers every time someone uses them, but are happy to clean them anytime someone mentions they need looked at. Just say something to the desk. it would really make you more happy. And us also.

Always glad to have the good people around. Lucky We get a fair share of them, yourself included. Thanks for your review. We are a proper hostel. Easy going, Social, Informative. At the best location in Bangkok with English speaking staff. Come join the family of friends, If that appeals to you then You'll be glad you did.

But the vibe is.... everything. Yeah Baby!

Yes my Japanese friend It was a great night, We love our pub crawls but we Love the NYE ones the best! We had 24 people on it this year and yes, from many countries We touched the many scenes of Bangkok with Not a single problem and everyone had a fair bit of strength for it, with about 6 of the group and myself lasting till Noon the next day. Nights like these you never forget. And the deal he mentions was from me, I put it on the "Deals" section and only 3 people took me up on the free night offer, Why? Coz you 3 were the only ones who clicked on the special deal button and saw it.. I's gone now but here is a copy of it below so readers understand... ""Party People, you will get no better call than this. 1 night Only. Book this night thru HW, They will charge you like 10% but when you arrive on NYE you will not have to pay us the balance. But, you must go with us on the best Pub Crawl you will of ever been. BTW our Pub Crawls are always free. I've never seen a free night on any 3rd party booking site. So I thought I'd be 1st. Join us to finish off 2012 and start 2013. Cheers. soi1david ( won't let me list it for free, so now it's .01 baht)"" So a lesson to learn here always check out the "DEAL" button on HW. Not that I'm ungrateful or anything for your review but as You did take advantage of the free night and had a "Wonderful Night" how is it you gave us a 77% rating? Happy New year to all and remember have a look at the deal button, you never know what we may be doing. I love my job. Cheers.

NYE pub crawl was grand. Glad you were a part of it! Cheers Mate.

All rooms have A/C. We've been busy and when we are the A/C doesn't get much of a Break. Like they run 24/7. looking at your review had me check on their maintenance. You will be happy to know, We just had them all Cleaned and and topped up with gas (freon).Jan 26. Our Location WILL save you money. Proven repeatedly. Thanks for your review. Soi1david

I Love My Life. Cheers Clarkie, Glad to have met you.

Mate, your critique is kind of one sided, and what I mean by that is you, While aware of the many other options, left out the reason You stayed here multiple times. You liked us. 6 months ago you landed here , not that I remember it exactly, But your mentioning of the previous staff , that worked here for 8 days in early July … (on a review 6 months ago that will soon expire, by some else who stayed here then- July 7 2012) Comments - ACTIVE The normal staff was okay, but there was this one guy David (not the owner),an English guy, and he got drunk during work all the time. He got really annoying, so I avoided the guy. That was the only setback I had during the stay. Beds, showers and other facilities were fine. Your Response to this Review: (my response) All I can say is you are right- He's gone now. Sorry Pep. We did the International pub crawl and I was short 1 staff while away, So I gave him a shift, When I returned on 10/7 I realized my mistake and sent him on his way. Anyone want a shift? Thanks for mentioning the good things. Your current review (Dec 12 2012) So for 6 months of traveling S.E.Asia, I would assume that you would be well informed of all options for accommodation, and yet, you choose to come back to us and our less than A+ house. What you imply, but forgot to mention is.. You had a good time here. Expensive? . Look you can find cheaper places to stay, just not in this area. Beyond the fact that Sukhumvit has the most expensive real-estate in Thailand, as it should -being in the location it is. Within a 5 block radius from soi1guesthouse you have access to the top Hospital in S.E.Asia, 3 of the primary modes of public transport, Sky-train, the underground, the main canal in Bangkok. Taxis are out front 24hrs a day. To get to the airport (either one) is approx 200 on the meter and 2 tolls totaling 70 baht. So to get to the airport from here is usually less than 300 baht. Street food stalls line the outside street for the cheapest (and tasty) eats. From Internationally known clubs such as Q-Bar, Bed supper club, down to cheap drinks from a sidewalk bar to the red light districts of Nana and Soi cowboy. From Siam Square to Terminal 21 just too many options for shopping to mention, but by explaining to us what you're looking for, presto, and your there. A majority of the most used Embassies are also within the 5-10 block radius, Vietnam, British, Dutch, American, Swiss, Swedish and about 25 others. We don't charge for many things that others do, like, late arrivals ( 24 hour reception, 24 hr entry, No curfew), Wi-Fi, long term storage, A towel on arrival, Pub Crawls All for no extra charge. We don't Charge extra for 4 bed dorms or the female dorm, We don't list "Beds From x$'s" to look good or get a better position on the listings. All our beds are 400 baht." We don't play silly games like that, that end up costing you more. Outside of drinks and 60 baht a kilo laundry, 400 baht a night is all you will pay for our services. Just to touch on another free service we supply to everyone, we know the Details - local and National.. Many arrive in Thailand with the basic of ideals what they want to do (Full Moon party), Our knowledge of S.E.Asia, How to get about Cheaply, what not to do, suggested Itineraries, and our ability to answer (In English) Most questions (been awhile since I've heard a new one) backed by experience is one of our most often Complimented services. We don't charge for this and you realize that's true when we explain to you how to buy your own tickets at your chosen departure point. If you book it yourself you don't need to pay the middle man. I do it coz I like to hear "Thanks Dave". I mention all this because you say we are expensive. The 12$ a night you spend here is well worth the cost. I've said many times staying here will save you as much as the cost. Proven Often by arrivals with our arrival directions in hand, never have read them, paying 900-1500 baht for a 300 baht fare. Dirty? Run down? I'll accept Lived in or messy. No more than any house with up to 45 young holiday makers. Our local maids sweep and mop every floor, clean every bed, and like the sign say's posted on every floor, if you see something dirty, tell us. Like the "Disgusting" fan you mentioned. This fan attached to the ceiling in the 4 bed Air-con room, doesn't get much attention, when we looked yes it needed a dust. The speed in which it was cleaned would have made you very happy, if you just would have mentioned it at the time. If your bed is not comfortable in any way, Again, Just ask to change.. No worries, we have many- some want a diff mattress, some want to move down, some want a bigger pillow, some want to change rooms. No problem, unless you don't ask. On the information wall there are some papers yellowed a bit from age. If you're smart you'd make sure to read these as, for as long as they have been there, they must have some pretty good info on them. I think of them as golden nuggets. Locks on doors, If you have a private dorm you do get a key to lock the room, If in a dorm room you don't. Why? Lol I'll tell ya. 1) that's another ding$ (extra cost) for a key that you need to take care of and hope you get the deposit back when you leave early morning (been there many times) 2) others sometimes don't lock the door behind them so when you return and see this you freak. 3) All "gold and diamonds and other valuables" should be put in lockers located next to the 24 hour manned desk and under CCTV camera for 100% reliable security. ( As a bonus, you have no one rattling around lockers in your dorm at 5am, and the lockers are never left unattended.) If you do that, what you have in your dorm are toiletries and clothes - It's very rare, and never heard of here, that someone wants these Items. My point in all this - If you are looking for luxury, Thailand has many affordable options .That cost a lot more and has none of what a Hostel should supply. A comfortable, Casual, Social, informative environment for travelers- We have that- and that's why you stayed, repeatedly.. and I'd bet you'd be back if you ever return to Bangkok. Though I may paint the place soon, I love our worn staircase and I doubt I do much to them; it's that way because of many friends that have been made here in the last 7+ yrs. It comforts me, I'm like that. You can't buy Happy. Thanks for your review, soi1david