Loy la Long Hotel

Gorgeous stay! Worth the price. Even made me a sandwich when I had to leave too early for breakfast. Bed was super comfortable and a gorgeous view of the river. It's located inside the temple complex, bit hard to find at first.

Perfect atmosphere and accommodations!!!! Also staff are really nice and friendly. There are a lot of attractive points, but among them especially a river view from cozy public space is the best point. I highly recommend this hotel to everyone who want to enjoy a traditional Thai holiday.

I recommend this hotel to anyone looking for a more authentic experience of Bangkok than the polished westernized hotels offer. The house is absolutely lovely, and the rooms are comfortable and well appointed. Breakfast was delicious every morning, and we appreciated the easy access to beverages throughout the day. The staff are nice, although a bit standoffish. While not located in the nicest part of town, the neighborhood is quiet and we felt completely safe there. The hotel is tricky to find the first time you arrive, and drivers were often confused when we gave the address. The noise from the river can be loud, but we were able to sleep well for the most part. I recommend the Black Room for guests who prefer a bit more privacy, although it is directly on the river and can be a bit noisy at night.

Absolute water front, 6 room guesthouse. Loy La Long translates loosely as ‘floating freely’. It’s difficult to find your way in but certainly worth the effort. The ‘Hotel’ read ‘Guesthouse’ is quirky to the enth. Not for everyone. We loved our four days here. The staff are simply wonderful and the food they prepare in a tiny kitchen is delicious. No 6 star nonsense, just a nice, clean comfortable guesthouse. Oh, and each room has a set of easy to reach life jackets. You won’t need them but it’s something to tell the folks at home.

A cool hip oasis in the hurly-burly of Chinatown. Faded painted coloured wood everywhere you look, plants carefully placed, sculptures, paintings, cushions on the floor and even a papa-san chair. Chinoiserie, but with a faded eurocolonial touch. Paintings of Yoko Ono, and also the beloved previous King playing the sax. An extensive selection of booze bottles behind wire, reminiscent of a sailor’s bar on the Shanghai waterfront back in the old days (I know of what I speak). The feeling of being a guest in someone's home, rather than a hotel. However yes this place is hard to find the first time and most cabbies and Tuk-Tuk drivers won’t know where it is without clear directions written down. Make sure you take a copy of the directions every time you go out or save a photo of them on your phone. Basically you go into the temple grounds, walk all the way back through the parking area and at the far end turn right and look for the very small sign. And yes there is a noise issue because it is directly on the riverbank and there’s boat traffic from sunrise till well after dark. But it’s never annoying unless you’re jet lagged and trying to get some sleep in the afternoon or early evening. Moreover being an old wooden house the walls and floors are thin so you may hear your neighbours (and they may hear you). So absolutely you should use the foam ear plugs they provide. There’s two small sitting-out areas above the river, and several low floor tables with cushions but I didn’t see anyone using those as the view isn’t as good as on the balconies. We chose the Blue room, with unobstructed views downriver, and big sliding windows that look out across to the other side of the river, with a tiny private balcony (though it's right next to the main upstairs balcony so it's not completely "private". Very comfortable bed, smallish but very functional bathroom with lots of hot water, and a very efficient and quiet AC. The meals they offer on their own menu were excellent and served up very quickly. Alternatively I can highly recommend the Naam 1608 Bistro a 2-minute walk away. Breakfast is ordered the day before, but get clarification on where it will actually be served, as ours was supposed to have come to our room but was actually put out on a table in the common area, and other people ate it, thinking it was theirs (we were quickly served replacement meals). There’s a 7-11 convenience store nearby and an ATM too. The staff are friendly and helpful, and the experience of river life cannot be beat. I’ve stayed previously in several of the big international hotels overlooking the river which also have great views but provide no up-close experience of river life which is such an integral part of the Bangkok experience, both past and present.

Location location location. It is hidden behind a temple and they were working on the walking path outside this house that is on the river and so we were hesitant upon arrival. Once the door opened, though, that all faed away. The house is not on the banks, but literally IN the river. You can see when the tide is high the water lapping on the bank as you walk into the front door. Off with those shoes and into one of their seven guest rooms. We had the Red Room with its funkiness: small shower and cubby hole extra space with no true windows to the exterior, but it was AMAZING. The bed was SO comfortable. I would wake up every morning and step out of the room and onto the terrace overlooking the Chao Phraya with a fresh cup of coffee and just soak it all in: watch the barges go by. Their breakfasts are amazing. You choose from a menu the night before and they serve you on their terraces or inside the downstairs restaurant area. It is on the edge of Chinatown so there is much to do and see just right here. It's on the river so easy access to two piers with water taxis and the tourist boat to hop on hop off at all the major temples and must see attractions. We walked from here to two Michelin reviewed restaurants (only were able to get into one because we didn't have reservations) and the neighborhood felt safe even at 11PM. One strike against if you are an early-to-bed kind of a person is that, being on the river, you hear the dinner cruise party boats every night. And there are a lot of them going up and then back down with live lounge singers on the way up and then dance tunes on the way back. This isn't until that late, but it could be a bummer if you are sensitive to noise. If I remember right, they offer earplugs for those that need. Watching the boats float up and down the river in the evenings was fun in itself.

Old world posable a Thai trader's house 1900 converted into a small hotel. Nice & caring staff it's a bit hard to find being on the river down a lane way. Food very good breakfast & diner quality great. To be staying on the river is great it's not 5 star its 3.5 but its old-world experience value for money let yourself go back in time and enjoy and save yourself., hundreds of dollars by staying at LOY LA LONG

This hotel was awesome. Marino the mgr was attentive to every detail throughout our stay. This quaint hotel had the best Thai food we ate in Bangkok and was prepared by the sweetest of staff. We were welcomed in and treated to lemongrass water while our bags were carried to our room. The room was unique, beautiful and most importantly to me…..clean with quirky spaces and a private secret entrance to the balcony upstairs overlooking the River. A Fireworks show started as we walked out onto the deck as if on queue for our arrival. I would have to be convinced to stay anywhere else when traveling back through Bangkok.

Loy La Hong is a unique experience in busy Bangkok. I could say set by the waters of the Chao Phraya River, but a more apt preposition would be “on” the waters. I stayed in the black room and if you looked closely through the cracks in the floorboards you could see the Cha water lapping the shoreline. Words such as unique, boutique, charming, rustic, riverside, wooden, full of charm, traditional come to mind as I write this review. It is probably not the accommodation for everyone. If you want a plastic and concrete tower, then Loy La Hong is not for you. If you want to stay in a uniquely Thai style of accommodation in Chinatown, then I would highly recommend Loy La Hong. I wouldn’t call them criticisms but two aspects you should be aware of: it was tucked away behind a temple and some taxi or Tuk Tuk drivers might not know it's location. Make a paper copy of their directions and check with the driver that he knows where to go. Secondly the black room was tastefully done but small, other rooms appeared larger. I would check to see which room you are being offered This is compensated by two lounge/dining room/ verandahs where you can spend relaxing hours watching the comings and goings on the river. I stayed three nights and left early each morning to go sightseeing. I regret not having a lazy day lying around, drinking and eating. Do give Loy La Hong a try, I found it to be wonderful.