Old Capital Bike Inn

Rooms

In each of the 10 individually decorated rooms you'll find reclaimed teak furnishings, quirky murals, antique oil lamps, hand-painted porcelain washbasins crafted by owner Nantiya and flower-inspired metalwork. Each room carries its personalised floral scent in ceramic containers, hand-made soap and shampoo. Sumptuous dark fabrics and fresh blooms contribute to the elegant feel, and all rooms have air-con, TV and multimedia players, WiFi and minibars.

The best are the Family Suite and Honeymoon Suite, which both have sitting areas and outdoor bathtubs. The ground floor Family Suite in which we stayed impressed at first glance, then doubly so when we realised there was a door at one end which opened on to a narrow corridor with fridge, amenities, wardrobe, and a huge rainshower. Beyond, an outdoor, plant-flanked space with a huge green stone bathtub allows you to bathe amidst the fronds and enjoy almost complete silence. A tree-house-style room is up some steps; perfect for a second couple or kids. Back in the bedroom proper, the comfy kingsize bed - marshmallow-soft pillows and crisp white linen - rests on a wooden plinth.

There are also Twin Rooms, and Garden Suites with little indoor garden lounge areas, and the latter has a bathtub too (which we enjoyed on our most recent visit). The King Loft Suites are duplexes with a bathroom/lounge on one floor and a rather precarious steep wooden stairs leading up to a mezzanine level bedroom.

Features include:

• Air conditioning
• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Safe box
• TV
• WiFi

Eating

This is essentially a B&B with no restaurant, although it does have a small tea room with limited food selection, but you're greeted with a refreshing cup of Thai ice-tea and biscuits and a cold towel to cool off. You can order freshly-brewed coffee or tea, fresh fruit juices and snacks in the lobby until 8pm. There's 24-hour room service from the small tea room.

Upon check-in, you will be asked to fill out a form to make your breakfast selection (there are lots of vegan options) for the next morning which is taken in the lobby, where you can chat to owner Khun Jason. Our scrambled eggs and sausage were well cooked, the dragon fruit, pomelo and watermelon fresh, the toast adequate, the coffee delicious and the traditional Chinese pastries intriguing.

In your room you'll find a personally curated folder with a 72-hours Guide to Old Bangkok, vegetarian restaurant suggestions, and best cafe selections in old town Bangkok - which guests may find impossible to locate on their own. Brilliant.

Features include:

• Breakfast
• Restaurants nearby

Activities

• The hotel has a fleet of vintage bikes for guests to borrow free of charge and you can also join the night cycling tour to get a unique insight into the fascinating city (Tues, Thurs & Sun). It's a great way to explore the city at night, and make new friends
  
• Climb the dazzling Golden Mountain temple across the street from the hotel, to watch sunset. Heritage monument Phra Sumen Fort is also only minutes away by foot, as is famed political landmark Democracy Monument
  
• Phan Fah Boat Pier is just across the road. For a glimpse into Bangkok’s canal culture, take a river boat into the city centre (to Saphan Hua Chang Pier near National Stadium. Jim Thompson's famous silk shop takes just 10 minutes by boat
  
• The Queen Sirikit Gallery is steps away, and holds regular exhibitions of artistic interest
  
• The National Museum, Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha are all within a 20-minute walk from the hotel
  
• Backpacker-ville, Khao San Road is a 20-minute walk away. This is the area to buy tacky clothing, fake CDs/DVDs, fraudulent degree certificates and press passes, and to drink until you drop. Or, more sensibly, feast on a diverse array of cuisines, from Israeli to Indian to Thai to fast-food

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Nightlife
• Shopping / markets
• Traditional cultures

Kids

Cots are provided free for under 3s. Though this is a small hotel, so those with children may prefer somewhere with more space and a pool.

Family friendly accommodation:

The Family Suite sleeps 4 and the Honeymoon Suite has space for 3 people. Twin rooms are also available for older children. The Garden Suite has an additional daybed. Note that the steep steps of the King Loft Suite are not suitable for toddlers.

Cots Available, Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Old Capital Bike Inn is located in the heart of old Bangkok, across the street from the Golden Mountain, Metal Palace, King Rama VII’s Museum, and Phan Fah Boat Pier.

By Air:
Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (25km). Click on the links below for a list of airlines.

From the Airport
The hotel can arrange a transfer (recommended as taxi driver's are unlikely to find it) from newly-opened Suvarnabhumi International Airport (45 minutes) or the just-re-opened-for-domestic-flights old dame, Don Muang.

By Train:
National Stadium Skytrain Station is about 10 minutes away by boat and 25 minutes by taxi.

By Boat
Phan Fah Boat Pier and the Chao Phraya River are yards away.

Detailed directions will be provided when you confirm your booking through i-escape.

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