Somewhere to Escape - Hometel

You must read this review in conjunction with an earlier review I wrote in Jan 2023 (see below, marshaanddavid All You Need In A Good 2-Star Hotel) otherwise this review will make little sense, which would be a pity! I, and family, have stayed here twice since my first review and this is an update; obviously if we keep on returning we are happy with the hotel, the pleasant people who run it, the level of co-operation we receive, the value and definitely the location. Additions/amendments as follows: 1. About 95% of my previous review remains accurate, including the strong recommendation. 2. We stayed in the same Family Room, No. 38, which now has a microwave and a new split-type aircon – and is very effective. Poo is the name of the cleaner (enough said). I said earlier that there were no shops but to be accurate part of the building on the G/F in the front is an optometrist. The hotel is split into 2 halves, the apartments, which we stay in, and Escape. Escape is the newer part but I have no further knowledge of layout, amenities etc. On the visit in Dec 2023/Jan 2024, we needed to make adjustments to our stay whilst there and Khun Tor was able to accommodate us, not so straightforward over the Christmas and New Year period. He invited the hotel guests to his rooftop to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks to avoid the huge crowds. I needed to have a tailored shirt delivered and returned to my room to find it there (I did buy Khun Aey a snack for tea every now and then which she appreciated and I looked after Poo). 3. The nearby open-area food court I mentioned last time is in fact the Bang Rak Bazaar which is undergoing modernization and whilst the surroundings are nicer and the variety of food choices wider, the cheap, but very tasty, Thai dishes have declined. The best stall has moved on. The bazaar is still recommended, just, but the choice of food elsewhere is almost overwhelming. Don’t forget the duck. Prachak Roasted Duck Restaurant, nearby, is well-known (see my separate report) but remember the duck shop just to the left of Robinsons Department Store for a take-away. 4. As you are walking along Charoen Krung Road, perhaps to the money changer, a tailor or Prachak Restaurant, there is a shop on the left at the corner of Charoen Krung Road and Soi 44 (remember to look up for street signs) which sells coconut sweets/cakes and the flat, pandan and coconut milk ones are nice – definitely not expensive. Also on the left and before you reach the sweet shop, is a shop selling see-through bags of peanuts and coconut (spicy of course) which are displayed in the street and are worth trying for a snack. 5. For some unknown reason, I missed out bespoke tailors within easy walking distance last time, a serious omission in Bangkok! Trip Advisor can help here. I can recommend Alex Il Sarto, an upmarket tailor, Praise Tailors, cheaper, and Dream Women’s Tailor for my wife and I have reviewed all 3 separately. 6. Exit the hotel to the left, then take the first left (close by), walk a very short distance past the Grand Sathorn Hotel, turn left into Charoen Wiang (street), as per my earlier notes, and on the right now is the recommended Yi Ping Chinese Restaurant and yes, see my separate review. Walk to the end of Charoen Wiang and on the corner, on the right and opposite Robinsons Department Store, is another 7-Eleven store. Remember that if you want to buy alcohol it can only be sold between 11 am – 2 pm and 5 pm – midnight. 7. In my previous report I recommended a moneychanger near the entrance to Ma Boon Khrong (MBK) but this recommendation is withdrawn and a poor exchange rate for US$s was offered on the last trip. Stay with the money changer fairly near the hotel, details in the previous review and check their opening hours. 8. That’s it. Enjoy your stay in the hotel and Thailand. It won’t be your last visit to this country and hopefully not the last to this hotel. My 5-star rating is for this grade of hotel.