Old Bangkok Inn

Eco-friendly, family-run boutique B&B ideally located for discovering the Thai Capital’s heritage district

Opened in 2005, Old Bangkok Inn is one of the city's first boutique guesthouses and arguably its homeliest place to stay. Thoughtfully converted from a 1940s shophouse, it sits on Ratanakosin Island in the middle of Bangkok's historic quarter and has been in the care of the owners' family for seven generations.

Stepping into the tearoom-esque lobby is to be transported into a somnolent but classy olde-worlde realm. Jazzy guitar music plays, ornate birdcages are from Chiang Mai, a Burmese cabinet reveals OBI-conceived scents: Jasmine, Rose, Lemongrass, Wild Rice and Lotus representing the five guestroom styles here. Doors, flooring and much of the structure came from Ayuthaya, Thailand’s ancient capital, now specialising in reclaimed teak from dismantled old Central Thai wooden houses. Drift around the corridors and you'll find hidden cabinets containing DVDs to borrow, a glass walkway directly under a roof skylight, to naturally light as much of the hotel as possible, and tree-root-like banisters.

Highs

• Home-away-from-home ambience with personal helpful service
• Chances are owner Khun Nantiya will be sitting behind the reception to offer you a warm hello, possibly with her son Joey, a Democrat Party staffer and fluent English-speaker
• Impressive green credentials - charity donations at check-in matched by the hotel, solar heating, water-saving taps, energy-saving light bulbs, bedding and towels changed upon request, no throwaway toiletries
• Conveniently located for Bangkok's main historical landmarks: the Golden Mountain temple is opposite; the Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha are a 20-minute walk
• Free high speed internet-enabled PC or laptop in every room

Lows

• There's no restaurant or room service - just a small cosy tea room which forms the bulk of the hotel lobby
• Although all rooms are carefully conceived with lovely decorative touches, some are small, lighting can be subdued, the stairs to mezzanines are steep and storage can be limited
• Taxi drivers are unlikely to find the hotel; to avoid getting lost, book an airport transfer with the hotel in advance
• No pool and limited outdoor space
• A little far from Bangkok's main shopping areas such as Sukhumvit