Inn A Day

"Why book? Inside a four-story shophouse building, a tranquil oasis on the river comes at an exceptional price, with spacious rooms, custom amenities, rain showers and cloud-like beds on reclaimed wooden frames. Set the scene An edgy design, with industrial charm and Brooklyn-style appeal, the hotel speaks to those who packed for a trip that would include both off-road adventures and spa treatments, days lounging in a hammock and others spent in a helicopter. The draw of staying here is a location in one of the oldest sections of the city, yet far removed from the backpacker nexus of Khao San Road. Inn A Day is a fine choice for the 30-something to 40-something adventure traveler set looking for a vibe-y scene in a city center, but still after what authentically makes Bangkok tick. In the main floor lobby space, a coffee/cocktail counter keeps things lively. Inn A Day’s service is as warm and inviting as the craft espressos they perfect from gleaming, steaming machines. The backstory Open since 2013, the property remains a top choice in an area that’s gained a great deal of traction for hoteliers in the last decade. The antiquated, four-story shophouse, right on the river facing Wat Arun, was transformed into nine rooms, each named for an hour in the day when the view is best from that vantage. The rooms Right on top of a fresh industrial revival trend in 2013, Inn A Day is still interesting by design nearly ten years later. A careful hand retained the old former warehouse building's accents (smooth concrete floors and walls, exposed pipes, and tall shutter-styled doors) while adding in artistic creature comforts, like downy mattresses with soft, percale sheets; great hair dryers; and sweet-smelling bath amenities. Each room offers a great view 24/7, but particularly at that hour it's named after. Awake in the 8AM Room, throw the weathered doors wide and enjoy breakfast on your private terrace, as amber morning light falls over beautiful, tropical foliage planted along the railing. Or, opt for the 5PM Room, where the sun sinks against the slowly lapping edges of the Chao Phraya river, turning the waters a brilliant gold. All rooms, with the exception of one, feature private outdoor space. Food and drink You’ll never miss your barista back home while staying here. The aromas of freshly ground coffee wafting up are enough to pull you down the small staircase to the lobby, where deep chairs are meant for flopping and staying. The small food menu changes regularly, based on what the cooks got at the market that day. The neighborhood/area This eye-shaped neighborhood is called Rattanakosin Island; it’s bordered on one side by the river and on the other by large canals dug to protect the royal palaces from Burmese invasion back in the late 1700s. Warehouses and government buildings now host serious business, but also more lighthearted, tourist-appealing things like craft cocktail bars, bookshops, art galleries, and quaint spas. Rattanakosin is particularly beautiful for taking a walk at 6am or 9pm, as the reflective tiles on the temples catch the sunlight or the moonlight. The service The staff here is friendly and gregarious, but petite and understandably busy. Don’t expect a ton of hand-holding or big pre-packaged tours. However, if you find something online you’d like to do, they are handy with making you a hand-drawn map as well as translating over the phone when booking a restaurant table or lining up a bike tour. Accessibility Narrow stairs and no rooms on the first floor." - Jenny Adams