I am trying to remember which of the old Bangkok hotels from the 1960s and 1970s are still around in something close to their original form.

Not the luxury hotels that have been completely rebuilt or renovated beyond recognition, but the 2-3 star ones that still feel like you are stepping into a time capsule.

The ones where you can almost imagine American soldiers on R and R, old travel posters on the walls, rotary telephones in the rooms, and reception desks that probably have not been moved in half a century.

Off the top of my head, I can only think of about five.

The Florida Hotel.

The Miami Hotel.

The Atlanta Hotel.

The Nana Hotel.

The Malaysia Hotel.

All of them seem to have retained at least some of that old Bangkok atmosphere, even if they have had the odd facelift, or room refresh over the years.

Have I forgotten any other obvious ones?

I am only thinking of the genuinely old school places that still retain much of their original character, not hotels that have been stripped back to the concrete and rebuilt into something completely different, like The Manhattan was.

There cannot be many others left now.

Off topic because it's gone, but as I posted in a different thread The Federal Hotel was such a great place.

Rooms were super comfortable, inexpensive, the coffee shop was the best for catching up with mates (and maybe the previous nites Mrs) the next morning to coffee and eat and talk about the previous nites adventures. Food there overall was excellent lots of locals in there

Most beautiful staff ever, not looks wise necessarily but just beautiful people. 10-15 years in a row I stayed there was always great to see those same faces. I miss the Fed.

1 hour ago, Kyoto Kyle said:

I am trying to remember which of the old Bangkok hotels from the 1960s and 1970s are still around in something close to their original form.

Not the luxury hotels that have been completely rebuilt or renovated beyond recognition, but the 2-3 star ones that still feel like you are stepping into a time capsule.

The ones where you can almost imagine American soldiers on R and R, old travel posters on the walls, rotary telephones in the rooms, and reception desks that probably have not been moved in half a century.

Off the top of my head, I can only think of about five.

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The Florida Hotel.

The Miami Hotel.

The Atlanta Hotel.

The Nana Hotel.

The Malaysia Hotel.

All of them seem to have retained at least some of that old Bangkok atmosphere, even if they have had the odd facelift, or room refresh over the years.

Have I forgotten any other obvious ones?

I am only thinking of the genuinely old school places that still retain much of their original character, not hotels that have been stripped back to the concrete and rebuilt into something completely different, like The Manhattan was.

There cannot be many others left now.

Which one of those would you say has changed least.

The Thungmahamek Privacy Hotel just across the street from the Malaysia Soi Ngam Du Pli area. The Malaysia was an R&R hotel built for officers, the Privacy across the street was for enlisted men. No pool but I always preferred it. The other was the Reno near MBK but there was no MBK back then. It is on the soi or Jim Thompsons house. Lots of journalists stayed there. Both of these were circa 1977-80.

14 minutes ago, saintdomingo said:

Which one of those would you say has changed least.

To me, all of them look like they haven't changed.

7 minutes ago, marin said:

The Thungmahamek Privacy Hotel just across the street from the Malaysia Soi Ngam Du Pli area. The Malaysia was an R&R hotel built for officers, the Privacy across the street was for enlisted men. No pool but I always preferred it. The other was the Reno near MBK but there was no MBK back then. It is on the soi or Jim Thompsons house. Lots of journalists stayed there. Both of these were circa 1977-80.

Off the top of my head, there are few others like those that are gone too. The Honey, The Rex, The Crown,

32 minutes ago, Priorexpat said:

Off topic because it's gone, but as I posted in a different thread The Federal Hotel was such a great place.

Rooms were super comfortable, inexpensive, the coffee shop was the best for catching up with mates (and maybe the previous nites Mrs) the next morning to coffee and eat and talk about the previous nites adventures. Food there overall was excellent lots of locals in there

Most beautiful staff ever, not looks wise necessarily but just beautiful people. 10-15 years in a row I stayed there was always great to see those same faces. I miss the Fed.

I never stayed at the Federal Hotel before it was torn down, but I ate at the coffee shop there late at night a number of times. Yes, it was an institution.

Sahai Sahakit Hotel is another one that's still around, but I am not familiar with it.

I'm wondering if maybe there's also a couple in Chinatown.

There is also the old Royal Rattanakosin Hotel next to Sanam Luang. It was built in the 40s. Art deco style. Sizable hotel. 300 rooms. The lobby was turned into a temporary field hospital during the violent 1992 uprising which occurred just in front of the hotel.

Edited July 2Jul 2 by Kyoto Kyle

Just remembered the Rex just up Sukhumvit from Thong Lo, on the right side going east.

6 minutes ago, marin said:

Just remembered the Rex just up Sukhumvit from Thong Lo, on the right side going east.

Yeah, The Rex was taken down in 2015 around the same time as The Federal. I think I ate in the coffee shop at The Rex once in the late nineties.

The Golden Palace, formerly on Sukhumvit Soi 1, is another that's gone, Turned into a parking lot for Bumrungrad in the 2000s.

The Asia Hotel, Ratchatewi, Bangkok.

It was the first hotel I stayed in on my first trip to Thailand as a back packing student, and it was old then. While it's been updated, it still has that old vibe.

When I stayed there on my first Thai visit, I remember planning my trip to various temples by looking out of the bedroom window and plotting the temples on my map. Now you can't see anything out of the windows as it's all built up.

The Sukosol also has that 70's style. You can imagine CIA agents in beige linen suits meeting with Thai fixers over an iced coffee, before heading to a ping pong show.

Hotel? No hotels for me. I first stayed in an unknown backpacker place in Soi Ngam Dupli. It rained all night and the next day the water was up to my thighs. Kids were fishing in the street.

48 minutes ago, Kinnock said:

The Asia Hotel, Ratchatewi, Bangkok.

It was the first hotel I stayed in on my first trip to Thailand as a back packing student, and it was old then. While it's been updated, it still has that old vibe.

When I stayed there on my first Thai visit, I remember planning my trip to various temples by looking out of the bedroom window and plotting the temples on my map. Now you can't see anything out of the windows as it's all built up.

My first trip to Bangkok I stayed at the Asia Hotel I believe it was 1997 because the BTS train station was being built out the front. My second trip was hilarious I booked BBB INN online, a boy took to my room and told me to get undressed because I needed a shower after my long flight from Australia. He told me he would shower me and sleep with me that night. I said thanks but no thanks and changed hotels the next day.

Edited July 2Jul 2 by Rams86

Grand Tower Inn Rama 6. Only 25 years old but got character. Gym on the top floor used to be a suite with view.

1 hour ago, Rams86 said:

My first trip to Bangkok I stayed at the Asia Hotel I believe it was 1997 because the BTS train station was being built out the front. My second trip was hilarious I booked BBB INN online, a boy took to my room and told me to get undressed because I needed a shower after my long flight from Australia. He told me he would shower me and sleep with me that night. I said thanks but no thanks and changed hotels the next day.

You should have said yes for the cultural experience!

didnt the malaysia appear in good morning vietnam movie?

in 60s guise?

Nana still retains its original charm even though the rooms have been updated. Nothing like going to breakfast with a bunch of old blokes, some still with their girl from the previous night.

There in th 60’s or 70’s, but mid 80’s for me. Use to move between two hotels on Soi Kasem San 1, depending on money. The Reno; nice, upscale, a pool, café, bar. The Star, farther down the soi. A cheap, pickup hotel, if skint.  If the press/news flacks stayed in the Reno in the 60’s. GIs used The Star for RR. The Star had a central building that had been added to, a short time Thai style, drive in parking with drapes around cars, by the 80’s. Reno is still there and I use it, if in the city. The Star was bought, bulldozed and turned into hi so condos back in the early teens.

If I mention those two , I have to include a restaurant, The New Light, a short walk away, on the backside of Siam Square. Three floors; western, Thai and Chinese food. Always extremely dark. Great place to nurse a hangover after a hard night. Closed 2014 & missed.

Edited July 2Jul 2 by Dcheech

The Reno is full renovated now. Looks brand new.

The Grace on soi3? was once a good place late at night to find a friend. Have not been there in decades but I think it is still there but mostly all middle east patrons?

Promenade hotel on soi 8 is an oldie goldie that still provides a decent room in a great location at a good price. Stable Lodge across street also has been around a long time with lot of repeat guests.

Actually there are lots of very old hotels that are still going on small sois etc. Most have been renovated with better a/c tv's etc but still represent good value for the baht. Sadly many have been bulldozed and are now mere memories of times past.

The Ambassador Hotel is still there. Used to be the Chavalit Hotel in the 1960s.

A friend in my hometown recounted how he would stay at the Ambassador Hotel in the 1970s when on R&R from Vietnam.

Manhattan is from the 60's, oldest must be the Atlanta on suk soi 2, sex tourists, druggies and ner do wells not welcome! That must be the least altered, 1952 I think it opened. They used to have film nights, people flying from around the world to sit there and watch lost horizon. Used to small of cat piss.

3 hours ago, 3NUMBAS said:

didnt the malaysia appear in good morning vietnam movie?

in 60s guise?

The Malaysia Hotel was where Charles Sobhraj and Ajay Chowdhury made contact with many of the young travelers that they later robbed or killed.

Rajah in soi 4 - the main wing was knocked down a decade ago on it's 50th anniversary but the newer wing survives, albeit long rumoured to be haunted after an angry punter defenestrated a ladyboy there.

Thai Song Greet, near Hualumpong. First stayed there 1975. Last time there was 1981 place would be torn down soon after (there is a bank in its place now).

On the trans-Asian overland path the name was passed around as the place to stay in Bkk, and you could get there by one city bus ride from Don Muang. It was also a brothel presided over by a Hutt-looking Chinese guy named Charrie whom I never saw wearing anything other than a singlet and boxers. He was constantly plying for business, the gesture that always cracked me up was he would say "you" then point to a girl and say "her" and then open his mouth and point into it. The first floor was an absolutely no-frills Chinese eatery, food was great, and cheap. Much welcomed by those of us coming from India living on rice & dahl for months.

Down the street a row of fortune tellers would be at their blankets on the sidewalk, and at least one of which sold Thai sticks -- almost strong enough to lead you to believe you could see God.

20 hours ago, Kyoto Kyle said:

Off the top of my head, there are few others like those that are gone too. The Honey, The Rex, The Crown,

I stayed at the Honey for years. Great staff, great memories. I miss it.

The Honey had the tilted mirror next to bed the first time I stayed there.

The Liberty Hotel Saphan Kwai. My first time in Thailand 1970 courtesy of the USAF.