Royal Hotel Bangkok Reviews

This hotel is superbly located at a walking distance of Wat Pra Kheo and Wat Po and very close to Kao San Road, for those interested.It's one of the oldest hotels in Bangkok so you can't expect the same amenities as in a recent hotel but there's a swimming pool and that's very pleasant after a day's visit.

The Royal had some poor reviews from some tyravellers, so I was a little worried. OK, it's gone a bit dingy over the years, but nothing that could not be rectified by spending some basic money on sprucing it up. The pool surround is past its best, but the pool is good.
The room was excellent value and clean, the staff not at all surly as I'd read elsewhere - they were all polite and helpful. If you book here, bear in mind that it's more of a Thai hotel than a tourist one, so locals use it a lot; the facilities are booked for meetings, weddings etc., and the surrounding area has a nice local "buzz", but you will also find poverty-striken people sleeping rough on pavements outside too. I've used the place 5 times over 20 years, it may not have the sparkle it used to have, BUT I like it a lot and will return.
The "western" breakfast food is poor...toast is soggy and undercooked, fried eggs are hard and often cold, sausage and ham is tinned or pre-packed awful stuff BUT if you stick with the Thai-style breakfast you'll find it lovely.
There are plenty of taxi hasslers outside, and, I suspect a few over-painted ladies of the night occasionally inside, but they are all good natured and soon leave you alone. This is not the Sheraton and I wouldn't want it to be...here you are in touch with Thai life, in the Sheraton you are insulated and you pay 8 times the rate...I know, I stopped in both. I prefer the Royal. Also, the Royal has an excellent location for the Grand Palace, Wat Po, and all the famous backpackers haunts for food, massage, shopping and entertainment. Do NOT believe the bad reviews you read, but know what it is you are booking into. Steve Riches.

the hotel needs to be renovated

all is very close to walk.

Not close to a sky train station, so you need to get a tuk tuk everwwhere, but close to Wat Phra Kaew. If you book on the internet you get a room in the old wing, which are nicer than those in the new wing.

Nice location for those who takes airport bus transportation. No subway or skyway nearby but Taxi is cheap around city. Not many decent shops around the corner but the famous Khao San Rd. is 5 minutes away. Clean and neat but swimming pool is small. The down side is mosquitoes in the room.

Very convenient location, close to Khao San Road but not in a noisy area. There is a bus stop over the road where you can take a bus to the international airport for only 33 Baht (much much cheaper than any taxi or hotel would charge you!)The receptionist told us which buses to catch, very helpful. Swimming pool a real bonus after spending the day exploring in the heat of the city. Breakfast was included in price of room and was very very good, with loads of choice and lovely fresh fruit everyday. Bathrooms were nice and clean. If you would like a balcony off you room then ask for a smoking room.

All the above

Room was ok, nothing special but good for the price