P168 Hostel Thailand: Your Epic Bangkok Adventure Starts Here!
P168 Hostel Thailand: My Chaotic, Awesome Bangkok Blitz! (A Review That's Actually Honest)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't your grandma's hotel review. We're talking about P168 Hostel Thailand: "Your Epic Bangkok Adventure Starts Here!"… and lemme tell you, it kinda does. I mean, epic is a strong word, right? But after 3 days of glorious chaos, Pad Thai binges, and near-miss Tuk-Tuk adventures, I'm feeling pretty damn good about it. Let's dissect this place, warts and all!
First Impressions: Accessibility & Safety – The Practical Stuff (Yawn, But Important!)
Right off the bat, I'm a sucker for a place that tries. P168 says it’s accessible, which is a good start. They list "Facilities for disabled guests", and I have to admit, they seem to take it seriously. Elevators are a lifesaver in a bustling city like Bangkok, and the "Food delivery" service will be a boon for people with mobility issues. They also have CCTV everywhere, and it's great to feel like the property isn’t as sketchy as some spots I’ve seen. They also have these fancy things: "CCTV in common areas" and "CCTV outside property", "Front desk [24-hour]", "Security [24-hour]", "Fire extinguisher", "Smoke alarms". So, safety = 👍.
Cleanliness and Safety (The Pandemic Years Edition):
Okay, let's talk about the elephant in the room: that thing that shall not be named. P168 seems to get it. They're doing the best they can. They say they have "Anti-viral cleaning products," "Daily disinfection in common areas," and "Rooms sanitized between stays." They also seem to have a ton of hand sanitizer scattered about. The food service is also good, "Sanitized kitchen and tableware items", "Individually-wrapped food options," and "Safe dining setup" are really important. It is also good that they have "Staff trained in safety protocol," because you know, you're only as good as your staff.
They also mention "Physical distancing of at least 1 meter" which is kind of unavoidable. But look, they're trying, and that's more than I can say about some other places I’ve stumbled upon.
The "Hotel" Bits: Rooms, Amenities and ALL That Good Stuff
Alright, let's get down to the nitty-gritty. My room? Surprisingly decent! Honestly, I was expecting a cramped shoebox, but it was actually alright. I got a "Non-smoking" room, “Air conditioning” (a MUST in Bangkok), and "Free Wi-Fi," which is always a win. They also had those little details that make a difference, like "Coffee/tea maker," "Free bottled water," and "Extra long bed" (thank you, P168, my size 12 feet are eternally grateful).
Seriously, though, the "Blackout curtains" were a godsend after a night fueled by Singha beer and questionable street food. The "Separate shower/bathtub" wasn't exactly luxurious, but it did the job. I did notice there were a bunch of rooms, and they are labeled like, "Couple's room" or interconnecting rooms. And you know, "Additional toilet" is always good.
The Amenities: Pools, Saunas, and the Elusive "Relaxation"
Okay, here's where it gets interesting. P168 boasts a lot of relaxation-related amenities. On the list are "Pool with view," "Sauna," "Spa," "Spa/sauna," "Steamroom," "Swimming pool," "Swimming pool [outdoor]," as well as a "Foot bath." Did I experience all of it? Hell no! I was too busy exploring the city. Did I see it? Yes. The "Pool with view" did look damn inviting on a particularly scorching afternoon, and I did see some folks enjoying the "Swimming pool [outdoor]". I am also a fan of a well-placed foot bath.
There’s also a "Fitness center" for all of you gym rats, and that "Massage" is also a good idea, but I did not go.
Food, Glorious Food (Okay, I Got Hungry!)
Let's talk about fuel. P168 has a lot of options: "A la carte in restaurant," "Asian breakfast," "Asian cuisine in restaurant," "Bar," "Breakfast [buffet]," "Breakfast service," "Buffet in restaurant," "Coffee/tea in restaurant," "Coffee shop," "Desserts in restaurant," "International cuisine in restaurant," "Poolside bar," "Restaurants," "Room service [24-hour]," "Salad in restaurant," "Snack bar," "Soup in restaurant," "Vegetarian restaurant," "Western breakfast," "Western cuisine in restaurant". That is a lot of stuff! I was hungry, so I made sure to try the breakfast buffet (a classic, right?). It was… fine! Lots of choices, a bit of chaos, but that's Bangkok, baby! I did the "Asian breakfast" and "Western breakfast" and it was the same for both. The "Coffee shop" has some decent coffee, and the poolside bar is totally tempting.
Services and Conveniences: The Stuff That Makes Life Easier (or More Chaotic)
This is where P168 really shines. They have "Air conditioning in public area," which is a must when you're sweating buckets. The have "Cash withdrawal," "Concierge," "Currency exchange," and "Daily housekeeping," are all super helpful. Then, they have "Convenience store" "Elevator" and “Ironing service,” which is useful.
The "Epic Adventure” Bits: Things To Do & Getting Around (Get Out There!)
Okay, let's get real. You didn't come to Bangkok to sit in your room. P168 gets this. They have "Airport transfer," which is golden after a long flight. They have "Bicycle parking," "Car park [free of charge]," "Car park [on-site]," "Car power charging station," "Taxi service," and "Valet parking"; They also help get you to all the crazy places you will want to go, "Baby sitting service"
My Chaotic, Awesome Highlights:
- The Breakfast Debacle (and the Kindness of Strangers): One morning, after a night of street food and questionable karaoke, I stumbled down to the breakfast buffet. I was a mess. Half-asleep, still smelling of Pad See Ew, and basically incapable of making decisions beyond "more coffee." I somehow managed to grab a plate, overflowing with… well, I don't even know what. Then, disaster! I tripped! Food. Everywhere. I was mortified. But a kind Thai woman, who I swear was giggling, helped me clean up and even guided me to the "fruit" section. That's Bangkok, baby – chaos and kindness in equal measure.
- The Rooftop Pool (and the Unexpected Zen): I eventually made it up to the rooftop pool. The view was incredible, the sun was baking, and the water felt amazing. For a brief moment, amidst the urban sprawl, I felt… peaceful. Okay, maybe not Zen. But it was close.
- The Street Food Reconnaissance Mission: Okay, not directly related to the hostel, but a must-do: the street food tour! P168's location makes it easy to get to all the best spots. I probably ate enough Pad Thai to feed a small village, and I have zero regrets.
The Imperfections (Because Let's Be Honest):
- The WiFi Whims: Yes, they boast "Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!"… but it wasn't always the steadiest. There were times when the connection was a bit… temperamental. But hey, you're in Bangkok! Embrace the disconnect! The "Internet" also had its own issues.
- The Noisy Neighbors (The Downside of Fun): Bangkok never sleeps, and sometimes neither do your neighbors. Be prepared for a bit of noise. Earplugs are your friend.
Overall…Is P168 "Epic"? Maybe Not. But It's Damn Good.
P168 Hostel Thailand is not a five-star luxury resort. It's a solid, comfortable basecamp for your Bangkok adventure. It's clean, safe, and well-located. The staff are friendly, the amenities are decent, and it's a great value for the price. It’s a good launchpad for exploring the city.
The Verdict: Would I go back? Absolutely! And I highly recommend it. If you're looking for a budget-friendly, centrally located hostel with a good vibe, then P168 is a great choice. Get ready for chaos, adventure, and a whole lot of Pad Thai.
Now, For the Persuasive Part: The Offer (Because We Gotta Sell This Thing!)
Tired of Generic Hotel Stays? Craving a REAL Bangkok Experience?
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- A FREE "Bangkok Bites" Food Tour: Explore
Alright, here's what I think a trip to P168 Hostel in Thailand might look like if I were… me. Prepare for a chaotic, possibly tequila-fueled, and definitely opinionated adventure:
P168 Hostel, Bangkok - A Slightly Unhinged Itinerary (AKA, My Attempt at Surviving Thailand)
Day 1: Arrival & Mild Panic (Airport to Chaos)
- Morning (8:00 AM): Land in Suvarnabhumi Airport. Already sweating. Not even from the heat yet, just from the sheer immensity of everything. Find the baggage carousel. Pray my backpack made it. (Secretly hoping it didn't, so I have an excuse to go shopping…)
- Morning (9:00 AM): Okay, backpack’s here. Whew. Now, the goddamn taxi. Negotiating is a sport I’m terrible at. End up paying 50 baht too much regardless. Vow to learn some Thai phrases. Probably won’t.
- Late Morning (11:00 AM): Arrive at P168. Check-in. Immediately overwhelmed by the sheer number of smiling faces. Are they all… this happy? I feel like I’m forgetting something important, like… sunscreen. Or how to adult.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM): Settle into my dorm. Attempt to unpack. Briefly consider just living out of my backpack for the next month. (Pro: Saves time. Con: Makes me look like I've been living in a yurt).
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Lunch. Street food cart. Pad Thai. Pretty sure it's the best thing I’ve ever tasted. Get a little too enthusiastic with the chili flakes. Tears. (Also, the woman running the cart is a total badass. I want to be her.)
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Wandering around the nearby area. Get lost. Of course. Discover a temple. Try to act respectful, but mostly just gawking. So much gold leaf! Seriously, how do they keep it from being stolen?!
- Evening (6:00 PM): Head back to the hostel. Attempt to make friends in the common area. Everyone seems to already know each other. Feel like the awkward new kid in school. Order a Chang beer. Take a deep breath. Fake it till you make it, right?
- Evening (8:00 PM): Dinner with a group. The food is actually good. The people are slightly more tolerable after a few beers. Chat about travel experiences and where people are coming from. One person says they quit their job to travel. I'm pretty sure I love them. Still in a slight state of disbelief.
Day 2: Markets, Temples, and Questionable Decisions (The "Full Tourist" Day)
- Morning (9:00 AM): Breakfast at the hostel. Forget which room is mine. Awkwardly ask around. Some dude with dreadlocks gives me a knowing smile.
- Morning (10:00 AM): Tuktuk ride to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. The ride is terrifying, exhilarating, and hilarious all at once. Bargaining with the driver is a disaster.
- Late Morning (11:00 AM): Floating Market. Boats. Food. Tourists. Everything is vibrant and overwhelming. The smells are intoxicating! I buy a hat that I’ll probably never wear again. Worth it.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Lunch at the market. More noodles. More chili. Regret the hat slightly when a vendor tries to overcharge me. I walk away instead of getting mad. Growing as a person.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): A Temple! Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). Staring at the intricate details on the tower. So. Much. Detail. I'm in awe of the craftsmanship. Trying not to think about how many people must have died building it.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): More temples. I'm templed-out but still trying to appreciate the culture. It's incredibly hot. My brain is melting.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Back to the hostel. Take a quick shower (finally). Feel slightly less like a damp rag.
- Evening (7:00 PM): Dinner. Tonight's plan: The infamous Khao San Road. I'm both excited and terrified.
- Evening (8:00 PM): Khao San Road. So many people. So many bars. So much noise. Drink a questionable cocktail from a bucket and instantly regret it. But also, it's really fun. Dance with strangers. The world makes sense for about five minutes.
- Evening (10:00 PM): Eat pad thai from a street vendor and then decide to get a tattoo. What was I even thinking?
- Late Night (11:00 PM): Pass Out.
Day 3: Hangover, Regret, and Redemption (Or, How I Tried to Be a Responsible Adult)
- Morning (10:00 AM): Wake up with a throbbing headache and a vague sense of shame. Check the tattoo in the mirror. It's not bad. Okay, it's not terrible. Maybe I can blame the bucket. I'm going to blame the bucket.
- Morning (11:00 AM): Breakfast at the hostel, attempting to rehydrate. Attempt to apologize to the nice woman who made breakfast.
- Afternoon (12:00 PM): Exploring the city and trying to be a more thoughtful tourist and eat at a restaurant.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Get my much-needed massage.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM): A cooking class. I discover I'm actually pretty good at making Thai curry! Maybe there's hope for me after all!
- Evening (7:00 PM): Dinner at a local restaurant. Trying the food I made. It’s surprisingly good. Maybe there's hope for me yet .
- Evening (8:00 PM): Trying to watch the sunset but fail.
Day 4: Water, Exploration, and the Realization That This Is My Life Now (And I Love It)
- Morning (9:00 AM): Wake up feeling surprisingly good, which is a miracle. Actually eat breakfast and make real conversation with fellow travelers. We are growing up.
- Morning (10:00 AM): Take a boat trip along the Chao Phraya River. Finally starting to "get" Bangkok. The city is beautiful.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): The hostel is hosting a BBQ. I somehow get roped into helping. Realize how little I know about grilling. The food is delicious.
- Afternoon (4:00 PM): Decide to explore a new part of the city that I didn't even know existed until today.
- Evening (8:00 PM): The hostel is hosting a games night. We play card games I don't understand but have a blast anyway.
- Late Night (10:00 PM): Drink more beer. Discuss plans for the next few days with newfound friends. Realize I’m legitimately sad that I’m leaving in a week.
Day 5, 6, 7: (The rest is vague, because life is messy and I'm probably not going to stick to a schedule. I'll go with the flow… mostly.)
- Possible Activities: Maybe try a Muay Thai class? (Or just watch other people get punched.) More street food adventures. Exploring more temples (maybe). Maybe trying to learn some basic Thai. (Probably not.) A day trip to Ayutthaya. Lots of lounging around the hostel common area, drinking coffee, and people-watching.
- Expectations: Spontaneity. Laughter. Food comas. Probably more questionable decisions. Lots of new friends. Some tears. Definitely a lot of photos.
- Emotional State: A confused, joyful, slightly exhausted, and completely overwhelmed love for everything.
Important Notes:
- Imperfections are welcome. If I get lost, that's part of the adventure. If I say the wrong thing, so be it. If I cry over street food, whatever.
- Opinions are strong. If I love something, I'll gush. If I hate it, you'll know. (Though, let's be real, I'll probably love most of it.)
- Flexibility is key. This itinerary is more of a guideline than a rule. I'm here to experience Thailand, not to stick to a rigid schedule.
- And finally: Embrace the chaos. Be open to the unexpected. Say yes to everything. (Well, almost everything. Safety first!)
- Don't forget the sunscreen! (I probably will.)
Okay, so... P168 Hostel. Is it, like, ACTUALLY good for a solo traveller, or is that just what they *say*?
Alright, deep breath. P168. I went there expecting… well, let's just say my expectations were lower than the price of a Singha beer (which, by the way, is a *bargain* in Bangkok). And honestly? It freaking blew me away. Okay, maybe not *blew me away*, because I'm still here, typing this, but it was a solid blast!
Seriously though, as a solo traveller, it's GOLD. The common area? A social hub without being… *too* hub-y. Like, you can chill with your book if you want, but within five minutes someone will probably be offering you a Chang or asking if you're up for a pad thai adventure. I made more friends in the first 24 hours there than I did in the entire year I worked that soul-crushing desk job. (Shudders. Don't ask.)
The staff? Absolutely legends. One time, I accidentally locked myself out of my dorm (classic) at 3 AM. Cue panic, tears (okay, maybe just one or two), and a frantic search for a phone. The night guy, bless his cotton socks, was there in like, five minutes, with a smile and a key. Hero status unlocked.
What's the vibe like? Is it just full of backpackers who only talk about *their* backpacking adventures? (Please tell me it's not.)
Okay, buckle up. The vibe? It's a glorious, messy, beautiful cacophony. Yes, there are backpackers. Duh. But the *kind* of backpackers matters, right? These were, like, genuinely cool people. Not just the "I've climbed EVERY mountain" type. Though, I did meet one girl who *swore* she’d scaled Everest. I chose to believe her, because honestly, it made for a better story over coffee.
You get a mix of ages, nationalities, and travel styles. Some are on epic round-the-world odysseys, others are just there for a quick city break. Some are loud and outgoing, others are quiet and contemplative. It reminded me of a giant, slightly chaotic, but overwhelmingly positive, group hug. I was a bit nervous about being a solo traveller, but I ended up sharing a beer with a retired carpenter from Canada, who regaled me with stories of his woodworking feats. It was the polar opposite of my expectations, and it was amazing.
The dorm rooms. Are they…clean? Because hostel cleanliness is a gamble, let's be honest.
Alright, the cleaning thing. This is where my OCD tendencies get a little… twitchy. But honestly? P168 does a pretty decent job. They're cleaning constantly. I mean, I saw them mopping the floors at, like, 3 AM. Dedication, people.
The rooms themselves are basic, but functional. Don't expect the Ritz. Do expect a comfy bed, a locker (crucial for your passport and other valuables), and air conditioning that actually *works*. Which, trust me, is a lifesaver in Bangkok. One time, I saw a dude try to sneak a durian into the dorm. Big mistake. The smell… well, let's just say I understood why they have a zero-tolerance policy on certain fruits.
Look, it's a hostel. There are going to be some inconveniences, like the occasional snorer. But the cleanliness levels are above average for the price point, and that's all that matters.
Location, location, location! Is it actually near anything cool? Or am I going to spend my entire trip stuck in traffic?
Okay, the location! This is a BIG win for P168. It's PERFECT. Seriously, it's like they strategically placed it in the middle of everything awesome. Close to the BTS Skytrain (a lifesaver in Bangkok traffic), which zips you around the city like a caffeinated hummingbird.
You're walking distance from some amazing street food, night markets, and temples. I remember wandering around one night, completely lost and overwhelmed (as you do in Bangkok), and stumbling upon this amazing little noodle stall. The noodles were incredible, the people were friendly… it was the perfect Bangkok moment.
And, if you want to party? The famous Khao San Road isn't *too* far away (and is a super cheap taxi ride away if your legs are giving out). Though, a word of warning: pacing is key. Trust me on this. Your liver will thank you.
What are the downsides? Because everything has a catch, right?
Alright, the reality check. And yeah, there are a few. First, the noise. Bangkok is a noisy city, and hostels are noisy places. Earplugs are your friend, especially if you’re a light sleeper. I’m not, but even *I* needed them sometimes. The occasional party in the common area can go on… a while.
Second, the bathrooms. They're clean, mostly, but there's usually only a few, and they get a decent amount of traffic. Sometimes there might be a queue. Again, this is a hostel.
Also, my biggest complaint? No laundry service! I nearly had to wear the same shirt for a week, because it got covered in chili oil! But hey, for the price, you can't have it all.
Is there a kitchen? I’m not trying to eat street food *every* meal, you know?
YES! (Finally.) There’s a small but functional kitchen. Seriously a lifesaver for budget travellers. (Like me, let's be honest.) It's equipped with the basics: a fridge, a microwave, a kettle, and some utensils. It's a small space, so don't expect to cook elaborate meals, but it's perfect for making breakfast or even heating up leftovers from the street food stalls.
My best memory? Making a questionable pad thai (I *tried*) with a bunch of other travelers. (Hey, at least it didn't kill anyone!). It was a total bonding experience, and a testament to the power of camaraderie (and lots of garlic). Oh, and there's a small supermarket nearby if you need to stock up on supplies.
Would you stay there again, and if so, why? Give me the honest truth!
Dude. 100% yes. No question. In fact, writing these FAQs makes me want to book a flight *right now*. Bangkok can be overwhelming, chaotic, and completely insane. But P168? It’s a safe haven. It's a place where you can meet amazing people from all over the world. It's a place where you can be yourself, laugh a lot, and create some incredible memories.
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