Ruan Ben Ja

The rooms at Ruan Ben Ja range from single, twin and double rooms to mixed dormitory beds and capsules. The twin room has two single beds, the premium double room has a queen bed and a garden view, and the mixed dormitory room has a bunk bed. Some rooms have a private bathroom and toilet, and the capsule rooms use a shared bathroom.

Rooms can include air conditioning, linens, toiletries, slippers, a hair dryer and complimentary tea, and some have a private entrance. Free Wi-Fi is available in all rooms. Room capacities run from one to five guests, and the premium double room and the twin room both have a private entrance.

Ruan Ben Ja has a bar, restaurants, a coffee shop and room service, and guests can use a shared kitchen. Breakfast is free, in Asian, buffet and continental styles, and the shared lounge has a TV while the library holds books, magazines and newspapers.

The property offers a convenience store, shops, a laundry service and dry cleaning, and daily housekeeping. There is luggage storage, lockers and a concierge, and a taxi service and tours are offered too.

A 24-hour front desk and 24-hour security are on site, and the shared lounge has a large-screen TV for watching sports. Free Wi-Fi is available in all rooms, and paid parking is available nearby.

Ruan Ben Ja stands in Don Mueang, a district in north Bangkok that shares its name with the older airport, still used mainly for domestic and budget flights. Around Soi Choet Wutthakat 9 you will find housing, small shops and eateries, and the area works well for guests with an early flight or a train to catch. The district is a long way from the river and the old city, so the sights take a longer trip.

Don Mueang International Airport is 750 m away, and Don Mueang SRT Station is a short walk from the hostel. Wat Don Muang, a temple close by, and a Lotus supermarket about 1,000 m away cover everyday needs. Further afield, Chatuchak Weekend Market, 14.1 km away, is one of Bangkok's best-known markets, with thousands of stalls selling clothes, handicrafts and food. The Grand Palace, 21.8 km away in the old city, and Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn on the Chao Phraya river, are the city's best-known sights.

A good day could start early at Chatuchak, which is open mainly at weekends, and continue to the Grand Palace and Wat Arun in the old city. Back in Don Mueang, the hostel's own restaurants and bar are a practical place to end the day before an early departure from the airport.