Budget Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand: The Richy Place

Budget private hotel room in the middle of Bangkok's shopping area. 

I booked The Richy Place Bangkok without thinking twice because of its undeniable bang for the buck rates. For roughly around Php 1200 per night (Or $21), I have a private room with its own toilet and bath. Quite an upgrade from my pre-pandemic bunkbeds and shared restrooms!

My room in Bangkok for 5 nights

Add to that, The Richy Place's location is actually A+ for someone who hasn't been in Bangkok for over 2 decades. It is right in the middle of Bangkok's famous shopping area Pratunam, just a few blocks away from Siam area, so you can shop at your hearts content. 

Presenting in this post several reasons why I ended up loving my stay here, and also a few CONS that needed to be noted (make sure it's something na kaya mo din tiisin, in case you're booking this hotel too). In the end, lahat naman siguro gustong naka 5-star hotel, but for now, this is the only room that I can afford with my own hard-earned money that is decent enough for a 5-day solo trip, and has fairly good reviews from actual travellers who've actually stayed there. If we're on the same page, let's get on with the details!

LISTING / RATE:

Last December, when I chanced upon Trazy.com's Golden Disc Awards listing, and the lineup was not even announced yet, I started checking out hotel rooms in Bangkok. Told myself that if I find one that fits my budget, then I will push through with this whole trip. True enough, Agoda offered this affordable hotel in Pratunam. I got a Standard Single Room for only Php 1178 per night.

BUT! Since I still have my AgodaCash from the room I tried to refund from my last Korea trip (non-refundable, but Agoda offered to return my fee as AgodaCash that I can use within a few months), the rate even got lower so I just paid PHP 749 / night or PHP 3745.08 for a 5 night stay! Giname ko nato, I booked my GDA ticket without knowing who's going to perform, and also booked my room at The Richy Place.

LOCATION:

Address: The Richy Place, 14/7-8 Petchburi Rd. Soi Juldis (Petchburi 19) , Ratchathewi, Pratunam, Bangkok, Thailand, 10400

As mentioned several time, The Richy Place Bangkok is located in the middle of Pratunam Market.. literally. You had to go inside lanes of clothing shops, and even pass through a store to spot their "hidden" elevator! 

The elevator heading the The Richy Place. The reception area is at the second floor

Next to the elevator, andiyan na agad the shops!

My everyday view the moment I step out of my hotel: CLOTHES!

CONS

🚫 It's so hard to pin the location with Grab, so I had to go out to the main street every time I am booking for a transportation. Best to pin First House Hotel, or walk further to the main street and pin establishments in the area (Mcdo or Leela Orchid Hotel)

Although I did not have a hard time locating it with my Google Maps, some of the Agoda reviews pointed this one out since signage of the hotel is small and covered by the clothing shops. When I reached the First House Hotel though, the guards were already assuming I was staying in their hotel while pulling my luggage, and when I said no, they said "Oh Richy! Richy!" while pointing me to the right direction

Landmark to The Richy Place is another hotel called First House Bangkok Photo from firsthousebkk.com.

🚫 My room is a bit dark too, not much lighting. 

🚫 Both room and restroom have seen better days, in short ang luma na

🚫 Not hot water kettle in the room for late night instant noodles or mornings you just want coffee first before functioning. I can ask naman sa second floor but nakakatamad lalo pag super aga. No usual utensils and small cups and saucers in the room too

🚫 I only saw one electrical outlet in my room, and medyo malayo sya from the bed, so it's hard to charge while browsing phone at night which has been a bad habit of mine anyway hehe

🚫 No nearby BTS Train Station. I used the bus and Grab more.

PROS

❤ Airport Rail Link Ratchaprarob Station is only 340m away, so from the airport I just took one train ride to this hotel. No need to transfer, and also super nakatipid. There are lifts and escalators, so no episode of me carrying my luggage in plights of stairs. 

The walk from the train station to the hotel seemed far though, but maybe because of my luggage and having to pass through so many people and stores while trying to navigate with Google Maps.

❤ Room is bigger than the usual hotel rooms with the same price point I've stayed in other countries 

❤ Location is perfect for those who want to shop while in Bangkok.. just head down to the market and shop, go back to room and rest a bit, then go down to shop again! :)  

First day in the city, I just went outside and ang dami na Thai food options!

There's also a fruit vendor near my hotel that sells these fresh macopa, guava, mangos, etc!

My Day 1 7Eleven "Haul": Shampoo and a bar of soap, a big bottle of water, giant Yakult, toast, etc

❤ Housekeeping. My room got cleaned every time I request for it through hanging a door sign. So my room feels fresh when I get back from touring, while my personal things were still intact. 

❤ Upon checking in, I came to a neat and presentable room. After my experience in a Korean goshiwon, this is really noteworthy! Quick snaps of my room when I just got in:

Right across the door is a desk with mirror, a TV, a hair dryer, and a mini fridge

Simple room with bad lighting, but at least it looks (and feels) clean

There's a small hall with this open cabinet where I placed the stuff I bought in the market before packing on my last night. The colorful glass in front is the door to the restroom

Decent size, has hot shower and bidet, a huge roll of tissue paper, and a few toiletries (I just bought more in 7Eleven)

Not sure if it's just my room but medyo mabagal ang pag drain sa sink.

❤ They provided 2 small drinking bottles in the mini fridge upon check-in, and every time I had my room cleaned. I guess they also refill the small bottles of toiletries daily, but I also brought some essentials in the nearby 7eleven

❤ Okay ang aircon, super lamig but easy to adjust the room temp with a remote. Wasn't able to open the TV, but nice to know the room has one

❤ Okay naman ang internet connection experience ko, but you have to get different codes daily to access their WiFi. Nun tinamad ako humingi, I just used the internet of the local sim I bought. I also saw a water dispenser at the 2nd floor reception area so you don't have to buy drinking water all the time.

❤ Most importantly, even though it's already the market downstairs, I did not feel unsafe as a solo female traveler. Hindi din maingay, or maybe it's because I was at the 5th floor. The beep card access for the elevator is a plus point for security. Door of my room has double lock.

Clean ref, with the complimentary drinking water

Had to walk along this road with closed stores every night. Hindi naman sya scary, well-lighted yung area to be fair.. and ang dami ko nakakasabay na vendors heading home palang.

THE VERDICT

Overall, a pleasant stay while in Bangkok without creating a dent in my budget! Although at first I was cautious that the area is a bit seedy, I thank God I always got back in my hotel room safe even during concert nights that I reached the area at around 12mn na. 

Waiting for elevator, mirror selfie sa tapat where you can see the stocks of clothing stores

Ito yun reception area sa second floor. Mabait naman sila albeit the reviews sa Agoda na masungit daw haha. One night naka hingi pako ng utensils for my food delivery and hinanapan pako ng receptionist! She handed me wrapped plastic spoons na I think naipon nya from food deliveries din. 😄

How the elevator looks like from my hallway (5th floor). Really looks old but still working. I am right next to the fire exit

Will I stay here again? 50/50! I am sure there are better options with same price point, and most prob I will try another area when I go back to Bangkok. But if I find myself on a tight budget, then hindi nadin ito masama. 

I also got asked a lot if Bangkok is a safe place for solo female travelers, and generally I had a good experience during this trip. Of course, dapat maingat padin and if mag-isa ka din, be extra aware of your surroundings all the time. 

Agoda Link: https://www.agoda.com/the-richy-place/hotel/bangkok-th.html