Josh Hotel — Hotel in Phaya Thai Subdistrict

I was very keen to stay in the Ari district of Bangkok as it was an entire area that I really didn’t know well. It has drastically changed over the years and is now the go to place for the quaint cafes, fashion shoots, cool boutiques and trendy bars. I have heard it has a European feel to the area. I’m not sure about that but for sure it’s a wonderful area with much to explore. ||||I always feel the immediate reaction one has when entering a hotel is a great measure of what’s to come. How do you feel the moment you step into the lobby and how is the first interaction with the hotel staff. These moments are crucial to the overall impression and enjoyment of the hotel. First impressions really count and with so much choice in Bangkok I want to really feel that excitement from the start. I was welcomed by a charming lady called Apple who was incredibly helpful my entire stay. If there was any advice needed for my day ahead whether it be travel, dining or sightseeing I would really on Apple’s kind, thoughtful and informed advice. Apple on the front desk really made the entire experience more enjoyable. ||||The Josh Hotel did not let me down and the intrigue begins as you walk towards the hotel and see the lovely little pool and the trendy guests sat around enjoying some delicious food. I feel the word ‘trendy’ may be over applied to this hotel. Its style and theme for sure is along the lines of an artistically designed hotel with vintage style decorations and furniture. If you are drawn to the world of design, fashion, art, photography and film then you will love this hotel. There are fashion photos and paintings that reference movies and magazines and for sure this all massively appeals to myself as I am a photographer. ||||The hotel expands as you enter and discover and this, I feel is part of its mystery and charm. I later discovered t has two bars and those are open to the public. And wow how incredible the two bars are. If I recall correctly the names are The Key and Long Play. Offering live music and a DJ with an incredible selection of cocktails and dining these bars are so beautiful I would recommend that you absolutely set aside and evening to fully enjoy these hotel bars. You don’t need to set off in the hot humid busy street but stay a night and really immerse yourself in these bars and enjoy a delicious cocktail, some spicy snacks and absorb the music. ||||The main restaurant on the ground floor overlooks the pool and it’s not uncommon to see a cool fashion shoot happening as the hotel can be rented for shoots. For sure the hotel will appeal to a young hip crowd who have discovered this trendy district. ||There is a super pool too that catches enough light and heat to really enjoy. You can enjoy a meal or cocktail poolside and remove some of the city dust form your pores. And o course cool off!||||The food is delicious with a really fabulous selections of dishes presented beautifully. It’s clear great care is taken to present the dishes well and you enjoy that lovely wow moment when the dish is placed in front of you. It looks like a work of art, and you hardly want to ruin the plate but stabbing a fork in. The menu is extensive with a mix of both local Thai food and western dishes. Essentially you won’t be disappointed with both the taste and presentation of the food and the excellent friendly service. ||||Now I was a little disappointed with a few aspects of my room. I felt the room was too small for my needs. I was unable to full unpack as there were no actual cupboards and drawers to place clothing and items from my cases. I really enjoy unpacking and filling drawers with my clothes and settling in. Essentially making the place my home for a little while. I ended up placing piles of clothes onto shelves next to ornaments and framed pictures. This did mean that I didn’t feel completely settled. But as there was nowhere to put my clothes this was not possible. I feel for the price I paid the room was also somewhat small. I am aware that there are larger rooms in the hotel but it’s about what you get for a particular price, and I would have expected more space for the price I paid. For that amount of money, I would expect more room. ||||The room did not have a kettle and on each floor, there is a large kettle that each room shares. I found this very odd indeed. It was the hardest working kettle in Thailand. I drink a lot of tea and to keep getting dressed and waiting in the corridor for the public communal kettle to boil was a little frustrating. I believe that if you asked there may one provided for your room, but I would want this as standard. In addition, there were no metal spoons in my room. Instead, they provided little plastic sticks to stir drinks with. Again, for a hotel of this price, quality and standard this felt very cheap. It was as if I was in a fast-food café. It was out of place and took away from the impact of the great art, the trendy décor and stylish design. Why can’t decent spoons be provided and for such a hotel this would be the very least.||Furthermore the bathroom was a thin slither of a space which felt somewhat claustrophobic. As mentioned I feel with the price charged I would expect a more luxurious bathroom including a bath and greater space. A stunning bathroom can rally heighten ones experience of a hotel stay. ||||Overall, this is a fabulous must experience unique hotel and I recommended it to traveler's with a keen...

I stayed in room 322. Supposed to be a "suite". It was pretty much a disaster.

From the worst to the not so bad. Pictures included.

The shower was mouldy in many places. The mould is flourishing.

The toilet (wc) floor was blackened and tiles are stained.

The balcony is about 3 foot by 3 foot and also mouldy.

The walls are all plasterboard and you will hear people around you. Also in the floor above.

Shower uses a instant water heater. However, they use metal incoming and shower hoses. This is a safety issue. All instant showers come with a warning against using metallic hoses.

The couch is fabric and filthy.

There is a photo of deng xiao ping staring at you. You may have your own political views, and this should not be in a hotel room.

The tv didn't really work. I think it was controlled by a wireless mouse, but after changing the batteries at the reception and it still didn't work, I gave up.

There is no kettle in the room. The tea / coffee is in a small communal area. 1 on my floor.

Housekeeping is haphazard. When they are cleaning the rooms, they will leave massive piles of laundry (bedding) on the floor in the corridors. They also use the emergency stairs as the used bedding store.

They did clean my room, cleared out the used room slippers, but did not give new ones. There is no phone in the room to call room service.

Staff are alright. But very European in the way they are nonchalant. Very different from the usual Thai experience.

The bed is the hardest bed I have ever experienced. Do not sit down too quickly otherwise you will have your spine go into your brain. However, I report that...

Read raving reviews about this place and was glad to be able to secure a booking on my desired dates for our honeymoon. Initial contact staff were friendly and helped set up a surprise for my wife, and the day crew were really helpful and friendly. I tried to pay to upgrade to a bigger room upon arrival but they assured me that the room was a good size for a couple. So I accepted it and went off for lunch and half a day out since we were too early for check in. Finally checked into our deluxe room and I was rather disappointed. There was barely any room to pack 2 small luggages. The toilet had no shower curtains so if you took a shower there is a good chance the room floor would be wet from splashing, there was only one small hook in the toilet so you wouldn't have anywhere to hang your toiletries if you hung your towel, and the aircon blows directly at the toilet door and also at the outside-toilet-inside-room sink area which is where the hairdryer is fixed at. My opinion is that there is so much wasted space which could have been utilised better.

Asked the night staff for a little assistance with a phone call as I couldn't speak any Thai and was flatly refused citing ‘We don’t do this service’. I wouldn’t hold it against her but I have stayed in maybe 20 hostels and hotels in the past 6 years and have never been refused for such a simple request.

Plus points are that the room aesthetics are quite nice, there is a small balcony which really is just a drying area for clothes and a small pool, and the day staff were helpful. But apart from that, I would say the stay leaves much...