I must confess. The Asoke Skytrain and subway stations were only a short walk down a busy little side street – called soi in Thailand.
Complete with numerous convenience stores, travel agencies, tailor shops, guest houses, boutiques, and all manner of eateries – from one of Bangkok's most popular Italian restaurants to what in Hong Kong we would call Dai Pai Dong, or sidewalk food vendors that set up impromptu sidewalk cafés complete with tables and chairs – Soi 19 was a very interesting street to browse.
But I couldn't resist that cute little tuk tuk that was parked in front of the Sacha's Hotel Uno, where I was spending three very comfortable nights several weeks back.
The three-wheeled vehicle – smartly painted in the hotel's distinctive brown and orange colour scheme – was simply too cute to pass up. “How much does it cost to hire that little tuk tuk?” I inquired at the front desk. I was told that there was no charge for a ride to the train interchange at Asoke.
Following a short wait while the driver was summonsed, my partner and I were riding bumpily down Soi 19. It would have been faster to walk, but surely not nearly as much fun!
Where to Stay in Bangkok
Bangkok is chock-a-bloc with internationally, regionally, and domestically branded hotels. There is the old world charm of the Bangkok Oriental Mandarin, which is situated along the shores of the Chao Praya River.
There is the Banyan Tree Bangkok, the city's tallest and only all-suite hostelry – with its sumptuous spa and breathtakingly beautiful rooftop F&B outlet.
There is the recently opened Radisson Hotel Bangkok, with its well designed and spacious rooms and suites and perhaps one of city's best gyms. Without doubt, its stylishly designed outdoor swimming pool – with its innovative after sunset lighting – is the most beautiful spot in town to go swimming.
But the Big Mango also has a growing list of boutique hotels which are stylish, convenient, hip, and – not least – excellent value for money. Sacha's Hotel Uno is one of them. Copyright: Michael Taylor Pictured: Tuk Tuk parked in front of the Sacha's Hotel Uno
Photo Courtesy of Sacha's Hotel Uno in Bangkok, Thailand