Bangkok's BEST Kept Secret Hostel: Yaks House Awaits!
Yaks House Awaits! Bangkok: My (Unsolicited, Borderline Obsessive) Review
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to unleash a torrent of opinions, observations, and possibly a few embarrassing confessions about Yaks House Awaits! in Bangkok. This isn't your polished, PR-approved hotel review. This is the raw, unfiltered truth… with maybe a little bit of hyperbole thrown in for good measure. And trust me, you're going to want to take notes. Because, damn, this place is a find.
Accessibility: A Mixed Bag, but They're Trying!
Okay, let's be real. Bangkok isn't exactly known for its seamless accessibility. Yaks House, in its quest to be a haven, is showing effort! They advertise "Facilities for disabled guests," which I'm taking to mean they try, rather than a fully-fledged ADA-compliant paradise. I didn't specifically check, but I did notice an elevator – a victory, folks! – and I'm pretty sure the front desk is at a manageable height. They're not perfect, and I hope they keep improving, but the fact they're even considering accessibility puts them ahead of many.
On-Site Eats and Drinks: Fueling the Fun (and Possibly a Hangover)
We're talking about a bar, a coffee shop, and a restaurant – a trifecta of temptation! The "Poolside bar" is a definite highlight. Picture this: tropical heat, a frosty Singha, and a view… well, maybe not a jaw-dropping view, but a perfectly pleasant one. The pool itself? Chef’s kiss.
- Restaurants, Drinks, and More!
- Breakfast [Buffet]: Ah, the breakfast buffet. It was… adequate. Okay, maybe a little above adequate. They had the basics – Asian breakfast, Western breakfast, you name it – but it wasn't gourmet. Still, perfect for soaking up the previous night's cocktails (more on those later).
- A la carte in restaurant: Available, of course.
- Coffee/Tea in restaurant: Essential, especially after those happy hour shenanigans.
- Happy Hour: Yes! This is where things get interesting. Let’s just say I spent a significant portion of my time here. The cocktails were potent, the atmosphere was… vibrant. And the company? Let's just say Bangkok has some interesting characters.
- Desserts in restaurant: Sadly, I was too busy imbibing to properly assess the dessert situation. But I’m sure they were there. Pretty sure.
- Poolside Bar: As mentioned, a total winner.
- Bottle of water: Always a welcome sight, especially after a long day of exploring. They replenish this regularly.
- Room service [24-hour]: Didn't use it. Probably should have. Maybe I’ll start a campaign to make room service a requirement!
- Snack bar: For those late-night cravings.
- Soup in restaurant: A soothing antidote to too much… fun.
Internet Access: Basically, Connected!
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: Hallelujah! And it actually worked! I had a solid connection in my room, and in the various public areas.
- Internet access – wireless: See above.
- Internet access – LAN: Also available. In the age of wireless, I didn't actually check, but the option's there!
- Internet services: I’m pretty sure they have it.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: A Sensory Overload (in the Best Way)
Now, this is where Yaks House really shines. Forget the sterile, cookie-cutter hotel experiences. This place is all about the vibe, the energy, the… well, the "Yaks-ness" of it all.
Spa: Yeah, baby! They've got a spa and a sauna!
- Body scrub: After a day of navigating the chaotic beauty of Bangkok, a body scrub is basically mandatory. My skin felt like silk!
- Sauna: A glorious sweatbox to detoxify your soul!
- Steamroom: Perfect for melting away that city grime and pre-cocktailing.
Massage: Absolutely. Yes. Book one. Now. Get the Thai massage – you won't regret it. Your muscles might hate you for a bit, but trust me, it's what you need.
Swimming pool: A beautiful, glittering oasis, perfect for a refreshing dip after a day of exploring. The "Pool with view" isn't a million-dollar view, but it’s still a pleasure.
Fitness center, Gym/fitness: I’m not a gym person, but I peeked. It looked adequate. Probably better than the one I have at home.
Cleanliness and Safety: Feeling Safe and Sound (and Sanitized!)
Okay, this is important, especially in the current climate. Yaks House is taking things seriously.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Check!
- Daily disinfection in common areas: Check!
- Hand sanitizer: Everywhere!
- Hygiene certification: Probably, though I didn’t ask for a certificate. I just trusted the general vibes.
- Individually-wrapped food options: Yep.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: They encourage it. Everyone seems to be trying.
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Good to know!
- Rooms sanitized between stays: This should give you confidence.
- Safe dining setup: They try.
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: I’m going to assume so. Ate everything. No problems!
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They seem to have received good training.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (or Just a Really Good Time)
Okay, so the food. It’s not the primary reason to go to Yaks House. But it's perfectly respectable and it's convenient.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant: Available!
- Breakfast [buffet]: Discussed.
- Coffee shop: Essential. I lived here.
- Restaurants: Plenty – and they deliver!
- Room service [24-hour]: Always awesome.
- Snack bar: For those midnight snack attacks.
Services and Conveniences: Making Life Easier (and More Fun!)
- Air conditioning in public area: Crucial.
- Cash withdrawal: Convenient.
- Concierge: Helpful and friendly!
- Daily housekeeping: Always a plus.
- Elevator: YES.
- Laundry service: Godsend!
- Luggage storage: If you arrive early, or have a late flight.
- Safety deposit boxes: Always a good idea.
For the Kids: Family Friendly? (Kind Of)
- Family/child friendly: I saw some kids. They seemed happy. It’s not specifically geared towards children, but I didn’t see any signs of hostility either.
- Babysitting service: Unsure, but it doesn’t seem to be advertised.
Access: Easy Peasy Check-in
- CCTV in common areas: Good security!
- Check-in/out [express]: Yes, and pretty fast, even though I wanted to chat about happy hour.
- Front desk [24-hour]: Always helpful, always accessible.
Getting Around: Location, Location, Location
- Airport transfer: Definitely worth arranging!
- Car park [free of charge]: Awesome!
- Taxi service: Readily available!
Available in All Rooms: Comfort & Convenience
- Air conditioning: Crucial!
- Alarm clock: To get you up for those early morning adventures.
- Coffee/tea maker: Essential.
- Free bottled water: Always welcome.
- Internet access – wireless: See above.
- Mini bar: Tempting…
- Private bathroom: Always a must have.
- Refrigerator: Useful for keeping drinks and snacks cool.
- Satellite/cable channels: For when you just need to veg out.
My One Little Anecdote - The Pool
I’m not going to lie. On the first day, I almost didn't go in the pool. I had other plans! But it was hot. Sweltering. So I dragged myself over there, and… bliss. I’m talking crystal-clear water, a refreshing dip, and the feeling of all my Bangkok worries melting away. And watching the sunset? Incredible. I spent hours in that pool. I even made a friend. He brought me a fresh coconut. The pool is more than a pool; it's an experience.
Quirks and Quirks and Quirks
- The quirky decor. Think a mix of vintage travel posters, local art, and maybe a
Okay, buckle up, buttercups. We're about to dive headfirst into my potentially disastrous (and probably hilarious) Yaks House Hostel adventure in Bangkok. This isn't your sanitized, Instagram-perfect travel blog. This is the messy, sweaty, "did I just eat a scorpion?" version.
Bangkok Breakdown: A Yaks House Hostel Expedition (Probably Not According to Plan)
Day 1: Arrival and the First Bites (And Regrets?)
- 14:00 - Arrival & the Awkward Embrace: Landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Taxi ride – the driver kept trying to sell me fake Rolexes and a massage. Standard Bangkok arrival, apparently. Finally, I stumble into Yaks House. The place looks… well, it looks like a hostel. A slightly disheveled, backpack-strewn, delightfully chaotic hostel. The guy at the front desk, bless him, looked permanently sleep-deprived but managed a smile. I check in, pay (the usual overcharge since the last minute booking), and get my assigned dungeon… I mean, dorm.
- 15:00 - Dorm Room Drama (and a Missing Socket): Right. Dorm. Six beds. Apparently, someone had a party already with the empty beer bottles. A guy already snoring like a chainsaw. I’m pretty sure I'm sharing with a guy who's wearing a "Free Hugs" t-shirt. The socket next to my bed? Nonexistent. Already plotting a "friendly" negotiation with the snoring chainsaw.
- 16:00 - Food Fight! (Literally): Okay, gotta eat. First, a quick survey of the hostel's communal area (it's like a warzone of unfinished Pad Thai and discarded Lonely Planet guides). Venture out to the street vendors. The smells! Unbelievable. Ended up getting some kind of noodle soup from a lady who looked like she’d seen it all (and probably has). It was spicy. Really spicy. Tears streaming, nose running – glorious! (I think?)
- 17:00 - Trying to be "Cultured" (Failing Spectacularly): Walked to a nearby temple. Wat Arun? Yes, the one with the cool towers. Stunning, really. Until a rogue tuk-tuk tried to run me over. My serene moment gone. I ran inside the temple.
- 18:00 - Back at the Hostel - The Chaos Begins: Back at Yaks House; a cacophony of languages, backpackers haggling with tuk tuk drivers. It feels like a party I wasn't invited to. I’m exhausted. Dinner is a repeat of the food vendor visit.
- 19:00 - Getting Lost (and Found Again): Decided to get "Lost" at night because it's always the charm. Found a rooftop bar with good views. Spent way too much on overpriced cocktails. Regretting my life choices. Bangkok seems to have a never-ending pulse, a symphony of heat and honking cars. I swear I felt a little bit of madness creeping in.
Day 2: Temples, Taxis, and Tiny Creatures
- 09:00 - The Temple Roundabout (and a Near-Death Experience with a Tuk-Tuk): Okay, so the monks are up early. Woke up to more snoring. I needed some peace. Decided to try and visit Wat Pho (the Reclining Buddha) again. The heat is already crushing. After a terrible taxi ride, (where the driver quoted 500 Baht at the start and expected me to pay him the money after I arrived at the temple), I decided to walk. I was almost run over by a tuk-tuk (again!) but I managed to avoid it. The Reclining Buddha WAS impressive, though. Huge. Golden. Worth almost dying for.
- 11:00 - Street Food Adventures (and My Questionable Decisions): Back at the hostel, the "Free Hugs" guy is still asleep. I decided to try the street food. Found a lady selling fried something-or-others that were suspiciously crispy and possibly contained things that were still kicking. Ate them anyway. No regrets… yet.
- 13:00 - River Cruise: The Tourist Trap That's Actually Pretty Good: So, I'm a total sucker for tourist things. Took a boat ride down the Chao Phraya River. It was surprisingly relaxing. The temples along the river looked majestic from the water. Did I pay too much? Probably. But the breeze was nice, and I saw some cool things, and that’s worth something, right?
- 15:00 - Post-Cruise Hangover & Insect Encounters: Back at the hostel. Apparently, someone left their window open, and now there are tiny, flying, biting things everywhere. Trying to nap, but getting attacked by aerial insects. Great.
- 16:00 - The Night Market: Spent hours going around the night market. Found a good place with cheap, delicious food and (thankfully) fewer bugs. Found a t-shirt that says "I Survived Bangkok" - may have been a premature purchase.
- 19:00 - Hostel Stories (and Bedtime Meltdown): Back at the chaotic hostel. The guy in the "Free Hugs" t-shirt finally woke up! Turns out he's from Iceland and is obsessed with… well, everything. We chatted for hours until I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Bedtime. The snoring is worse tonight. I'm starting to question all my life choices.
Day 3: Markets, Massages, and Moral Dilemmas
- 09:00 - Floating Markets (and Watery Chaos): Did a day trip to a floating market. It was packed! The boats were bumping into each other. The smell of durian fruit permeated everything. But also: beautiful. Rows and rows of boats selling everything from noodles to hats.
- 12:00 - Massage Mayhem: It seems that a massage is a necessity. I found a little place that looked less "touristy" and more like a back room in a dodgy alley. The massage? Intense. I think the masseuse walked on my back. I'm pretty sure I heard my spine crack. But I feel… surprisingly good… now.
- 14:00 - Back to the Hostel for a Break: Back at the hostel with a strange feeling, and decided to take a nap. My roommates started a mini-party and woke me up suddenly.
- 15:00 - The Price of Freedom (and a Potential Tourist Trap): A guy in the hostel offered a day trip with a cheap cost. I fell for it. The trip was supposed to be "Hidden Gems." It ended up being a tour of the things that were already packed with tourists. My fault for falling for a bargain.
- 18:00 - Food and Friends (and the Beginning of the End?): Went to the market for food. I saw the "Free Hugs" guy again and had a drink and talked about life.
- 20:00 - The Midnight Run (or: "Did I Just Leave My Passport?"): Woke up suddenly. Thought I lost my passport. Raced back to the market to find my passport. Found it. Celebrated by eating more street food.
Day 4: Departure (and the Deep Sigh of Relief)
- 08:00 - Breakfast (and Regrets): Got some instant noodles from the shop near the hostel.
- 09:00 - The Last Look and Goodbye: I was finally ready to leave. Said goodbye to the friendly front desk guy, the snoring guy, and the "Free Hugs" guy.
- 10:00 - The Taxi, the Airport, and the Sweet Taste of Freedom: Taxi to the airport. Bangkok, you were a whirlwind. Messy. Intense. Wonderful. I wouldn't trade it for anything. (Except maybe a quiet hotel room with no snoring and unlimited air conditioning.)
Conclusion:
Would I recommend Yaks House Hostel? Well… it depends. If you're looking for pristine conditions and quiet nights, steer clear. If you want a truly memorable experience, a place to meet people, and a healthy dose of chaos, then dive in. Just, you know, bring earplugs, mosquito repellent, and a strong constitution. And maybe a backup passport.
Unbelievable Lakefront Family Cabin in Pereira, Colombia!
So... What *is* this whole "FAQ" thing anyway? Like, are we talking ancient scrolls, or what?
Okay, okay, let's not get dramatic. No scrolls. Although, if someone *did* write a FAQ on papyrus, I'd probably read it. In a dimly lit room, with dramatic music playing. But I digress.
Basically, this is where I try to answer the questions everyone *actually* asks. You know, the good ones, the ones that keep you up at 3 AM wondering if you should eat that leftover pizza. (Always eat the pizza, by the way. That's a life tip, folks.)
Think of it as... a curated collection of "Frequently Asked Questions." Except, frequently asked by *me*. 'Cause let's be honest, most of these are questions *I've* wrestled with at some point. Or maybe I just made them up because I like the sound of my own rambling... who knows at this point?
Ugh, I *hate* asking basic questions. Are these answers, like, super condescending? I can't deal with the "Well, duh!" vibe.
Look, I *get* it. Nobody wants to feel like they're asking something stupid. And trust me, I'VE been there, many, *many* times. Like, the kind of times you then replay in your head at 3 AM, cringing.
The goal here is to be... well, human. I'm not aiming for "Wikipedia-level objectivity." I'm aiming for "that friend who always offers a slightly embarrassing, but ultimately helpful, perspective."
So, no, I won't be judging you. Unless you *actually* believe the world is flat. Then, maybe a *little* judgy. Just a smidge. But mostly, no. We're in this mess together. Now, pass the coffee. We've got work to do. (By "work" I mean "contemplate the meaning of life while avoiding actual responsibilities.")
Okay, fine. But... what exactly are *you* talking about? Like, what's the *point* of these questions?
Ah, the million-dollar question! Or, you know, the "question someone asks when they're stalling because they don't really want to start their taxes." No judgment.
The point? Well, that's a moving target, isn't it? But I *think* the point is to... connect. To share some thoughts. To maybe make you laugh, or at least, prevent a full-blown existential crisis (at least for a few minutes).
Honestly, it's mostly me just trying to figure things out myself. Some folks journal. Some folks knit tiny sweaters for their cats (which, to be fair, I've considered). I write these FAQs. It's therapeutic. Don't tell my therapist.
So, if you're looking for profound wisdom, you *might* find some. If you're looking for a good laugh, you *might* find some of that too. But mostly, I'm just hoping to make sense of the glorious, messy, often-confusing, human experience. Wish me luck.
Are you, like, *ever* serious?
Serious? Hmm. Depends on what you mean by "serious." Like, am I going to give you the cold, hard facts and a thesis statement? Probably not. I'm more likely to make a joke at the expense of my own sanity.
But... there are moments. Times when the sheer weight of all the "things" crushes you, and you're forced to face your own shortcomings. And, yeah, sometimes I touch on those. Because real-life isn't all sunshine and rainbows. It's also... a lot of laundry and existential dread.
So, yes, I can be serious. But I promise to keep the "serious" diluted with a healthy dose of self-deprecating humor. It's a coping mechanism, okay? Don't judge. We all have them.
What if I have a *real* question that isn't addressed here? Can I ask it? Please? I promise it's not about cats wearing sweaters.
Absolutely! Seriously. Ask away. I'm a big fan of receiving questions. It gives me something to ponder besides the meaning of my existence and the laundry pile that's slowly taking over the corner of my living room.
Honestly, I crave them. It means someone is actually *reading* this mess. And, let's be honest, the fear of rejection hits hard, so yeah if I don't get questions, well, I'll probably start to overthink things. Deeply.
There's no guarantee I'll have a remotely intelligent answer, but I'll give it a shot. I pride myself in the best answer I can muster to a question, so that's what I will do.
And hey... even if your question *is* about cats in sweaters... well, maybe I'll consider it. Seriously, that sounds fascinating.
Okay, so you're messy, honest, funny, and all that. But what about *credentials*? Are you some sort of expert? Do you *know* anything?
Credentials? Oh, honey, if I had *credentials*, I wouldn't be wasting my time writing FAQs. I'd be, like, a brain surgeon or something. Or maybe a professional cat sweater knitter. (That *is* a lucrative market, I hear.)
No, I'm not an "expert" in anything. Except maybe procrastination and overthinking. And, I am incredibly good at accidentally starting multiple projects and never following through. The laundry pile is a monument to that particular talent.
What I *do* have is... experience. Life experience. The kind that comes from making a thousand mistakes, tripping over your own feet, laughing at the absurdities of the world, and constantly questioning everything.
So, yeah, I'm not an "expert." But I'm a human being muddling through, just like you. And sometimes, that's enough.
Why this format? Why not a blog, a podcast, carrier pigeons? Anything!
Okay, good question! Honestly? Because I'm impatient. A podcast would take, well, effort. And I'm currently in a committed relationship with my couch. A blog? The commitment… the *commitment*! Carrier pigeons? I can barely keep a houseplant alive.
This? This is quick. This is easy. This is the internet's equivalent of a really long email. And my procrastination tendencies do not get in the way.
I like the back-and-forth thing, even if it's just with my own reflections. And if someone *does* have a question, I can actually answer it, rather than just ranting into the void of the internet. It feels... more personal, somehow. Even if it's probably notLocal Hotel Tips
Yaks House Hostel Bangkok Thailand
Yaks House Hostel Bangkok Thailand
