The Plimplace Hotel — Saltwater Pool, Spacious Rooms, 5-Min BTS Walk in Lat Phrao
Positioned right beside Bangkok's iconic Elephant Building on Phahonyothin Road, The Plimplace Hotel is a 3-star property that punches above its price tag with spacious rooms starting at 35 sqm, a genuine outdoor saltwater pool, and a 5-minute stroll to BTS Phahon Yothin 24 — putting Central Ladprao, Chatuchak Weekend Market and Mo Chit well within easy reach. Rooms from approx. ฿1,000/night · Score 8.7 from 367 reviews on Trip.com.
The address — 3338 Phahonyothin Road — says everything about this hotel's location. The property sits directly next to the Elephant Building, one of Bangkok's most recognisable landmarks, in the Ha Yaek Lat Phrao intersection district. Walk out the door and in five minutes you're at BTS Phahon Yothin 24 (Exit 4), where you can ride one stop to Central Ladprao shopping mall or continue onward to connect with the MRT at Phahon Yothin station. For anyone who wants to explore Bangkok without depending on taxis, this interchange location is hard to beat at this price.
The most consistent praise across guest reviews is the room size. Deluxe Rooms start at 35–37 sqm, each with a private balcony, refrigerator, flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi — considerably more space than similarly priced hotels in this district. The 40-sqm Super Deluxe fits three single beds, making it a practical choice for groups. The One Bedroom Suite (46–51 sqm) offers a fully separate living area that feels closer to a serviced apartment than a standard hotel room, while the Two Bedroom Suite at 66 sqm comfortably handles families.
"Huge room, spotlessly clean, great location — five-minute walk to BTS. Easily the best value I found in Bangkok for the price."
The outdoor saltwater pool on the 2nd floor is open daily from 07:00 to 21:00 and is genuinely well-maintained. Among 3-star hotels in this price bracket, finding an actual usable pool is rare — and here guests consistently call it clean and peaceful, especially in the early morning before the sun gets intense. The fitness centre shares the same floor. There's also a coin laundry in the building (30–40 baht per load), which long-stay guests particularly appreciate. The in-house Prim Sabai Cafe serves breakfast and lunch, though it's open Monday to Saturday only.
Honesty first: the hotel has real weaknesses that appear consistently across Booking.com and Trip.com reviews. Sound insulation is poor. Multiple guests mention hearing everything from adjacent rooms and the corridor — doors slamming, conversations, early-morning departures. A ฿1,000 cash deposit (roughly $28) is required at check-in; this surprises guests who haven't read the fine print. There are also a handful of reviews citing inflexibility around late check-out. And breakfast, when available, is described as basic rather than impressive.
What keeps the overall score at 8.7 is the ratio of space, location and price. Free parking with EV charging is an added bonus for guests driving in. A 7-Eleven is essentially attached to the property, Lotus's supermarket is a short walk away, and Union Mall is about 10 minutes on foot. For travellers who plan to spend most of their time out exploring — Chatuchak Market, Or Tor Kor fresh market, Ratchayothin area, or commuting across the city — the Plimplace makes a solid, affordable base.
Overall, The Plimplace Hotel delivers what its score promises: a clean, spacious, well-located room at a fair price with a real pool. It isn't trying to be a boutique property with memorable service touches — and that's fine. If you're a light sleeper or want polished hospitality, look elsewhere. If you want value, room to breathe and easy BTS access in a neighbourhood that actually has things to do, this is a solid choice.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Spacious, clean rooms cleaned daily — much bigger than expected
- ✓ Excellent location: BTS walkable, 7-Eleven next door, Lotus's nearby
- ✓ Clean saltwater pool, good for a relaxing swim
- ✓ Free parking and EV charging — rare in central Bangkok
- ! Thin walls — you can hear neighbours and corridor noise, especially at night
- ! ฿1,000 cash deposit required at check-in, not always communicated in advance
- ! Late check-out inflexible; a few reviews reported poor handling of this
- ✓ Rooms larger than expected, all with private balcony
- ✓ 24-hour front desk; staff helpful and responsive
- ✓ Close to BTS and 7-Eleven — very practical for daily life
- ✓ Coin laundry on-site, affordable at 30–40 baht per load
- ! Noise carries easily — doors and footsteps audible from the corridor
- ! Breakfast is basic; quality inconsistent, sometimes served cold
- ! Some showerheads in older rooms not adjustable in direction
- 💡If you're a light sleeper — multiple reviews confirm walls are paper-thin and corridor noise carries clearly, especially at night when other guests come and go → bring earplugs or request a higher floor facing away from the lift
- 💡If you want a quality breakfast — Prim Sabai Cafe is basic and only open Mon–Sat; it doesn't compare to hotel breakfast at a higher tier → plan to walk outside; great local food options surround the hotel
- 💡If you need a late check-out — the hotel enforces noon strictly and a few guests had unpleasant experiences around this → agree terms in advance at check-in and don't leave it to the morning rush