No doubt that Charoenkrung is one of the hottest hoods right now. Along the tiny, one-way street of Soi Nana, you’ve got shop-houses that have been turned into art spaces, specialist bars (would you like yadong with luk-krung music or Thai Tea G&T?), the most beautiful florist in town, and a cutesy cafe (and trust us that there’s more to come this June). The  vibe is so laid back - people regularly rock up in shorts and sandals—it makes a great alternative night out/detour after a food coma from Chinatown.

 

 

More recently, regular visitors will have noticed a bright red neon sign down the street, just steps away from the grungy door of Teens of Thailand and craft beer bar Pijiu. Ba Hao is a Chinese-themed bar that we already named as one of the best new openings so far this year. But inside the dimly lit establishment is actually also home to two airbnb rooms and a co-living space, entirely renovated by the founders with an aim to bring this 40-year-old building back to life. The previous landlord said that the building had been in disrepair for years, and was only used for only storage when it was put up for rent.  

 

 

After walking up a steep flight of wooden stairs, you’ll arrive at a high-ceiling, shared living room for the guests called Mitrphan, designed to preserve traces of antiquity with vintage hanging lamps and trinkets, a brown leather sofa and chairs, a work desk and a fridge. Pre-ordered local breakfast is served here in the morning too, but guests will also have access to the pantry for munchies like local fruits, bread and toaster and cereal and biscuits plus soft drinks and water. You can netflix on the 55-inch LCD TV to unwind after a long day of strolling in the sun.

 

 

Another set of stairs leading up to the third floor takes you to the simple but super-neat Thai-contemporary interior design of the Maitri Chit room, where you’ll immediately be greeted with a huge floor-to-ceiling window which comes with a view of Soi Nana, as well as an open plan bathroom and a white old-fashioned sink on a wall of white and red bricks.

 

 

Meanwhile the Santiphap room takes over the entirety of the fourth floor, highlighted by red exposed brick and a huge private balcony complete with small garden that stretches the entire length of the room and offers more stunning views. Above the double bed is a glass window which perfectly frames the view of Trimitr temple. The Thai-style cushions make a fine substitute for beanbags. 

 

A stay at the Maitri Chit room starts at around B2,909/night (available for booking here), and Santiphap room at B3,914/night (available for booking here).

 

With its alternative but also prime location—you literally have your own Wong Kar-wai-esque bar on the ground floor—we're tempted to leave our apartments and book.