Located on the fringes of Rattanakosin Island, Centra by Centara Hotel Bangkok Phra Nakhon offers guests a comfy and affordable stay with easy access to rowdy fun on Khao San Road, countless dining options and, obviously, historic landmarks of Bangkok.
First Impressions
Occupying the same premise where Hotel De Moc used to be on Prajatipatai Road and across the street from Wat Trai Thotsathep, Centra by Centara Hotel Bangkok comprises two low-rise buildings, one has been extensively renovated and the other newly built, with a total of 180 guestrooms between them.
Officially opened on Oct 22, 2022, Centra by Centara Hotel Bangkok offers four accommodation types — namely Superior, Deluxe, Premium Deluxe and Premium Suites. As Centra is the affordable sub-brand under Centara, you can expect all essentials you need during a stay but not many bells and whistles. The rooms are decorated in a contemporary vibe with inviting tones and subtle hints of Thainess through motifs that recalls uba, the dangling part of a Thai garland.
A Superior stay starts compact in a range of 21-27m² without private balconies. Deluxe rooms, averaging about 24m² in size, come with private balconies to take in city views. Premium Deluxe comes in at 38m² but has no private balcony. Lastly, Premium Suite tops the tier at 44m² with about on third of that dedicated to a bathroom. It gives you the most homely (not in the North American sense of the word) feel with a big sofa, daybed and big bathtub. Obviously designed for families.
The first three types may be smaller but they make up for it with a studio setting, featuring an open wardrobe, a counter with a minibar and a wall-mounted desk should you need to check on work. In some rooms, instead of a standard bathroom, guests get a small toilet room with glass door, a small shower room with glass door and a freestanding wash basin that's part of the sleeping area. No worries, the glass doors are frosted to afford guests privacy.
Staying In
All-day dining Deja Brew Lifestyle Cafe is the sole dining option, discounting room service. The all-day dining venue serves up Thai and international cuisines from its kitchen while its bar serves up Starbucks drinks and Cha Tra Mue teas on top of healthy juices and cocktails.
Enjoy your breakfast while being basked in early light coming through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Besides the usual hotel breakfast items, help yourself to hot dishes like khai palo or kao tom gui with a choice of toppings. From the complimentary à la carte breakfast menu, order French toast with bacon and caramelised bananas, Poached eggs with ham on bread, Shakshouka, Avocado toast or Scrambled eggs with Chinese sausages and bread for something more indulgent and hearty.
Come back for lunch or dinner if you fancy classic Thai dishes such as pad Thai, massaman and lollipops of deep-fried larb. Or enjoy non-Thai delights such as a rice bowl with salmon cubes in spicy sauce, edamame and tobiko or a flatbread pizza topped with salmon, edamame, tomato and nori.
Burn off some calories at the gym, which is open 24/7, or enjoy a dip in the swimming pool from where you can see part of Rama VIII Bridge. There's also a spa on the ground floor of the building where guests check-in and a karaoke room near Deja Brew if you want to throw a little party among yourselves.
Going Out
There are many restaurants and cafes within walking distance from the hotel, most noticeably Poon Sin for a big Chinese dinner and Hia Tai Kee for a simple combo of old-school coffee and kai kata. Both are within a minute's walk from Centra.
You can cross the Bang Lamphu Canal via Chaloem Wan Chat Bridge to explore many cultural landmarks within the Rattanakosin Island with obvious choices such as Wat Phra Kaew, The Grand Palace, Bangkok City Pillar Shrine, Wat Pho, Bang Lamphu Museum, National Gallery and National Museum Bangkok. Centra provides parking spaces equipped with a car elevator system.
If you don't drive, catch a free tuk-tuk ride to Khao San that the hotel provides from 4-8.30pm. It leaves every 30 minutes and but there are no return trips. Perhaps you want to catch the first round to check out Santi Chai Prakan Park and the adjacent Phra Sumen Fort to enjoy the sunset and river breeze. Then you get something to eat at so many food shops in the Bang Lamphu area and cap your night off at a bar on Khao San.
Should you be in the mood for more modern attractions, the nearest MRT is Sam Yot station, which is about a seven-minute ride from the hotel, and from there you can conveniently reach, well, our countless malls.
Final Verdict
Centra by Centara Hotel Bangkok Phra Nakhon is a great choice for visitors who lean towards the cultural landmarks of Bangkok and wish to explore the old and new charms of Bangkok with ease (and without breaking the bank).
During Pride Month, a stay in Superior Room for two with breakfast and two Starbucks drinks is priced at B2,099 per night. Book by June 30 for stays until Aug 31 via its official Line account @centraphranakhon. For something more substantial, consider its staycation offer, which includes a Superior Room stay for two, breakfast, welcome drinks, set lunch or dinner and complimentary transportation to the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Suthat. It's priced at B2,565 and available until July 31 via centaradeals.com.
