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Big John's Hostel Restaurant and Internet Cafe for Backpackers
You cannot find us cheaper on any other hostel booking site!
Big John's Hostel Restaurant and Internet Cafe for Backpackers
161/8-9 Sukhumvit Soi 55,
(Thonglor Soi 9),
Bangkok,
10110,
Thailand
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G'day & Sawasdee. Looking for Bangkok's only true blue Australian run Budget, Backpacker, Hostel,/Guest-house & Restaurant/Cafe with totally FREE Internet & WI-FI access, located in the upmarket part of town where the more affluent and educated locals and expatriates choose to live, shop and party
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 24 hour reception
24 hour hot showers
No curfew
Currency Exchange
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Lockers in dorms
Internet
Tours/Travel Desk
Washing machines
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Air Conditioning
Lounge area
Restaurant
Bar
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Games room
Pool table(s)
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| Customer Rating - as reviewed by Hostelbookers customers
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Overall Average: 60.5%
See all customer ratings and reviews
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| Atmosphere |
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56%
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Staff |
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67%
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| Location |
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58%
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Cleanliness |
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58%
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| Facilities |
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58%
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Safety |
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68%
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| Fun |
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54%
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Value |
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65%
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There's also a FREE BEER Chang for first time Check-ins, at check-in, between now and May 30, except for the HAMMOCKS ON THE ROOF, so don't forget to ask. At check-in also ask for an MBK discount card and save up to 30% when shopping in MBK (Maboonkrong), Bangkok's original, affordable, giant shopping mall at Siam Square, next to National Stadium.
Check-out the great Daily Thai & Western Food & Drink SPECIALS below.
We now offer Homestay/Full Board packages from 2weeks -2 months, so check-out the specials.
We've just consolidated by moving out of the building we've been in for the last 3 years and into the building next door & we have reduced all the room and bed rates. The rooms are all now BIGGER and all have WINDOWS (if not curtains yet) and even TVs for you to plug your digital cameras and DVD players into. Internet access, both using our computers or your own and WI-FI is totally FREE 24 hours a day to guests. There are now also guest refrigerator on the 4th floor by the stairs to the rooftop and hammocks where you can enjoy gentle breezes, a view of the city, neighborhood and stars. The timber deck and outdoor shower is coming soon, the area having been already covered with shade cloth for those who want to sit out during the day.
We've also started to reduce our carbon footprint by reducing the number and use of air-conditioners. Not a lot of locals use air-conditioning in their homes, at any time of the year. So, if you really want a true Asian experience you might at least try acclimatizing. It actually only takes a few days to acclimatize if you try to stay out of air-conditioning. You might also want to think about learning a little Thai before you get here as only 5% of the population is English literate. Thankfully you'll find a far better ratio in our staff and in the local neighborhood.
ALL WELCOME
Unlike the very few other Hostels in Thailand, all nationalities including traveling Thais are welcome.
Great Food & Totally FREE Internet
Big John's is a cozy 50 bed, Aussie run guest-house and youth hostel that now also includes totally free internet 24 hours, a bar and restaurant, both making and serving the number one Australian style pies, pasties, sausage rolls & burgers in Thailand - food also sold in local VILLA supermarkets, along with several other Bars and restaurants along Sukhumvit Road and shipped as far North as Rimping Supermarket in Chiang Mai and South to Samui and Krabi, AND from the 1st January 2008 we've beeen serving hundreds of tourists and locals every day in the Fifth Avenue Food Court on the 5th Floor of MBK at Siam Square, next to National Stadium and from 1st February 2008 we've also been serving Thai and Western meals from 3pm-10pm at THE SPORTS CORNER on Sukhumvit Soi 20, just across the road from the, rather over priced, HI on Sukhumvit Soi 25. - Not forgetting delicious western style vegetarian meals and a range of vegetarian pies, along with international favorites including Big John's unique herb bread, thin crust Pizza, Canadian style Poutine and Thai/Fusion and classic Thai dishes like Tom Yum (Spicy Soup) and Pad Thai (Noodles).
Did I forget to mention our fabulous home made pork sausages - also sold to many local restaurants -, veggie/tofu Burgers and vegetarian breakfast?
Hammocks on the roof
Yes, hammocks on the roof, no pillow, no blanket, no mosquito net, just a view of the stars with access, to showers and other facilities. Ok, there is a canopy of Shade cloth and a tarp to provide a little protection. The timber deck is still in progress.
Real Dorms
We have dorms with some of the biggest/widest dorm beds in Asia. Unlike other hostels our 10-12 bed dorms have windows and are air-conditioned and feature a power socket/outlet next to each bed along with a dimmer switch for control of your own light. And, you won't find yourself crammed into a room with no space for a cat to fart.
Private Rooms
The private rooms are basic all have a combination of Bunk Beds, double on the bottom and single on top and either a single bed or set of single bunk beds (No you won't have to share with someone you don't want/know). All private rooms have a window, fan and TV to plug your DVD or digital camera into. They don't have private bathrooms. They do have FREE WI-FI access.
The Restaurant, Outdoor Terrace & Lounge
We haven't subbed the restaurant to someone else, meaning we can provide great deals on western style food and drinks and generous portions of Thai/Fusion food. It's your space to use and enjoy at your leisure. You can relax, chat with & make new friends in the restaurant/cafe outside on the terrace, in the cosy lounge area with an eclectic collection of sofas or even on the rooftop.
Now in operation for over 10 years, although not in the same building/s, but within 50 meters of each other.
Don't be fooled by wannabe copycats, or those who tricked Big John into setting them up or copied us. Over 90% of out guests extend their stay and over 50% choose to stay here more than once. Oh, returning guests seldom book on-line so they don't have a chance to post ratings. Only those with unrealistic expectations, or the competition, rate us badly. It sucks, but, that's life & business in Asia. When we started the locals didn't know what a hostel was, didn't have dorms and there wasn't any budget accommodation in this part of town. Nearly all the hostels opened in the past 2 years are in relatively close proximity, but may not be as good.
Staff
With friendly, somewhat English literate, staff (at least most of them try, including the Aussie), Big John's, the original - run by Big John himself, family and staff (who will try to make your stay more of a home stay) - has developed a reputation, amongst backpackers and budget travelers - who want to get away from over trafficed, seedy, sleazy, scam infested, tourist areas (like Khaosan, Silom, Nana & Asoke) - as a 'bloody great place to stay' in Bangkok.
Work in Progress
Looking for an elevator and/or someone to carry your backpack up stairs? Looking for five star hotel services where everything is done for you? Want it all for free, because, after all, the world owes you a favor? Well, wake up, get your hand off it. What part of 'backpack' don't you understand? This is a real, cozy, 50 bed, backpacker hostel. Where the money you save on a basic room you can spend eating, drinking, site seeing, shopping and partying, getting out and also experiencing modern day Bangkok. We were the first, western operated, hostel in Thailand to offer dorm beds on the web. The first to offer budget beds & rooms in the up market part of town. We are not a designer hostel in the middle of nowhere, which charges more for a dorm bed than you should pay for a private room in the same are. And, you don't have to be gay to stay here either. Though, a tolerance to things not always perfect will certainly improve your chances of an enjoyable stay in Thailand. Oh, and the building does slope backwards, it's not about to fall down and it's something we think helps add character.
With the recent move the hostel is now very much a not noisy, work in progress and a little rough around the edges, which is taking shape fast. If you are a real backpacker this is probably the experience you're looking for. We offer some of Bangkok's most affordable hostel beds & hammocks in the up market/cosmopolitan part of town. Catering to people, on a budget, who want to experience real modern day Bangkok, not some contrived, preconceived idea of Asia from 20 years ago. Catering to people who want to mix with real locals not just tourists and those who prey upon and take advantage of them.
You can't believe everything you read on the web. Generally, human nature is such that many people are more likely to complain than praise. We don't meet everyone’s expectations and have learned we never will. Especially the expectations of those who don't understand what a backpack is for.
If you want to experience the hustle and bustle of small shop houses and small family run businesses and night and floating markets where locals, not just tourists, shop in the cool of the evening and early morning, then go to Laos. That was Thailand of 20 years ago, it's now hard to find it in Bangkok and other cities in Thailand, with it's multitude of gainormous, air-conditioned, mega shopping malls. 20 years ago people went to Hong Kong and Singapore to shop. Today the, now more affluent, people of Singapore and Hong Kong come to Bangkok to shop in air-conditioned comfort. The floating markets and night markets that exist are mainly for tourists or, if they are for locals, include goods made of plastic, nylon and polyester, mass produced in China.
Centraly Located
Just 30 minutes from the new Suvarnabhumi International & Domestic Airport. Only 170 Baht + 50 Baht Airport Service charge. There may be a hostel closer, but we can guarantee you won't get to or from the airport faster than from us.
Thonglor
(Sukhumvit Road Soi 55) - 'The Beverly Hills of Southeast Asia', quoting the Sunday New York Times, is a wide 2km stretch of road on the edge of the CBD, and the sois (streets) that lead off of it are for Thais, Japanese and Western Expatriates the desired location to live, eat, shop and party.
Watch-out
Don't be fooled, in a bus or taxi, Khaosan Road will take 1-4 hours to get to/from the new Airport and may cost as much as 1300 Baht. Although, during the day, without a large backpack KS Road and Banglampoo are only 15-20 minutes and 14 Baht away from us in a boat down the canal.
We offer the best of both worlds, close to the new airport in an up market cosmopolitan area full of restaurants and nightlife and close to shopping and the heart of Bangkok.
Big John's is a safe and friendly, real home away from home - Centrally located, especially with the closure of Don Muang as an international Airport. (Bangkok is a very big and sprawling city with an official population of 8,500,000 people but a more realistic population of 20,000,000 people).
Beer & Cider
We have a selection of Beers and Cider including; Beer Chang, Beer Lao, San Miguel, John Smiths, Newcastle Brown Ale and Bulmers and 3 Great Coopers Beers bottle fermented in South Australia. Sorry no one is currently importing Fosters, VB or Crown Lager.
Breakfast
No other hostel gives you a wider choice or, or serves a better value for money full breakfast. You'll find it hard to find a bigger, better, more value for money set breakfast.
Vegemite is free with breakfast. We also have cornflakes, Coco Pops, Frosties, Jam, Honey & Peanut Butter. Breakfast now also includes Yogurt and Cornflakes or Yogurt and Muesli or Thai Rice Porridge.
Laundry
We have numerous washing machines and driers and our staff will do your laundry for you at just 30 Baht per Kg. Half the price of most other hostels. So cheap locals in the know bring their laundry here.
Sports & Entertainment
We have numerous satellite dishes so you can watch LIVE Cricket, NFL & American College Football, NBA & College Basket Ball, Baseball and the European football and the FA Cup, no matter what time of the day or night it's on. During live EPL matches, on Saturday & Sunday nights, there's FREE local draft Beer for 2 minutes after every goal for anyone with an empty glass (meaning you've already bought one).
Helpful Information and Travel Services
We can help with information on how to get around Bangkok, to the temples and other sites without paying through the nose and without wasting most of your time sitting in a car or van in Bangkok traffic.
We offer tours to Kanchanaburi, including the floating market, war cemetery, bridge over the River Kwai and the Tiger Temple. River and road tours to Ayutthaya are also available.
Two day tours including Erawan Falls, Hot Springs, Hell Fire Pass, Elephant rides & bamboo rafting can also be booked here along with three day tours to Kanchanaburi & Sanghlaburi, including the above and Three Pagoda Pass, Viwagaram Temple, underwater temple, orphanage and long wooden bridge.Optional extras are cycling, kayaking and trekking.
We also offer bookings on daily VIP buses to Cambodia - siam Reap, Ankor Wat & Phnom Phen - the Eastern - Koh Chang, Koh Kut, Koh Wai, Koh Mak -& Southern Islands- Koh Tao (turtle island - diving), Koh Phangan (Full moon party), Koh Samui - South - Phi Phi, Krabi, Phuket, Had Yai, Koh Lak & Northeastern Thailand - Nong Khai and Laos - Vientien.
Other Services
We have a free book swapping service and a library with a large selection of travel books on Thailand and Southeast Asia.
FREE maps of Bangkok, showing BTS (Skytrain), MRT (Subway) and canal routes are usually available at the reception desk. We also have more detailed maps by Nancy Chandler, which include Sukhumvit, China Town, Banglampoo, Chatuchak (JJ- the weekend market) and greater Bangkok for sale.
We were the first hostel in Thailand to offer free high speed, ADSL, internet access and free wifi. We also have printers, cd burners and card readers to help you copy save and upload your photos. We also have headphones with microphone and webcams to help you keep in touch with friends & family.
We also offer free bag / luggage / baggage storage to returning guests, and to store your bags should you be taking a later flight, train or bus, all of which makes us the big one for others to follow.
There is also no charge for locker use while you are staying with us.
Upcoming special events.
You need not stay with us to join in.
Sat 12th April. SONGKRAN - THAI NEW YEAR. water throwing festival, FREE BBQ BUFFET 6-8pm FREE Chang Draught BEER 8-10 pm for to those wearing nothing but a swimsuit. FREE Chang Draft BEER 11pm - midnight FOR ALL. Water throwing is requested halted while the BBQ and buffet is on.
Mon 9th June, BIG JOHN'S BIRTHDAY, that's the real Big John, not the pies , cafe or hostel, but they are birthdays we can talk about later. FREE BBQ BUFFET 6-8pm, FREE Chang Draught BEER 9-11pm.
Weekly Specials:
Every Friday night is Ladies night with Free Gin, Vodka, Rum, Whisky, Mixers & local Draft Beer from 7pm - 9pm for ladies* and 40 Baht per drink for ladies* from 9-11pm. And for the guys there's a FREE Jug of Chang Draught Beer with every purchase of 3 Burgers. (*and men in dresses who don't normally wear dresses)
Saturday Nights - FREE 12 inch Pizza with every 3 Litre Tower of Chang Draft Beer and ALL YOU CAN EAT Sweet & Sour Chicken for just 80Baht from 6-8pm.
Every Sunday Breakfast - all you can eat Pancakes and Maple Syrup for just 50 baht..
Every Sunday Night you can enjoy all you can eat Thai Buffet from 6 - 8 pm 150 Baht.
Every Monday Night is Pizza & Beer Night with a Free 1 litre Jug of Chang Draft with every 12 inch Pizza & ALL YOU CAN EAT Stir fried Pork, Vegetables & Noodles for just 60 Baht from 6-8pm.
Every Tuesday Night is 2 for 1 Night with Buy 1 get 1 free meat pies and 2 for 1 Chang Draft Beer (buy one get one free**) 5 - 11pm*. ALL YOU CAN EAT Stir Fried Chicken & Vegetables for just 60 Baht from 6-8pm.
Every Wednesday Night is Hi Card Wins FREE DRINKS - cut the deck against the bar and win and your drink is FREE* 5pm - midnight. Bangers & mash & beer only 170 Baht and ALL YOU CAN EAt Fried Rice with Prawns for 60 Baht from 6-8pm.
Thursday Nights - Fish & Chips just 150 Baht or ALL YOU CAN EAT Pad Thai for 60 Baht from 6-8pm.
We have a DVD player to check and watch your latest purchases and a lounge area on the 4th floor for those who just want to chill for a while.
We don't have a swimming pool, but there are swimming pools nearby available for casual use. There is also an Olympic Size Swimming Pool in Sukhumvit Soi 40 that can be used for 50 Baht per day.
We don't have a self kitchen, but the bbq's are available for anyone who wants to use them.
Barter
I NEED LARGE BOOMERANGS AND SMALL DIDGERIDOOS OR OTHER VERY AUSTRALIAN ITEMS THAT CAN BE USED TO DECORATE A KITCHEN IN A FOOD HALL.
VEGEMITE and Large blocks of Cheddar cheese (Australian preferred) are always welcome and can be bartered here, as can Liquid Smoke, hot English mustard, MAPLE SYRUP, Bundaberg Rum, good, preferably South Australian, Wine and Tea Tree Oil. If you have any other delicacies you wish to barter please email us in advance. We're also interested in Sports memorabilia and Australiana which can also be bartered for food and drinks and maybe rooms, but not your booking deposit.
We try to keep the do's and don't's to a minimum, trusting you will be considerate to others. Big John's is a fun & friendly hostel and home away from home, not a prison.
NO HIDDEN CHARGES
All of our beds have pillows, sheets and comforters (dunas/duvets), not just thin acrylic blankets. When we do get around to adding optional energy efficient air-conditioning to the private rooms, probably February, 2008, there will be an additional charge. There's is an additional charge of 50 Baht for check-in after 2am, or before 7 am, Guests who have already checked in will be able to let themselves in and out 24 hours. When booking and arriving early in the morning (1-6am) to book the night before or you might be waiting till midday for your bed.
We now have guest refrigerators, which can be used for a small fee to store and drink alcohol after midnight if you purchase your drinks from us before midnight. You will need to pay 7% VAT but there is no service charge, tipping is up to you and goes straight to the staff.
As much as I try to make myself available to guests to help answer questions and offer friendly helpful free advice, please understand I'm not on holidays, I have a business to run which is more than just the hostel.
You don't need a member/discount/VIP card holder here as our prices are discounted for everyone. Our prices are not over inflated to offer a false discount
A great hostel is much more than a room or a bed. Here at Big John's we strive to bring both travelers and locals together in a safe and friendly environment conducive to the exchange of cultures and ideas. A warm and friendly, home away from home, offering opportunities and experiences you will remember for a lifetime and an environment you won't be in a hurry to leave.
C YA SOON
Big John
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| Shared |
Private |
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Sun
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18 May 2008 |
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Mon
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19 May 2008 |
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Tue
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20 May 2008 |
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Wed
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21 May 2008 |
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Thu
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22 May 2008 |
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Fri
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23 May 2008 |
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Sat
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24 May 2008 |
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| Shared from EUR 1.70 |
| Private from EUR 4.50 |
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| Special offers
8 specials
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| Rating | 61% |
| Breakfast | costs EUR 0.60 |
| Bed linen | free |
| Towel | free |
| Airport Pickup |
costs EUR 17.98 |
| Luggage Room |
free |
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