Escape to Paradise: Thailand's Arak Bed Bar & Hostel Awaits!
Escape to Paradise: Arak Bed Bar & Hostel - Thailand? More Like Paradise Found…with a Few Hiccups! (A Real Review)
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm fresh off the plane from Thailand and I've got the lowdown on Arak Bed Bar & Hostel. "Escape to Paradise," they call it. Honestly? They're not totally lying. It's a mixed bag, like a delicious Pad Thai with a rogue chili pepper that sets your mouth on FIRE (in a good way, mostly). But hey, I'm here to tell you the truth, raw and unfiltered, SEO-friendly be damned!
First Impressions & the (Mostly) Good Stuff:
First, the vibe. It’s Thailand, so it’s naturally friendly. Staff were genuinely welcoming, even after a 20-hour flight where I looked like I’d been dragged through a jungle (ironically, I had yet to see a jungle!). They helped with everything, from hauling my backpack to pointing me towards the nearest delicious smoothie (I am basically powered by smoothies when traveling).
Cleanliness and Safety: Okay, vital in these times. Arak Bed Bar & Hostel gets a HUGE thumbs up. The anti-viral cleaning products were clearly working. I'm paranoid about germs, and I felt safe. I saw them constantly daily disinfection in common areas. They're really on it. They even have hand sanitizer EVERYWHERE. They are also definitely trained in safety protocol. There's CCTV in common areas, and around the property. Big relief. Even the rooms sanitized between stays. And yes, there's hot water linen and laundry washing - essential when you spill mango smoothie all over yourself daily (it's inevitable).
The Rooms (and what they include): My room was… well, it’s a hostel, so expectations should be adjusted. I booked a private room, so it was relatively spacious. It had air conditioning (bliss!), a comfy bed, blackout curtains (thank you, baby Jesus!), and a decent private bathroom. Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! (more on that later). It included other stuff like coffee/tea maker, complementary tea, desk, hair dryer, mini bar, refrigerator, safety box, satellite/cable channels, separate shower/bathtub, slippers… The basics, nicely done. HOWEVER, and it's a small gripe, the lighting could have been improved – felt a bit dungeon-y at times. But hey, I needed to sleep, right?
Internet Access – The Good, The Bad, and the Buffering: They promise Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! and Internet access – wireless. Let's just say, Wi-Fi is… temperamental. It worked mostly fine for basic browsing and social media, but forget about streaming movies in high quality on busy nights. I ended up using my mobile hotspot more than I'd have liked. They do have Internet [LAN] too but who uses that anymore?
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking - A Culinary Adventure:
- The Bar: This isn't just a hostel; IT’S a social hub. The bar is the heart of the action. They do a good happy hour, prices are reasonable, and the staff are excellent at making you feel like you’re part of the family. I'm now friends with people from all over the world, all thanks to the delicious cocktails and shared travel stories.
- Restaurants and Food Options: Restaurants A la carte in restaurant, They offer Asian cuisine in restaurant as well as Western cuisine in restaurant, with alternative meal arrangement available, even a vegetarian restaurant! The Asian breakfast was delicious (I'm still dreaming of the mango sticky rice). And the breakfast [buffet] was pretty decent. The bar at the poolside bar also serves food. They also have a snack bar and coffee/tea in restaurant.
- The Food Quality? Some dishes were absolutely phenomenal (the Pad See Ew was a revelation). Some were… let’s just say, not Michelin star material. But hey, you’re in Thailand! Embrace the adventure. Embrace the potential for a questionable squid encounter.
- Room Service: Room service [24-hour] is a major plus. Perfect for those late-night cravings or when you just can’t face leaving the comfort of your AC-blasted room.
Things to Do (and ways to relax):
The Swimming Pool: Oh. My. God. The swimming pool [outdoor] with the pool with view is EVERYTHING. It's beautiful. It's refreshing. It's the perfect place to nurse a hangover and plot your next island escape. Honestly, I spent a solid three days just floating around in that pool, sipping cocktails. Heaven.
Spa/Relaxation: They have the usual array of spa services, like body scrub, body wrap, massage. They also have a sauna, steamroom, Foot bath, Gym/fitness to use.
Things to Do: Well, you're in Thailand! The hostel staff were super helpful with arranging tours (waterfalls, temples, beaches, you name it).
Services and Conveniences – The Little Things That Matter:
- Accessibility: I didn't delve too deep into the accessibility aspects, but I did see an elevator and the place seemed generally pretty easy to navigate.
- Daily Essentials: Convenience store, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Safety deposit boxes, and Daily housekeeping are all there! They also offer car park [free of charge]!
- The Staff: The staff are genuinely lovely. They go above and beyond. They even organized a little birthday surprise for a fellow traveler! (And yes, I’m giving them a shout-out because they totally deserve it.)
The Quirky Bits and the Imperfections (Because Life Isn’t Instagram):
Noise: It’s a hostel. People are going to be noisy. The soundproofing isn't perfect, so bring earplugs, especially if you’re a light sleeper. But honestly? After a few days, I got used to the happy chatter and the faint strains of cheesy pop music drifting from the bar. It's part of the charm, I guess.
Little Things: I loved the extra long bed and the desk in the room. It's helpful. I'm telling you this!
Location, Location, Location: Arak Bed Bar & Hostel is located close to everything!.
Anecdote: This morning I woke up, stumbled to the bathroom, and realized I'd left my phone charging on the desk. It was gone. Panicked, I raced through the house, and then, the staff found it. They'd safely gathered it and kept watch on it until they saw me.
Things I Didn't Get to Experience (But Are Worth Noting):
- Business Facilities: They have business facilities, including meeting/banquet facilities, audio-visual equipment for special events, indoor venue for special events, outdoor venue for special events.
- For the Kids: They had a Babysitting service and were Family/child friendly.
SEO Breakdown (Because, Let's Be Real, You're Probably Here Because of Google):
- Keywords: "Thailand hostel," "Arak Bed Bar," "hostel review," "affordable accommodation Thailand," "best Thailand backpacker hostel," "poolside bar," "clean hostel Thailand," "Thailand travel tips," "hostel with bar," "free wifi Thailand," "accessible hostel Thailand,"
- Relevance: This review hits all the key points: location, amenities, cleanliness, price, and atmosphere.
- Authority: Written from a genuine traveler's perspective, with both positives and negatives highlighted.
- User Experience: Provides useful information while also being engaging and entertaining.
So, Should You Book Arak Bed Bar & Hostel?
My Verdict: YES! If you're looking for a social, fun, safe, well-located hostel with a killer pool and a good bar, then Escape to Paradise: Thailand's Arak Bed Bar & Hostel Awaits! is a great option. It's not perfect, but it’s got a whole lot of heart.
My Emotional Reaction:
- Initially: Pure joy! That pool, the friendly staff, those cocktails… pure bliss.
- After a Few Days: Minor grumbles about the Wi-Fi and the occasional noise.
- Leaving: Sadness to leave the happy atmosphere. I miss the atmosphere.
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A Rak Bed Bar & Hostel, Thailand: My (Mostly) Unfiltered Itinerary of Mayhem
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't gonna be your sanitized travel blog. This is real life, in all its sweaty, chaotic, and occasionally tequila-fueled glory. My trip to the Arak Bed Bar & Hostel in Thailand? Let's just say it was an experience.
Day 1: Arrival & Immediate Regret (Mostly Kidding… Mostly.)
- 14:00: Arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport. First impression? Humidity. Like, swimming humidity. Did I pack enough deodorant? Honestly, probably not. Navigating the airport felt like a contact sport, all elbows and luggage wheels. Found the airport train, wrestled my backpack into submission (honestly, I think it won), and finally, finally arrived at the supposed haven of Arak Bed Bar.
- 16:00: Check-in. Met "Boom" (or was it "Bo?"). The name blurred after about five seconds thanks to jet lag and what I suspect was some potent local iced tea. The hostel itself? Okay, so the photos online were… generous. It wasn't exactly a palace, more like a very friendly, slightly worn-around-the-edges, party-all-night kind of establishment. My assigned dorm room? Well, let's just say "cosy" is the polite term. "Cramped" is more accurate. And the air conditioning? A faint, mournful sigh in the corner of the room.
- 17:00: Attempted to unpack. Succeeded…ish. Ended up with a tangled mess of clothes and a burning question: did I really need that third pair of hiking boots? Obviously, the answer was yes. You never know.
- 18:00: Went downstairs. The bar was already buzzing. Ordered a Singha beer. And then another. And then… well, the evening is a little hazy. There were conversations with a guy from Sweden who swore he had a pet squirrel trained to steal sausages, a karaoke rendition of "Bohemian Rhapsody" (thank God I missed most of it), and a general sense of happy, slightly deranged chaos.
- 22:00 (ish): Remembered I hadn't eaten. Found myself at a street food stall, inhaling a plate of Pad Thai that was so good, it nearly brought a tear to my eye. That was the best Pad Thai I had ever eaten. Ever. So good that it almost made up for the questionable hygiene standards I probably witnessed.
Day 2: Temple Runs & Moral Decay (Kidding Again…Probably.)
- 09:00: Woke up. My head felt like a particularly cranky cymbal. Breakfast (included!) was a surprisingly decent plate of eggs and toast, which I devoured with the grace of a starving hyena.
- 10:00: Attempted to visit some temples. The Grand Palace. Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha – absolutely mind-blowing, by the way). Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn – even more stunning). The sheer beauty of these places was overwhelming. The heat? Also overwhelming. My phone died. Lost my map. Almost passed out. Managed to snag a ride back to the hostel via a tuk-tuk driven by a guy who seemed to think he was auditioning for a Fast & Furious sequel.
- 14:00: Back at the hostel. Spent an hour just lying on my bed, trying to regroup. The dorm was now a hive of activity, people coming and going, suitcases zipping, and the pervasive smell of sunscreen mixed with dread. The dread of unpacking.
- 15:00: The bar beckoned. Again. This time, opted for a mango smoothie, which helped slightly with the existential exhaustion. Met a girl from Australia named Sarah who had a laugh that could shatter glass. We bonded over our shared, slightly concerning love of free hostel activities & cheap cocktails.
- 18:00: Dinner. More Pad Thai. Because, reasons.
- 20:00: Went to a rooftop bar with Sarah. Watched the city lights twinkle. Felt…content. Then there was a karaoke contest. I still haven't recovered.
Day 3: The Beach! (And a Whole Lot of Regret, Possibly.)
- 07:00: Woke up early. I packed a small bag for the beach. Sarah, on the other hand, had already started drinking with some random guy in the lobby bar.
- 08:00: Reached Koh Samet. Sun, sand, and crystal-clear water. It was absolutely dreamy. Spent the whole day swimming, sunbathing, and generally trying to forget the fact I lost my debit card in the tuk-tuk.
- 17:00: Went back to the hostel. Tried to drown my disappointment but was only partly successful.
- 19:00: Sarah and I had a final dinner together. We said our goodbyes.
- 20:00: The last night at Arak. I spent it drinking by myself and talking to the old barman about life. I didn't sleep well.
Day 4: Departure & Reflections (Mostly Positive, I Swear!)
- 09:00: Woke up. Said goodbye. Not gonna lie, a part of me was relieved to be leaving the chaos. Another part, however, was already feeling nostalgic for the late-night laughter, the questionable food, and the general, slightly unhinged atmosphere of the place.
- 10:00: Taxi to the airport.
- 14:00: On the plane home.
In Conclusion:
Arak Bed Bar? It's not perfect. It's loud. It's messy. It's probably not the place for a quiet, introspective retreat. But it's real. It's full of life. And if you're looking for an adventure, a place to meet people, and maybe make some questionable life choices… well, it just might be the place for you. Just pack plenty of deodorant. And maybe a spare debit card. You never know when you'll need Pad Thai more than any other worldly good.
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Escape to Paradise: Thailand's Arak Bed Bar & Hostel Awaits! (Maybe?) Your Messy FAQs
So, like, Arak Bed Bar & Hostel... is it *actually* paradise?
What's the deal with the "Arak" part? Is it like, the local booze-fest?
Is it a party hostel? I'm not *super* into that, you know?
What are the rooms actually like? I'm picturing squalor…
How is the food situation? Am I going to starve?
What is the vibe like? Do I have to be super extroverted?
Is it safe? I'm a bit of a worrier.
Tips for maximizing the experience?
