Bangkok's BEST Coworking Cafe & Hostel? (Kinnon Deluxe Review!)
Kinnon Deluxe Bangkok: My Honest Take on the "BEST" Coworking Cafe & Hostel (Buckle Up!)
Alright, alright, settle in because I’m about to spill the (deliciously caffeinated) tea on Kinnon Deluxe in Bangkok. They claim to be the best coworking cafe & hostel, and frankly, after surviving a week there, I'm ready to put my keyboard where my mouth is. This review isn't your typical polished travelogue. This is the raw, unfiltered truth, complete with chaotic tangents, questionable coffee choices, and the occasional existential crisis experienced in a Thai massage parlor. So, let's dive in!
First Impressions: Accessibility, Arrival, and That Damn Elevator… (Or Lack Thereof)
Finding Kinnon Deluxe was a breeze. Accessibility: The location is awesome! Close to the BTS (that’s the Skytrain, folks) – perfect for zipping around the city. Plus… well, that’s where the accessibility kudos kinda stops. This place is a little tricky for anyone with mobility issues. There's an elevator, yes, and I was super grateful. However, getting to the reception sometimes required a few awkward maneuvers and a friendly porter. So, "Facilities for disabled guests" get a… slightly hesitant thumbs up. They're trying. Honestly, I'm just glad that, for once in my life, I wasn't the one blocking the elevator. They also had a very helpful concierge willing to help. Speaking of which, the concierge was a lifesaver! Seriously, these guys are like the Swiss Army knives of hospitality. Need a cab? Done. Need a recommendation for the best Pad Thai in town? Bam! Done. They also helped organize all the Airport transfer details. Thank GOD for them!
Rooms & Staying Alive: Cleanliness, Safety, and the Art of Not Getting Mauled by a Mosquito
Now, the rooms. I opted for the non-smoking option (because, hey, lungs are overrated, right?). My room had Air conditioning that blasted like a polar vortex but that's good, right?? Thank heavens. The Internet [LAN] was a lifesaver for those important Zoom calls, plus the Wi-Fi [free] was surprisingly robust. The Internet access – wireless was easy to connect but occasionally dropped out. The desk was comfy enough for working. The Safe box was great. The Blackout curtains were GODSEND. Oh, and let's not forget the complimentary tea and free bottled water. Little touches, people, little touches!
Cleanliness and safety are clearly a priority, which is HUGE in a city like Bangkok. I was particularly impressed with the Anti-viral cleaning products. And the Rooms sanitized between stays! I got to feel a bit more at ease. Sterilizing equipment was evident everywhere.
And speaking of staying alive in the wild: Lots of daily disinfection in common areas, hand sanitizer everywhere, and even the option to opt-out of room sanitization if you prefer. I'm not THAT germophobic, but it's nice to know they’re on it. CCTV in common areas and outside property are always reassuring. Fire extinguisher was in the hall too.
The smoke detectors gave me a little anxiety. I mean, I'm not going to light up in my room, but the thought is enough, right?
The Food & Drink Frenzy: Fueling Your Hustle… and Your Existential Dread
Okay, let's talk food. This is where Kinnon Deluxe really shines, or at least, where my taste buds went on a rollercoaster.
Breakfast [buffet]: They really went all-in on the Asian breakfast and Western breakfast. The international array on Breakfast [buffet] was impressive, plus they also offer Breakfast service. I loaded up on the amazing fruit, but their coffee… well, let’s just say it's best paired with a healthy dose of sugar. They have a Coffee shop, but my go-to was actually using the Coffee/tea maker in the room to use my own blend. Coffee/tea in restaurant was definitely a good option as well.
Restaurants: There are Restaurants on-site. The A la carte in restaurant offerings are actually pretty good, they really cater to Asian cuisine in restaurant and Western cuisine in restaurant. They serve Soup in restaurant, Salad in restaurant, and all sorts of Desserts in restaurant. Bottle of water was provided. Alternative meal arrangement was offered. Vegetarian restaurant too! Great options.
Snack bar: Ideal for a quick bite between emails.
Poolside bar: This is where happy hour becomes a religious experience. Watching the sunset while sipping a cocktail? Pure, unadulterated bliss.
Pool: The Pool with view from the bar is pretty great, honestly.
Room service [24-hour]: Perfect for those late-night snack attacks and when you physically can't move from your laptop.
Work, Work, Work, Work: Coworking Nirvana or Digital Nightmare?
This is, after all, a coworking cafe & hostel. The Business facilities were well-equipped.
- Internet access – solid.
- Internet services
- Wi-Fi in public areas: Easy to connect to and pretty stable.
Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery: I didn't use the Meeting/banquet facilities but they're there and look pretty sleek. I did see some meetings going on in the Indoor venue for special events, which looked professional.
Projector/LED display and Audio-visual equipment for special events: Yep, they've got the tech.
And for your special events: They can host Outdoor venue for special events too! Wow! Wi-Fi for special events is great too.
Getting Around & Other Essentials:
- Car park [on-site], Car park [free of charge]: Bonus!
- Taxi service, Valet parking: Useful.
- Laundry service, Dry cleaning, Ironing service: Essential for any digital nomad.
- Cash withdrawal, Currency exchange, Convenience store: All the bases covered.
- Luggage storage: Handy for early arrivals/late departures.
- Elevator
- Doorman
- Daily housekeeping
- Bicycle parking
Ways to Relax (and Escape the Grind): Spa, Gym, and… More Coffee!
This is where Kinnon Deluxe really understands the digital nomad's plight.
- Spa/sauna: I am a fan.
- Massage: They had a range of massages. I did the Thai massage, which was amazing.
- Sauna, Steamroom: Heaven.
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness, Body scrub, Body wrap: If you're into that, go for it!
- Pool with view, Swimming pool [outdoor]
For the Kid's Stuff:
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: I don't have kids so this feature didn't help for me.
Services and Conveniences: The Little Touches That Make a Difference
- Doctor/nurse on call, First aid kit: Peace of mind.
- Air conditioning in public area: Needed.
- Essential condiments: Makes life so much easier.
- Gift/souvenir shop: Impulse buys, here I come!
- Invoice provided
- Cashless payment service
- Food delivery
Things to Do (Beyond Working): Where to Explore Your Escapist Side
- Shrine: A beautiful and peaceful place.
- Terrace: Perfect for a sunset beer.
- Couple's room, Room decorations: I didn't need these options for my solo trip, but I did check out the Proposal spot.
The Final Verdict: Is Kinnon Deluxe Worth It?
Listen, Kinnon Deluxe isn't perfect. It has its quirks, a few minor accessibility issues, and the occasional coffee catastrophe. But what it does have is a soul. It's a place that understands the struggles of remote work, the need for good food and fun. It's a place where you can work, relax, and maybe – just maybe – find yourself.
My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars. (Losing half a star for the coffee and the elevator situation)
Booking Offer for YOU, My Fellow Adventurer!
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Alright, buckle up buttercups, because this ain't gonna be your sanitized, perfectly-grammared travel blog. We're diving headfirst into the glorious, sweaty, chaotic mess that is Kinnon Deluxe Hostel & Coworking Cafe in Bangkok. Prepare for a week that's less "smooth sailing" and more "slightly seasick, but still grinning."
Kinnon Kraziness: A Bangkok Adventure (with a heavy dose of imposter syndrome)
Day 1: Arrival and Existential Dread in the Lobby
- 14:00: Land at Suvarnabhumi, which is already exhausting. The sheer volume of people, the humidity that smacks you in the face like a wet towel… it's A LOT. Thank God for pre-booked airport transfer. And thank god for air conditioning. I think I’m still sweating from the taxi ride. (Pro-tip: pre-booking REALLY helps. Taxi drivers can be… enthusiastic about their prices.)
- 16:00: Arrive at Kinnon. Oh. My. God. This place is cute. Like, Instagram-bait cute. All exposed brick, plants everywhere, and a lobby full of people who already seem infinitely cooler and more productive than me. Immediately I feel like I’ve wandered into a hipster convention where I, in my slightly-stained t-shirt and overwhelmed-tourist face, am clearly the odd one out. They're all working on laptops, sipping fancy coffees, and probably coding the next great AI revolution. I'm pretty sure the guy in the corner is composing a symphony with his AIRPODS. Meanwhile, I'm trying not to trip over my own feet and praying my backpack doesn’t unleash a rogue avalanche of dirty laundry.
- 17:00: Check-in. The staff were incredibly friendly, but I totally botched the pronunciation of my name. Now my key card says "A-ndrew." I'll be "A-ndrew" for the rest of the week, I guess. Great start.
- 18:00: Explore the hostel. Find my dorm room. Oh, thank heavens, my bed is up top. I'm too tired to wrestle with the top bunk. I'm pretty sure the bunk bed is held together with a prayer and some duct tape… and maybe a stray sock.
- 19:00: Dinner at a random street food stall near the hostel. Pad Thai, spicy as hell, and the best thing I've ever tasted. It's the taste of being alive. (Also, I'm pretty sure I'm going to need a fire extinguisher in my mouth in an hour.)
- 20:00: Wander back to Kinnon, feeling pleasantly stuffed and slightly overwhelmed by the sensory overload. I end up chatting with a French girl who’s been in Thailand for three months. She is also travelling on a budget. Her travel stories made me want to quit my job! Back at my hostel and bed, I was thinking I'll be starting my adventure tomorrow.
Day 2: Temples, Tuktuks, and the Triumph of Not Getting Lost (Yet!)
- 09:00: Breakfast at Kinnon. The coffee is fantastic, the pastries are even better. Try to engage in conversation with the "cool kids" at the coworking cafe, fail miserably (I'm pretty sure my attempt at small talk just revealed my complete lack of intellectual depth).
- 10:00: Take a public ferry across the Chao Phraya River. (Pro-tip: Avoid the crowded tourist boats and go local. It's cheaper, faster, and gives you a better glimpse of real life.)
- 11:00: Visit Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). The sheer scale of the place is mind-boggling. I have never seen anything like it. The intricate details are a feast for the eyes, and I spend a solid hour just wandering around, gawking. Take a million photos, of course – the cliche tourist, I am!
- Anecdote: I almost lost my hat while trying to get a good photo of the temple. It was a near-death experience for my trusty bucket hat. Apparently, the wind in Bangkok has a vendetta against tourists' hats.
- 13:00: Tuktuk ride gone… sideways? Okay, it got a little… heated. The driver tried to take me to "specially-for-you" gem store, and I, feeling like I had a handle of it, firmly declined the offer while negotiating the price with my broken Thai. Turns out the gem store was just a tourist trap with astronomical prices. I felt like a rookie. Lesson learned: research before getting into a tuk-tuk. Seriously.
- 14:00: Lunch. Found a small restaurant tucked away on a side street with some amazing curry. I just got lost, didn't know where to go -- I found a great meal with my lunch!
- 15:00: Return to Kinnon. The afternoon sun is beating down. The pool looks inviting, but I'm paralyzed by a sudden aversion to public bathing suits. I end up at the coworking cafe, trying to look like I'm "working" and actually just staring into space. The girl with the AirPods is still composing. I decide to stick to the tried and true method of ordering a coffee.
- 19:00: Try again at street food. Dinner is cheap, and I enjoy the food.
- 20:00: The hostel has a rooftop bar, so I went to chill. It was a fun place.
Day 3: Grand Palace Grandeur and the Glare of the Gold
- 09:00: Breakfast at Kinnon. I get a great coffee, and have a good conversation with an Australian guy about travel and work.
- 10:00: Visit the Grand Palace. This place is… well, it’s grand. Like, "dazzling everything" grand. Be prepared for sensory overload, especially on a bright day. The gold glittered and glistened, reflecting in all directions. I probably spent longer staring at the detail on the buildings than I did looking at the actual palace.
- Rant: The crowds are insane. I'm pretty sure I was elbowed by a selfie stick at least a dozen times. But, you can't really blame people, it's something really special.
- 13:00: Lunch – I'm now addicted to mango sticky rice. It's the perfect antidote to the heat and the chaos. (Pro-tip: find a street vendor that makes it fresh. Pure heaven.)
- 14:00: Stroll through the nearby gardens. Seeking some quiet. Took a nap under a tree. It was the best.
- 16:00: Back at Kinnon. I spent the afternoon just relaxing, reading a book, and doing some work.
- 18:00: Headed out for dinner, and after going through the street food, I really am starting to get hungry for proper food.
- 20:00: The hostel had some live music. The band was great, so I hung around there and listened to the music.
Day 4: Market Mayhem and Massage Magic
- 09:00: Breakfast at Kinnon.
- 10:00: Chatuchak Weekend Market. Okay, this place is INSANE. The sheer volume of goods for sale is mind-boggling. Everything from clothes to souvenirs to live animals (I'm not sure how I feel about that). I got lost about three times, but eventually found the perfect souvenir. I feel like I could have gone there any day of the week to see what I could find.
- Quirk: I got a fake "Rolex" watch. It's probably a rip-off, but it looks good and I like it.
- 13:00: Lunch at the market. So cheap!
- 14:00: Traditional Thai massage. Oh. My. God. Bliss. The masseuse twisted me into shapes I didn't know were possible, but I floated out of there feeling like a new person.
- Emotional reaction: I almost fell asleep – more than once. I also almost squealed when she worked on a knot in my back.
- 16:00: Return to Kinnon. I had a really good time with everyone else, chatting, talking, and just laughing.
- 19:00: Dinner at the hostel. A small gathering between guests.
- 20:00: More music and chatting at the hostel.
Day 5: Cooking Class Chaos and Cultural Awkwardness
- 09:00: Breakfast at Kinnon.
- 10:00: Cooking Class. I signed up for a cooking class. The experience was a hilarious mix of chopping, dicing, and near-disasters in the kitchen. I somehow manage to make a passable Pad See Ew, but it’s probably mostly luck. I managed to spill fish sauce everywhere.
- Imperfection: I also burnt a big bunch of garlic, and it tasted horrendous.
- **13:0
Kinnon Deluxe Hostel & Coworking Cafe: The Good, The Bad, and the OMG-Did-That-Really-Happen?!?
Q: So, Kinnon Deluxe... is it actually deluxe, or just a cleverly-marketed budget stay?
A: Okay, let's be real. "Deluxe" is pushing it. But hey, Bangkok's hot, so even "adequate" feels deluxe after a day dodging tuk-tuks. Kinnon? Not exactly the Ritz, but definitely several notches above a roach motel. Think… a comfortable, stylish backpacker haven with a surprising amount of charm. The dorm rooms? Not palatial, but the beds are decent, the AC blasts (bless!), and you get a little privacy pod with a curtain. Plus, the social scene is ON. Basically, a good compromise between 'splurge' and 'I'm-sleeping-in-a-train-station'.
Q: The Coworking Cafe – Is it actually conducive to getting work done, or a noisy distraction?
A: Alright, the coworking space... This is where Kinnon really shines. The Wi-Fi is surprisingly reliable (a miracle!), the coffee is actually drinkable (important!), and the vibe is generally productive. I once spent a whole day there, fueled by caffeine and a desperate deadline. It was glorious. But, and there's always a but, it can get noisy. Especially during happy hour. And on more than one occasion, I found myself distracted by the guy across from me who was enthusiastically explaining his blockchain project. If you need total silence, bring noise-canceling headphones. Otherwise, it's a fantastic workspace - a real Oasis in the digital desert.
Q: How's the social scene? Is it easy to meet people?
A: Oh, the social scene is a *party*. Seriously. Kinnon is a hub for travelers, so you'll meet people from all over the world. They arrange group dinners, pub crawls, and even walking tours. I bonded with a Swiss guy over the shared trauma of enduring Bangkok traffic and ended up exploring temples with him for two days. It's the kind of place where you arrive alone and leave with a new travel buddy (or ten!). Prepare for lots of conversations, laughter, and possibly the shared experience of ordering something way too spicy for your palate. One night, yeah, one night, I was chatting with a girl from Australia, and she ended up convincing me to try durian ice cream. I regret nothing. Except maybe the lingering smell..."
Q: What's the food situation like? Anything worth writing home about?
A: Okay, the food. The cafe has a decent menu – the Pad Thai is a safe bet and the breakfast options are plentiful. But honestly? Bangkok is a *food paradise*! Don't limit yourself to Kinnon's cafe. Venture out! Explore the street food! The food stalls around the area are amazing, and you'll find some seriously delicious (and cheap) eats. My advice: try everything. Except maybe the fried bugs. (I tried them. Regret. They tasted... crunchy.) But seriously, the cafe's food is passable, but *seriously* use it as a springboard into the culinary explosion that is Bangkok!
Q: Is it easy to get around from Kinnon? Good location?
A: The location is pretty darn good. It's near public transport, and you can easily get to various attractions. Taxis and tuk-tuks are readily available (negotiate the price *before* you get in!). Walking around is pleasant enough, but be prepared for the heat! I'd say it's a very central location for most stuff and easy to get to from the airport. It's kind of crazy how the local streets have such a vibrant feel but the surrounding attractions are so easy and accessible. If you enjoy exploring, you're already in the best place to explore from!
