Luxury hotels and boutiques hostels are nice and all, but who wouldn’t want to stay with a Thai mom who cooks you breakfast in her garden every morning?

We loved this cozy guesthouse in the middle of Bangkok. Mong, our Airbnb super-host, managed to make us feel at home in such a chaotic city. Her thoughtful touches and warm hospitality made our 3 days in Bangkok a trip we’ll never forget.

Planning a trip to Thailand soon? Here’s everything you need to know about Mama Garden Guesthouse in Khet Khlong San in Bangkok.

How do you get to
Mama Garden in Bangkok?

Arranged Airport Pick Up by Mong
Since we were unfamiliar with Bangkok, we requested pick up to Mama Garden. Mong organized our taxi, and the driver was punctual and polite. The airport was about 45 minutes away and it only cost about $15 USD (400 Baht).

Grab Taxi
Grab Taxi is Southeast Asia’s Uber. Once you download the app, you can easily book a ride to Mama Garden. The address is sometimes confusing for Grab drivers, so be sure to print out Mong’s directions in Thai just in case.

Where is Mama Garden Located in Bangkok?

*Outside of Mama Garden early in the morning*

Khet Khlong San

If you prefer to be far from the chaos of the city, but still want to be close to the main attractions — then Khet Khlong San is the neighborhood for you. Khet Khlong San is opposite from popular tourist areas like Khao San Road and the Riverside. The area is centrally located, but residential with more of a local feel.

Mama Garden's location was exactly what we were looking for. An urban-garden oasis that was close to transportation hubs and popular sites, yet an escape from Bangkok’s concrete jungle.

Home is Where Mong is

We felt right at home the moment we arrived. Similar to what my Asian mother would do, Mong escorted us to our room and gave us slippers to wear around the house. After Mong gave us a tour, she briefed us on Bangkok with personalized maps that were made by her son.

Mong was more than just our Airbnb “super-host”, she became our our psuedo-Thai mom. Her thoughtful gestures were better than any 5 star hotel’s service. Mong would write down Thai phrases for us to show locals in case we were lost, and even walked us to taxi stands to make sure we didn’t get overcharged.

Mama Garden’s Guesthouse

We booked the 3 bed guesthouse, which was next door to Mong’s house. The guesthouse had 3 comfy beds, 1 bathroom, and a front patio. We were a party of 3 girls (with 3 big backpacks), and the guesthouse had ample space for us all.

The room was impeccably clean, WiFi connection was fast, and AC was easy to use. There were so many thoughtful touches in the room like slippers, toiletries, guidebooks, and complimentary water & tea. At check out, Mong even gifted us a handcrafted, tote bag.

Homemade
Thai Breakfast
By Mong

Every morning Mong served a delicious, Thai breakfast spread in her garden gazebo. It was such a relaxing way to start the day before heading out to explore Bangkok. We loved chatting with Mong, and learning about each morning’s new Thai dish — it was hard not to lose track of time in her lush, tropical nook.

What to do in Bangkok Near Mama Garden?

Floating Market Tour

The Floating Markets are a must in Bangkok. We highly recommend joining a tour or going with a trusted local. We loved the Floating Market Airbnb Experience with Pook, who is a young Thai yuppie from Bangkok. Pook guided us around the Floating Markets and took us to the best food stalls. The meeting point/ pick up area for the tour is conveniently located in the same neighborhood as Mama Garden (just a quick, 5-minute tuk tuk away).

Bangkok Hop On/ Hop Off Boat

Mama Garden is walking distance to the Icon Siam Riverside where water taxis and tourist ferries are located. Mong recommended to purchase a hop on/hop off boat pass to explore the main sights in one day. I normally find hop on/ hop off anything corny, but this boat was super convenient and well-organized. Main sites to visit: Flower Market, Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Khao San Rd, & Chinatown.

Icon Siam Mall

I’m not one for malls, but the Icon Siam is a sight to see. The mall feels like a luxury hotel filled with restaurants, shops, debonair bathrooms — and really good WiFi. Everything you possibly need (and want) can be found in Icon Siam. Be sure to eat at Thipsamai for the best Phad Thai in Thailand (and order the signature orange juice too). Check out the restaurant chain of the legendary joint on the 6th floor.

Jay Fai Restaurant

A Bangkok trip is not complete without Michelin-star, street food queen — Jay Fai. If you don’t make reservations in advance, you’ll have to dedicate a morning/ afternoon to eat here. We put our names down 3 hours before opening (10AM), then killed time by temple hopping around the area. Once our table was ready (at 2PM), we devoured our food within a 1 hour time slot. Was it worth the wait? 100% yes. Be sure to order the crab omelette and drunken noodles! Jay Fai is about a 20 minute Grab taxi away from Mama Garden.

Skybar at the Lebua Hotel

For the best rooftop view of the city (but with a hefty price tag) check out Skybar at the Lebua Hotel. If you watched the movie Hangover 2, you’ll probably recognize the bar. The drinks are overpriced, but if you’re in the mood to splurge — this is the place to do it. Skybar is about a 15 minute Grab Taxi away from Mama Garden.

From the location, room, hospitality, and breakfast — we loved everything about Mama Garden. If you’re looking for an affordable, unique, and authentic stay in Bangkok, we highly recommend Mama Garden for your future Thailand travels!

Have you been to Bangkok? If so, where else do you recommend staying? And what else do you recommend doing in the city?

$60 per night: 3 Bedroom Guesthouse

Apr 23 There’s No Place Like Mong’s: Best Stay in Bangkok at Mama Garden

How do you get to
Mama Garden in Bangkok?