I usually stay at fairly expensive hotels and guest houses in Bangkok because for the rest of the year I stay in small towns and villages helping our with various educational projects. This time I just wanted to try something new so I checked into the Fortville Guesthouse. It is a short walk to museums, Khaosan, great restaurants, Jazz Happens, boutique stores. Fortville was mostly young and older people (Thais and International) who enjoyed travel and respected Thai ways. The night music and food, not to mention the view on the top floor was spectacular. My room had a fridg, tv, aircon, clean great shower, balcony overlooking the canal. There was wifi in room and also throughout the hotel and coffee cafe. Besides the other travellers, the staff was friendly and helpful. They can even help you learn some Thai! I will definitely return.

LIKE:
1) I like the sweet and charming receptionist (a chinese pretty lady). She is so helpful and pleasant.
2) The design/style of the hotel is special (that's why it is named as fortville). They have a very special lift
3) It is located near to Kao Shan road (still need to walk around 10 - 15min to reach) and is very near to Phra Arthih Pier (for daily pass boat tour)
4) Have a few eating places (road side stall/restaurant/cafe) nearby. Try the chicken rice stall at the opposite left across the road and mixed rice stall at the left of hotel. One 7-11 beside the hotel and one at the opposite
5) quiet and comfortable

DISLIKE
1) TV is too small and too high
2) No swimming pool (unlike the hotel next door)
3) limited usage of wifi. Poor wifi network in the room
4) water from shower is too scatter , difficult to bath
5) no sufficient space for big luggage
6) no nice view from hotel room
7) rooftop cafe price is slightly high

Overall : Not bad to stay there again

Fortville is really quite brilliant, it is built in the style of a thai fort and is in keeping with the road on which it is situated, Thanon Phra Sumen. This road has ruins of an old city wall running along it, as well as a real fort which is just near Fortville Gueshouse. The theme continues in the rooms, which feel almost like prison cells in a quirky and likeable way.

The rooms are not that big, but they are very clean, comfortable and nicely appointed. The TV's however are a bit small and if i were the management this would be an upgrade priority.

There is free wifi at the hotel - you need to access this with a username and password from reception. The wifi was not always reliable, but connection speeds were good when it was on.

If you stay make sure you check out the rooftop restaurant, its really beautiful up there in the evenings and has unparalled views for a hotel in the Khaosan area.

There are also a great number of restaurants around Phra Athit which are well worth checking out. Just across the road and along towards the river are Joy Luck Club restaurant and also the famous Roti Mataba. Rickys cafe a bit further round and along is also worth checking out.

There are two 7-11 stores right next to the hotel - always handy to have around! ;)

The staff at Fortville are generally friendly, although at times it would be nicer if some of them were more talkative.

The only problem i had at Fortville was Cigarette smoke coming into my room through the air conditioner. I think officially its a non smoking hotel, but there seem to be rampant smoking taking place and my room had smoke coming into it on most nights. Turning off the air con stopped it, but then was really hot!! I think the management should be proactive about the smoking status of the hotel, so that smokers and non smokers both know where they stand.

Some minor issues, no hand soap provided and no privacy door tag to hang on the door.