The scene at the Bangkok City is one of coming and going, as guests stay at this hotel mainly due to its cheap prices. With a robustly casual vibe, the only real shared spaces other than the pool are in the lobby, and thus the area is always crowded and noisy. Everyone descends on the breakfast buffet in the morning, while tons of people check in and out at the nearby front desk. It's not a particularly relaxing atmosphere, but most folks are just looking to get on with their sightseeing programs for the day. The small pool upstairs doesn't appear to be too popular, but it is an escape from the hordes. 

The Bangkok City has a prized location in central Bangkok slightly off the tourist grid. The hotel is less than a 10-minute walk to the nearest BTS Skytrain station, giving direct access to the rest of the city. Plus, it’s surrounded by local eateries offering cheap food. The area is also a quick taxi ride or decent walk from the main shopping district in Pratunam, and is centrally located for most sights. Phetchaburi Road, on which the hotel is situated, is an extremely busy street with chaotic traffic all day long -- probably the biggest drawback about this spot. The international airport is about a 35-minute drive east, or more than an hour by public transport.  

The adage "you get what you pay for" is about as appropriate as one can get for the Bangkok City Hotel. The earth-tone rooms here are basic, offering simple beds, small desks, and showers, with nothing fancy about any of them; however, it does make for a relatively sleek look. Rooms also come with air-conditioning, 32-inch flat-screen TVs, safe boxes, and mini-fridges, and the higher floor Deluxe units have far-reaching views (although there isn't much to see other than urban sprawl). An added bonus is that all rooms come with free Wi-Fi as well as a continental breakfast buffet. For the price, one can't complain, as one would be hard pressed to find a cheaper spot in this part of town.

Bangkok City Hotel doesn't have many extras outside of the noisy area set aside for morning repasts. The breakfast space is in the lobby, packed with guests taking advantage of the free continental buffet. Upstairs, a small, attractively designed indoor swimming pool is partially blocked by columns found in its center, making it unsuitable for lap swimming or fancy maneuvers. Still, it's a decent place to take a dip on a hot day. One big extra that the Bangkok City does have, in contrast to most area hotels, is an on-site laundry facility.