The Moonite’s location is its biggest selling point; in an area of Bangkok dominated by luxury hotels, it stands out for its prime position with rates a fraction of those at nearby Swissotel Nai Lert Park, Sivatel, and Okura Prestige. The savings naturally come at the expense of design, ambience, and features, but that’s not to say the Moonite doesn’t offer a comfortable stay. While the exterior looks a little bland and tired, the lobby and restaurant benefit from plenty of sunlight and a bright, modern color scheme. Common areas, though, admittedly lack much in the way of memorable charm. The restaurant’s outdoor deck is somewhat more whimsical, with bright blue patio seating that does a good job of complementing the border of pretty flowers; the roof garden, too, makes the most of impressive views.

At the more residential end of downtown Wireless Road, the Moonite strikes a balance between convenience and seclusion for those willing to venture a little farther from the elevated Skytrain (though Phloen Chit station remains within walking distance). The neighborhood is occupied by the American, British and other embassies, as well as famous luxury shopping malls. The Skytrain offers easy connections to inexpensive shopping in Pratunam (also reached by canal boat from the pier just behind the hotel) and the subway. Suvarnabhumi airport is a 45-minute ride away. Note that the hotel can be difficult to locate by taxi; it may be worth using the nearby British Embassy as a landmark.

While there’s no getting away from the fact that rooms are compact (although the Moonite Suite is quite large), they are brightly decorated in neutral tones with touches of art. The large beds get mixed reviews, with some guests finding the mattresses too hard. The shape and layout of some rooms is a little unconventional, but each is equipped with the basics including a desk, safe, and hairdryer, plus tea- and coffee-making facilities, a somewhat sparse minibar, phone, and flat-screen TV. All rooms are air-conditioned. Bathrooms are particularly tiny, especially in the Mini Room, but they are clean and come with both rainfall and regular showerheads, along with basic toiletries. Street-facing rooms tend to get some noise from the street; it’s worth asking for one at the back.

The hotel’s ground-floor restaurant, with indoor and outdoor seating, is inexpensive, but the food gets decidedly average reviews. Breakfast, included in room rates and also served here, is a basic selection of Thai and international dishes, and eggs cooked to order. The cozy roof garden has views of neighboring skyscrapers and is decked out with wicker-style tub seats, loungers, and swings. The Moonite lacks a pool, which is somewhat unusual in this price range in Bangkok yet understandable given its location on some of the city’s priciest real estate. Free Wi-Fi throughout the property gets generally good reports for speed and reliability.