Once in a while even a backpacker craves comfort and that's when it's time to get on that Airbnb app and look for something more luxurious than a bunk bed. I was also craving to escape from the typical touristic experience into something more traditionally Thai and something less familiar. Because these Airbnbs are located on the temple’s property (all about this awesome community here), staying here felt very different from the ordinary Bangkok exeperience and way more authentic than staying at a hotel.

That's me having fun at Canal Next Door Bangkok.

If craving more traditional decor and want the entire house to yourself: check out the Canal House Bangkok, which is located only a block away and has a cozy terrace overlooking the canal. The host, Ohm, is also a founder of Hidden Bangkok Tours with whom you can have a very local Foodie Boat or Tuk Tuk Tour and a Muay Thai Training Class or join him to watch a fight live. 

Staying at an Airbnb is actually a great way to be a more sustainable traveler. When you stay at someone's small hotel or a guesthouse - you are supporting the local economy and your money goes a long way in a small community. To me this seems to be a better choice than making Paris Hilton or Marriott board members even richer: when you stay at hotels with big names, most of your money goes to a handful of top executives and skips the pockets of people in the neighborhood.

This place is very safe as well, I didn’t hesitate to sleep with my balcony door wide open. And coming back home late at night through a lit-up temple complex was a magical experience. This place is super pedestrian and kid-friendly as the streets are too narrow for cars to pass through. Children would have a fantastic time here feeding big fishes in the canal, watching Monitor Lizards float by and making new Thai friends. 

Staying at this lovely guesthouse allowed me to see a different side of Bangkok quite literally, since it is located across the river from the main touristic attractions.  However, it is only a 5 minute walk away from Wat Arun, a very popular and very unique temple, which is very beautiful in the early morning hours (before the other tourists get there) and after dark when it is lit up and magically glowing.

Everyone in the Wat Nak Klang knows each other and gathers in the evenings at the restaurant on the canal for some beers and delicious food. My Chicken Curry was so delicious I was licking my plate! Green Mango Salad was also fantastic. And although French Fries are not exactly a traditional Thai dish, you can find them here too, along with spiced cashew nuts and imitation crab.

Get Here:

Both Airbnbs can be easily access by a local ferry until 7 pm (Wat Arun Ferry Pier), a cab ride or using the brand new subway line.

Things to do:

• Visit Wat Arun
• Explore the neighborhood by foot
• Visit the local homemade ice cream shop
• Explore Kudichin: neighborhood with 4 religions
• Take a Muay Thai class
• Do a Foodie Canal Boat Tour
• Take a local ferry (15 Baht) to the Wang Lang Local Market, which almost doesn’t see any tourists so you can find loads of authentic local food and prices not meant for tourists.