Big John’s Hostel and Internet cafe for Backpackers - Continent

Info & Description

Been looking for Bangkok's only true blue Australian run Budget, Backpacker, Hostel,/Guest-house & Cafe with totally FREE Internet & WI-FI access, located in the upmarket part of town where many more affluent and educated locals and expatriates choose to live, eat, drink, shop and party?

Maliciously maligned by every dog & his dog who's copied us and opened a 'hostel' in the past few years. This is the original Bangkok Backpacker Hostel, even if we've just shrunk it down to just dorm rooms. and an open air restaurant and air-conditioned internet cafe/lounge.

Not the cheapest, but not in the tourist Ghetto either. We'd love to offer cheaper accommodation, but it's just not possible with rent in this part of the city.

Take a very close look, we've been offering much more for free than other similar and more expensive hostels

Unlike most heavily saturated tourist areas of Bangkok, when someone smiles at you in this part of the city they are just being nice, not thinking about how much money they can get from you.

Choosing to stay with us is choosing to avoid only seeing/meeting other tourists and whores. Choosing to stay with us about being able meet and communicate with people both Thai & Expatriate who live and work in Bangkok.

There's still a FREE BEER Chang for first time Check-ins, at check-in, between now and August 31, except for the HAMMOCKS ON THE ROOF, so don't forget to ask. At check-in also ask for an MBK discount card and save up to 30% when shopping in MBK (Maboonkrong), Bangkok's original, affordable, giant shopping mall at Siam Square, next to National Stadium.

DORMITORIES
We have an Air-conditioned dorm with comforters, sheets and pillows included in the price and a cheaper Fan only dorm where bedding is an optional extra.
The first Hostel on hsotelworld in Bangkok to offer dorm beds. We have dorms with some of the biggest/widest dorm beds in Asia. Unlike other hostels our 10-12 bed dorms have windows and air-conditioning is available even if there are less than 3 people in the room, and they feature a power socket/outlet next to each bed along with a dimmer switch for control of your own light. And, you won't find yourself crammed into a room with no space to breath.

ALL WELCOME
Unlike the very few other Hostels in Thailand, all nationalities including traveling Thais are welcome.

Great Food & Totally FREE Internet

Check-out the great Western Food & Drink SPECIALS below. While we're still here.
We also offer longterm, homestay / full board from 2 weeks - 2 months, so check-out the specials. Full payment is also now possible, in advance, after your initial booking if you have a Paypal account.

Internet access, both using our computers or your own and WI-FI is totally FREE 24 hours a day to guests.

We've also attempting to reduce our carbon footprint by reducing the number and use of air-conditioners.

Big John's has shrunk to an even more a cozy, only 20, bed , Aussie run guest-house and youth hostel that now also includes totally free internet 24 hours, a bar/ restaurant, serving Big John's own Australian style pies, pasties, sausage rolls, burgers & stew in Thailand - food also sold in local VILLA supermarkets, along with several other Bars and restaurants along Sukhumvit Road and shipped as far North as Rimping Supermarket in Chiang Mai and South to Samui and Krabi, From 1st February 2008 we've also been serving Thai and Western meals from 3pm-10pm at THE SPORTS CORNER on Sukhumvit Soi 20. We also offer delicious western style vegetarian meals and a range of vegetarian pies, along with international favorites including Big John's unique herb bread, thin crust Pizza, Canadian style Poutine and Thai/Fusion and classic Thai dishes like Tom Yum (Spicy Soup) and Pad Thai (Noodles).
Did I forget to mention our fabulous home made pork sausages - also sold to many local restaurants -, veggie/tofu Burgers and vegetarian breakfast?

Hammocks on the roof
Until the end of September 2008 we have hammocks on the roof, no pillow, no blanket, no mosquito net, just a view of the stars with access, to showers and other facilities. Ok, there is a canopy of Shade cloth and a tarp to provide a little protection. The timber deck is still in progress. These are shown on ******** as a 'ONE BED MIXED DORM' .

Private Rooms
Won't be available from the end of September, for a while, and then will only be available to walkins or as an upgrade from dorm bookings.

The Restaurant, & Air-conditioned Lounge
We haven't subbed the restaurant to someone else, meaning we can provide great deals on western style food and drinks and generous portions of Thai/Fusion and Aussie BBQ. It's your space to use and enjoy at your leisure. You can relax, chat with & make new friends in the restaurant/cafe outside on the terrace, in the cosy lounge area with an eclectic collection of sofas.

Now in operation for over 10 years, although not in the same building/s, but within 50 meters of each other..
Don't be fooled by wannabe copycats, or those who tricked Big John into setting them up or copied us. Over 90% of out guests extend their stay and over 50% choose to stay here more than once. Oh, returning guests seldom book on-line so they don't have a chance to post ratings. Only those with unrealistic expectations, or the competition, rate us badly. It sucks, but, that's life & business in Asia. When we started the locals didn't know what a hostel was, didn't have dorms and there wasn't any budget accommodation in this part of town. NMany of the 'hostels' opened in the past few years are in relatively close proximity.

Staff
With friendly, somewhat English literate, staff (at least most of them try, including the Aussie), Big John's, the original - run by Big John himself, family and staff (who will try to make your stay more of a home stay) - has developed a reputation, amongst backpackers and budget travelers - who want to get away from over trafficed, seedy, sleazy, scam infested, tourist areas (like Khaosan, Silom, Nana & Asoke) - as a 'bloody great place to stay' in Bangkok.

Work in Progress
Looking for an elevator and/or someone to carry your backpack up stairs? Looking for five star hotel services where everything is done for you? Want it all for free, because, after all, the world owes you a favor? Well, wake up, get your hand off it. What part of 'backpack' don't you understand? This is a real, cozy, 20 bed, backpacker hostel. Where the money you save on a dorm bed you can spend eating, drinking, site seeing, shopping and partying, getting out and also experiencing modern day Bangkok. We were the first, western operated, hostel in Thailand to offer dorm beds on the web. The first to offer budget beds & rooms in the up market part of town. We are not a designer hostel in the middle of nowhere, which charges more for a dorm bed than you should pay for a private room in the same area. And, you don't have to be gay to stay here either. Though, a tolerance to things not always perfect will certainly improve your chances of an enjoyable stay in Thailand.
Oh, and the building does slope backwards slightly, it's not about to fall down and it's something we think helps add a little character.

If you are a real backpacker this is probably the experience you're looking for. We offer some of Bangkok's most affordable hostel beds & hammocks in the up market/cosmopolitan part of town. Catering to people, on a budget, who want to experience real modern day Bangkok, not some contrived, preconceived idea of Asia from 20 years ago. Catering to people who want to mix with real locals not just tourists and those who prey upon and take advantage of them.

You can't believe everything you read on the web. Generally, human nature is such that many people are more likely to complain than praise. We don't meet everyones expectations and have learned we never will. Especially the expectations of those who don't understand what a backpack is for.

If you're looking to watch or learn Muay Thai / Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu / Mixed Martial Arts /International Boxing / Self Defense / Combat Fitness or Women's KickBoxing then you'll be happy to know teh Bangkok Fight Club is just a few minutes walk away.

Centraly Located
Just 30 minutes from the new Suvarnabhumi International & Domestic Airport. Only 170 Baht + 50 Baht Airport Service charge. There may be a hostel closer, but we can guarantee you won't get to or from the airport faster than from us.

Thonglor
(Sukhumvit Road Soi 55) - 'The Beverly Hills of Southeast Asia', quoting the Sunday New York Times, is a wide 2km stretch of road on the edge of the CBD, and the sois (streets) that lead off of it are for Thais, Japanese and Western Expatriates the desired location to live, eat, shop and party.

Watch-out
Don't be fooled, in a bus or taxi, Khaosan Road will take 1-4 hours to get to/from the new Airport and may cost as much as 1300 Baht. Although, during the day, without a large backpack KS Road and Banglampoo are only 15-20 minutes and 14 Baht away from us in a boat down the canal.
We offer the best of both worlds, close to the new airport in an up market cosmopolitan area full of restaurants and nightlife and close to shopping and the heart of Bangkok.

Big John's is a safe and friendly, real home away from home - Centrally located, especially with the closure of Don Muang as an international Airport. (Bangkok is a very big and sprawling city with an official population of 8,500,000 people but a more realistic population of 20,000,000 people).

Beer & Cider
We have a selection of Beers and Cider including; Beer Chang, Beer Lao, San Miguel, John Smiths, Newcastle Brown Ale and Bulmers and 3 Great Coopers Beers bottle fermented in South Australia. Sorry no one is currently importing Fosters, VB or Crown Lager.

Breakfast
No other hostel gives you a wider choice or, or serves a better value for money full breakfast. You'll find it hard to find a bigger, better, more value for money set breakfast.
Vegemite is free with breakfast. We also have cornflakes, Coco Pops, Frosties, Jam, Honey & Peanut Butter. Breakfast now also includes Yogurt and Cornflakes or Yogurt and Museli or Thai Rice Porridge.

Laundry
We have numerous washing machines and driers and our staff will do your laundry for you at just 40 Baht per Kg. Half the price of most other hostels. So cheap locals in the know bring their laundry here.

Sports & Entertainment
We have numerous satellite dishes so you can watch LIVE Cricket, NFL & American College Football, NBA & College Basket Ball, Baseball and the European football and the FA Cup, no matter what time of the day or night it's on. During live EPL matches, on Saturday & Sunday nights, there's FREE local draft Beer for 2 minutes after every goal for anyone with an empty glass (meaning you've already bought one).

Helpful Information and Travel Services
We can help with information on how to get around Bangkok, to the temples and other sites without paying through the nose and without wasting most of your time sitting in a car or van in Bangkok traffic.
We offer tours to Kanchanaburi, including the floating market, war cemetery, bridge over the River Kwai and the Tiger Temple. River and road tours to Ayutthaya are also available.
Two day tours including Erawan Falls, Hot Springs, Hell Fire Pass, Elephant rides & bamboo rafting can also be booked here along with three day tours to Kanchanaburi & Sanghlaburi, including the above and Three Pagoda Pass, Viwagaram Temple, underwater temple, orphanage and long wooden bridge.Optional extras are cycling, kayaking and trekking.
We also offer bookings on daily VIP buses to Cambodia - siam Reap, Ankor Wat & Phnom Phen - the Eastern - Koh Chang, Koh Kut, Koh Wai, Koh Mak -& Southern Islands- Koh Tao (turtle island - diving), Koh Phangan (Full moon party), Koh Samui - South - Phi Phi, Krabi, Phuket, Had Yai, Koh Lak & Northeastern Thailand - Nong Khai and Laos - Vientien.

Other Services
We have a free book swapping service and a library with a large selection of travel books on Thailand and Southeast Asia.
FREE maps of Bangkok, showing BTS (Skytrain), MRT (Subway) and canal routes are usually available at the reception desk. We also have more detailed maps by Nancy Chandler, which include Sukhumvit, China Town, Banglampoo, Chatuchak (JJ- the weekend market) and greater Bangkok for sale.
We were the first hostel in Thailand to offer free high speed, ADSL, internet access and free wifi. We also have printers, cd burners an card readers to help you copy save and upload your photos. We also have headphones with microphone and webcams to help you keep intouch with friends & family.
We also offer free bag / luggage / baggage storage to returning guests, and to store your bags should you be taking a later flight, train or bus, all of which makes us the big one for others to follow.
There is also no charge for locker use while you are staying with us.

Upcoming special events.
You need not stay with us to join in.


Weekly Specials:
Before Sept. '08 we'll be offering beers and cocktails from just 50 Baht every night till 2am.

Every Friday night is cross dressing night with Free Gin, Vodka, Rum, Whisky, Mixers & local Draft Beer from 7pm - 9pm for anyone convinsingly dressd as a member of the opposite sex. And for non cross dressers there's a FREE Jug of Chang Draught Beer with every purchase of 3 Burgers. (*and men in dresses who don't normally wear dresses)

Saturday Nights - FREE 12 inch Pizza with every 3 Litre Tower of Chang Draft Beer .

Every Sunday Breakfast - all you can eat Pancakes and Maple Syrup for just 50 baht..

Every Monday Night is the other Pizza & Beer Night with a Free 1 litre Jug of Chang Draft with every 12 inch Pizza.

Every Tuesday Night is 2 for 1 Night with Buy 1 get 1 free meat pies.

Every Wednesday Night is Bangers & mash & beer only 170 Baht .

Thursday Nights - Fish & Chips just 150 Baht.

We have a DVD player to check and watch your latest purchases.

We don't have a swimming pool, but there are swimming pools nearby available for casual use. There is also an Olympic Size Swimming Pool in Sukhumvit Soi 40 that can be used for 50 Baht per day.
We don't have a self kitchen, but the bbq's are available for anyone who wants to use them.

Barter
VEGEMITE and Large blocks of Cheddar cheese (Australian preferred) are always welcome and can be bartered here, as can Liquid Smoke, hot English mustard, MAPLE SYRUP, Bundaberg Rum, good, preferably South Australian, Wine and Tea Tree Oil. If you have any other delicacies you wish to barter please email us in advance. We're also interested in Sports memorabilia and Australiana which can also be bartered for food and drinks and maybe rooms, but not your booking deposit.

We try to keep the do's and don't's to a minimum, trusting you will be considerate to others. Big John's is a fun & friendly hostel and home away from home, not a prison.

NO HIDDEN CHARGES
All of our air-conditioned dorm beds have pillows, sheets and comforters (dunas/duvets), not just thin acrylic blankets. There's is an additional charge of 50 Baht for check-in after 2am, or before 7 am, Guests who have already checked in will be able to let themselves in and out 24 hours. When booking and arriving early in the morning (2-7am) to book the night before or you might be waiting til midday for your bed.
You will need to pay 7% VAT but there is no service charge, tipping is up to you and goes straight to the staff.
As much as I try to make myself available to guests to help answer questions and offer friendly helpful free advice, please understand I'm not on holidays, I have a business to run which is more than just the hostel.

You don't need a member/discount/VIP card holder here as our prices are discounted for everyone. Our prices are not over inflated to offer a false discount

A great hostel is much more than a room or a bed. Here at Big John's we strive to bring both travelers and locals together in a safe and friendly environment conducive to the exchange of cultures and ideas. A warm and friendly, home away from home, offering opportunities and experiences you will remember for a lifetime and an environment you won't be in a hurry to leave.