Suk 11

Staying at the backpacker's mecca, Suk 11. What makes this hostel so special? It's not anywhere near the circus of Khao San Road, for one (think techno music blaring around the clock, shirtless surfer dudes looking to pick up, white chicks with dread locks drunk as hell, cafes serving up greasy Western hangover food, and many, many "massage" parlors).

Sukhumvit and Soi 11 is a twenty minute cab ride away from all the drama. And it's impeccably clean. Plus, it has air conditioning, hot water showers, free breakfast, coin wash, cheap internet, and a common room with an extensive video selection. All for about 8$ a night. But more importantly, it's run by a fantastic Thai family, the Yossundaras (see flick of Anil Yossundara below), and tends to attract really cool guests from all over the world. NGO workers just returning from refugee camps on the Burmese border, tsunami aid volunteers, t.v. producers doing research, med school grads on break before residency, Peace Corps people, teachers working in Thailand. It's backpacking for grown folks.