
Newly "in" among Bangkok inns, the Samsen 5 Lodge goes straight for the "tiny but perfect" title with a mere three rooms. Descriptive words form into teams, like homeycosy and stylishclassic, as Asian charm meets modern comfort.
Architect Worapan Klampaiboon of the Super Green Studio built this workshop-cum-lodge on a vacant 80 square metres with an eye to natural ventilation and cultural identity, the trademarks of his professional creations.
Tall windows flood every room with daylight, expanding their size, and in the centre of things is a little shady courtyard where guests peace out in the softened glow.
Most of the wood furniture and decor pieces are adapted antiques, like the wheel of a buffalo cart hanging on a wall, watching people use its erstwhile hub as a chair.
"As in my architecture, this place emphasises the green concept, letting in more natural light and breeze so we don't need to use the airconditioners and electric lights so much," says Worapan, the younger brother of Democrat MP Ongart Klampaiboon.
There is an airconditioner (and lights, of course) in every room, along with ceiling fans, a small fridge, an LCD TV and free Internet access. The bathrooms are en suite.
The 32squaremetre Chinese Suite, yours for Bt2,000 a night, is decked out in Chinese antiques and primitive Thai art, including a painting illustrating a scene from "Sam Kok" - the classic "Three Kingdoms".
There's a kingsize bed, a living area and a reading corner, so this is where you'll be staying with the family.
The 20squaremetre Courtyard Room, priced at Bt1,500 and adjacent to the central breezeway, is pictured in dictionary definitions of "cosy".
This is where you really feel the air from outside freshening things up. As well as the queensized bed, couples will get a kick out of the old threshing tray on the wall and the school desk in their midst.
Then there's the 15squaremetre Lover's Room for Bt1,200, but lovers would have to be very, very close to want to squeeze in here.
Single travellers are apt to be more comfortable with the compact bed, though it's four feet wide. The reading table faces the courtyard, and a carvedwood, primitiveIndonesianstyle panel and an old window frame from Bali complete the decor.
Continental breakfast is included in the room rates. Stay for four nights and you get a free lesson in Thai boxing; stay six nights and they'll take you on an hour's canal cruise.
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Guess the address
The Samsen 5 Lodge is on Samsen Soi 5 off Samsen Road, opposite Wat Sampraya. Call (02) 628 9799 or visit http://Samsen5LodgeBangkok.multiply.com.