Nov. 11 - Every time I come to Bangkok, I make it point to check out some new places or tourist facilities. This time around, my associate, Fatcheek and I visited Phranakorn Nornlen, a small boutique-bed and breakfast hotel, located not far from Khao San Road, Bangkok’s famous backpacker tourist ghetto. This hotel is unlike any other Bangkok - with a cozy garden ambiance, the owners have tried to recreate the feeling of living in a small Thai village-family compound. There is eclectic artwork, paintings and drawings sprinkled throughout the property and every room has a small alfresco watercolor painting on the wall directly behind the bed. There is a special watercolor class offered several times a week, and all the profits from the class are donated to the Rabbit in the Moon Foundation, a local environmental organization. In addition, although they include breakfast featuring organic vegetables, fruits and juices, serve fair trade organic coffee and a variety of herbal and green teas, they do not offer any other meals. Instead they encourage their guests to patronize some of the local restaurants in the neighborhood. Furthermore, the hotel maintains a 100% nonsmoking environment. Wow - if there is one thing that Hanumann detests is cigarette smoke. I would really feel at home here.

Even though, this small boutique hotel of about 50 rooms has very limited facilities - rooms are without televisions but have a CD player on the wall, and there is no swimming pool or fitness center - this hotel is highly recommended as the owners are to be commended for their efforts in sustainable tourism and protecting the environment. Rates for double including breakfast are 2000 baht (approx $60USD)

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