I found the Panda Hostel on booking.com when I wanted to move closer to Khaosan district for the Wats (temples) and to try a different area to Siam Square. Whilst booking.com rates it as "8.2 excellent", I had a very different experience...
Location 5/5
Undeniably fab. 5 mins walk from Khao San Road so you get all the fun and also get to leave! Lots of hostels next door for more socialising on the patio area, lots of chill bars and massage and laundry places close by, and a 7eleven and multiple ATMs 50m away. All the taxi drivers know the road and there are lots of busses too if you fancy going local. Taxi from Wat Pho to Panda Hostel will cost around 60-80 baht and takes 10-15 mins, bus is much cheaper but slightly longer, and a Tuk Tuk won't go for under 150 baht.
Dorms 1/5
Unfortunately I can't go higher than 1/5 here. The mattresses are effectively 2 inch thick plastic blocks which are no more comfortable than if you were sleeping on the floor. You are also only given a blanket, sheet, and pillow case so I'd advise only staying here if you have a sleeping bag or a sleeping bag liner. Whilst advertised as air conditioned, I was told when I arrived that the A/C is only on from 9pm-7am. Fair play. Unfortunately the A/C was never turned on before 11pm, even when asked, which made it horrid to be in the dorm before then it was so humid and sticky that socialising or packing or anything was very uncomfortable. Bathrooms were very small and not very clean, and nowhere to put your towel during your shower to keep it dry. Female only and mixed dorms available, but certainly not worth the price tag given what you can get for the same price at nearby hostels!
Management 2/5
Panda Hostel is a Chinese hostel, and all signs and information was in Chinese only. This made it difficult to understand what was going on and the requirements, such as the instructions on how to use the shower, and management staff were not reliably available to help. This is a failing on my part for not looking into this before booking, but still probably best for Chinese speakers!
Socialising 3/5
Whilst I definitely met some great people at Panda, the only proper space to socialise is outside on the quite small patio.
Facilities 2/5
Small lockable safes are available which is useful, as the hostel doors are never locked! No towels are provided and bedding is minimal. Wifi available and there is a guest fridge which is nice for water. Note: a 200 baht deposit on arrival for the bed and another 100 for the locker.
Overall 13/25
Panda Hostel is a great place to stay if you're looking for a cheap stop-over, but not for more than a night. 300 baht per night is too much for what you get, especially compared to other hostels just next door and near by. I booked 4 nights on booking.com for my stay but wouldn't recommend doing the same - I have come to learn that you should book 1 night at first and then extend your stay if you're happy, or move on! I'd imagine the experience would be different if you can understand Chinese, but for my own shortcomings I found it too much for too little.
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