A quick look down Soi 26 from Sukhumvit and you may be fooled into thinking that it’s just the home of a few seedy looking massage parlours and karaoke joints.
While that may be true in some degree, there’s a whole other layer to the Soi well worth exploring.
There’s a handful of hidden gems in the form of restaurants, shops and cafes – and even a well-stocked rabbit run.
Thailand Only.
Let’s take a look around…
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Food
Aside from the mighty Indus – one of the best Indian restaurants in Bangkok – there’s plenty of different options when it comes to dining.
Japanese cuisine is well represented at the K-Village and Nihonmachi shopping centres, as well as down the soi as a whole: cheap ramen can be found at Grand Ramen Umai, Hokkaido Genshiyaki and barbeque at Ginza Do.
If you’re in the mood for Korean, check out Pyongyang A Ri Rang (complete with karaoke!), So Ra Bol and the Bulgogi Brothers, which is in Nihonmachi Plaza.
If it’s Thai you’re after, K-Village has the delightful Yum and Tum serving up Issaan delights as well as T-House and Watercress on the ground floor. An An Lao over at A-Square has delicious seafood on offer, too.
If you’re after more of a European flavour, there’s Mint, Patio, Evolution at the Arize Hotel, Wine Connection at K-Village, and Wine, I Love You in A-Square.
Remember to check out some Chinese at Yang Seng Tang!
Shopping
Soi 26 is also an unexpected shopping haven.
K-Village is quite the haven for babies’ and childrens’ clothes and accessories, together with maternity wear.
It’s also got a few fashion outlets, such as Gap, Bee Bijoux, Viva Tokyo and Crocs.
For groceries, there’s a huge Big-C hypermarket as Soi 26 intersects with Rama IV, and a Villa Market in K-Village which will take care of any imported fancies you may have.
Li-Zenn Books is a tiny little English language bookshop stocking tomes on architecture, philosophy and life itself.
If it’s electronics you’re after, take a look inside Cyber Square at A-Square.
For beautiful and unique furniture and lighting, Villa Vinotto should be your first stop.
Fitness
The APF Tennis Academy is found in a subsoi near Big C, while Prem Yog and Prana will satisfy all your Hatha Yoga needs.
If you’re after something a little different, why not surf an artificial wave at Flowhouse? You can find it in A-Square.
Opening on November 5 is a 24-hour gym – Fitness 7 – next door to A-Square.
If it’s supplies you need – check out the Cannondale Centre and Sora for bike stuff and Yonex for tennis, badminton and golf supplies.
Drinks
There’s a few serious coffee shops down Soi 26 that are perfect for getting your head down for some serious studying. Check out Casa Lapin, Sora and the Hello Strangers Cafe.
S&P is found further down the Soi and the ubiquitous Au Bon Pain, Gloria Jeans and Tom Toms Coffee can all be found at K-Village.
For watching the world go by with a Chang and listening to some live music, it’s got to be the Queen Bee at the top of the soi.
Pets
Soi 26 is a good place for pups – aside from many of the soi’s condo rentals being pet-friendly, there’s the PAT Pet World for all your necessary supplies and grooming needs, The Barkyard for playtime and the Animal Clinic for any vet visits you need to make. All highly recommended!
If you’re looking for something a little out of the ordinary on Soi 26, you should wander down towards The Four Wings Hotel before the road turns to the left. Just before you reach the 7-Eleven, you’ll see an enclosed space that is simply full of RABBITS.
No one seems to be watching them and there’s no plausible explanation. Just loads of RABBITS.
Hotels
The DoubleTree Hilton and The Four Wings are the two hotel heavyweights on Soi 26 but there’s a selection of smaller hotels too.
The St James’ and Arize are found towards the top of the Soi while Oneday Hostel, next to Casa Lapin, offers low-cost yet attractive hostel accommodation.
Speaking of low-cost, there’s also the Lucky Hotel which looks like it might cater to those looking for accommodation for just a short time…
Best hotels on soi 26
DoubleTree by Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok
- 5* hotel at the top of Soi 26
- Restaurants and bars
- Swimming pool, sun terrace and fitness centre
- 4* hotel 2 minutes from BTS Phrom Phong
- Swimming pool, fitness centre and garden
- Some rooms come with a kitchenette and a bathtub
- Airport shuttle
- Restaurant and bar
- 4* hotel halfway down Soi 26
- Swimming pool, fitness centre, squash courts, sauna, massage, hot tub and spa
- Restaurant and bar
- Stylish hostel with private and shared rooms
- Shared kitchen, lounge, games room and co-working space
- Coffee shop (Casa Lapin)
Pampering
You’re certainly not short of massage parlours on Soi 26, but head to Baan Sabai or Aura Thai if you fancy some spa-style pampering.
For getting your hair did, head to the Sassy Salon near A-Square where they offer, amongst other services, the intriguingly named ‘Digital Perm’.
Not quite pampering, but there’s a plentiful supply of dentists down Soi 26. Look out for Phrom Phong Station Dental, Otonari Dental Clinic and the Akathan Dental Center.
What else..?
If you’ve got kids, you’ve got to check out the Funarium – Bangkok’s largest indoor play area for children under 13.
The Phussapa Thai Massage School can also be found on Soi 26 and is a great way for you to learn and refine your Thai massage skills in an authorised school.
Phew! That’s a lot of stuff on one soi.
What’s your favourite thing on Sukhumvit Soi 26?
