The Cosy Huay Kaew

I stayed a little over two months at The Cosy. I loved my stay. The ladies who run the place are the best. They are genuinely friendly, welcoming, helpful, and responsive. The location is great. Though you are within ten to fifteen minutes walking distance of dozens of restaurants, the building is set back a couple blocks from Huay Kaew road so you barely hear any traffic. The place felt fairly new. The washing machine, air conditioners (2), TVs (2), microwave, fridge, electric kettle, and standing fan were all in good shape. A rack to dry laundry (as well as a half dozen hangers) are provided. There is a nice-sized wardrobe in the bedroom, though it's a little squeezed in. The fridge is not full size (only an issue if you want to do a lot of cooking) and the freezer is tiny and unreliable. Though you can make ice in it fine (ice cube tray included), items like ice cream may not stay frozen. The two electric burners worked okay. A pot, pan, and spatula are provided as well as 2 plates, 2 bowls, 2 mugs, 2 glasses, and some cutlery. The shower pressure isn't awesome. The temperature will go as hot as you can stand, but you get weaker pressure with the heat. Sheets and towels can be replaced twice a month on demand as part of the rent (and for an extra fee, they'll clean the room.) The wi-fi worked decently well. I was able to stream music and Netflix without too much buffering. Occasionally, the connection would cut out. (Having to re-login every day was a bit of a pain, especially since my computer didn't automatically go to the login page so I had to bookmark it; that could have been my computer, tho.) The outlets, like every outlet I've seen in Thailand, will accept either Thai round or U.S. style square plugs. Bonus: if you have a cable to connect your tablet or laptop to HDMI, you can use the TV as a computer monitor! Some of the units face the farm next door, which is beautiful, quiet, and private. (They warned me that I might smell animals, but I did not.) The fitness center is nice enough. I used the elliptical and other folks used the treadmills and bikes. I didn't use the pool, but it appeared to be cleaned regularly. LOCATION: It's about a twenty to thirty minute walk to the old city (or an easy 30-baht songthaew ride, and red trucks are easy to hail on Huay Kaew road.) It's a ten minute walk to the new "Maya" fancy mall which has a "Rimping" supermarket in the basement. It's less than ten minutes to walk to the older "Kad Suan Kaew" mall which has a "Tops" supermarket in the basement. Both have lots of ATMs. Also, those two malls are destinations that every songthaew (red truck) driver will know. Drivers are less likely to know "The Cosy" especially since it used to be called "Luxury". Some of my favorite area restaurants are Healthy Junk, Huen Muan Jai, Salsa Kitchen, and Outside In. The Yard and Corner Bistro are ex-pat hangouts.