SWEET DREAMS DOWNTOWN

       For the majority of backpackers,the most important aspect of any hostel is the atmosphere.Just a year old ,Lub D Hostel in the cetre of Bangkok has plenty of atmosphere,and it offers a friendly welcome to those who venture down Decho Road in an attempt to find it.It's about a 10-minute walk from Chong Nonsri BTS Station and a bout the same distance if you're planning to visit the lively clubs on silom soi 4.
       The hostel may be housed in an old four-storey building but step inside and you'll find it's absolutely spotless. The design is simple and easy on the eye,with a steel staircase, bright paint and bare concrete and a theme that follows Bangkok streets. Rooms are named after such well known thoroughfares as Silom,Sukhumvit and Khao San, and there are maps of Bangkok pinned up at almost every corner.
       Check in takes place on the ground floor in a spacious lobby that serves as the communal lounge and offers many board games,free 24-hour Internet, a travel information desk, plus a cafe and bar.Once registered, you receive an electronic keycard to access the upper floors.
       The biggest dormitory room at Lub D has 10 beds; other dorms have eight and six beds. Each bed has a big,thick mattress and is equipped with its own reading light,electrical socket and a big locker on the side.Most dormitory rooms are quite bright with a big glass windoew that allows the sun to shine in and looks out over a Silom backstreet. Rates start at Bt 550 a night, which is not bad for the space,cleanliness and location.
       Interestingly,the hostel provides a "ladies-only"section for female travellers.This offers a little more space plus a large shared bathroom designed especially for the fairer sex and equipped with Thai spa amenities.
       Couple can opt for a private bunk bed room with shared bathroom.This room type, priced at Bt 1,400 a night,is known as the Railway twin room and comes with a study table,sccurity safe box,towels and blanket. The hostel also features a Lub D double room, which is furnished with a queen-size bed,LCD television and has a bathroom en-suite. It's yours for Bt 1,800 a night
       There's no swimming pool or spa, but travellers can chill at Viewpoint Theatre on the second floor, a sizeable room with lots of floor cushions and pillows.
       The hostel also has a laundry room where guests can do their own washing at anytime of the day.
       All the rooms are clean and air conditioned,the shared bathrooms are clean and the showers are hot.
       While not supercheap,Lub D is well suited to Thailand's backpacker scene.

       ATGLANCE
       High Point: If you're looking for brand new budget accommodation in central Bangkok, give Lub D a try. This is a mart, new generation hostel that should appeal to most types of budget travellers as much as to gap-year backpackers.
       Low Point: It's right in the heart of the commercial district and is a 10-minute walk from the nearest Skytrain. It's surrounded by old and not particularly attractive buildings and very few trees. Decho Road also tends to get gridlocked during peak hours.
       Find it:4 Decho Road ,Silom area,Bang Rak,Bangkok 10500
       Pay for it:Prices start from Bt550 a night per bed in a dormitory room and go up to Bt1,800 a night for a double room.Special Internet rates are always on offer.
       Browse it : www.LubD.com
       Book it: contactus@lubd.com.
       Book it: Call(02)634 7999 or e-mail:contactus@lubd.com.