My Favorite Hotels in Bangkok
Consider the top-rated Mandarin Oriental. Click here for more info.
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- Truth Like the Sun • Jim Lynch
• Midrange: Buddy Lodge
• Best for families: Anantara Riverside
• For couples: A hotel in Bangkok
• The Anantara Siam is known for its exceptional pool area. Click here for details • Freehand L.A.” property
is a 3-star option • New hotel: Four Seasons
• Shopping: Kempinski • Pathumwan
Table of Contents
Best Area in Bangkok for First-Timers
The combined area of Siam Square and Sukhumvit (the two neighborhoods blend into one another and are largely indistinguishable) is the ideal place for first-time visitors to Bangkok. The vicinity is packed with an assortment of attractions, shopping, dining, and entertainment choices. The BTS Skytrain runs directly through the center of both districts making it an excellent spot for exploring a variety of attractions throughout the city.
Siam Square is viewed as the heart of modern Bangkok, a shopping paradise home to several massive malls catering to varied tastes and budgets, such as Siam Paragon, CentralWorld, and MBK Center. The area is also where cultural attractions like the Jim Thompson House and the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre are situated. Siam Square is well-connected via the Skytrain, with both the Sukhumvit Line and the Silom Line intersecting at Siam Station, making travel to other parts of the city straightforward.
Sukhumvit, alternatively, stretched along one of Bangkok’s most famous and extended roads, bordered with shopping centers, eateries, bars, and nightlife locations. There was high-end shopping at The EmQuartier and Terminal 21, local street food markets, and lively nightlife in areas such as Nana and Asoke. Sukhumvit also offered straightforward connections to the remainder of the city by means of the Skytrain, with many stations along the Sukhumvit Line providing easy access to various attractions.
Good hotels in Siam Square & Sukhumvit:
Anantara Siam – Hansar Hotel – Novotel on Siam Square – Siam Kempinski – Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit – Radisson Blu Plaza
Best Places to Stay in Bangkok for Tourists
- Best Luxury Hotels in Bangkok
Banyan Tree • Mandarin Oriental • Anantara Siam • Siam Kempinski - Best Boutique Hotels in Bangkok
Hansar Hotel • Ariyasom Villa • Chakrabongse Villas - Best Cheap/Midrange Hotels in Bangkok
The hotels Buddy Lodge,Ibis Styles Khaosan Viengtai,Novotel on Siam Square, and Radisson Blu Plaza offer lodging in Bangkok that visitors may consider
- Best Hotel for First-Time Visitors to Bangkok
The Anantara Siam Hotel is well located near Siam Square
The Siam Square/Sukhumvit region is excellent for shopping, markets, and convenient access to the Skytrain. This is a sizable area that extends over multiple miles. Many of Bangkok’s top and largest shopping malls are located in Siam Square. As you travel further east into the Sukhumvit region the activity moves onto the streets and alleys – though there are still some large malls in the area. You’ll find lots of great dining options in Sukhumvit offering a wide variety of styles and costs.
The Riverside area covers multiple distinctive neighborhoods where you`ll find many of Bangkok’s best hotels. It`s quite a distance from this location to the shopping in Siam Square but if you reside near the Skytrain it`s very manageable. Numerous of Bangkok’s top cultural attractions are close to the river so if you’re visiting for sightseeing it can serve as a good base. Excursions along the river are a fantastic outing and more lengthy trips on private boats are quickly prepared along the riverfront.
The Khao San area traditionally houses backpackers but there are many attractions in and around the neighborhood and it offers reasonably priced mid-range hotels. This location is one of the more affordable places to live in the city and it`s also near cultural sites. The major drawback is the lack of Skytrain nearby so any trip will require taking a taxi, tuk-tuk, or bus which can be slow due to Bangkok`s chaotic traffic flows.
For stays of only one night the Novotel Suvarnabhumi located at the Bangkok International Airport is a sensible choice for convenience. The hotel is within a brief covered walk from the airport terminal. The Airport Rail Link to central Bangkok is in the lower level of the terminal. The train to downtown takes 25 minutes and costs 45 baht (approximately $1.40 USD). Trains run every 10 to 15 minutes and from 5:30 am to midnight. The hotel itself provides excellent accommodation. I always walk to the terminal but there is a complimentary shuttle if you have a lot of baggage.
The 8 Best Areas to Stay in Bangkok
- Map of hotels in Bangkok
- Top-Rated Hotels in Bangkok
- Most Suitable Accommodations for Families Vacationing in Bangkok
Here is an overview of some of Bangkok`s most popular and interesting neighborhoods for tourists and first-time visitors to explore.
1. The Siam Square
Siam Square is an enormously popular shopping destination, full of lavish shopping centers and reasonably priced department stores, high-end brands, and trendy fashion boutiques. The small alleys of Siam Square are alive with record stores, bookstores, cafes, and bars. Siam Square offers the finest shopping opportunities in Bangkok and is replete with amenities, like cinemas, massage studios, and salons. Siam Square is busy and safe at any hour. Neighborhood Attractions: MBK shopping center, Siam Center, Siam Discovery, Siam Paragon, Central World, APEX, Siam Vintage, Tokyu, ZEN. Easy access via public transit.
• Some of the top hotels near Siam Square: Anantara Siam • Hansar Hotel • Novotel on Siam Square • Siam Kempinski • Pathumwan Princess Hotel2. The Sukhumvit District
If you`re searching for luxury hotels, top-notch restaurants, and lively nightlife, Sukhumvit is where you`ll want to go. This is where many ex-pats reside and where tourists can access the premier amenities in Bangkok. Many cosmopolitan clubs and restaurants line Sukhumvit while tranquil and atmospheric cafes are hidden down the side streets branching off the main road. The Skytrain runs the length of Sukhumvit making exploration easy. Also, Sukhumvit is renowned for two red-light districts, Nana Plaza on Soi 4 and Soi Cowboy, just off Soi 23. Prostitutes on the streets are a common sight and some individuals may be put off by the blatant sex industry. Neighborhood Attractions: Terminal 21 (shopping mall), Benjasiri Park, Khlong Saen Saeb, Soi Arab, WTF Gallery and Café, Cheap Charlie’s. Easy BTS access.
• Highest Rated Hotels in Sukhumvit: Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit • Holiday Inn Sukhumvit • Radisson Blu Plaza3. Khao San
Numerous shops, bars, restaurants, and street shops lined the 1 km stretch known as Khao San Road, which serves as the epicenter for Bangkok`s backpacker scene – though it has slowly begun including additional mid-range hotels and boutiques each passing year. (Banglamphu denotes the surrounding locale.) Individual opinions of the area tend to be polarized, with visitors generally finding they either love it or dislike it, yet exploring it proves worthwhile. It sits in a central location near numerous top Bangkok attractions (such as the Grand Palace). If arriving late at night without lodging booked, it ranks as the top selection since the neighborhood remains lively until late and moves around comfortably on foot. The nearby sois (side lanes) house eccentric artistic zones that curiously maintain an authentic Thai essence despite changes. Public transportation via subway or skytrain does not connect to the Khao San vicinity, necessitating use of buses, taxis, or tuk tuks to enter and exit the region. However, amenities like ATMs, money exchanges, and internet cafes exist in abundance. Affordable lodging and dining represents a major perk of staying here. Neighborhood Notables: Soi Rambuttri, Baghdad Café, Gecko Bar, Mr. Yim’s, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, Poutine sans Frontieres, Santichai Public Park.
• Best Hotels near Khao San: Riva Surya • Buddy Lodge • Ibis Styles Khaosan Viengtai4. Bangkok Old Town
Bangkok Old Town (also Rattanakosin) is a historic region, surrounded by the Chao Phraya and canals which served as protective barriers for the old city. Bangkok’s most revered historical attractions are located in Rattanakosin. The area is home to a wealth of Buddhist temples, palaces, monuments, and museums. The Old City area is relatively small and ideal for exploring the region on foot. Remember to always dress appropriately for the temples: cover your shoulders and no flip flops. Neighborhood Attractions: Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Mahathat, National Gallery, Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall.
• Best Hotel in Old Town: Chakrabongse Villas5. The Silom
During the day, Silom takes on the busy, industrious feel of most financial centers, lined with tall, prominent skyscrapers displaying the names of local and worldwide banks, law firms, corporations, and financial institutions. After nightfall, the area`s atmosphere and populace undergoes a notable transformation. The row of tall buildings along the skyline feature logos belonging to domestic and global economic powers active in the legal, corporate, and financial realms. The narrow lanes situated between Silom Road and Surawong Road become lively with people, street activities, sidewalk stalls, and food vendors plying their wares. Both visitors and locals frequent here hoping to witness the infamous nearby Patpong red-light sector known for its go-go bars and brothels. Luxurious hotels dot the landscape along the nearby Sathorn street. Noteworthy Places: Bangkokian Museum, Indian Hut, Daimasu Izakaya, Patpong Night Market, Sky Bar. Easy access via the BTS transit system.
• - Best Luxury Hotels in Bangkok
- A visit to Delphi could be arranged through this small-group day tour lasting 10 hours. The tour makes a brief stop in Arachova in addition to exploring Delphi, and offers multiple pickup and dropoff options in Athens for added convenience.
6. Bangkok`s Chinatown
Chinese merchants migrated to the east bank of the Chao Phraya River in the early 1780’s, establishing Chinatown as the oldest neighborhood in Bangkok. The community was defined by trade then and still is today. These days, Chinatown isn’t only set as a tourist attraction. It is an authentic Chinese neighborhood where people work and live. The streets of Chinatown are vivid and busy – packed full of people, market stalls, and a concentration of gold shops. The only drawback is there isn’t much evening entertainment or amenities aimed to the typical visitor. Neighborhood Attractions: Yaowarat Road, Wat Traimit, Saphanthawong Museum, Rut, and Lek Seafood, Pak-Khlong-Market.
• The Best Hotel in Chinatown is the Shanghai Mansion.
7. The Dusit
Dusit is most renowned for housing the Dusit Zoo as well as functioning as Thailand`s political center. The neighborhood is home to the National Parliament, The Royal Palace, and broad boulevards shaded by sizable flora. There isn`t too much to behold in Dusit besides governmental establishments and international organizations. One might want to experience the customary Thai dance performances at the Dusit Palace. Approximately one decade ago, nightlife, shopping, and accommodations were non-existent in Dusit but conditions are transforming and the area feels like it could become the next trendy area of Bangkok. Neighborhood Attractions: National Library, Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall, Vimanmek Mansion, Ancient Clock Museum, Dusit Zoo • Top Hotel in Dusit: The Siam
8. Thonburi
The entire west bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok comprises Thonburi – situated across the water from the city`s core region. Those sensitive to breathing polluted air may find that residing in Thonburi can make a discernible difference regarding allergies. On this side of the river exists a more relaxed and leisurely version of Bangkok that offers visitors a glimpse into traditional Thai culture. Canals wind their way through the relatively isolated neighborhoods. Vendors sell noodles from old Thai long tail boats and locals favor bicycling along the sois. The most popular tourist activity is to hire a long tail boat and explore the waterways and floating markets. The Skytrain only extends as far as the Southern Khlong San area, so most transportation in Thonburi comes by way of tuk-tuks or boats. Prominent Places to Visit: Khlong Bang Luang Artist Village, Taling Chan Floating Market, Princess Mother Memorial Park, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre, Wang Lang Market, Arun Ammarin Road.
• A highly praised Hotel in Thonburi is the Anantara Riverside Resort, located at this address
