Best places to stay in Bangkok
Bangkok, the enigmatic capital city of Thailand, is a modern metropolis with high-rise buildings, traditional temples, colourful markets, and a hectic nightlife. The city is vast, and each of its neighbourhoods offer a diverse experience. Choose your area and accommodation based on the kind of trip that you have planned.
Sukhumvit
One of the most modern and cosmopolitan neighbourhoods, Sukhumvit is home to Bangkok’s best shopping, dining, spas and clubs. Enjoy a luxurious stay at The Okura Prestige Bangkok hotel which boasts Japanese-inspired interiors, spacious rooms and an infinity pool on the 35th floor with spectacular views of the Bangkok skyline. For a mid-range budget option, try Hotel Icon which enjoys a great location in the middle of Soi-2, and a wide choice of street food and shopping at its doorstep.
Silom
With large green spaces and parks, vibrant night life, and several restaurants serving authentic Thai food, Silom is an excellent location to stay when exploring Bangkok. Stay at the city’s only 5-star all-suite hotel, the Banyan Tree Bangkok which boasts spectacular city views from its 61st floor roof-top open-air bar called Moon Bar, and restaurant called Vertigo. For a more modest option, consider the family-run accommodation of Lullaby Inn which features bright, clean rooms with beautiful Thai décor. It is a short walk from the Skytrain and subway stations.
Siam
With the highest density of shopping malls, Siam is the shopping centre of Bangkok. This neighbourhood features several fashionable malls, great cinemas and a few tourist attractions, all within a short walk from each other. Amid all the shopping malls in the area, you have the luxurious Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, which offers sophisticated rooms and a plush spa, just a short walk from the Siam Skytrain station. Or stay at Happy3, a stylish contemporary hotel, just a 5-minute walk from the National Stadium Skytrain station.
Khao San
The older part of the city, Khao San is the most famous area in Bangkok, but it mainly caters to budget travellers and backpackers, hence there are no luxury hotels here. The streets are lined with several cheap eateries, and trendy shops selling clothes and accessories. Local youngsters also hang around in this neighbourhood and party all night on the streets. Stay at the riverfront hotel, Riva Surya Bangkok, where the spacious and elegant rooms let you experience a bit of luxury in this hip and youthful neighbourhood. A short walk from Khao San Road, enjoy the comfortable rooms and roof-top swimming pool of the Casa Nithra Bangkok hotel.
Bangkok Riverside
Along the Chao Phraya river, Riverside is a scenic neighbourhood with glittering temples and shrines, and is also home to the Royal Palace. Enjoy luxurious accommodation at the grand dame of Bangkok hotels, the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok which overlooks the river and offers lavish rooms decorated with teak furniture and Thai silk furnishings. Consider the Loy La Long Hotel, offering unique, boutique accommodation in an old Chinese family house. The rooms are individually-designed with modern amenities, and balconies directly overlooking the river.
Chinatown
One of the oldest areas in Bangkok, Chinatown is a historic area full of narrow streets and alleys. The area features several buildings with traditional Chinese architecture, scores of small shops selling tea, gold, and spices, and plenty of street-side food stalls and bustling markets. While there are no luxury hotels in Chinatown, you can enjoy boutique accommodation in the sleek and stylish rooms of the Prime Hotel Central Station Bangkok near the Hua Lamphong train station.
Cheap hotels in Bangkok
Being a popular destination amongst youngsters and backpackers, Bangkok offers plenty of budget hotels and hostels. A popular choice is the riverside property of River View Guest House with simple, clean rooms, and a cool rooftop restaurant. The Check Inn Chinatown hotel provides clean and cosy rooms in the heart of Chinatown’s gems and gold district. Close to the airport, you have the U-Tiny Boutique Home, Suvarnabhumi, Bangkok hotel which offers a free airport shuttle every hour, and has a swimming pool set in a lush green garden. In Sukhumvit, you can consider the Matchbox Hostel located on Soi-33 or look at the Pas Cher Hotel de Bangkok which is surrounded by shops and eateries in the Silom area. In Siam, you have the Chao Hostel which is almost like a boutique hotel with a hipster vibe.
