Hotels in Bangkok

Getting around Bangkok

Bangkok has an extensive network of buses, Skytrains, and the Metro. The buses are operated by Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), and a single ride fare ranges from 6.50 THB – 8.00 THB based on the route and the time of day. The Skytrain and Metro are convenient and easy to navigate. Fares range from 15 THB – 40 THB based on distance travelled, while a 1-day unlimited pass costs approximately 140 THB. Taxis and ride-share options such as Uber are easily available all over the city, and are quite affordable. However, it is important to note that all on-ground transport in Bangkok is prone to the city’s notorious traffic jams and gridlocks. For a scenic view of the city, hop onto a public riverboat operated by Chao Phraya Express Boat. There are multiple routes and stops around the city, and fares range from 10 THB – 32 THB based on the route.

Best time to visit Bangkok

Bangkok experiences a tropical monsoon climate which is characterised by warm weather and high humidity all year round. Any time of the year is a good time to visit. Tourist traffic is the highest between November – March when average day temperatures range from 25 – 35 degrees Celsius. Book your hotels in advance and be prepared for longer queues at popular attractions. From April – October, the humidity levels are up, temperatures are around 30 degrees Celsius and there are sudden bouts of heavy rainfall. Since this is the low season, you can get some attractive deals on flights and hotels.

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.

A city of contrasts, Bangkok is called by many names, such as ‘The Big Mango’, ‘The City of Angels’, and ‘The Venice of the East’. It is packed with gleaming temples, floating markets, and culinary delights on one hand, and glistening steel and glass high-rises, multi-level shopping malls, and luxury hotels on the other. With so much to choose from, planning an itinerary is no easy task, but you may want to put some of these items on the top of your list.

• In Siam, you can shop till you drop at the several fashionable malls such as Siam Paragon, CentralWorld Siam, Siam Center, and MBK Center. Get a glimpse into traditional Thai living at The Jim Thompson House museum. Watch a Thai boxing fight outside MBK shopping mall. Wander through the world’s largest aquarium, SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World, located in the basement of the Siam Paragon shopping mall.
• In Khao San, visit the Grand Palace, the former home of the monarch with over 100 colourful buildings beautifully decorated in gold and diamond. Next door, visit Wat Phra Kaew, commonly known as The Temple of the Emerald Buddha. About 10-minutes away is the Wat Pho, another Buddhist temple complex with the gigantic gilded Reclining Buddha. Also see the Democracy Monument and then head over to the bright red, 21-metre-high Sao Ching Cha – The Giant Swing. Enjoy panoramic views of the city from the Wat Saket Buddhist temple and its steep artificial hill, the Golden Mount.
• Along the Riverside, enjoy the visual feast of the colourful Pak Khlong Talat flower market. Stroll through the new, posh Asiatique night market which offers a mix of Asian, European, and American food and shopping. Book a dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya river. Visit the Wat Arun, The Temple of Dawn, an architectural representation of Mount Meru, which is the centre of the world in Buddhist cosmology.
• In Chinatown, take the guided walking tour to explore this fascinating area and its maze of alleys, buildings, temples, and markets. Shop for spices and gold at the street side markets. Enjoy delicious Chinese food at the many street side stalls, and try Bangkok’s best noodle soup at Sawang Noodle (formerly called Bamee Sawang Noodle) near Bangkok train station.
• In Silom, go for a walk or run at the Lumpini Park during the day. Later, shop for souvenirs, clothes, and street food at the busy Patpong Night Market.
• In Sukhumvit, wander through the Terminal21 lifestyle mall, a cutting-edge concept that brings several world-famous cities under one roof. Visit the red light district, Nana and Soi Cowboy if you are curious about the go-go bars, pole dancing clubs, seductive shows, and cabarets.
• If you are in Bangkok on the weekend, don’t miss a trip to the Chatuchak Weekend Market near the Mo Chit Skytrain station. This is one of the biggest street markets in the world, sprawling over 35 acres, and containing approximately 15,000 shops selling clothes, antiques, fruits, and a multitude of other goods.
• Around 60-minutes outside of Bangkok, visit Damnoen Saduak, the most popular and liveliest floating market in Bangkok. Spend the morning sampling local delicacies, clicking memorable pictures, and shopping for a wide range of goods.