My Favorite Hotels in Bangkok
• Best: Mandarin Oriental
• Boutique: Hansar
• Midrange: Buddy Lodge
• For families: Anantara Riverside
• For couples: Banyan Tree
• Best pool: Anantara Siam
• Airport hotel: Novotel
• New hotel: Four Seasons
• Shopping: Kempinski • Pathumwan
See Also
• Best Bangkok Hotels
• Best Bangkok Hotels for Families
• Best Bangkok Neighborhoods
Best Hotels: The Siam • Riva Surya • Riva Arun • Chakrabongse Villas • Shanghai Mansion • Siam Kempinski • Ariyasom Villa • Grand Hyatt Erawan • Anantara Siam • St. Regis • Hansar • Oriental Residence • Okura Prestige • Sheraton Grande • Mandarin Oriental • Shangri-La • Banyan Tree • Sukothai • Four Seasons • Chatrium Riverside • Anantara Riverside • Chatrium Residence Sathon
Affordable Hotels: Ibis Khaosan Viengtai • Buddy Lodge • Inn a Day • Lub d Siam • Pathumwan Princess • Novotel on Siam Square • City Lodge • Tints of Blue • Holiday Inn Sukhumvit • Amara Bangkok
My Tips for Staying in Bangkok
1. Riverside (Chao Phraya River)
• Why Stay: Iconic river views, luxury hotels, and a calmer vibe than the hectic center. Easy access to temples, ferry piers, and scenic dinner cruises.
• Hotel Vibe: High-end international brands in modern towers or colonial-style classics. Mandarin Oriental Hotel drips with historic grandeur, while the Shangri-La offers resort-style relaxation and a breezy riverside pool.2. Old Town (Rattanakosin)
• Why Stay: Home to Bangkok’s must-see landmarks – Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun. Ideal for culture buffs wanting to immerse in Thailand’s royal and spiritual heritage.
• Hotel Vibe: Mostly budget to mid-range, plus a few boutique gems. Riva Arun offers chic rooms with temple views, while smaller guesthouses near the Royal Palace are big on character.3. Khao San / Banglamphu
• Why Stay: Famous backpacker hub, lively street markets, cheap eats, and easy strolls to major temples. Good if you want social vibes.
• Hotel Vibe: Hostels dominate, alongside budget-friendly hotels. Ibis Khaosan Viengtai has a huge pool and reasonable prices, while Riva Surya is more upscale on the riverfront.4. Chinatown (Yaowarat)
• Why Stay: Vibrant markets, neon-lit streets, and an unbeatable food scene. Heritage shophouses mingle with new cafes.
• Hotel Vibe: Mostly mid-range and boutique conversions. Shanghai Mansion channels 1930s Shanghai glam, and W22 by Burasari modernizes a traditional Chinese façade.5. Silom
• Why Stay: Bangkok’s financial district by day, pulsating nightlife after dark (Patpong area). Quick access to the Skytrain and Lumpini Park.
• Hotel Vibe: Modern business hotels with city views. The Pullman Bangkok Hotel G has hip minimalist rooms and a popular burger joint.6. Sathorn
• Why Stay: Sleek skyscrapers, embassies, and cosmopolitan dining. Less hectic than nearby Silom but just as central.
• Hotel Vibe: Upscale glass towers with executive lounges. W Bangkok merges playful design with a lively bar scene, and Banyan Tree is known for its legendary rooftop restaurant, Vertigo.7. Lumpini Area
• Why Stay: Overlooks Bangkok’s “Central Park” – great for morning jogs or evening strolls. Easy commute to Sukhumvit and Silom.
• Hotel Vibe: Stylish high-rises with green views. Dusit Thani (recently reopened after a grand redevelopment) offers heritage charm.8. Siam/Siam Square
• Why Stay: Bangkok’s shopping mecca – Siam Paragon, MBK, Central World. Superb Skytrain connectivity (multiple stations in the area). Perfect for mall-hopping and family-friendly attractions.
• Hotel Vibe: Big-name hotels near mega-malls. Siam Kempinski exudes five-star opulence with resort-like pools, and Novotel on Siam Square is a longtime favorite for convenience.9. Sukhumvit (Nana)
• Why Stay: Center of lively nightlife – Nana Plaza’s bars, Middle Eastern eateries, and 24-hour action. Not for everyone, but undeniably energetic – and central.
• Hotel Vibe: Mid-range chain hotels and serviced apartments. Hyatt Regency Sukhumvit elevates the area’s profile with upscale dining, while smaller spots cater to partygoers and younger travelers.10. Sukhumvit (Asok Intersection)
• Why Stay: Major transit hub (Skytrain and MRT meet here), plus a world of international restaurants, malls, and nightlife.
• Hotel Vibe: Modern high-rise hotels. Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit links directly to the BTS, while The Westin Grande Sukhumvit offers city panoramas and a buzzing rooftop pool scene.11. Sukhumvit (Phrom Phong)
• Why Stay: High-end shopping at EmQuartier and The Emporium, leafy Benchasiri Park, and refined dining. Family-friendly and stylish.
• Hotel Vibe: Upscale condos, boutique hotels, and serviced suites. Hilton Sukhumvit blends modern flair with an Italian restaurant.12. Sukhumvit (Thonglor & Ekkamai)
• Why Stay: Hipster epicenter brimming with coffee roasteries, craft bars, global cuisine, and late-night clubs. A favorite among expats and trendsetters.
• Hotel Vibe: Chic boutique hotels in sleek towers or hidden lanes. MUU Bangkok offers rooftop swimming and stylish suites about a 10 minute walk from the Thonglor BTS.13. Pratunam
• Why Stay: Fashion wholesalers, bargain shopping at Platinum Mall, and walking distance to Siam’s malls. Good for budget-conscious travelers who love to shop.
• Hotel Vibe: Busy and no-frills or large modern hotels. Amari Watergate stands out with a spa and nice pool (I’ve being staying here for years).14. Phaya Thai / Ratchathewi
• Why Stay: Strategic location for the Airport Rail Link, plus easy BTS access to Siam and Victory Monument. Good for quick trips in or out of Suvarnabhumi.
• Hotel Vibe: Functional chain hotels and budget-friendly picks. Pullman Bangkok King Power adds upscale flair near a duty-free shopping complex, while smaller places serve thrifty travelers.15. Victory Monument
• Why Stay: Major transport hub with buses to all corners of Bangkok. Authentic local atmosphere, street food, and cheaper lodging than tourist centers.
• Hotel Vibe: Primarily budget or mid-range. Le Tada Parkview Hotel offers clean, bright rooms near Santiphap Park, while hostels cater to backpackers.16. Ari
• Why Stay: A laid-back residential district with indie cafés, art studios, and great street food. A BTS stop away from central Bangkok.
• Hotel Vibe: Boutique guesthouses and small design hotels. The Yard Hostel has a sustainable ethos and communal vibe, while a handful of new B&Bs attract digital nomads.17. Chatuchak
• Why Stay: Famous weekend market (one of the world’s largest), massive parks, and cheaper stays than downtown. Good for a local flavor.
• Hotel Vibe: Mid-range hotels near MRT or BTS. The Quarter Ladprao is a sleek choice with sky-high pool, while smaller boutique spots dot the area for weekend market fans.18. Ratchada
• Why Stay: Night markets (Train Market Ratchada), local clubs, and a youthful crowd. MRT links to downtown for easy sightseeing.
• Hotel Vibe: Modern high-rises at friendlier prices than central Sukhumvit. Swissôtel Bangkok Ratchada has contemporary rooms, while smaller studios target long-stay travelers.19. Dusit
• Why Stay: Royal palaces, political sites, and leafy boulevards. Less touristy, offering glimpses of official Bangkok.
• Hotel Vibe: Limited big hotels; more small local places. SSIP Boutique Dhevej Bangkok provides a classic Thai ambiance, and a few heritage homes have turned into cozy inns.20. Thonburi
• Why Stay: On the west bank of the Chao Phraya. Fewer tourists, floating markets, canals, and a taste of old riverside life.
• Hotel Vibe: Quaint riverside boutique hotels or local homestays. The Peninsula Bangkok sits in a prime riverside spot with a private ferry, while modest B&Bs are found deeper in Thonburi’s backstreets. On one visit my son was having a hard time with the Bangkok pollution. We switched to Anantara Riverside in Thonburi and he immediately noticed an improvement with his breathing.21. Suvarnabhumi Airport Vicinity
• Why Stay: Perfect for early flights or layovers. Avoid city traffic and still have convenient transit to downtown by Airport Rail Link.
• Hotel Vibe: Airport hotels from basic to plush. Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport is the only hotel on site; Le Méridien Suvarnabhumi provides a more resort-like feel with a golf course.Best Places to Stay in Bangkok
The huge pool at the Anantara Siam. A great hotel for families and close to many of Bangkok’s best shopping malls.
- Best Luxury Hotels in Bangkok
Banyan Tree • Mandarin Oriental Hotel • Anantara Siam- Best Boutique Hotels in Bangkok
Hansar Hotel • Ariyasom Villa • Chakrabongse Villas- Best Cheap Hotels in Bangkok
Buddy Lodge • Ibis Khaosan Viengtai • Novotel on Siam SquareOur room at the Novotel Bangkok International Airport. Great place to stay when arriving late or leaving early. Nice pool too.
TripAdvisor Hotels (Best Value)
*Note: The top-rated hotels on TripAdvisor are selected by an algorithm based on location, price, cleanliness, service, and amenities. This produces good-value, safe, and reliable hotels but often not the most interesting or unique places to stay in Bangkok.
TripAdvisor Hotels on Map: Quarter Silom • Okura Prestige • Amari Watergate • Quarter Hualamphong • Quarter Ploenchit • Siri Sathorn • Carlton Sukhumvit • Evergreen Place Siam • Millennium Hilton • Eastin Grand Sathorn • Chatrium Riverside • Quarter Phromphong • Lancaster Bangkok • Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit • SKYVIEW Hotel • Anatara Siam • Avani Plus Riverside • Berkeley Pratunam • Pathumwan Princess • Novotel on Siam Square
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