RIVA ARUN in Bangkok - Hotel Review with Photos

SD › Thailand › Bangkok › Hotels › Riva Arun Review
Updated: September 23, 2021
By Santorini Dave

Essentials
• Location: Maharaj Road, Phraborom, close to Wat Pho.
• Hotel website: rivaarunbangkok.com
• Hotel phone: +66 2 221 1188
• Check prices on Booking.com

Above Riva is hotel Riva Arun’s rooftop restaurant with unfettered river views.

Riva Arun – Boutique riverside hotel close to the Grand Palace.

Riva Arun is a small four-star boutique hotel by the Chao Phraya river with elegant rooms featuring an open-plan layout, minimalist but contemporary white décor, and private balconies, most with furniture. The rooftop restaurant and bar are equally popular for the river views and delicious menus. The prime riverfront location is complemented by the proximity to Bangkok’s best attractions: the Grand Palace, Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha), Wat Arun, and Siam Museum.

Riva Arun – Location

Area: Excellent riverfront location close to the Grand Palace.
Address: 392/25-28 Maharaj Road, Phraborom.
Nearest Metro Station: Sanam Chai MRT station is 500m (5-minute walk) away.
How to Get There: From Suvarnabhumi Airport, take the Airport Link to Makkasan station and switch to the MRT Blue Line to Sanam Chai. Taxis take about 45 minutes (40 km) from the airport.
Handy to: Siam Museum, Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha), Wat Arun, Grand Palace.

Riva Arun – The Basics

Ages: Guests tend to be mostly couples on a romantic getaway and families. All ages are welcome, and cribs are available on request.
View: Rooms facing the river have beautiful water views.
Private Pools/Jacuzzis: The Grand Deluxe Jacuzzi room and the Premium Jacuzzi Suite have private outdoor jacuzzis.
Laundry: Dry cleaning service available.
Parking: Free parking in front of the hotel.
When to Book: Reserve 1-2 months in advance through the year and 2-3 months in advance for December-January.
How to Book: Booking.com will have the best rates.
Phone: +66 2 221 1188
Email: stay@rivaarunbangkok.com
Website: rivaarunbangkok.com

Riva Arun – Amenities

Pool: No pool.
Spa: No spa.
Fitness Center: No fitness center.
For Disabled Guests: None of the rooms have been adapted for disabled guests.
For Families: Baby cots and babysitting available on request.
Other Facilities: Basic business services like printing, copying, and scanning available.

Riva Arun – Food and Drink

Restaurants & Bars: Above Riva – Rooftop restaurant and bar popular for its beautiful river views, sunset cocktails, and Thai cuisine. • Lobby Café – All-day dining with tea, coffee, drinks, and a la carte meals.
Breakfast: Excellent breakfast (chargeable) served at the rooftop restaurant.
Room Service: During restaurant hours.

Riva Arun – Rooms

Room Types: Studio • Superior • Deluxe • Grand Deluxe • Grand Deluxe Jacuzzi • Premium Jacuzzi Suite • List of all Rooms
Smoking Rooms: All rooms are non-smoking.
Best Room: The Premium Jacuzzi Suite is the largest room and features a separate living room, bedroom with views of Wat Pho, and a large private balcony with jacuzzi and furniture.
For Families: Most rooms can sleep 1 child (up to 6 years old) in addition to 2 adults. Extra beds are not available.

Riva Arun – Local Transport

Walking: The hotel is located at the end of a 1-way street off Maharaj Road.
Metro and Bus: The nearest MRT (underground) station is Sanam Chai, about 500m (5-minute walk) away. There is a bus stop at the end of the lane on the main road. It’s easy to take a bus in Bangkok if you know the route and stop, but the conductors and drivers don’t speak English.
Taxis: Metered taxis are available in plenty, and the hotel staff will easily call one; or use the Grab taxi app. Tuk tuks also dot the main road, but they do not have meters, so bargain hard. Motorcycle taxis are available at every corner, but again, bargain hard.

Riva Arun – What’s Nearby?

Recommended Nearby Tours

Grand Palace and Temples Tour – Private 8-hour guided tour of Rattanakosin Island, Grand Palace, Grand Temples, and Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) with lunch, a boat ride through canals to the Royal Barge Museum, and hotel pick-up and drop-off.
Pattaya Day Trip – Day trip to the famous beach destination of Pattaya by private air-conditioned chauffeured car and guide (optional) to see famous spots in the town, visit the beach, shop, and dine, with hotel pick-up and drop-off.
Private and Small Group Tours – Context Travel offers great private and small group tours with certified guides covering Bangkok, its attractions, the local neighborhood, Chinatown, street food, and night markets.

Best Nearby Restaurants, Bars, and Cafes

There are several restaurants, bars, and coffee shops along the main road near Wat Pho 5 minutes away.

Nearby Shopping & Cool Shops

Pak Khlong Talat – The flower market is popular for fresh flowers and groceries, especially in the morning. 600m east.

Nearby Attractions

Siam Museum – Modern museum showcasing the rich history and culture of Thailand. (200m east).
Wat Pho – 16th-century temple housing the famous 46m Reclining Buddha and several marble inscriptions on ancient medicine and science. Check dress code before visiting. (250m north).
Grand Palace – The huge complex consists of the current home of His Majesty the King of Thailand along with buildings, a museum, and the temple of the Emerald Buddha, which are open to the public. Check dress code before visiting. (1 km).
Wat Arun – Across the river. Ferry can be caught from the Tien pier (600m northwest, next to Tien Market).

Nearby Markets or Grocery Stores

There is a 24-hour 7-Eleven at the end of the lane on the main road.

Riva Arun – The Hotel

The luxury boutique Riva Arun hotel is located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River.

The lobby is small and inviting, and features elegant Thai touches.

Riva Arun is the hotel’s sole restaurant and bar, located on the rooftop.

The restaurant offers plenty of tables for a hotel this small.

Dishes include a lot of fresh seafood, such as these scallops.

The restaurant serves contemporary Thai cuisine.

The magnificent Wat Arun can be clearly seen across the river from the restaurant.

All Bangkok Hotel Reviews

About Santorini Dave

Santorini Dave Author Bio. Santorini Dave was started in 2011 by a guy who loved Greece, travel, and great hotels. We're now a small team of writers and researchers on a mission to deliver the most helpful travel content on the internet. We specialize in Santorini, Mykonos, Athens, and Greece and recommend the best hotels, best neighborhoods, and best family hotels in top destinations around the world. We also make hotel maps and travel videos. I can be contacted at dave@santorinidave.com.

Riva Arun Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand

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