Where to stay in Bangkok – the best areas & hotels.

Whether you are planning one night or a whole week in Thailand, travellers are first confronted with the question: where should I stay in Bangkok? Since I am a Bangkok resident, I have a few recommendations and will share my favourite guesthouses, hostels, and hotels in the Thai capital. In addition, I’ll cover the best areas to stay, tips on how to find great accommodation, and how to get around.

The best areas to stay in Bangkok.

Wondering where to stay in Bangkok? I love Phra Nakhon, Bangkok’s Old Town, which is perfect for first-timers and home to some major sights. If you prefer nightlife and shopping, stay along Sukhumvit with easy access to the city’s mass transit system, the Bangkok Skytrain (BTS).

The city is huge, and it can be overwhelming to figure out where to stay in Bangkok, especially if you are coming for the first time. The most famous backpacker street, Khao San Road, is a must-see but not a great place to stay. However, the area around it, Phra Nakhon, is considered the Old Town of Bangkok and a fantastic area to base yourself. Here, you will find Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, tiny alleys and canals, and a slice of authentic Bangkok life.

Close by, you will find Chinatown, one of the world’s largest. This area still keeps its grounded appeal and is home to some of the best food in Bangkok.

The Riverside is not really defined; you simply stay at one of the shores of the Chao Phraya River. Some of Bangkok’s most luxurious hotels are located here, as well the Asiatique and ICONSIAM malls and the iconic Wat Arun. It is the perfect area to stay in Bangkok if you want to avoid road traffic, as you can simply hop on a boat to get around.

For skyscrapers, great shopping and nightlife, head to Sukhumvit. While Sukhumvit is often considered one of the best areas to stay in Bangkok due to its lively nightlife, shopping, and dining, it is centred around a busy main road so can get quite noisy. With that in mind, you will want to choose your location wisely. Great neighbourhoods along Sukhumvit Road are Siam, Asok, Phrom Phong, and Thonglor.

For those preferring a bit of greenery, Silom is the place to be. It sits between the Chao Phraya and Lumphini Park, is well connected to the public transport, and is home to my favourite skyscraper in Bangkok: the King Power Mahanakhon.

Tips for your Bangkok stay & how to get around.

As much as I love calling Bangkok my home, I hate the traffic. It is as notorious as the resulting bad air quality at certain times of the year.

• With that in mind, you will want to make use of the public transport, namely the BTS Skytrain and underground MRT, as much as possible. Unfortunately, access to the Old Town and Chinatown is limited, and the two systems don’t interconnect very well. However, if you are staying in Silom or along Sukhumvit, you can easily catch a train.
• Before you book your hotel, check the distance to the next station. While Bangkok locals use motorbike taxis to get from the station to their homes, many hotels offer a shuttle service for their guests.
• If you are staying in Phra Nakhon, Chinatown, or the Riverside, you can also use the Chao Phraya boats. These are cheap and never get stuck in traffic, plus they offer a bit of sightseeing with your commute.
• Wondering how to get from the airport to your Bangkok hotel? From Suvarnabhumi Airport, you can use the Airport Rail Link that connects to the BTS and MRT. From Don Muaeng, you will have to use the Airport Bus. Especially when arriving late at night, I prefer to order a taxi with the Grab App (Asia’s version of Uber). Allocate enough time to get to or from the airport, especially during rush hour.

My tip: if you are flying from Don Muaeng and have an early departure, I recommend staying at the Amari Don Muang. The hotel has a great restaurant on site, and you just have to walk over a covered bridge to get to the terminal.

The best hotels in Phra Nakhon.

Phra Nakhon is the historic part of Bangkok and home to some of the city’s most famous sights. It is the perfect area for Bangkok first-timers and a charming spot to explore. Part of it is Bang Lamphu, which includes the infamous Khao San Road. While its glory days are over, it is definitely still worth a visit.

Baankachitpan Bangkok Hotel

• Best for: solo travellers & cat lovers
• Double rooms from £35 per night

Baankachitpan was my home away from home whenever I visited Bangkok before I moved here. The little guesthouse is located in a small alley, and the surrounding neighbourhood is as authentic as it gets. Jam and her team look after their guests with great dedication, the rooms are cosy, and the Thai breakfast is delicious.

Book Baankachitpan

The Printing House Poshtel

• Best for: backpackers & families
• Dorm beds from £13 per night

You can choose between shared dorms or private rooms at the Printing House – and for families, they even have rooms with enough space for four. The rooftop terrace is the perfect place for a sunset drink with stunning views over the Old Town.

Book Printing House

Buddy Lodge

• Best for: grown-up backpackers
• Double rooms from £44 per night

If you want to be in the centre of the action, stay near Khao San, not on Khao San. Buddy Lodge is the ideal choice for adult backpackers – cute private rooms, a quiet location, and a big rooftop pool only a few minutes away from the never-ending party scene.

Book Buddy Lodge

Tinidee Trendy Bangkok Khaosan

• Best for: sleepy party fans
• Double rooms from £48 per night

You want to go out on Khao San Road but need a quiet place to sleep afterwards? That is no easy feat, but Tinidee Trendy Bangkok Khaosan ticks all the boxes. Simple, modern rooms are well insulated and allow for a relaxed slumber, plus there is a pool for a refreshing dip in the morning after.

Book Tinidee Trendy

The best hotels in Chinatown, Bangkok.

Chinatown is one of the most authentic areas in Bangkok and one of the best places to eat. Yaowarat Road is the heart of Chinatown, but don’t forget to explore its fun tiny alleys and teeming night markets.

103 Bed and Brews

• Best for: history & beer fans
• Double rooms from £26 per night

Staying here feels like sleeping in a museum – you are, after all, based in an old Chinese shop house. The rooms are comfy with AC, and there is a café with lots of beers on tap downstairs.

Book 103 Bed and Brews

Shanghai Mansion

• Best for: luxury seekers
• Double rooms from £62 per night

Oriental Chinese elements merge with Art Deco at the Shanghai Mansion. The location of this little boutique hotel in Chinatown couldn’t be better, with some of Chinatown’s best restaurants right at your fingertips.

Book Shanghai Mansion

The Mustang Blu

• Best for: artists & the Addams Family
• Double rooms from £152 per night

The phrase ‘weird and wonderful’ comes to mind once you set foot into Mustang Blu. Yes, there is a stuffed giraffe in the café, but the rooms in this restored mansion are hauntingly beautiful and may just inspire you to write a novel.

Book Mustang Blu

Tian Tian Hostel

• Best for: backpackers
• Dorm beds from £14 per night

Shared and female-only dorms, as well as private rooms with aircon make this hostel a great spot to sleep. Prices are low, beds are comfy, and you are right in the heart of Chinatown – what more could you want? 

Book Tian Tian Hostel

The best Bangkok Riverside hotels.

Bangkok’s Riverside is scenic and a great area to stay, giving you easy access to the Chao Phraya boats. Many hotels even have their own boat shuttle that will take you to ICONSIAM mall, Wat Arun, or simply the other side of the river. Paying extra for a room with a river view is usually worth it.

Anantara Riverside

• Best for: White Lotus fans
• Double rooms from £148 per night

Wondering where to stay in Bangkok with family? The classic Thai style, direct riverside location, a huge pool, and affordable prices make Anantara a great contender for the perfect Bangkok holiday home.

Book Anantara Riverside

Capella Bangkok

• Best for: minimalist luxury travellers
• Double rooms from £1,035 per night

Capella combines chic style with understated luxury, making it one of Bangkok’s top hotels. The calm oasis has its own boat, one of the best spas in town, and a 2-Michelin-star restaurant in-house.

Book Capella

BEAT Warii Hostel

• Best for: river-lovers on a budget
• Dorm beds from £7 per night

Modern clean rooms, incredibly low prices, and a location right by the river make BEAT Warii such a popular choice in Bangkok. Capsules are small but well-appointed, and you can spend the money you save at Bar Us next door, recently voted one of Asia’s best bars.

Book BEAT Warii Hostel

Sala Rattanakosin

• Best for: photographers & dreamers
• Double rooms from £148 per night

If you want to fall asleep with a view of Wat Arun, Sala Rattanakosin is the place to stay. You can choose between a Corner River View or a River View Suite, which come with floor-to-ceiling windows, so you won’t even have to leave your bed.

Book Sala Rattanakosin

The best Sukhumvit hotels.

Sukhumvit winds itself through half of Bangkok and is home to countless shopping and entertainment options. Choose a Sukhumvit hotel close to a BTS station or with a shuttle service to make the most of your stay.

Public House Hotel

• Best for: the cool kids
• Double rooms from £104 per night

As a member of Design Hotels, Public House Hotel delivers urban charm. It is located on one of my favourite roads in Bangkok, Soi Sukhumvit 31. The hotel has a great co-working space, as well as a cool rooftop pool with a bar.

Book Public House Hotel

Volve Hotel

• Best for: homely design-lovers
• Double rooms from £70 per night

Volve calls itself a neighbourhood design hotel, and with only 28 rooms, it is the perfect, intimate boutique hotel in Bangkok. One of my favourite features: the minibar stocked with complimentary Thai snacks.

Book Volve

MUU 

• Best for: longer stays
• Double rooms from £91 per night

Clean lines and jewel tones await in the rooms of MUU Bangkok. If you plan on staying longer, get a Junior Suite with a living room and kitchenette, though chances are the proximity to the COMMONS will make you eat out.

Book MUU

Hotel Muse Bangkok

• Best for: old-world travellers
• Double rooms from £127 per night

Wood panelling, leather, and dark colours – Muse resembles a moody cigar lounge in the best way possible. To lighten the mood, there is a fantastic pool on the rooftop, a bar with great city views, and Lumphini Park within walking distance.

Book Muse Bangkok

Rosewood Bangkok

• Best for: foodies
• Double rooms from £279 per night

The Rosewood’s design sits somewhere between modern and Art Deco, while its outside shape is like a contemporary Wai, the typical Thai greeting. One of Bangkok’s most beloved 5-star hotels comes with floor-to-ceiling windows, multiple restaurants, a speakeasy bar, and a variety of activities that make you never want to leave.

Book Rosewood

Miami Hotel Bangkok

• Best for: hippies & TV fans
• Double rooms from £42 per night

While the interior is colourful and chirpy with lots of 70s touches and a sparkling pool, Miami Hotel may look familiar and raise some goosebumps. After all, it was a location for the chilling TV series The Serpent. Luckily, staying here is perfectly safe today, even around the corner from the infamous Nana Plaza.

Book Miami Hotel

The best hotels in Silom.

Silom is a bit more relaxed than Sukhumvit but offers great public transport, making it the perfect area to stay in Bangkok. Plenty of fun rooftop bars are waiting to be explored, while you’re also close to Lumphini Park and its water monitor lizards, as well as the Chao Phraya River, where you can catch a river boat.

Pullman Bangkok Hotel G

• Best for: happy-hour friends
• Double rooms from £81 per night

The Pullman Bangkok Hotel G offers great value for money, especially if you book club lounge access with your room. It comes with complimentary afternoon tea, a free-flow happy hour, and an à la carte breakfast.

Book Pullman G

Silom Space Hostel

• Best for: solo travellers & groups of friends
• Dorm beds from £8 per night

The Space Hostel has a fun communal area that’s great for meeting other travellers and rooms for every budget. In addition to dorms and double rooms, they also offer convenient triple and quadruple rooms if you are travelling with friends.

Book Silom Space

lebua at State Tower

• Best for: Instagrammers
• Double rooms from £121 per night

The lebua is world-famous thanks to its Sky Bar, where the film The Hangover Part II was shot. The golden dome of the bar is easily recognisable from afar. While the Sky Hangovertini isn’t cheap, rooms at lebua are reasonably priced and you will know that you are sleeping in a Bangkok icon.

Book lebua