It can be slightly overwhelming deciding where to stay in Bangkok, as there are so many options available. All the areas each has their own allure, and it really depends on what you want to see and do in Bangkok. Therefore, I have compiled a list of of six popular areas to stay in Bangkok, along with the best accommodations in each area. You can refer to the map below to get an idea of where the respective areas are.
1. Pratunam
We frequently stay at the popular Pratunam area during our trips to Bangkok, because it is the prime location for shopping, authentic Thai food, and massage parlors! We enjoy shopping at the Platinum Fashion Mall, the Pratunam Market, CentralWorld and Pantip Plaza (IT gadgets, cameras). We will usually buy lots of tidbits to bring back to Singapore from the huge supermarket Big C, where the prices are very reasonable.
More importantly, there are a lots of awesome food in this area! We loved the delicious wanton noodles and pork trotters rice at SabX2, a famous restaurant located along Soi Petchburi 19. The Charcoal-Matcha soft serve ice cream at Demi Concept (a pushcart stall located outside Platinum Mall) is a must-try too.
One of our favourite massage parlors is Number One Massage at Soi Petchburi 15. Most of our massage sessions here were heavenly, but there were a few times when we got masseurs that were not really up to standard. There are several other massage parlors along this short road too.
The downside is that there is no BTS Skytrain station located directly here. The nearest Chit Lom BTS station is a 15-minute walk away.
Amari Watergate Bangkok
We have stayed at this hotel several times because it is a fantastic value-for-money hotel. During one of our stays, we stayed at the Executive Club Room. This gave us exclusive access to the Executive Lounge where we enjoyed our daily breakfast buffet and Happy Hour with free flow alcohol every day! Service was great and it felt like we were being treated to true Thai hospitality in the hotel. Click here to see the best prices for Amari Watergate Bangkok.
GLOW Pratunam
This is another great value-for-money hotel that is located within walking distance from Platinum Fashion Mall. It is a few minutes’ walk from SabX2, where you can indulge in delicious wanton noodles. The hotel has a decent gym, and the rooms are modern and clean. It offers daily breakfast buffet too. Click here to see the best prices for GLOW Pratunam.
Novotel Bangkok Platinum Pratunam
This hotel is extremely convenient because it is located directly above Platinum Fashion Mall. If you enjoy shopping at the Platinum mall, this is the perfect place to stay. There are many eateries in the mall. Therefore, you can simply go back to the hotel to rest after a good meal, without jostling in the crowded streets of Pratunam. Click here to see the best prices for Novotel Bangkok Platinum Pratunam.
The St. Regis Bangkok
We stayed at this luxurious 5-star hotel during one of our trips to Bangkok and it was a wonderful experience. Our room was clean and modern, but what we loved most about the hotel was the amazing complimentary spa facilities. Swimming in the rooftop pool which overlooks an expansive golf course was a special experience too. The hotel is not exactly located in the Pratunam area, but it is conveniently connected to the Ratchadamri BTS Station. The station is a 15-minute walk away from Platinum Fashion Mall. Click here to see the best prices for The St. Regis Bangkok.
2. Siam
Siam is our second favourite place to stay in Bangkok. This is because there are many modern shopping malls and nice restaurants here. Also, the Siam BTS Skytrain station is located directly in this area. Other than MBK Center Shopping Mall, Siam is also home to the vibrant Siam Square, a shopping complex that comprises Siam Center, Siam Square One, and Siam Paragon.
The downside of this location is that it doesn’t really have much street food. However, this is a small issue as the Pratunam area is just a short walk away.
Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok
If you are looking to pamper yourself with a luxurious hotel experience, you can book a stay at this hotel. This 5-star luxury hotel is a short walk away from Siam BTS station, and is connected directly to Siam Paragon Shopping Center. However, it is relatively expensive. Click here to see the best prices for Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok.
Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square
This is a good value-for-money hotel that is conveniently located in Siam. It is a good choice for anyone looking for a decent hotel but doesn’t want to break the bank. Click here to see the best prices for Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square.
3. Sukhumvit
Sukhumvit is large and diverse district with modern shopping malls, nice bars, fine restaurants, street food, and cafes. You can find high-end malls such as the Emporium and the EmQuartier here. However, our favourite part about Sukhumvit is the amazing cafe scene! We had a great dining experience at the Karmakamet Diner, a secret-garden themed cafe that serves delicious brunch and desserts. We also had fun cafe-hopping at Ekkamai, a small district that is filled with several lovely artisan cafes. theCOMMONS, a complex with many popular cafes, is located here too. This is a very convenient location with many BTS stations such as Phrom Phong, Thong Lo and Ekkamai.
The downside of the Sukhumvit area is that it is quite big, and therefore we needed a taxi to get around most of the time. This is unlike other areas like Siam and Pratunam where you can simply walk between attractions.
Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit
This 5-Star hotel boasts a rooftop bar where you can enjoy stunning night views of Bangkok. It also has a beautiful infinity pool. It is located just beside Thong Lo BTS station, and is near Ekkamai BTS station too. For cafe lovers, this hotel is perfect because it is just a 10-minute car ride away from theCommons and the Ekkamai district with many cafes. Click here to see the best prices for Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit.
Holiday Inn Bangkok Sukhumvit
This hotel is situated in a great location with many restaurants, bars and shops. It is very near to Emporium and EmQuartier. Location-wise, it is just a few minutes’ walk away from Phrom Phong BTS station, and is located near Asok BTS station as well. Click here to see the best prices for Holiday Inn Bangkok Sukhumvit.
4. Old City (Rattanakosin)
We enjoyed many beautiful temples, palaces and museums in the Old City area. This is a convenient area to stay at if you are looking to visit the numerous historic attractions. We were in awe of the majestic Grand Palace and glittering Wat Pho (also known as Wat Phra Chetuphon or Temple of the Reclining Buddha). The popular American–Thai food cafeteria On Lok Yun is located in the vicinity as well.
The famous Khao San Road is located in the Old City area. If you are backpacker who loves to party, this 1km long strip is the perfect area to stay. There are plenty of budget accommodations here suitable for backpackers. We could definitely feel the bustling vibe here with all the street pubs, clubs and massage joints. It is also home to the popular Khao San Road Night Market, where you will find bohemian accessories and handicrafts.
However, Old City area is not a very convenient location as it is not near to any BTS Skytrain stations. Also, if you choose to stay at Khao San Road, it can be pretty difficult to get a good rest because the area remains very lively till late at night.
sala rattanakosin Bangkok
This is a nice hotel located by the scenic Chao Phraya River. You will be able to enjoy great views of the the river and glittering Wat Arun temple in some rooms. It is just minutes away by walking from The Grand Palace and Wat Pho. It is conveniently located beside the Tha Tien Pier, where you can use the Chao Phraya Express ferry shuttle service as a mode of transport or to visit the historic attractions along the river. Click here to see the best prices for sala rattanakosin Bangkok.
ibis Styles Bangkok Khaosan Viengtai
This is a great value-for-money hotel with clean and modern rooms. It is literally a few minutes’ walk away from the bustling Khao San road, which makes it the perfect place to rest after a night of partying. It even has a very nice swimming pool. Click here to see the best prices for ibis Styles Bangkok Khaosan Viengtai.
5. Silom
Silom is the Central Business District of Bangkok so you will see many office workers walking briskly amidst tall skyscrapers. One major attraction here is the Lumphini Park, a large urban park with an artificial lake, lush trees and playgrounds. At night, Patpong Night Market and Lalai Sap Market offer bazaar shopping and delicious street food. However, please be aware that Patpong is a red light district known for its dodgy bars and illicit entertainment. The Sky Bar at the Lebua State Tower is an amazing rooftop bar where you can enjoy paranomic views of the city skyline. This area is quite accessible as it has the Si Lom MRT station and Sala Daeng BTS station.
W Bangkok
This stylish hotel is located conveniently beside the Chong Nonsi BTS Station. The hotel offers great service and is known for its delicious brunch buffet. Click here to see the best prices for W Bangkok.
6. Five-Star Luxury Hotels along the Chao Phraya River
Below I have listed three hotels that are not located in the same area; rather they are all located at different points along the Chao Phraya River. Therefore, staying in these hotels will give you amazing views of the scenic river. If you are looking to pamper yourself in a luxurious hotel at a peaceful location, these hotels would be perfect. They are all quite far from Bangkok’s city centre, but all of them provide free shuttle boat service to the Sathorn Central Pier, which is connected to the Saphan Taksin BTS station. From the pier, you can also use the Chao Phraya River Express Boat ferry service to hop on and off along the river to visit the popular attractions.
The Siam
This luxury hotel is unlike any other, with a beautiful and exotic design that is different from usual modern luxurious hotels. Guests can enjoy the butler service, such as securing restaurants reservations and making transport arrangements. The hotel even provides guests with handphones so that they can contact their butler at all times. The hotel provides free boat service to the Saphan Taksin BTS station, though the ferry ride takes around 40 minutes. Click here to see the best prices for The Siam.
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok
Located downstream is The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, a modern luxurious hotel that is known from its great service. The hotel provides an ideal balance between luxury and convenience because it is located very near to the Saphan Taksin BTS station. The hotel rooms offer great views of the river, and the food at the restaurants is delicious. Click here to see the best prices for The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok.
Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort
Last but not least, the Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort is a villa-style resort known for its huge pool surrounded by lush greenery. The hotel is located across the river from Asiatique, a fancy night market that boasts open-air street shopping, upscale restaurants, and even a ferris wheel. The hotel is a 20-minute ferry ride away from Saphan Taksin BTS station. It also provides free boat service to Asiatique (and onward to Saphan Taksin BTS). Click here to see the best prices for Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort.