Choose where to stay in Bangkok carefully to get maximum enjoyment from your visit. Here’s our comprehensive guide on where to stay in Bangkok.
Bangkok © ninara
With a population of approximately 10 million and an area of 1,569 square kilometres, Bangkok is a massive city with hundreds of distinctive neighbourhoods and areas.
Like other big cities, the area you choose to stay in will have a major impact on your experience in Bangkok. Pick the right district and you’ll be close to public transport and within easy reach of Bangkok’s top attractions. Pick the wrong one and you could spend most of your day in traffic.
In this guide, we’ll explain the best places to stay in Bangkok, complete with the key advantages of each area.
Where To Stay In Bangkok: Quick Facts
- Bangkok is big, and like other major cities, traffic problems are common. Staying close to the Skytrain or Metro will help you save time and avoid Bangkok’s infamous traffic jams.
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The best places to stay in Bangkok are the Sukhumvit, Silom, Riverside and Sathorn areas, which have good access to the Skytrain and Metro.
- Siam/Ratchaprasong is also a popular place to stay with great access to Bangkok’s best shopping malls and public transport.
- Khao San Road is Bangkok’s backpacker hub and budget accommodation hotspot, but it’s a long distance from the Skytrain and Metro, meaning you’ll need to rely on taxis.
Bangkok Holiday Essentials
- Where To Stay In Bangkok: See our guide to the best areas and the best hotels to stay in Bangkok.
- Things To Do In Bangkok: Check this huge list of Bangkok activities that you can book online.
- Flights To Bangkok: Find the cheapest flights to Bangkok and flight times from scores of airlines with Skyscanner.
- Bangkok Packing List: Don’t forget to take any of the essentials with our comprehensive Packing List For Thailand.
- Travel Insurance: World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Claim online anywhere in the world.
Sukhumvit
Sukhumvit © null0
- Sukhumvit is one of Bangkok’s main roads, running through business areas, nightlife hotspots and dense inner city residential neighbourhoods.
- The Sukhumvit area in this guide refers to area around the
Nana, Asok, Phrom Phong, Thong Lo and Ekkamai
BTS stations. This is the main commercial centre of Sukhumvit and the zone you’ll want to be in as a visitor to Bangkok.
- Sukhumvit ticks all of the boxes when it comes to convenience. It’s well connected to Bangkok’s public transport network, with the Sukhumvit BTS Line easy to access. It’s also connected to the Bangkok Metro at Sukhumvit station (connected to the BTS Skytrain at Asok).
- As the centre of international life in Bangkok, Sukhumvit has a huge selection of restaurants and cafés. You’ll find food from all corners of the world here, from Middle Eastern cuisine in the Nana area to authentic Korean, Japanese and Western food as you near Asok and Phrom Phong.
- Sukhumvit is one of Bangkok’s top nightlife areas, with drinking options ranging from classy bars to seedy red light districts. The area around Nana station is best avoided if you’re travelling with kids, as it’s one of Bangkok’s largest red light areas.
- For more information on Sukhumvit, check out our more detailed guides to Lower Sukhumvit, Central Sukhumvit and Upper Sukhumvit.
- All in all, Sukhumvit is a great place to stay if you want easy access to central Bangkok via the BTS Skytrain, plus a mix of Western and Thai dining options.
Luxury Hotels in Sukhumvit
- Grande Centre Point Hotel Terminal21
Located on top of Terminal 21 shopping mall, this luxury hotel offers great views of Sukhumvit and a convenient location near Asok BTS station. - DoubleTree by Hilton Sukhumvit
Another luxury hotel in Mid Sukhumvit, DoubleTree by Hilton Sukhumvit is a short walk from The Emporium, EmQuartier and Phrom Phong BTS station.
Mid-Range Hotels in Sukhumvit
- S31 Sukhumvit Hotel
Located a short walk from Phrom Phong station, S31 Sukhumvit Hotel has comfortable rooms and a rooftop pool overlooking Sukhumvit Road. - Bless Residence
This serviced apartment complex on Sukhumvit Soi 33 is a short walk from Phrom Phong BTS station and Benjasiri Park.
Budget Hotels in Sukhumvit
- Studio Sukhumvit 18
Located close to Asok BTS station and Sukhumvit MRT station, Studio Sukhumvit 18 has an excellent location and a good range of cheap, clean and simple rooms.
Siam/Ratchaprasong
BTS Skytrain in Bangkok © travelourplanet
- The area around Siam and Chit Lom station is Bangkok’s commercial centre, with a massive selection of shopping malls, restaurants, cafés and fun-but-touristy things to do.
- If you’re visiting Bangkok for shopping, the Siam/Ratchaprasong area is where you’ll want to stay. This area is also a convenient place to stay in general, as Siam station is the interchange station for the BTS Skytrain and provides easy access to anywhere in the central city.
- Most hotels in the Siam/Ratchaprasong area are upmarket, with a good selection of four and five star hotels to choose from. The area around Ratchadamri BTS is where you’ll find most of Bangkok’s super luxury hotels.
- While Siam/Ratchaprasong is the perfect area for shopping, it doesn’t offer much in terms of nightlife. Dining options in this area are also limited to the restaurants and cafés you’ll find in malls and hotels, meaning you’ll need to travel elsewhere to avoid chains and fast food.
- For more information on the Siam/Ratchaprasong area, check out our guide to Siam Square, Ratchaprasong and Ploen Chit.
- All in all, the Siam and Ratchaprasong area is a great place to stay if you want to shop while being close to Bangkok’s main transport hub.
Luxury Hotels in Siam Square and Ratchaprasong
- Siam Kempinski Bangkok
One of Bangkok’s most luxurious hotels, Siam Kempinski is located behind Siam Paragon mall and is a short two-minute walk from Siam BTS station. - Centara Grand at CentralWorld
Located just behind CentralWorld shopping mall, the Centara Grand has a great selection of luxurious rooms with excellent views, with the facilities you’d expect from a five-star hotel.
Mid Range Hotels in Siam Square and Ratchaprasong
- Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square
One of the best located hotels in Bangkok for shopping, the Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square is less than two minutes from Siam BTS station and right in the middle of exciting Siam Square. - Mercure Bangkok Siam
Located opposite the MBK Centre, the Mercure Bangkok Siam has a great location and a range of comfortable, modern mid-priced rooms.
Budget Hotels in Siam Square and Ratchaprasong
- Lub d Bangkok Siam
Lub d Bangkok Siam is a budget hostel located just a few minutes from the shopping malls and Siam BTS station. Accommodation options range from bunks to affordable private rooms.
Silom
Bangkok © mikebehnken
- Silom is Bangkok’s central business district by day and one of its nightlife hubs by night. It’s also a convenient part of Bangkok to stay in, with a great selection of mid-range and high-end hotels, good public transport access and decent shopping options.
- Just two stops away from Siam on the Skytrain, the Silom area is close to the centre of Bangkok but offers much better dining and nightlife options than Siam/Ratchaprasong.
- You’ll find a good range of restaurants in Silom, ranging from Thai to Western and international options from a variety of countries. Silom is home to several nightlife areas, ranging from seedy Soi Patpong to some of Bangkok’s most luxurious rooftop bars.
- Since Silom is only two to three stops away from Thaksin Pier, it’s a convenient place to stay if you want to reach the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun and other temples by boat.
- For more information on the Silom area, check out our guide to Silom and Sathorn, which lists the best things to do, places to eat and more.
Luxury Hotels in Silom
- Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park
Located just a few minutes away from Lumpini Park, Sala Daeng BTS station and Silom MRT station, the Crowne Plaza Bangkok has a great location, luxurious rooms and modern facilities. - SO Sofitel Bangkok
One of the Silom area’s newer luxury hotels, SO Sofitel Bangkok has luxurious rooms and an outdoor pool overlooking Lumpini Park.
Mid Range Hotels in Silom
- Triple Two Silom
Spacious rooms and a convenient location near Chong Nonsi BTS station make Triple Two one of the better mid-priced accommodation options in Silom.
Budget Hotels in Silom
- Lub d Bangkok Silom
Lub d Silom is a modern hostel with a selection of bunk beds and private rooms, located within walking distance of Chong Nonsi BTS station. - Everyday Bangkok Hostel
Sathorn
Bangkok © ninara
- Sathorn is Bangkok’s business hub — a busy area close to Silom that’s home to office buildings, banks, embassies and upmarket condos. This is where you’ll find many of Bangkok’s luxurious hotels and rooftop bars.
- Because Sathorn is primarily a business area, it’s fairly quiet after dark. Nightlife is limited to a few rooftop and hotel bars, as well as the luxury nightclubs around Chong Nonsi. If you need a modern, convenient place to stay in Bangkok with your family, Sathorn is it.
- Accommodation in Sathorn is mostly high end, with plenty of four and five-star hotels to choose from. There are several Skytrain and Metro stations in Sathorn, making it easy to get anywhere in the city from your hotel.
- Sathorn is also where you’ll find Thaksin Pier, making it a great place to stay if you want to get around Bangkok by boat.
- For more information on the Sathorn area, check out our guide to Silom and Sathorn, which covers the large area around Sathorn Road.
Luxury Hotels in Sathorn
- Banyan Tree Bangkok
Famous for its rooftop bar and restaurant, Banyan Tree Bangkok has modern rooms and suites with great views of Sathorn’s dense and busy skyline. - W Bangkok Hotel
Another modern luxury hotel on Sathorn Road, W Bangkok Hotel offers interestingly decorated rooms and suites, plus great facilities.
Mid Range Hotels in Sathorn
- Mode Sathorn Hotel
Recently built, Mode Sathorn is a luxurious four-star hotel with nicely decorated rooms and a convenient location near Surasak BTS station. - Baan Pra Nond Bed & Breakfast
Conveniently located near Surasak BTS station, Baan Pra Nond is a charming local bed and breakfast that’s a great alternative to the many modern hotels on Sathorn Road.
Riverside
Chao Phraya River © aotaro
- The Riverside area of Bangkok is home to a great selection of luxurious hotels, local restaurants and impressive temples. It’s also close to Yaowarat (Bangkok’s Chinatown) and a short boat ride or drive from Rattanakosin, which is where you’ll find most of Bangkok’s historical attractions.
- If the thought of relaxing in a luxury hotel suite with a river view before travelling to temples and palaces along the Chao Phraya River by boat sounds appealing, this is the part of Bangkok that you’ll want to stay in.
- Some parts of the Riverside area are close to the Skytrain, although most require a short taxi ride to one of the stations in Sathorn or Silom. As you’d expect, this part of Bangkok is perfect for people that want to use the river boats to get around.
- For more information on the Riverside area, check out our guide to Bangkok Riverside, which lists the best things to do, places to eat and more.
Luxury Hotels in Riverside
- Mandarin Oriental
One of Bangkok’s oldest and most famous luxury hotels, the Mandarin Oriental offers classic rooms and suites overlooking the Chao Phraya River, plus great dining and entertainment. - Peninsula Bangkok Hotel
Located on the opposite side of the Chao Phraya River from most of Sathorn, the Peninsula Bangkok is a modern luxury hotel with great river views and high-end facilities.
Mid Range Hotels in Riverside
- Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel
A more affordable alternative to the luxury hotels around Saphan Taksin BTS station, the Royal Orchid Sheraton offers luxurious rooms and river views in a peaceful location. - Ibis Bangkok Riverside
Located on the Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya River, the Ibis Bangkok Riverside is a great option for people that want to stay by the river without the usual premium price tag
Budget Hotels in Riverside
- Oldtown Hostel
Although it isn’t exactly on the river, Oldtown Hostel is a short walk away from the Chao Phraya and conveniently located close to Si Phra Ya Pier.
Khao San Road
Khao San Road © mossaiq
- Khao San Road is Bangkok’s backpacker hangout — a short street in Rattanakosin that’s lined with guesthouses, hostels, bars and more. If you’re visiting Bangkok on a low budget and want to hang out with other backpackers, this is the place you’ll want to stay.
- As the centre of backpacker life in Bangkok, Khao San Road is home to a huge selection of low cost accommodation options. You’ll find hundreds of hotels, hostels, guesthouses and places to stay in the area around Khao San Road.
- Khao San is also a fun place to go out at night, with a good range of bars offering the usual Thai and imported beers, cocktails and infamous “buckets” for travellers to choose from.
- The biggest downside of Khao San Road is its distance from public transport. Expect to spend a lot of your day dealing with taxi drivers and sitting in traffic if you ever need to travel into the city.
- For more information on Khao San Road and the best things to do, dining options and nightlife in the area, check out our Khao San Road guide.
Best Luxury Hotels in and Around Khao San Road
- SSIP Boutique Dhevej Bangkok
Located a short drive from Khao San Road in Dusit, SSIP Boutique Dhevej Bangkok is a four star hotel with modern rooms and a great location close to Rattanakosin.
Best Mid Range Hotels in and Around Khao San Road
- Baan Chart Hotel
Baan Chart Hotel is a mid-range hotel located less than a minute from Khao San Road with a rooftop swimming pool and other great facilities. - Casa Nithra Bangkok
Located just north of Khao San Road on Samsen Road, Casa Nithra is a great mid-priced hotel option for people that want to be close to Khao San but far enough away to avoid the noise.
Best Budget Hotels in and Around Khao San Road
- 3Howw Hostel at Khaosan
With a great range of bunk beds and private rooms, 3Howw Hostel Khaosan is one of the best hotels on Khao San Road and a great option for budget travellers. - Viman Guesthouse
Located less than 10 minutes from Khao San Road on foot, Viman Guesthouse offers budget rooms in a relaxing setting beside one of Bangkok’s famous klongs.