Where to Stay in Bangkok—Best Areas & Accommodation
Searching for where to stay in Bangkok? This guide has all the best neighborhoods and hotels to choose from in the city.
If you’re like me, you may find Bangkok pretty intimidating when you first arrive. It’s busy, noisy, and there are different smells coming from every street corner (some good and some not so good!).
With so many different areas to explore and see, finding the best areas of Bangkok can be near impossible when you are on your own.
I made this guide to ensure finding the best places to stay in Bangkok can be super easy! No matter what your budget is or what kind of accommodation you want, Bangkok is sure to have something to fit your needs.
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Best Bangkok Accommodation—Quick Guide
If you want to find the best hotels to stay in Bangkok without reading the full guide, here are my top three choices in different locations around the city.
Budget—Siam Eco Hostel: This is a great little-budget place to stay in Bangkok. The rooms are private, but the bathrooms are shared with a few other travelers. They have air conditioning and free Wi-Fi in all areas of the hotel. You also get free breakfast.
Mid-range—Siamotif Boutique Hotel: Located right in the heart of the Riverside district, this beautiful boutique hotel is family owned and operated. All the rooms are decorated by local artists, and there is free Wi-Fi. Make sure to take advantage of the free Thai breakfast.
Luxury—Banyan Tree Bangkok: This hotel is most famous for its rooftop bar called Moon Bar. The hotel is just as amazing and is worth staying for a night or two. It’s within walking distance of Lumphini Park, and you can even take a free shuttle to the nearest SkyTrain Station.
Khao San
Khao San is the best place to stay in Bangkok if you want to party. Many of the bars have happy hour specials during the day and night, so you can basically drink all day, even on a strict budget.
I personally stay away from Khao San because it’s basically a huge backpacking area with nightlife and bars. This isn’t my travel style (anymore), but I used to stay in Khao San when I was backpacking and loved it.
The markets in this area are also perfect for souvenir shopping or for getting cheap clothes. There are also street food vendors everywhere, making it quick and easy to get some of Thailand’s cheapest and best foods!
Keep in mind since the area is mainly for backpackers, most of the accommodation here is hostels and simple mid-range hotels.
Budget—NapPark Hostel: This is one of the top recommended hostels in the area. They have a very large communal area, so you shouldn’t have any issues meeting other people. It’s within walking distance of many clubs and bars, so it’s easy to explore the nightlife scene. They have mixed dorms, female-only dorms, and a few private rooms as well.
Mid-Range—Old Capital Bike Inn: This place is amazing but only has ten rooms. You need to make sure to book early if you want to stay here, as it can get fully booked. The best part about this hotel is that the interior design resembles a traditional Thai house. There are also amazing photos and paintings everywhere showing what life is like in Thailand. The rooms are comfortable, and they even have a small cafe on-site where you can get coffee and desserts.
Luxury—Riva Surya Bangkok: This is one of the only high-end hotels in the area, so it should be your first choice if you’re looking for luxury in this area of Bangkok. The rooms are very large and elegant. Make sure to get a room with a balcony so you can see the river. You can also walk to the ferry station from this hotel, making it easy to catch a ferry ride to places like The Royal Palace.
Bangkok Riverside
The Riverside district is almost the exact opposite of Khao San. It has some of the top-rated 5-star hotels in Bangkok. It’s the best area to stay in Bangkok if you want endless amenities and you want to be fully pampered during your time in Southeast Asia.
The district runs along the Chao Praya River which is a beautiful part of town. You can also take ferries along the river to get to some of the top tourist attractions, including the Grand Palace and Wat Pho.
I also recommend taking at least one ferry ride because you get to see local people living their life by the riverside as they fish, sell things in the floating market, or just give their kids a bath in the river.
Budget—Vera Nidhra: There are not many budget places in this part of town, but Vera Nidhra is on the lower end of the mid-range pricing. This is a small guesthouse with comfortable rooms and free breakfast. They have free Wi-Fi and air conditioning. You can also get to a SkyTrain station in less than 5 minutes on foot.
Mid-Range—Inn a Day: This is one of the best places to stay in Bangkok for those that want to be within walking distance of all the attractions on this side of town. This hotel is also incredible because the rooms with balconies have the best views of Wat Arun. The bathtubs in the room are super nice to relax in after a long day of exploring Bangkok. Make sure to also dine in at the restaurant as they make traditional Thai dishes with local and international ingredients.
Luxury—Mandarin Oriental Bangkok: This place is stunning although not the best for those on a strict budget. I was lucky enough to stay here for two nights when I had some family come visit me as they wanted to stay in an upscale resort. This hotel also regularly hosts royals and celebrities that are traveling to Bangkok. They have nine restaurants on-site, a fitness center, a spa, and two outdoor pools.
Sukhumvit
This is the best area to stay in Bangkok for those who want to be in the central part of the city. Many locals and ex-pats live in this area, so you get a great mix of restaurants, bars, and cafes.
It’s also one of the best places to come if you want to eat! There are local options as well as endless international options, which is why there are so many ex-pats coming to eat in this neighborhood.
There are also hotels for any budget, so you should be able to find anything you are looking for as far as price and amenities.
Budget—Local Time Bangkok: This is a great little hostel off a quiet street. There is a wide variety of rooms, including family rooms, double rooms, mixed dorms, or female-only dorms. The breakfast is pretty basic, but it’s free, so make sure to fuel up before heading off into the city.
Mid-Range—Novotel Sukhumvit: Located right in the heart of one of the best areas in Bangkok, this hotel is beautiful, with floor-to-ceiling windows and big beds. Breakfast is free, and you can choose from the buffet or a la carte options. Make sure to also grab a drink or two at the SkyBar on the roof.
Luxury—Ohkura Prestige Bangkok: This is a huge luxury hotel with more than 35 floors and 240 rooms. They have an incredible breakfast buffet, and the hotel is right next to Ploen Chit SkyTrain station, which can take you anywhere.
Silom
Home to the famous Limphini Park, Silom is a great place to stay in Bangkok if you want to be close to the party scene. This district is close to many rooftop bars, the huge Patpong Night Market, and Chareon Krung Road which is home to many bars and restaurants.
Silom is also known as the business district and is well connected to all parts of Bangkok by the Sky Train.
Budget—The Quarter Silom: This budget hotel has a great location just a 4-minute walk to Patpong Market and only a 9-minute walk to the closest metro station. They have an outdoor pool and sauna on site. Breakfast comes at an additional charge.
Mid-range—Urban House: This hotel has affordable double and triple rooms and is just a 5-minute walk from Lumphini Park. Free snacks and nonalcoholic drinks are always available in the lobby. The rooms are basic. but they are clean and air-conditioned, making it a great place to rest your head after exploring the busy city all day.
Luxury—Banyan Tree Bangkok: The rooftop bar, Moon Bar, is what draws most people t book a room at this luxury hotel. It’s one of the best 5-star hotels in Thailand, with free yoga classes, a sauna, a fresh juice bar, and a huge rooftop pool.
Chinatown
If your main goal when visiting Bangkok is to eat your heart out with massive portions of street food, Chinatown is the place to go. The architecture here is also worth checking out, as most places are built in the traditional Chinese style from the 1700s.
In the last few years, the city has made it a point to modernize and change Chinatown by building two MRT stations, some more upscale hotels, and adding quite a few coffee shops and bars.
Most of the accommodation and food choices are pretty cheap, so the area attracts a lot of backpackers and budget travelers.
Budget—Tian Tian Hostel: Choose between a dorm room or a private room and enjoy a great affordable stay in Chinatown at this hostel. The nearest metro station is just a 5-minute walk, and they serve free breakfast.
Mid-range—ASAI Bangkok Chinatown: Most people rave about this hotel because of the huge co-working space making it a great option for digital nomads. They have a fitness room, and the hotel staff is top-rated.
Luxury—Shanghai Mansion: There are not a ton of luxury options in this area, but Shanghai Mansion is one of the best. The decor is the best part, as it’s all traditional Chinese paintings and wallpaper from the 1930s. They also have traditional Chinese High Tea ceremonies, but they do cost extra.
Top Things to Do in Bangkok
After checking into your hotel, make sure to head off into the city and explore these top things to do!
- MBK Shopping Mall. While this isn’t a local attraction, it’s the best place to come if you want to be in the air conditioning and relax away from the busyness of the city. There are all kinds of shops, from luxury to local goods.
- Grand Palace. Come here to learn about the history and culture of Bangkok. There are more than 100 small palaces and buildings to explore here. There are also a few museums on site that you can tour.
- Wat Pho. Known as one of the most intricate temples in Bangkok, Wat Pho is a must-see while here. The reclining Buddha is the most famous of all the statues and is over 45 meters long (about 148 feet!).
- Take a River Cruise. Even if you choose not to stay in the riverfront district, I recommend a river cruise tour along the Chao Praya River. You can see all the amazing temples as you sail down the river. Some cruises also offer a dinner option with drinks.
- See a floating market. There are many floating markets worth seeing, including the Damnoen Saduak floating market. The best way to see it is to take a tour. Your tour guide arranges transportation for you and takes you to the best vendors.
- Get a Thai massage. If you need some time to relax and unwind, make sure to book a Thai massage. You can find places for massages all over the city, but I recommend booking with a hotel or spa as the massage therapists are licensed.
How to Get to Bangkok
The easiest and fastest way to get to Bangkok is by flying into Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). They have international flights every day from many different airlines.
If you’re in Southeast Asia already, you can take a bus from places like Ho Chi Minh City or Phnom Penh. Bus rides are long and can be tiring and uncomfortable. I definitely only recommend them if you’re on a strict budget.
How to Get Around Bangkok
Bangkok has a variety of public transportation options. The SkyTrain is very convenient and runs to almost every area of the city.
There are also bus routes, but they can be confusing. The buses do not always come on time, so plan extra time if you have to be somewhere.
Tuk tuks are a fun and convenient way to get around the city, and they are much safer than motorbikes.
You can find a tuk-tuk on almost every street. Just wave them over and tell them where you want to go. Make sure to agree on a price before they start driving.
When to Visit Bangkok
No matter what time of year you’re visiting Bangkok, be prepared for heat and humidity. Some parts of the year are more miserable than others, though.
July to October is the rainy season. Not only do you get the heat during this time, but you also have to deal with daily downpours.
For the best weather, come between November and February. The evenings are nice this time of year, and you can generally walk around when the sun is down without breaking a sweat.
It is the high season, particularly in December and January, so you may have to deal with crowds at the top attractions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What part of Bangkok is best to stay in?
There are tons of areas to stay in Bangkok. If you’re looking for places closest to all the attractions and walking distance to markets and nightlife, consider staying near Khao San.
This is the most popular area for tourists, and many find that this neighborhood has all they need to enjoy the city.
What is the most lively area in Bangkok?
Khao San Road is usually known to be the busiest area of Bangkok, with plenty of restaurants, bars, and nightlife.
If you want to be out until the early morning hours, this is the part of Bangkok you should check into.
How much time do I need for Bangkok?
Since Bangkok is massive, you need a minimum of four to five days to see the area. Ideally, a week or longer is better. The more time you have, the more temples you can explore and the more amazing food you can try.
Is Bangkok safe?
I found Bangkok to be very safe as a solo female traveler. As with any city, there are some sketchy parts of town, but you can easily stay away from them. Ask at your hotel if you’re not sure.
You should also keep your bag and personal items close, especially when on crowded transportation and walking around at night.
Where to Stay in Bangkok: The Best Places Are Waiting For You
Ready to book your stay in this best Southeast Asian city? I hope this guide made it super easy for you to find where to stay in Bangkok.
No matter which neighborhood you choose, the city’s endless accommodation choices make it easy to find something within your budget.
If you’re heading to Bangkok, which of these places are you going to book? Let us know by commenting below!
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