Where to stay in Bangkok: A neighbourhood guide to the city’s best hotels

Rattanakosin Island

Also known as Old Town and not quite an island, Bangkok’s historic centre stretches along the eastern bank of the Chao Praya River and is bordered by several canals that once served as defensive moats. Numerous historic sites including the Royal Palace, the famed Wat Po with its reclining Buddha and the City Pillar shrine can be explored on foot and Rattanakosin is also the location of Khao San Road, the city’s thriving budget tourism strip that offers countless cheap eateries and night spots.

WHERE TO STAY

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Downtown Bangkok

Sukhumvit Road runs through the heart of downtown Bangkok and is lined with gigantic shopping malls, countless hotels, many of the city’s best restaurants and much of the Thai capital’s nightlife, infamous and otherwise. Numerous alleys called sois, that branch off the main road, offer further culinary adventures. Some of the best shopping can be found around Siam Square – for bargains the old MBK mall is unbeatable, while the Sofitel’s rooftop bar offers splendid views of the city’s soaring concrete canyons.

WHERE TO STAY

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Silom Road

Lined with skyscrapers, Bangkok’s financial district is home to great hotels, countless restaurants and bars as well as fascinating off the beaten track sights – the colourful Sri Mariamman Hindu Temple, built in 1860, and several near-by Indian eateries are worth a visit. The Kathmandu Photo Gallery hosts interesting exhibitions and the historic Neilson-Hayes Library welcomes weary visitors with a great café and an art gallery. Last but not least, Lumphini Park is Bangkok’s largest green space, popular with joggers and monitor lizards. 

WHERE TO STAY

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Chao Praya River

Both sides of the Chao Praya River are lined with fantastic hotels, bars and restaurants that offer stunning views. The legendary Mandarin Oriental Hotel vies with The Siam, a faux-colonial hotel palace in the north of the city, for Bangkok’s classiest digs, while the sunset over Wat Arun is best enjoyed from the roof terrace of Riva Arun, a small heritage hotel. A trip on the regular ferry all the way to Nonthaburi is a fantastic introduction to some of Bangkok’s most iconic sites.

WHERE TO STAY

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Chinatown

Bangkok’s Chinatown is a world of its own. Recently connected to the rest of the city by a new underground (MRT) line, the area is home to incredible markets, stunning shrines and temples, and a myriad of narrow alleys bustling with commerce and local life. Some of Bangkok’s best street-food, banned by the city authorities in many other parts of the city, can be found around Yaowarat Road, and funky Soi Nana is home to trendy bars, chic eateries and a couple of intriguing hotel options. 

WHERE TO STAY