Famous for its chaotic streets, friendly people, cheap and delicious street food and wild nightlife, Bangkok is one of my favorite cities in the world (I even lived here for two years). It just has an infectious energy that can’t be beat. I never get tired of coming here.
Thailand’s capital city has a population of eight million and is huge. Choosing where to stay in Bangkok can be overwhelming, especially for first-time visitors, as there is a lot to see and do here and the city is very spread out (thankfully with a much improved public transport system).
I have been visiting the city since 2005 and have stayed in hundreds of hotels, guesthouses and hostels. There are thousands to choose from. To help you plan your trip, here is my list of the best hotels in Bangkok:
1. Bangkok Hotel Lotus Sukhumvit 33
This four-star hotel is centrally located in Sukhumvit, in an area known for its nightlife, shopping, and many restaurants. It is very centrally located for many things, including the Skytrain stop. While it is a bit dated, the rooms are spacious, clean, and come with amenities like flat-screen TVs, desks, electric kettles, free Wi-Fi, and minibars. The beds are firm with plush linens, and the floor-to-ceiling windows mean the rooms get plenty of natural light. Some rooms even have small seating areas.
Hotel facilities include a rooftop pool, a spa, and a decent fitness center with a sauna. There is also an on-site restaurant that serves Thai and international dishes, as well as breakfast. Overall, I really like this hotel and think it offers good value for such a convenient location.
2. House of Phraya Jasaen
This three-star hotel is housed in a cluster of seven old antique shops. The shops have been converted into a 32-room boutique hotel with eclectic industrial design, with brushed concrete walls highlighted by softer wood accents. There are ten different room types, including rooms with kitchenettes and single rooms with shared bathrooms (ideal for budget-conscious guests who want more privacy than a dorm). Room size and amenities vary depending on the room you choose, but all rooms have air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi.
There’s also a small spa on-site and a restaurant with a delicious breakfast. Plus, they offer a cool bonus: if you come back after checking out and want to shower before an overnight flight, you’re welcome to do so in a complimentary room. Overall, this is a comfortable and affordable place to stay in Sathorn, Bangkok’s bustling central business district.
3. Prince Theatre Heritage Stay
This four-star, theatre-themed hotel has been around for 100 years. The charming interior is cinema-inspired, with photos and paintings of movie stars on the walls and beautiful hardwood floors throughout. You can stay in either a suite or a shared room here. Suites are huge, have plenty of natural light, and feature a living room, kitchenette, air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and rain showers. Dorms feature capsule beds with individual privacy curtains, power outlets, reading lights, and lockers.
The hotel’s restaurant, Box Office Bar & Cinema, serves breakfast, good cocktails, and Thai food. There’s even a classic film screening every night. This is a cool and unique place to stay in Silom, an area known for its vibrant nightlife and great restaurants.
4. D&D Inn Khaosan
The D&D Inn is a Khao San Road institution (it’s been around forever). It’s perfect for those with last-minute travel plans, as there are always rooms available. Plus, the front desk is open 24 hours. Recently renovated, rooms are decorated in a modern Thai style with wooden interiors and tiled floors, and feature flat-screen TVs, air conditioning, mini-fridges, and private bathrooms with great shower pressure. Not all rooms have windows, so be sure to book or ask for one if that’s important to you.
There’s a bar downstairs and a rooftop pool (with its own bar) that’s packed with travelers. Breakfast is available right across the street at the hotel’s Greens and Cheese restaurant. This is a great place to stay if you’re looking for a private room in the heart of Khao San Road. However, be aware that this isn’t the quietest place to stay, as the street is a place to party all night long.
5. The Quarter Bangkok Ratchathewi
The Quarter describes itself as a “poshtel,” meaning you get all the comforts of home but the social atmosphere of a hostel. It’s bright and airy, blending modern aesthetics with traditional Thai elements. Rooms at this three-star hotel are clean and filled with plenty of natural light thanks to large windows. There are both private rooms with en-suite bathrooms and dormitory-style rooms.
The beds in the dormitory rooms all have privacy curtains, power outlets, USB ports, and built-in lockers. There are plenty of common areas to relax in, including a rooftop pool, as well as a co-working area for up to 20 people. There’s also a free continental breakfast every morning.
Overall, this is a convenient place to stay in Pratunam, as it’s just a minute’s walk from a BTS Skytrain station and a ten-minute walk from an Airport Rail Link station.
6. The Park Hyatt
This five-star hotel, located in the iconic Central Embassy building, is one of the city’s finest. The lobby is impressive with its high ceilings, elegant architecture, and select artwork from local and international artists. Guest rooms and suites are spacious and decorated in a minimalist, modern style, with neutral earth tones complemented by bold accents. Each room features plush bedding, marble bathrooms with bidets and bathtubs, desks, minibars, and floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic city views.
The hotel has a fantastic rooftop cocktail bar and restaurant, a sleek whiskey bar, a stylish cafe for breakfast, and a Catalan restaurant listed in the Michelin Guide. There’s also a beautiful rooftop infinity pool surrounded by lush greenery (come early, as the sun only shines until about 1 p.m.).
If you’re looking to use points for a hotel in Bangkok, the Park Hyatt has great redemption options (25,000 points per night). This is where I stay when I want to spend money and use my hotel points.
7. Aloft Bangkok Sukhumvit 11
I consider this to be the best value luxury hotel in town. The rooms at this four-star hotel are spacious and elegant, with high ceilings and large windows that let in lots of natural light. The rooms have huge marble bathrooms with amazing walk-in showers, luxurious pillowtop mattresses, mini-fridges, desks, and coffee/tea makers. Not only are the rooms amazing, there’s a lot going on here. The breakfast buffet is also really, really good.
The fitness center is huge, but the real draw is the rooftop pool with lounge chairs and cabanas where you can admire panoramic views of the sprawling cityscape. Since it’s close to lots of restaurants, bars, and activities, I almost always stay here when I’m in town.
Bangkok is a multifaceted city. While many travelers only spend a few days here before moving on to other parts of Thailand, I think the city deserves more time. Choose one of the hotels listed above and you’re guaranteed a great place to stay while you explore this fascinatingly chaotic metropolis.