Where to stay in Bangkok: 5 best areas

The 5 best areas to stay in Bangkok. How to get around and where to stay in Bangkok neighborhoods.

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Regardless of whether you may be for the first time in Bangkok or you are Thailand’s veteran, the intent of this article is to help you choose where to stay in Bangkok, depending on your personal needs and preferences.

If you need help creating or revising your itinerary while in Bangkok, send us an email and we will be happy to support you.

Bangkok has something to offer to everyone, below we will recommend the 5 districts where most of the tourist offer is concentrated, we have included suggestions and hotels for all budgets – from 5 stars to budgets.

Please be aware that Bangkok is a very popular destination among tourists from all over the world, hotels with good value for money often sold out very quickly, so we advise you to book as soon as possible!

Here are the 5 neighborhoods for a wonderful stay in the city:

Map of Bangkok

Where to stay in Bangkok – Siam

If you love unrestrained shopping, Siam is the best place to stay, close to all the major shopping centers and it’s a “must see” on any trip to Bangkok!

Siam is located at the beginning of Sukhumvit Road, closer to the river. Siam is the best area to stay if you want to focus on shopping. Nearby you will find modern malls like MBK, Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery, Siam Center, Central World and Central Embassy. The area is very charming, catering to both tourists and locals. Getting around is also very easy and convenient thanks to the Skytrain. In the area there are excellent restaurants (especially Western ones), bars and cinemas guarantee continuous entertainment.

Even though this area may not be the most traditional part of the city, it is an area suitable for children and families, thanks to the many attractions present in the shopping centers (Kidzania, Ocean World etc,) However if you are a party animal there are not as many clubs and nightlife it’s rather limited.

Siam is a very popular area of ​​Bangkok, and rooms are usually booked quickly. Here are the hotels we recommend:

Luxury – More than 170 USD per night

  • Siam Kempiski Hotel
  • VIE Hotel Ratchatewi
  • Hotel Muse Langsuan

Middle – Between 170 and 110 USD per night

  • Pathumwan Princess Hotel
  • Sivatel
  • Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square

Budget – More than 110 USD per night

  • Courtyard by Marriott
  • Legacy Express By Compass Hospitality
  • White Lodge Bangkok

Where to stay in Bangkok – Silom

Silom is a very versatile area with fantastic restaurants, a famous night market and a lively nightlife, so you will never get bored!

For those who decide to stay in the area, they can take a stroll in Lumphini Park – the largest park in the city, get some fresh air and see the locals do Thai Chi every day early in the morning and at dusk.

Silom is famous for hosting Patpong’s night market and its adjacent “Red Light District”. Just like any other area in central Bangkok, Silom has a functional and accessible public transportation service, however the area is not so traditional and sometimes you may feel like you’re not in Asia. But one thing is certain: there is always something to do in this neighborhood!

During day, Silom is a commercial and financial area, but at night everything changes! If you love parties and nightclubs, Patpong 1, Patpong 2 have what you are looking for and you can enjoy fantastic bars and clubs open all night long. If partying until the morning is not in your thing, there are also many other ways you can visit this area where you can avoid the noise and enjoy relaxation.

Silom is full of hotels for all budgets, based on our proposals a list of our recommendations:

Luxury – More than 170 USD per night

  • Sofitel So Lumphini
  • Eastin Grand Sathron
  • State Tower Hotel at Lebua

Middle – Between 170 and 110 USD per night

  • Pullman G Bangkok
  • Amara Hotel Surawong
  • Novotel Bangkok Silom

Budget – Less than 110 USD per night

  • Holiday Inn Express Sathorn Hotel
  • Siam Heritage Hotel
  • Mandarin Hotel by Centre Point

Where to stay in Bangkok – Sukhumvit

Sukhumvit always offers something to everyone: from nightlife to shopping, it does not lack multiple gastronomic possibilities; to this respect, it is one of Bangkok’s best areas and perhaps of the whole Thailand!

Sukhumvit

The most popular part of the Sukhumvit, which runs from skytrain station of Nana to Ekkamai is considered the center of Bangkok, full of restaurants, bars, clubs, shopping centers, is the best place to stay in Bangkok if you want to be immersed in the action. Although it is not an authentic or traditional area, the area is very modern, developed and comfortable.

Among the strengths of Sukhumvit there is a convenient transportation system, thanks to subway (MRT) and Skytrain (BTS) you can move from one point to another very quickly.

You can find many types of restaurants with food from all around the world. You may find some of the best hotels in Bangkok, including luxury ones. You will not be close to Bangkok’s major tourist attractions, but it will be very easy to reach them through an excellent transportation system!

P.S. Local Tip – To avoid heavy traffic the area is also served by Khlong Saen Saeb Express Boats.

If you think Sukhumvit is the perfect area for you, here are our accommodation tips:

Luxury – More than 170 USD per night

  • Grande Center Point Thonglor 55
  • Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park
  • Hotel Nikko Bangkok

Middle – Between 170 and 110 USD per night

  • Radisson Blu Plaza
  • Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit
  • Double Tree By Hilton Sukhumvit

Budget – Less than 110 USD per night

  • Holiday Inn Bangkok
  • Movenpick Hotel Sukhumvit
  • Thee Bangkok Hotel

Where to stay in Bangkok – Riverside

If you want to enjoy breathtaking views in one of the most romantic and historical areas of Bangkok, we suggest you stay along the Chao Phraya river!

where to stay in Bangkok

If you don’t like modernity and want to enjoy Bangkok’s traditional atmosphere, the river is a very scenic area full of temples, historical attractions, shrines and the Royal Palace – it’s definitely a very popular area for tourists! The area is generally more expensive, however it is a great place to enjoy the authentic roots of the city and see where Bangkok arose. Probably one of the best places for a traveler visiting Bangkok for the first time!

The river is close to Chao Praya river and one of the biggest disadvantages of staying here is that you will be a little further from the center and you will have only one Skytrain station (Saphan Taksin) and no metropolitan station available, unfortunately getting around is not so fast and easy. A typical and distinctive alternative is represented by ferries that move people along the river from one point to another or use only vehicles on wheels such as taxis or tuk-tuks.

Below you can find our recommendations:

Luxury – More than 170 USD per night

  • Mandarin Oriental Hotel
  • Peninsula
  • Anantara Riverside Bangkok

Middle – Between 170 and 110 USD per night

  • Ramada Chatrium Hotel
  • Royal Orchid Sheraton
  • Riva Arun Bangkok

Budget – Less than 110 USD per night

  • Ibis Bangkok Riverside
  • Varmtel
  • Prince Theater Heritage Stay Hotel

Where to stay in Bangkok – Khao San Road and Bangkok Old Town

Khao San is in the old city close to all the major iconic attractions and is among the best places to explore the authentic life of Bangkok!

Khao San Road

A walk in the Khao San district means not only late-night parties but also to visit incredible attractions and museums such as Wat Pho, the Royal Palace and Wat Phra Kaew. In this neighborhood you will have access to the historical part of the city. It is also a great place for budget travelers and a great area for backpackers in Bangkok, as there are many cheap hostels here (there are not many luxury hotels, it is mostly a destination for backpackers).

If you love to party, this is definitely the right place! There are plenty of bars, stalls and nightclubs in the area. On the contrary, if you are traveling with children / for work and you expect to get some sleep, there will probably be areas with loud music, so we do not recommend Khao San for a peaceful stay.

It is also a great place to meet other people if you are traveling alone, unfortunately there are no nearby subway and skytrain stations, therefore in order to get around you have to take a taxi or a tuk tuk.

Even if you don’t want to stay on Khao San Road, we recommend you visit this area at least once. Try the street food, visit the major landmarks and maybe get a massage at the end of the day.

The following hotels we recommend near Khao San:

Luxury – More than 170 USD per night

  • 1905 Heritage corner
  • Royal Rattanakosin Hotel
  • Nouvo City Hotel

Middle – Between 170 and 110 USD per night

  • Riva Surya Bangkok
  • Ibis Style Khaosan
  • Chillax

Budget – Less than 110 USD per night

  • Siri Heritage Bangkok
  • Villa Cha Cha Rambutri Hotel
  • Buddy Lodge Khaosan
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