Where to Stay in Bangkok – 6 Best Areas and Hotels

In case you’re planning a trip to this part of the world soon, you might be wondering where to stay in Bangkok, correct? Correct! And in order to offer you a complete answer, I have put together this complete guide for the best neighbourhoods and hand-picked hotels in the city. Scroll down to find the best place to stay in Bangkok according to your budget and preferences!

I’m just going to say it… it is easy to get overwhelmed — and lost — in Bangkok! The capital city of Thailand is huge, spread out and with a lot to offer. From beautiful temples to huge shopping centres, 5-star hotels to budget-friendly hostels, street markets to local restaurants, Bangkok is the best kind of busy as it makes you want to come back for more!

Map of Bangkok showing where to stay in bangkok with the best areas marked

When it comes to the best places to stay while you’re in Bangkok, here is my selection of the 6 best neighborhoods, with recommended hotels for each:

Khao San Road

Road at Khao San Road

If you’re visiting for the first time, fancy a bit of fun and you’re only staying in Bangkok for a few days before moving on to other cities in Thailand, you might want to book a hotel in Khao San Road. This is one of the best places to stay in Bangkok for nightlife! Offering a bit of everything, from cheap street food to tourist attractions, this district is lively, fun and very touristy.
Khao San is dubbed as the famous backpacking area, which means you’ll find many budget hostel options and a whole lot of nightlife here! While you’re here, you can get a massage from one of the numerous parlours,  go and experience some pumping bars, find stall vendors selling spiders and scorpions to eat… All in all, let’s just say that Khao San Road is a TRUE experience! For those that fancy a bit of luxury, Khao San Road is also home to a lot of 5-star accommodations. 

TIP: Keep in mind that this area is not situated near the BTS Skytrain or Metro (the most common public transportation options in the city) – so if you want to explore other areas of the city, you will be reliant on taxis and tuk-tuks.

Where to stay in Khao San Road

MY TOP PICK: Praya Palazzo – I consider this to be one of the best hotels in all of Bangkok! It’s world-class facilities and excellent location is what makes me recommend this 5-star hotel, as it’s walking distance to the Grand Palace, by the Chao Phraya River. While you’re there, you can enjoy the outdoor pool and free 24-hour shuttle boat service!

hotel room at praya palazzo hotel in bangkok

OTHER NOTABLE HOTELS

Other than Praya Palazzo, here are some other excellent hotels in Bangkok, Khao San Road area, sorted by budget:

LUXURY HOTELS

BOUTIQUE HOTELS

MID-RANGE HOTELS

BUDGET HOTELS

HOSTELS

ENTIRE APARTMENTS

WHAT TO DO IN KHAO SAN ROAD

RELATED READ: 5 Unmissable Tourist Places to Visit in Bangkok – A Complete City Guide

Siam

Peekaboo shot of Wat Benchamabopit seen through an archway

Wondering where to stay in Bangkok for shopping? I got you! If you’re looking to be in the heart of Bangkok or you just want to be near the city’s top shopping destination, Siam is the best area to stay for you! This area of the city, located around Siam Square, is built up with skyscrapers, filled with mega-malls, hotels, restaurants and offices.

A downside is that traffic can be pretty horrific in this part of town, but as the most central location in Bangkok, Siam is well-connected with both BTS Skytrain and the Metro stations nearby. This makes Siam my top choice for travellers who want to explore a lot of the city by public transport (recommended!). And if I sit and think about it, I can easily recommend Siam as an excellent place to stay for your first time in the city!

Where to stay in Siam

MY TOP PICK: Hotel Indigo – If you’re dreaming of staying at a luxurious 5-star hotel in one of the best neighborhoods in the city, want to enjoy an outdoor infinity pool while being located close to Siam Paragon shopping mall and Siam Square, this is the place for you. This hotel in Bangkok offers excellent service and an amazing location to top it off!

Girl Around the World sitting on the balcony facing the park at Hotel Indigo Bangkok
Melissa sitting in front of the infinity pool at Hotel Indigo Wireless Road Bangkok

OTHER NOTABLE HOTELS

Here’s my complete selection of the best hotels in Siam for a superb stay in Bangkok:

LUXURY HOTELS:

BOUTIQUE HOTELS:

MID-RANGE HOTELS:

BUDGET HOTELS:

HOSTELS:

ENTIRE APARTMENTS:

WHAT TO DO IN SIAM AREA

RELATED READ: Visiting The Grand Palace, Bangkok – Guide and Useful Tips

Sukhumvit

sukhumvit in bangkok

In case you’re wondering where to stay in Bangkok for a luxury, high end experience, this is a great place! Sukhumvit Road is one of Bangkok’s fancier districts, scattered with 10 Michelin-starred restaurants in the neighbourhood, world-class rooftop bars, elite nightlife spots and luxury hotel options. If you’re looking to live it up and splurge, then Sukhumvit area in Bangkok is surely one of the best places to stay in Bangkok for you!

This modern neighborhood in Bangkok is well-connected to the rest of the capital, with the BTS Skytrain running down the length of it, easily connecting with the main intersections in Siam.

Where to stay in Sukhumvit

MY TOP PICK FOR SUKHUMVIT: Hyatt Regency Bangkok SukhumvitIf you’re looking for a luxurious, world-class stay in the city in one of the best areas, I whole-heartedly recommend Hyatt Regency. This hotel boasts a superb outdoor pool, as well as a fitness centre for those of you who, like me, cannot start their day without a proper workout! And the rooms? Simply superb!

Hyatt Regency Bangkok Sukhumvit

OTHER NOTABLE HOTELS

Other than this excellent hotel, here are my other top picks for a wonderful stay in the city:

LUXURY HOTELS:

BOUTIQUE:

MID-RANGE HOTELS:

BUDGET HOTELS:

HOSTELS:

ENTIRE APARTMENTS:

WHAT TO DO IN SUKHUMVIT

RELATED READ: A Complete Guide to Visiting Wat Arun Temple in Bangkok, Thailand

Riverside Area

riverside area in bangkok

If you’re looking for a Bangkok neighborhood that’s more laid-back and offers scenic views of Chao Phraya River, then the Riverside area is your answer! You’ll find many temples worth visiting around this area, together with the famous Royal Palace. And if you’re looking for some luxury, it is well-known that this area hosts TONS of luxurious hotels in Bangkok!

Another advantage is that this neighborhood in Bangkok has a very convenient location, so it will be very easy to get around the rest of the city and its top attractions.

Where to stay in the Riverside Area

MY TOP PICK: Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort – This is a superb 5-star hotel located in the Riverside Area (one of the BEST areas of Bangkok for first time visitors, if you ask me!) that boasts a gorgeous outdoor pool and wonderfully decorated rooms. Ah, by the way, if you choose to book a room here, you’ll be able to choose from 10 (ten!) different on-site restaurants. Wow!

anantara riverside bangkok hotel

OTHER NOTABLE HOTELS

Here is my hand-picked selection for this area:

LUXURY HOTELS

BOUTIQUE

MID-RANGE HOTELS

BUDGET HOTELS

HOSTELS

ENTIRE APARTMENTS

WHAT TO DO AROUND THE RIVERSIDE

RELATED READ: Ultimate Guide to Visiting Wat Pho in Bangkok – The Temple of the Reclining Buddha

Silom and Sathorn

silom area in bangkok thailand

Silom and Sathorn are two smaller areas located right next to each other, which we can consider to be one bigger neighbourhood. This is one of Bangkok’s financial districts (Silom is even considered to be Bangkok’s Wall Street!), situated further out from the city centre. This makes it appealing for travellers who are looking to get away from the busy bustle that takes over so much of the city’s central areas. 

With a thriving dining scene, shopping and nightlife, you’ll find that even though Silom and Sathorn especially are a bit further out, this area of town has no shortage of great things to do. Even though the metro and BTS Skytrain are accessible here, you may need to rely on taxis to get around this part of the city.

Where to stay in Silom and Sathorn

MY TOP PICK: W Bangkok Hotel – It’s well-known that the W chain of hotels offers superior quality all over the world and their hotel in Bangkok is surely no exception! They have an outdoor swimming pool, an excellent on-site restaurant and the accommodation is located close to Silom Road. Ah, and make sure to check out the views from the top floors – simply breathtaking!

W Bangkok Hotel

OTHER NOTABLE HOTELS

Take a look on the list below:

LUXURY ACCOMMODATIONS:

BOUTIQUE:

MID-RANGE HOTELS:

BUDGET HOTELS:

HOSTELS:

ENTIRE APARTMENTS:

WHAT TO DO IN SILOM AND SATHORN

Chinatown

tuk tuks on the road at the chinatown of bangkok

In case you’re wondering where to stay in Bangkok in order to explore the city’s best cuisine, you’ll find your answer in the Chinatown area! Offering more than just amazing street food, Chinatown has become one of Bangkok’s most popular areas to stay. This is THE largest Chinatown in the world and a fun neighbourhood all in all! 

There is a lot on offer here; sample dishes from the endless street food stalls selling a selection of Asian foods, wander the narrow street of Sampeng Market which seems to sell everything yet nothing really at all or visit the world’s largest golden statue at the Buddhist temple of Wat Traimit.

Where to stay in Chinatown

MY TOP PICK: Shanghai Mansion Bangkok – If you’re looking for a high quality stay in one of the most interesting areas in the city! This hotel is located in the heart of Chinatown! It has nicely decorated and clean rooms that actually recreate the traditional 1930s’ style in this area. A true gem!

Shanghai Mansion Bangkok

OTHER NOTABLE HOTELS

LUXURY ACCOMMODATIONS:

BOUTIQUE HOTEL:

MID-RANGE HOTELS:

BUDGET HOTELS:

HOSTELS:

ENTIRE APARTMENT:

WHAT TO DO IN CHINATOWN

Aaand we have reached the end of my complete guide about where to stay in Bangkok! In this article I have told you everything you need to know about the 6 best neighbourhoods in the capital for tourists visiting for the first time or not! I have also selected some carefully hand-picked hotels for all budgets and preferences out there: resorts, upscale hotels, mid-range accommodations, as well as hostels and apartments. In short, you have everything you need here!

I’m sure your trip to Bangkok will be unforgettable! If you want to read more about other amazing destinations in Thailand, I recommend checking out this section here.

xoxo,

Melissa

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