I've deeply researched Bangkok's best hotels as a travel guidebook author. Here are my 10 top places to stay, from magical tree houses to no-frills hostels.
- From 5-star hotels to quaint hostels, Bangkok offers a variety of stays for every traveler's needs.
- Here are 10 of the best places a local travel writer suggests you stay while visiting Bangkok.
As a local who has been living and working in the Thai capital on and off since 2010, I know firsthand how intoxicating yet all-consuming Bangkok can be. The key to finding balance is having a comfortable home base (and in a traveler's case, the perfect hotel) to retreat to.
Thankfully, Bangkok has a wide range of intriguing accommodations to fit every budget and style. Choose from sleek spa-like sanctuaries, classic five-star luxury, no-frills cheap hostels, historic boutique spaces, and tall towers from trusted brand names.
In my countless hours pounding the pavement as a local travel guidebook writer and TV host, I've come across many hotels that offer equal access to Bangkok's frenetic energy as well as a reprieve from it. These are some of my favorites.
Mandarin Oriental
Opened in 1876, the Mandarin Oriental is Bangkok's oldest and grandest accommodation, offering iconic stays in a timeless, historic hotel. Nowhere else in Bangkok will you feel quite so luxuriously taken care of, from the traditionally-dressed valets opening the door to the magnificent lobby, the free river shuttle service in a teak boat, and dedicated butler service on every floor.
The rooms underwent an extensive $150-million renovation, and starting room types are decorated with modern-print carpets and pillows and are more open, while rooms like the Chao Phraya Suite maintain original architectural layouts with antique cabinets, custom Victorian-style night tables, and traditional Thai silks.
Beyond stays here, I love the Mandarin as a destination for dates with my girls. More than once, a boozy dim-sum brunch at China House has turned into afternoon tea at the 19th-century Author's Lounge, followed by Italian food on Ciao's riverside terrace, and, finally, live jazz and cocktails at Bamboo Bar.
COMO Metropolitan
The COMO Metropolitan is one of my favorite Bangkok hotels thanks to its focus on healthy, comfortable living. My days here always begin with a lot of joy thanks to free morning yoga classes every day, yummy nutritious breakfasts such as smoothie bowls and fruit pancakes (included with the room cost), and a few laps in the 100-meter pool. The COMO is also home to one of Bangkok's most beautiful and unique gyms, furnished with white and hardwood elements, and the on-site spa has an extensive menu of detox treatments and massages.
Since the hotel is tucked off of the main road, you'll enjoy a lot of peace and quiet. The rooms are big, bright, and airy (which is rare among Bangkok hotels), and designed with minimalism and energy flow in mind, from space-saving shelves wrapped around rooms to teak benches designed specifically for feng shui.
Okura Prestige
The Bangkok outpost of the luxury hotel chain Okura brings a uniquely Thai twist on a Japanese aesthetic and ambiance. The beautiful grand top-floor lobby will transport you away from downtown Sukhumvit with walls styled after Shoji doors, silk decorations, and taupe marble, and kimono-clad receptionists welcome guests with a cool cloth and juice at check-in.
All 240 rooms have yukata robes and slippers for lounging, and one of the first things I noticed when staying here was how exceptionally quiet my room was. I later found out that the floor-to-ceiling windows are triple-soundproofed against the commotion of downtown.
Besides awesome sleep, my favorite amenity was waking up to the choice of breakfast in the Japanese restaurant, Yamazoto, or the international dining restaurant. After several weeks of eating similar buffets at several hotels, a Japanese bento box was an invigorating start to my day.
Siam Heritage
The Siam Heritage is a well-kept secret among Bangkok's mid-range-priced accommodations. The hotel, which has been owned by the same family for generations, is one of the last independent hotels in the busy part of Silom next to the Patpong Bazaar, and is in my opinion, the homiest.
Each of the 73 rooms is decorated with simple, characterful antiques varying from room to room such as handwoven throws, silk curtains, and leather recliners. Sure, the teak floorboards and sliding doors creak and there may be a permanent dust bunny or two, but I find that only adds to the charm.
While the rooms are fairly small, the multi-story hotel's wonderful common areas are what really up its value for travelers on a budget. There's a little rooftop pool surrounded by a garden (it may not be fancy, but does the trick). The breakfast buffet, included in the room price, is served inside a restaurant connected to a tiny shopping mall and makes for good people-watching with the morning's scrambled eggs.
Bangkok Tree House
Located in a riverside nature area, the Tree House is an eco-retreat offering a chance to experience greenery and sustainability in Bangkok. The hotel's multi-level bungalows boast beautiful design elements made from organic and recycled materials, such as bamboo staircases and facades canvassed completely in lush vines. My favorite room type is "View with a Room" featuring a bamboo balcony with a tent for sleeping under the stars and waking up overlooking mangroves.
For locals like me, the Tree House has been a beloved staycation escape during the pandemic since there are so many perks on-site. I like the very good on-site cafe and restaurant that serves delicious cappuccinos and dishes made from organic veggies from the Tree House's rooftop garden, plus the use of free mobile phones, laptops loaded with movies, and bikes for exploring. Free drinking water, coffee, tea, and homemade ice cream are also served around the clock.
Lub d Siam
Lub d Siam is one of Bangkok's busiest hostels. A prime location in Siam Square, between many downtown shopping malls, and a blend of budget room types (private rooms with shared or en-suite bathrooms and mixed dorms) keeps a steady stream of travelers coming through. I think it's one of the best hostels for meeting new people.
The rooms are modern and therefore priced a bit higher than the hostels you'll find on, say, Khao San Road (around 900 baht or $26 for a dorm bed or rooms starting from $40), but you'll certainly receive a lot more amenities, including an on-site coworking space (from 150 baht or $4.40 per day), plus washing machine and a luggage room where you can leave bags for up to two months for free if Bangkok is your launchpad to elsewhere.
There's a restaurant and bar as well, but there's nothing wrong with picking up street food and bringing it back to the comfy communal space. A games cupboard and a cinema room with popcorn and beanbags are great for chilling out on a shoestring, too.
AriyasomVilla
I think that the AriyasomVilla is one of Bangkok's most architecturally stunning hotels. Located in a 1940s villa fashioned with uber-high ceilings and teak frames accented by Siamese tapestries, paintings, and chandeliers, there are 24 rooms spaciously spread out across four levels. Each one is elegantly decorated with upholstered chairs and four-poster beds draped in Thai silk.
Big leafy plants and colorful flowers peek from big floor-to-ceiling windows everywhere, giving the pool, spa, and balconies (most rooms have them) a cozy jungle vibe. I'm no early riser, but the on-site restaurant had me hooked on never missing breakfast thanks to a great vegetarian set menu and iced coffee served next to big sunny windows overlooking the tropical garden.
SO/ Bangkok
The SO/ Bangkok is a hip yet upscale hotel attracting a young crowd with room amenities encouraging indulgence, like a free minibar full of iced teas and sodas to sip on while bathing overlooking Lumpini Park. The four sleek room aesthetics have each been dreamed up by a local Thai designer bringing in elements of Thai heritage homes, Art Deco, and industrial minimalism, respectively.
The infinity pool is a great spot for sunset cocktails, with underwater electronic music, live DJs, and a buzzy pool bar setting the vibe for a night on the town. A little tip: The 24-hour fitness center has a sauna and solarium for sweating out any potential hangovers.
Arun Residence
Arun Residence is a rare hotel offering a front-row seat to the Chao Phraya yet without the luxury fuss and high price. Situated in a multi-level wooden house in Old Town, the lower-level rooms feel like you're staying at a family member's home, with compact rooms decorated with silks and traditional prints. Meanwhile, the top-floor balcony suites are beloved by honeymooners, where you can hang out in a bathrobe and slippers while watching Wat Arun sparkle (make sure to book these rooms well ahead of your visit).
The lovely on-site rooftop bar and restaurant, The Deck, is one of my favorite spots in Bangkok for taking out-of-towners on a classy dinner date. The food is authentically Thai and the sunset views of Wat Arun (probably my favorite temple in Bangkok for the stellar way it reflects off the river) can't be beaten.
Sala Rattanakosin
Sala Rattanakosin is an upscale, contrastingly modern alternative to Arun Residence, located a few steps away and sharing the same impressive views of Wat Arun. The rooms are white and hardwood and feel contemporary and minimalistic with glass bathroom partitions and tiled showers. Choose a suite, with a standalone bathtub directly facing the river, as it is a favorite among Bangkokians for romantic staycations. A couple of my friends have even been proposed to here.
The stylish rooftop restaurant and bar of the same name is also worth a special occasion dinner, with a broad menu of authentic northern Thai dishes against moody lighting and white tablecloths. While the hotel doesn't have any other on-site amenities, there are plenty of cafés, massage spots, and shops to explore in the surrounding area.
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