The Top Ten Hotels in Bangkok

The Top Ten Hotels in Bangkok

Image by David Mckelvey sourced from wikimedia commons

The Thai capital of Bangkok is a fair metropolis of hotels. If you are planning on a trip to the city, finding a hotel won’t be so much of a problem as being spoilt for choice.

Of course what might be considered ‘good’ or even ‘the best’ hotels in Bangkok will vary according to a variety of factors – opinion being one of them – but also location, service and facilities, and price range will all likely feature.

Over the last decade or so different types of hotels such as boutique, themed and even retrospective have popped up thanks to a new breed of Thai entrepreneur looking for gaps in the market. These newer establishments feature in a variety of price ranges from the budget to the downright hi-so.

And of course there is no shortage of both the established brands and the recently developed, grand, 5-star affairs of hotels that Bangkok has to offer.

It would indeed be a tall order then to come up with a definitive ‘Best Hotels in Bangkok’ guide, so what we have included here is a selection of what might be considered some of the best hotels in Bangkok across a range of types, budgets and locations.

Image by Hajotthu sourced from wikimedia commons

This guide incorporates luxury hotels, boutique hotels, budget hotels and … well – hotels. To make it a little more comprehensive in terms of the distinctions between some of the various establishments, they have been arranged according to price per night, starting with the cheapest option.

1. ibis Styles Bangkok KhaoSan Viengtai

Image by Accor hotels sourced from wikimedia commons

Entrenched in the heart of Bangkok’s world famous backpacker area, can be found the 3-star rated, modern, compact rooms of the ibis Styles.

This place could be described as a brash, colourful hotel which is a budget favourite and is probably one of the best hotels in the area and the top ten in Bangkok in terms of value and facilities.

Formerly the Viengtai Hotel, which opened in 1953 and was the first hotel in the quarter catering to foreign tourists. The nearby Khao San Road and surrounding blocks have long since transformed into Bangkok’s well-known ‘budget’ area.

The district itself is not that accessible in terms of public transport such as the skytrain or subway, but there is a pier (Phra Athit) just five minutes’ walk away which connects to the historic sights of the river and to the nearest BTS skytrain station Saphan Taksin.

Image by tm-md sourced from creativecommons.org

The service in the hotel is switched-on and friendly enough, and onward travel can be arranged if necessary. Althogh it is somewhat compact, there is a ground-floor pool which is connected to a smaller kids’ pool and of course a bar. Computer terminals can be found in the lobby which are free for guests.

ADDRESS: 42 Rambuttri Road, Banglampu 10200, Bangkok, Thailand.
00 66 2 280 5434ibis.com
PRICE: From £21 p/n
103 – Bed and Brews

2. 103 – Bed and Brews

This rather small establishment, which offers just six large rooms, is situated on the outer periphery of Bangkok’s historic Chinatown area. The hotel is a small, renovated 100- year- old block with something of a retro feel by way of its balconies, wooden floors, and antique furniture.

There is nothing antique in the service though, which is young and accommodating. The facilities comprise just a laundry service and free Wi-Fi, which may seem basic but fit the tone of this somewhat unique hotel in one of Bangkok’s most historic quarters.

The hotel also offers a dedicated taxi reservation service to guests, and is helpful in its recommendations. The 103 is just the ticket for tourists looking to avoid the Gotham-like concrete thrall of downtown Bangkok, and is actually situated one of Bangkok’s trendy and much less seedy nightlife areas, which has plenty of bars and restaurants, and is within walking distance of Yaowarat Road, the heart of Chinatown.

The nearest underground station Hua Lamphong is just a few minutes’ walk away, and it takes around an hour to the airport by taxi.

ADDRESS: 103 Soi Nana Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok, Thailand.
00 66 2 1028 856103bkk.com
PRICE: From £38 p/n

3. Sala Arun

Image by Pattiveth sourced from wikimedia commons

Sala Arun is a Boutique-style accommodation on the riverside. As trendy as it comes, this place is situated in a revamped Chinese shophouse, right opposite the familiar Bangkok symbol of Wat Arun.

Small, compact, and with only a total of nine exquisitely furnished rooms, the Sala Arun also encompasses a restaurant and a roof terrace with iconic views.
This top Bangkok hotel is intimate and ideal for visitors interested in the scenic and historic heritage of the city.

Once again the staff are very friendly and helpful in assisting with bookings of Thai delights such as foot massages and classic Thai massages, along with a variety of interesting tours including boat tours through the network of canals (khlongs) from the hotel’s own private pier.

Image by David Broad sourced from wikimedia commons

The hotel is also I just the right area to be able to facilitate guided walking tours around Ratanakosin Island and all the main historic sites. In fact, Sala Arun is in just the right place for visitors with a bent for exploring Bangkok’s historic sites on foot, as it is a very short walk to the famous Wat Po Temple, and The Grand Place.

Wat Arun can actually be accessed via a five-minute ferry ride, and the infamous ‘backpacker’s favourite’ Khao San Road is also close by.

Although there isn’t much in the way of skytrain or subway stations in this area, it is relatively easy to get into other areas of the city. There is a river ferry to Saphan Taksin BTS which takes just 15 minutes. It takes around an hour back to the airport by taxi from this area.

ADDRESS: 47-49 Soi Phen Pi Marn,Tha Tien, Phrabarommaharajchawang, Phranakorn Bangkok 10200, Thailand.
00 66 2622 2932 salaarun.com
PRICE: From £56p/n

4. Riva Arun Bangkok

A residence with a similar name and perspective to the previous, the Riva Arun is another one of the trendy, modern, riverside boutique varieties of Bangkok accommodation that have been developed in recent years.

Also situated in a renovated Chinese shop house common to this part of the town, and again facing the spectacular (especially at night) Wat Arun.

Image by George Lascar sourced from wikimedia commons

This place is somewhat more spacious with 25 rooms and a great roof terrace restaurant with a penchant for Thai-Western fusion cuisine.

Similarly to the Sala Arun, this top Bangkok hotel option is well within walking distance of the city’s main historic monuments. There is a pier (Rajnee) only a few minutes’ walk from the hotel which connects via river ferry to Saphan Thaksin BTS station. This former Chinese trading community region is typical of the traditional charm of the old town quarter.

Riva Arun’s main charm is location, along with its trendy and smart rooms, although some people might consider the facilities basic. There is no swimming pool as such but there is the option for guests to use the swimming pool at the Riva Surya (which is connected to Riva Arun), which is a 15-minute boat ride. Massages and river boat tours can all be facilitated by the staff if required.

ADDRESS: 392/25-26 Maharaj Road, Phraborom Maharajawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand.
00 66 2 221 1188 snhotels.com
PRICE: From £60 p/n

5. Siam@Siam Design Hotel Bangkok

Siam@Siam is a modern, artsy and mid-range hotel in one of the main central Bangkok locations. The hotel comprises rooms with great city views, as does its rooftop bar.

Image by Lobster1 sourced from wikiedia commons

If you are into the bustling, modern, urban city vibe then you may consider that this hotel is in a top location, largely as it is surrounded by some of Bangkok’s best shopping centres and restaurants, and is right next to a BTS station (National Stadium). Very close to modern malls, markets and top restaurants, it is also easy to access the rest of the city via the BTS network from this location.

The hotel staff are friendly, young and reasonably informal in style, which seems to be the norm for modern establishments like Siam@Siam. There is an 11th-floor infinity pool, which again facilitates amazing views, and there is an adequately-equipped gym if the shopping doesn’t provide enough holiday exercise.

ADDRESS: 865 Rama 1 Road, Wangmai, Pathumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
00 66 2 2173000siamatsiam.com
PRICE: From £85 p/n

6. The Sukhothai Bangkok

If you are looking for something more along the lines of a larger, luxury hotel, then The Sukhothai Bangkok might be more up your street.

This is a top Bangkok hotel that typifies quality and high-end leanings with its colonial-era suites, wide range of restaurants, large swimming pool, gym, spa and even a garden.

The hotel staff is not surprisingly well-trained and highly professional, excelling in making guests comfortable on arrival. Round the clock, impeccable service is available, which is a selling point for many guests and especially those with families.

The huge pool which has plenty of sun loungers and other comforts is wonderful for swimming and a lounging, and latest in innovative sports and fitness equipment is on offer in the 24-hour fitness facility. There are several spa treatment rooms which encompass steam rooms and whirlpool baths.

ADDRESS: 13/3 South Sathorn Road, Thungmahamek, Bangkok.
00 66 2 3448888sukhothai.com
PRICE: From £128 p/n

7. Bangkok Publishing Residence

Anyone looking for something completely different in the form of accommodation which is part hotel, part museum, and part artist retreat, might be interested in this place.

This Bangkok hotel was actually formerly a printers which produced popular Thai magazines, but has since been renovated into a classy hotel that has a luxury feel to it.

The friendly staff and service is geared towards providing guests with an outline of the area including walking times and distances to major historic points of interest within the city.

Guests will find newspapers, magazines, and even postcards available (which the hotel will send for free), along with bicycles, electric scooters and skateboards. The range of board games and old video games in the lobby give further indication of the vibe of this place.

The hotel has been known to put together intimate concerts on the rooftop which is part garden and patio also comprising an indoor library containing many books related to Thailand, and there is even a whirlpool tub outside. Booking is recommended here and most guests book online.

ADDRESS: 31-33-35-37-37/1 Lan Luang Road, Wat Sommanat, Pom Prap Sattru Phai, Bangkok. 10100 Thailand.
00 66 2 282 0288bpresidence.com
PRICE: From £145 p/n
Chakrabongse Villas

8. Chakrabongse Villas

Going back to the vicinity of Wat Arun and the Chao Phraya River, we can find these exquisite villas. Chakrabongse contains just three rooms and four suites, right across from ‘The Temple of Dawn’.

It may be quite compact and contained, but the residence does include a lush tropical garden with a great pool, adding to the regal feel of the villas.

The garden pool is a 1950s-style freeform affair large enough for a good swim, which can be a welcome respite from the city and the humidity. There is also a library containing a reasonable array of non-fiction books related to Thailand along with the more typical paperback holiday reading material.

Image by GIB sourced from creativecommons.org

Typical of this kind of place, the service is friendly and informal, and the hotel can organise boat trips along the Chao Phraya and its connecting network of canals that is a great way to see some of Bangkok. Another option is to use complimentary bicycles on offer to guests.

Massages by staff from nearby Wat Po temple, which are supposedly some of the best, can also be arranged by the staff in the privacy of the guest rooms if required.

ADDRESS: 396/1 Tatien, Maharaj Road, Phraborommaharajawang, Phanakorn, Bangkok, Thailand.
00 66 2 2221290thaivillas.com
PRICE: from £170 p/n

9. Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok

If you want to go really up market then head for The Siam Kempinski, which is a huge affair with 400 rooms, four free-form pools and a garden. It is located right in the centre of downtown Bangkok, in the midst of the main shopping arena.

Image by Sry85 sourced from wikimedia commons

The professional service is of the more formal variety and impeccable, as is to be expected in this type of hotel.

The four pools are saltwater, all located in a highly attractive garden area, with a children’s pool adjacent to it. Residents are able to float away the afternoon on the pool’s large water beds if they feel the need. There is a spa, gym, sauna, whirlpool baths and a steam room, and the hotel offers yoga and Thai boxing sessions which are free to residents.

ADDRESS: 991/9 Rama I Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
0066 02 162 9000kempinski.com
PRICE: From £230 p/n

10. Mandarin Oriental Bangkok

Finally comes the top-of-the-range, classiest, top hotel in Bangkok. The Oriental has long been known as the preserve of wealthy travellers, and manages to exude a cosmopolitan feel while retaining all the best elements of traditional Thai charm.

Image by Ralf Jackle sourced from wikimedia commons

The top-notch service is what puts The Mandarin onto a level of hospitality of its own, and the hotel has not been without its list of famous guests over the years.
There is the obligatory large pool and a river crossing in the hotel’s own boat to its impressive spa, housed in a teak wooden house. The spa is huge in that it has 15 huge treatment rooms and hot tubs, and the hotel boasts its own, signature treatment.

Yoga, pilates, meditation and Thai boxing sessions are available at no extra charge in the extensive fitness facilities which also have a tennis court.
The Mandarin offers high levels of service, facilities and environment,which is obviously reflected in the price.

ADDRESS: 48 Soi Charoenkrung 40, Charoenkrung Rd. Bangrak Bangkok, 10500, Thailand.
00 90 252 311 1888mandarinoriental.com/bangkok
PRICE: From £380 p/n