Best Hotel Bangkok

If you are new to Bangkok then you probably don’t know exactly where to stay after you’ve left the vicinity of the airport. There are plenty of good hotels near to both airports, you can find them HERE,  but after that where to stay can be quite an important factor whilst visiting the capital depending of course on what you wish to do while you are there.

Below is a short summary of the main areas in Bangkok that tourists like to stay in and what they have to offer. We hope that it will assist you in your hotel selection.

Siam Square

Siam Square,is just like Bangkok, an area of contrast. It is the hub of all things cool in the city. Siam is also the most expensive place to rent land in Bangkok. It is to the Krung Thep, whatever uber-cool street or area you can think of in any other major city like 5^th avenue in New York or New Bond Street in London.

Siam Square is itself something of an open air shopping complex. It is in essence where trends emerge and are also created, the very core of inspiration in Bangkok. It stretches from Rama I Road right down to the Chulalongkorn University Campus and from Phayathai Road over to Henri Dunant, and is a popular amongst Bangkok’s cool and trendy.

Of course no super trendy area would be complete without a selection of appropriate hotels such as The Four Seasons, The Grand Hyatt Erawan, and the Pathumwan Princess Hotel (if you love to shop then this is definitely for you as it is linked to the MBK centre) or if you are a night owl and like to dance then maybe the Novotel Bangkok Siam Square is more up your street as their popular entertainment complex pulls in large crowds nightly, especially when there are live bands performing.

It’s very big and plays a good range of music, everything from Hip Hop to House there will be something to please most all party goers.There are numerous upscale type bars within most of the hotels that surround the square and are popular with both tourists and Bangkok’s professional community alike.

Siam Square At Night

Riverside

The riverside is where Bangkok’s  historic roots are. The Heart of this magical city with origins like something out of an adventure novel, like the rise and fall of kingdoms, heroes and villains. One of the most interesting and beautiful areas of Bangkok, the riverside is a constantly changing scene by day and  by night. Water taxis taking commuters and  rice barges chugging up and down, all  set amidst a backdrop of shimmering temples and  golden palaces, important historical landmarks and of course in surroundings like this one would expect to find luxury five star hotels, and you will indeed find some of the best in Bangkok in this area. Even though developments have risen from the banks of the river over the last 10 years or so, the area has still retained its  identity,unique and charming as ever.

Some of the areas better known and revered hotels have their roots here, and it is still thought to be a highly sought after place to stay. Hotels such as The Oriental, The Shangri La, The Peninsula are among such classic stalwarts, and there are more modern equivalents that are making a similar name for themselves such as  The Bangkok Millenium Hilton, The Bangkok Marriott Resort And Spa and also The Royal Orchid Sheraton.

Breakfast At The Oriental

Sukhumvit

Sukhumvit Road offers an alternative to the spiritual side of Bangkok. From east to west from the centre of Bangkok to the suburbs,it begins at Ratchaprasong junction and continues right out of the capital and beyond.

It is the longest road in Thailand, and both it and its many adjoining roads may be lacking in traditional tourist attractions but are rich in shopping, eating and nightlife. There are up-scale restaurants, bars, air conditioned malls, luxury five star hotels and clubs that give the area a distinctly modern, cosmopolitan, feel.

Some of the city’s raciest spots and red-light districts like Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy are also found here. And peaceful areas of calm can be found in the cafes, restaurants and quiet day spas that are hidden down many of its streets. The Skytrain (BTS) that stretches along most of it making navigating Sukhumvit road a little less daunting.

Some good places to stay along Sukhumvit are Ma Du Zi, The Landmark, JW Marriott and The Grand Millenium. There are also cheaper hotels and something to suit most tastes and budgets really.

Upscale Shopping On Sukhumvit Road

Khao San Road

Khao San Road is well known as “backpacker central”. Here can be found a multitude of activities and businesses and is where many people passing through Bangkok on their way to somewhere else meet and plan the next phase of their journey.

Crammed into just a few blocks on a strip all but about a kilometre long is just about everything imaginable. Hotels guest houses and backpacker lodges, cafe’s and restaurant’s, tatoo and massage parlours, bars and clubs, market stalls and shops of every kind.

The vibe here is definitely a mix of super chilled and “anything goes”. It has had something of a make over during the last few years as it was a bit tatty in the past and larger companies have set up shop here too proving that it is indeed popular with tourists and many Thai’s too. You should definitely check it out though even if it’s just for a day as it is quite fun to visit, although some people find that after a couple of days they’ve had enough and move on elsewhere.

Some good places to stay in Khao San Road include Boonsiri Place and The Viengtai. There are many others to choose from of course and you can find a good selection HERE, but don’t expect the same quality of accommodation that you would expect to find somewhere else in Bangkok like say Riverside. It is what it is, cheap and cheerful and a bit of fun and should be taken as such.

Khao San Road At Night