The best place to stay in Bangkok for first time visitors (2024)

Looking for the best place to stay in Bangkok for first time visitors? Find my handpicked selection of the best areas and hotels in Bangkok, Thailand.

So, you’re wondering where to stay in Bangkok?

In this post, I’m going to take you across the electric city of Bangkok, from its historic district of Siam to the travel hub of Khao San Road.

We’ll look at what each place has to offer and a variety of places for you to stay to make the most of your trip to this stunning and bustling metropolis.

Let’s jump in!

Read next: 27 bucket list things to do in Thailand

The best place to stay in Bangkok for first time visitors

How to find the best Bangkok hotels

Each district of Bangkok is different from the next. If you’re looking for peace and nature, you’ll be looking to stay at Riverside.

If you want to be in the centre of the action and enjoy hours of shopping, head to Sukhumvit. Khao San Road is where all the biggest parties are.

So just think about what kind of traveler you are, where you want to be, and how you want to spend your holiday. Then follow this guide to find the best Bangkok hotels for you!

Where to stay in Sukhumvit

Famous for shopping and nightlife

Sukhumvit is the beating heart of Bangkok. It’s a neon-soaked labyrinth of streets and avenues.

Here, you’ll find the best shops, bars, restaurants, and cafes in the city. If you’re looking to be in the midst of the action in Bangkok, Sukhumvit is the place to be!

Luxury – Pullman Grande Bangkok Sukhumvit

This 5-star hotel is at the heart of it all. Head downstairs from your suite and you’ll be on the best streets in Bangkok for shopping and dining.

The rooms have big TVs and luxury baths. The hotel itself has a pool and a spa for you to enjoy. Prices start at $144 for two people. If you’re a couple, this Bangkok hotel is the height of luxury.

Check the latest prices at Booking.com

Mid-range – Rembrandt Hotel Suites and Towers

This amazing 4-star Bangkok hotel features three restaurants which are all award-winners.

It has a spa for you to use at your leisure, and the rooms are spacious. Huge windows look across the Bangkok skyline, with the best views from the center of the city. Prices start at $102 for a room with a king-size bed.

Check the latest prices at Booking.com

Budget – Rompo Mansion Bangkok

The best thing about Bangkok is being able to stay at a luxury hotel for a budget price.

This 3-star hotel is gorgeous. Balconies on the rooms overlook the cityscape. And there is a beautifully lit outdoor pool for you to enjoy!

There’s also a gym which I highly recommend you make the most of. Prices start at $48 for a room with a queen-sized bed.

Check the latest prices at Booking.com

Pros and cons of staying in Sukhumvit

Pros:

• You’re in the heart of everything, meaning all the best attractions are on your doorstep
• Less reliance is needed on public transport because the best shopping and food are right here

Cons:

• If you want to enjoy nature and history, there’s less of that here
• It’s incredibly busy, so not ideal for everyone, especially families

Where to stay in Siam

Home to the Thai Royal Family’s estate

Siam is the real historic hub of Bangkok.

The area takes its name from the former name for Thailand itself, and from the Royal Family’s estate which can be found within.

The royal gardens are here as well, and aside from the history, you’ll find plenty of shopping areas to discover here. For lovers of Thai history, Siam is the district to stay in and explore.

Luxury – Siam@Siam

An infinity pool on the rooftop overlooks the Bangkok skyline. Dramatic décor with crazy designs adorn every room.

This hotel is quite an unforgettable experience! If you want your Bangkok hotel stay to be as wild and memorable as the city’s people and its streets, this is the hotel you have to stay at.

Check the latest prices at Booking.com

Mid-range – Good Start Apartment

This selection of apartments is really ideal for families and is all about location.

Here, you’re a short walk from the Bangkok Arts and Culture Centre, and the rooms come with a coffee machine.

They’re simple, spacious, and ideal for a comfortable stay near the center of Bangkok.

Check the latest prices at Booking.com

Budget – Wendy House

This is a great budget hotel for traveling couples or solo travelers.

The rooms are filled with bright natural light, and there are laundry services available. There’s even a library corner for you to settle and relax in!

Check the latest prices at Booking.com

Pros and cons of staying in Siam

Pros:

• The most beautiful architecture, including palaces and temples
• A must-stay area for lovers of local culture and history

Cons:

• An awful lot of tourists can make it feel overwhelming
• If you’re here for the food and bars, you won’t find much here

Where to stay in Pratunam

Where you’ll find Thailand’s largest clothing market

Pratunam is all about markets. You’ll find fresh seafood, street vendors, wholesale fashion outlets, and bazaars all in one condensed area.

It’s super busy and super chaotic, but that’s the fun of it! If you’re looking to take home gifts, you’ll find the best quality clothes and jewelry here.

Luxury – Novotel Bangkok Platinum

This luxury hotel is just a 5-minute walk from the Pratunam Market.

The hotel’s restaurant offers a mix of local delicacies and traditional meals from all over Asia. The rooms themselves are decorated with natural colors and light in mind, making for a peaceful stay!

If you bring your family, there is a children’s playroom that includes video games.

Check the latest prices at Booking.com

Mid-range – Hotel Tranz

This hotel is decorated with colors that will remind you of the oceans and beaches that Thailand is famous for. There is a huge and delicious breakfast buffet, and it has a well-stocked bar for you to enjoy.

Guests are big fans of the coffee, so make sure to fuel up every morning.

Check the latest prices at Booking.com

Budget – Vince Hotel

This modern hotel has its own rooftop pool with a view of the skyline. Its restaurant is also decorated in a ‘50s American diner style, which is so much fun.

Each room has its own kettle and fridge, and there are plenty of shopping streets and markets nearby to enjoy.

Check the latest prices at Booking.com

Pros and cons of staying in Pratunam

Pros:

• This is a shopping paradise, with cheap, high-quality goods everywhere
• Fantastic street food to fall in love with

Cons:

• There’s little history and culture to be found here
• It’s one of the most bustling and noisy districts of Bangkok

Where to stay in Riverside

Bangkok’s most scenic and historic area

Water taxis can take you all across the scenic Riverside area for pennies. From the water taxi, you can gaze at the stunning scenery as it passes you by.

A lot of the traditional side of Thai life still goes on here, so it’s great for those of you who love natural scenery and a bit of Thai history.

Luxury – Millennium Hilton Bangkok

This 5-star hotel is one of the most stunning and luxurious in all of Bangkok! Neon-lit pools, marble everywhere, 360-degree views of the city.

The Millennium Hilton has everything. A selection of restaurants offer different cuisines. You can enjoy traditional Cantonese cooking, fresh seafood, or gourmet steak. Whatever takes your fancy!

There is a cocktail lounge, and spa pools to relax in.

Check the latest prices at Booking.com

Mid-range – Ramada Plaza

This amazing hotel offers a 5-star luxury stay at mid-range prices! There’s a pool with a beach theme, lined with exotic plants, and rooftop hot tubs overlooking the whole cityscape.

This Bangkok hotel also has a wellness spa with beauty treatments for you to relax with.

Check the latest prices at Booking.com

Budget – Ibis Bangkok Riverside

This Bangkok hotel offers spacious rooms with all the most important facilities, including satellite TV.

The hotel itself has a pool, a restaurant with a diverse cuisine (including mouth-watering burgers), and a breakfast buffet.

Check the latest prices at Booking.com

Pros and cons of staying in Riverside

Pros:

• The most peaceful and tranquil area of the city
• The best natural scenery
• Water taxis are a lot of fun to take, and very cheap!

Cons:

• Little shopping to be done here
• The best bars and restaurants are elsewhere

Where to stay in Silom

Bangkok’s financial district

Because this is the financial hub of Bangkok, it also has some of the city’s best restaurants and shopping malls. Businesspeople love to shop and live the good life, after all!

Luxury – The Rose Residence

This stunning building has a pool that will make you feel like you’re in a jungle.

The rooms and private bathrooms are huge and flooded with natural light. There’s also a continental breakfast offered every morning.

Staying here guarantees peace, comfort, and luxury. Nearby are shopping malls to explore, as well as peaceful walks in one of the more relaxed districts in Bangkok.

Check the latest prices at Booking.com

Mid-range – Mandarin Hotel

The rooms at the Mandarin Hotel are almost like small apartments.

Each room comes with a seating area and some rooms come with a double bed and bunk beds. Perfect if you’re a family! You can also relax by the pool and enjoy a fantastic breakfast buffet.

Check the latest prices at Booking.com

Budget – Silom Studios

With shopping malls and centers not far away, this Bangkok hotel is in a great location.

The rooms have balconies and some get a great view of the city. There’s also a terrace where you can relax and meet with fellow travelers, and a continental breakfast every morning.

Check the latest prices at Booking.com

Pros and cons of staying in Silom

Pros:

• The best restaurants and shopping malls are here
• It’s a very glitzy place with impressive modern architecture

Cons:

• There’s no real cultural history in the area
• No temples or palaces to explore

Where to stay in Chinatown

The city’s food capital

Chinatowns are always wonderful places full of unique treasures. Bangkok is one of the most busy and authentic.

Themed hotels and traditional restaurants are everywhere. There are also plenty of Chinese street food vendors. I recommend you sample some tasty bao while you’re there!

Luxury – Shanghai Mansion

A very fitting hotel for Chinatown! Shanghai Mansion is styled after traditional Chinese architecture and design. Intricate wood carvings and red bridges make for a stunning décor.

All the best Chinese markets, street food, and restaurants are at your fingertips here. The hotel itself also offers traditional massage.

The bar, which stocks a huge selection of wines, also has a live jazz band playing every single night.

Check the latest prices at Booking.com

Mid-range – Hotel W22

This hotel is a fantastic mix of cozy and lively. The rooms are relaxed and minimalist, with plenty of natural light pouring in.

The lounge area and bar are more energized, with a pool table and lots of dynamic décor. Here you’re not far from the famous Temple of the Emerald Buddha. This hotel is perfect if you’re a traveling couple.

Check the latest prices at Booking.com

Budget – Talakkia Boutique Hotel

This ideal budget hotel has staff who can speak both English and Chinese. The restaurant serves fantastic coffee and a full English breakfast.

You also have plenty of nearby access to public transport, including buses and metro stations.

The rooms are decorated in a minimalist style with Chinese inspiration. Very chic!

Check the latest prices at Booking.com

Pros and cons of staying in Chinatown

Pros:

• Some of the best and most varied food in the city
• Great street vendors and themed hotels to discover

Cons:

• Since it’s Chinatown, there’s very little local Thai culture
• You won’t find any historic temples or monuments in this area

Where to stay in Khao San

The Thailand traveler’s haven

Khao San is home, of course, to Bangkok’s famous Khao San Road. This area is where all travelers end up.

It’s a bustling street where vendors flog weird and wonderful wares, and great local food can be enjoyed. If you want to be where all the action and excitement is, Khao San is absolutely the place.

Luxury – Chillax Resort

This beautiful hotel has a glitzy, golden lounge bar to relax in. Cocktails and wine galore! There’s also an outdoor pool decorated in a Roman style.

Wat Pho Temple and the Grand Palace (two of Bangkok’s most famous locations) are both within distance. Your room also has a spa bath and the hotel restaurant’s mix of Thai and European cuisine is fantastic.

Check the latest prices at Booking.com

Mid-range – Hotel Let’s Zzz

The vibe of this Bangkok hotel is very much about relaxation. The emphasis on wood decoration and plants makes for a very chill atmosphere.

For you who want to experience the incredible buzz of Khao San Road, it’s only a ten-minute walk away. The hotel itself also offers a full English breakfast and plenty of fresh fruit.

Check the latest prices at Booking.com

Budget – Villa Mungkala

Waking up at this budget hotel means pancakes and a full English breakfast! The rooms are decorated in a traditional Thai style with an emphasis on greens and browns.

From here you’re not far from the Temple of the Golden Mount and Khao San Road. There’s also a terrace where you can relax and make friends with your fellow guests.

Check the latest prices at Booking.com

Pros and cons of staying in Khao San

Pros:

• It’s the most popular district and a great place to meet fellow travelers
• The best bars, clubs, and parties are all right here

Cons:

• No good luxury restaurants are found here – everything is cheap and cheerful
• It can be excessively loud and rowdy, especially at night

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