In this list are hotels and hostels around Bangkok that 1) I have stayed at, 2) My friends and family have stayed at, or 3) have amazing reviews for both service AND cleanliness.
Below are the main areas convenient for tourists that I recommend staying in:
➡️ Phra Nakhon
➡️ Wanglang
➡️ Siam
➡️ Asoke
➡️ Thonglor
➡️ Bangrak
➡️ Klong Tonsai
➡️ Ratchathewi
➡️ Khaosan (only if you have no other choice)
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I know how crucial it is to choose the area that matches your itinerary while staying safe and comfortable. I also know that choosing the right accommodation for your budget and travel style can be a grind. Don’t worry! I’m here to help :)
Also known as the Rattanakosin Island or Old Town Bangkok, this area is where the most important cultural sights are. The Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, and the historic areas like Tha Tian and Tha Prachan are all here. Walk about 20 minutes east and you’ll find the stunning Loha Prasat and the Golden Mount.
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As a culture-focused traveler, this is one of the top areas I like to recommend for tourists who appreciate temples and history as much as I do. It's within easy walking distance to the most important historical sites and temples of the city, with both riverboat piers and a metro station nearby. You can't tell me it's inconvenient!
For my dear culture travelers, this is the area I recommend highly. Just across the river from the most important cultural sights, Wanglang is a more local-occupied area, giving you real immersion.
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This is personally my favorite area, specifically to sightsee around Bangkok like a tourist. First, it is VERY local. There is nothing touristy in the neighborhood, only one amazing local market with the best food. There is a crossing ferry pier AND the Chao Praya Express Boat stop here, so you can get anywhere else in Bangkok just as easily.
This neighborhood of a couple blocks is known to both the locals and visitors as "Siam." You'll see a handful of malls with the name "Siam" in it. This area is a true shopper’s paradise with endless food selections and approximately 7 malls.
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If your dream is to be within walking distance of 7 malls, one outdoor shopping district, and a sky train station, Siam is the play. Well-known for generations as the local teenagers’ afterschool hangout spot, the scene has opened up to foreigners as well over the years.
Known for the travel-themed mall, Terminal 21, Asoke is also the center of office buildings and where most locals hustle and bustle between their jobs and lunch breaks.
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If there ever is a calm neighborhood for foreigners in the middle of Bangkok, it would be Asoke. Not counting the bustling travel-themed mall, Terminal 21, Asoke doesn’t have much else to offer tourists but office buildings, condominiums, and a few hotel selections.
While foreigners hang out in Khaosan, the upper-class Thais hang out in Thonglor. Known as the street of upscale condominiums and high-end nightclubs, nightlife and safety coexist here.
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Thai young adults hear this name and they immediately think of upscale bars and nightclubs, while older adults think of real estate. Thonglor is known for its luxury condominiums, upper-class nightlife, and a myriad of Japanese restaurants.
This refers to the Bangrak SUBDISTRICT, not the Bangrak District! In this neighborhood are the main riverboat pier and a metro station. Although a little bit far from the temples, but you can get there just as easily.
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The Bangrak subdistrict, although a little far from most of the action, is one of the most diverse areas in terms of accommodation. You get hyper-luxurious hotels, but also neat-looking budget hostels within a few blocks of each other. In this area is a sky train station and the Sathorn Pier, so convenience is not a concern. The famous Sirocco Sky Bar is here.
Right across the river from upscale Bangrak, Klong Tonsai offers some upscale hotel options as well as some solid budget and mid-range stays.
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A few miles south of Wanglang is a more lively neighborhood of the Thonburi side, Klong Tonsai. This is where more recognizable places like ICONSIAM, Hilton Hotel, and The Peninsula are. Just like in Wanglang, there are piers here as well as sky train stations nearby.
About a 10-15 minute walk to Siam, Ratchathewi is another good area to stay in if you cannot find a solid option in Siam. The area itself, however, doesn't offer much to go on.
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Just a little bit north of Siam, Ratchathewi is a solid alternative if you’d like to be around Siam but couldn’t find anything in the area. It is very walkable still. I just didn’t recommend it above because there’s nothing much around the immediate area.
A small neighborhood a bit north of Phra Nakhon, Khaosan is a hub for backpackers. This means you have a much higher chance of finding an affordable place to stay than in other areas.
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A small neighborhood a bit north of Phra Nakhon, Khaosan is a hub for backpackers. This means that you’ll see a lot of pubs, foreigners, and hostels, and feel a lot of the vibe that you can get in another country. Please let us be clear that I do NOT recommend staying here unless you absolutely cannot afford a place anywhere else.
2. Choose and Book Your Hotel
Once you've decided where in the city you'd like to stay, it's time to dive into the options that fit both your plans and budget range the best.
Below, you'll find a list of the best hotels and hostels I've curated, sorted by location and from lowest to highest price points. If options are not listed for a certain price point in some areas, that means there are no options that meet my standard in terms of service and cleanliness.
A hostel with early Rattanakosin (1700-1800s Bangkok) influences in its decor. Friendly staff and privacy curtains on the dorm beds, with private room options.
Modest hotel with amazing service and right on the doorstep of the Wanglang Market, in my opinion the best place to get authentic street food in the city.
If you value exceptional service and extreme convenience (as in you step out of your hotel lobby and immediately find a massive mall), your money will be well-spent here.
It's called Unplugged for a reason! The almost all-white decor in both private rooms, dorms, and bathrooms contrasts with the bustling outdoors of the Bangrak District. If you're looking for a budget-level good night's sleep, this is the play.
Rated the best hotel in the world in 2023, if you can afford a room here, you really should indulge, at least just for a night. The design, the bedding quality, and the service, absolute chef's kiss!
Stylishly designed and clean if your budget matches this range. However, I recommend either booking a room at the budget option (River Home) or going to the next budget range if you can afford it.
Mandarin Oriental's rival from across the river, this hotel is neck to neck with the 2023's Best Hotel in the World. The interior design screams vintage Rattanakosin, you also get the river view, plus a private pier with shuttle boats to take you up or down the stream.
If warm-wooded interiors give you comfort, this place will work perfectly. Also just a tiny little walk from the sky train, convenient to get anywhere.
Probably the most tastefully decorated accommodation in this area, with a vintage Bangkok air mixed in.
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More ways I can help you...
Do you still have so many questions and need clarity on your plans? Do you have a solid plan but need a local and travel expert's opinion on it? Book a consultation call with me and let's sort it out!
I'm a cultural travel blogger and digital nomad who has spent the past three years constantly turning new places into some form of home. This means I'm always traveling, seeking out local experiences, and trying to connect to new cultures.
Connecting deeply with the places you visit makes your experience so much more meaningful and memorable, so I'm here to help you create more memorable trips through my guides and services. 🥰
🩵 I love my work as much as I love travel. This means that anything I provide you comes straight from my heart. I recommend places and dishes I love, and I plan your trips as if they were my own. 🩵
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🇹🇭 I'm Thai, born and raised! I grew up around Thai culture, food, and all the amazing places around Bangkok. After moving to the US nine years ago, I'd travel around the country with my mom when I visited home each year. Today, I'm well-versed not only in Bangkok but also in Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, Chiang Rai, and Krabi.
🇰🇷 Since first getting into K-Pop when I was 13, I've learned the language and visited South Korea 16 times and still counting. I know Seoul like the back of my hand, and I have access to local resources thanks to my Korean knowledge.
🇧🇷 I spent 3 months living in Rio de Janeiro on an intensive language program. During that time, I constantly hung out with Brazilian friends, explored the city like a local, and tried every single local dish I could find.
AM I RIGHT FOR YOU? 🤔
✨ LOCAL: I love recommending hole-in-the-wall places and local favorites.
✨ CULTURAL: Beach clubs and nightclubs are out of the question for me. You can find those back home, so no need to pay for that plane ticket just to go to more. 😉
✨ HISTORY: Although I love hidden gems that make you feel like a local, if a big attraction is historically significant, I'll always recommend it!
