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!
Hi! I'm Petra! I’m Thai, born and raised. My business is based in the US, but I call Thailand and South Korea my homes and have lived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for several months.
From my years living in Thailand and my annual 2-month-long visits, I'm especially knowledgeable and up-to-date about Thailand, its trends, and its culture. What are the coolest things to see and do (not necessarily the most touristy ones!), where are the best places to find authentic food (places that say "authentic" are out of the question), and which hotels have the best service... I can give you all these insider-level tips!
I've lived in the US since 2015. As a digital nomad, I don't have a city or state that I'm based in, but I know LA especially well having lived there permanently for 8 years.
Another of my expertise is South Korea, Seoul specifically, and Korean culture and history in general. Having grown up learning the language and visiting so often (14 times and counting), I can comfortably count Seoul as my second home. And I can confidently give you the best insider tips to Seoul just as well as Thailand!
My travel style is culture-based. I love having deep connections with the local culture and people wherever I visit. So you won't find beach clubs or nightclubs much among my recommendations. Basically, if it is something you can see and experience at home, I'm not recommending it!
