When you include the B&Bs, inns, hostels, and hotels all across Bangkok there is something in the region of 1,700 options for where to stay in Bangkok. When it comes to having a wide choice, that’s great, but how do you narrow down your choices and find the places that really are genuinely the best hotels in Bangkok? Do you choose the most luxurious, or the most romantic, or the one with the most amenities? Bangkok have some of the most luxurious hotels in the world so if you’re looking for luxury you’ve come to the right place.
We have collated our own list of the Top 10 best hotels in Bangkok, so read on to find out where they are.
10. Villa Phra Sumen Hotel
Our number 10 entry is one of the relatively small hotel, proving that to be considered one of the best hotels in Bangkok you don’t have to be large! Villa Phra Sumen is an interesting place – it’s completely modern with all the conveniences you need for a comfortable stay yet it’s been built around the structure of two historic buildings. This makes the hotel appealing to anyone who wants to be close to the city’s history, and close to many of its attractions thanks to the hotel’s central location on Phra Sumen Road, in the heart of Old Bangkok.
The hotel is set over two buildings and has a total of 29 rooms. Choose to overlook the canal in a room with antique furniture and high ceilings, or opt for the more simply decorated rooms in the second building. Wherever you stay you’ll benefit from having a fridge, private bathroom, free wifi, air conditioning, and a tasty breakfast every morning.
9. Sofitel So Bangkok
When deciding where to stay in Bangkok it’s often the larger and more luxurious hotels that are noticed first. While Sofitel So Bangkok is by no means the largest it is on the larger side with its 237 rooms. What stands out about this hotel is the cool urban design of it, achieved because the Sofitel So was designed by a revered Thai architect and a group of interior designers. Together they created themed rooms that were inspired by the five elements of water, earth, wood, metal and fire. Wonderful views over Lumphini Park and the city skyline from many of the rooms make this hotel all the more special, along with the fact that each room has a complimentary minibar and free wifi.
The hotel features a very inviting infinity pool that allows you to swim while admiring the canopies of Lumphini Park and the tops of the buildings of the central business district. You can also enjoy a massage and some time in the sauna, solarium, Jacuzzi and hammam, or hang out at one of the hotel’s three restaurants and bars.
2 North Sathorn Rd, Bangrak
8. Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort and Spa
The Anantara made our list of the best hotels in Bangkok because it’s an absolutely beautiful hotel, providing a calming and tropical atmosphere that’s a real oasis from the busy city just outside. When you spend time around the swimming pool or enjoy a spa treatment you’ll be surrounded by lush gardens featuring towering palms and plenty of foliage. The atmosphere is more like what you would expect to find in the more remote parts of Thailand to the north of Bangkok, or a luxury coastal resort in the south. But that’s what is so nice about a stay at the Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort and Spa – it may not be on the coast but it is set on the riverside so it’s a best of both worlds hotel.
The location and setting are just the start of a long list of great things about this hotel: there are 10 bars and restaurants serving wonderful food, including breakfasts; they have a free shuttle boat to Saphan Taksin Skytrain station and Asiatique night market every 30 minutes; there is an on-site spa, and all rooms feature complimentary wifi, a minibar, TV with DVD player, and tea and coffee making facilities. The only problem when you stay at this hotel is that you won’t want to leave the serenity!
257/1-3 Charoennakorn Rd, Samrae Thonburi
7. Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit
The Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit also offers lush tropical gardens and an oasis of calm around its beautiful swimming pool. This hotel doesn’t have the benefit of a riverside setting though it is more centrally located then the Anantara, and it’s the combination of these features that makes it number 7 on our list of where to stay in Bangkok.
The hotel is directly connected to both the Skytrain and Subway stations, so convenience-wise it is excellent. You can walk from the lobby to the station and be on a train within minutes, discovering everything that the great city of Bangkok has to offer. Their numerous bars and restaurants provide an eclectic mix of cuisines, and if you’d like to find out how to cook Thai food take one of their cooking classes! The breakfast buffet is always raved over for its selection of foods that suit all tastes, and even with the standard Deluxe rooms you’ll benefit from features like a TV with DVD player, beautiful furniture and decorations, and a four piece bathroom.
250 Sukhumvit Rd, Bangkok
6. Phranakorn-nornlen Hotel
Our next hotel proves that you don’t have to be large, or expensive, to be considered up there with the best hotels in Bangkok. The Phranakorn-Nornlen Hotel is actually a Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice 2014 Winner in the Bargain Hotels category so staying here will not burn a hole in your wallet! The lovely thing about this hotel, other than the price, is its individuality – the rooms have a theme all their own; it’s a kind of hip, bohemian, but vastly homey and comfortable place to stay in Old Bangkok, close to many of the city’s attractions.
The moment you arrive at this hotel you’ll feel like part of the family. Welcome drinks await you as well as complimentary bottled water, free wifi, a tasty and fulfilling organic vegetarian breakfast, and homemade mosquito repellent. They also serve lunch and dinner, and their quiet location is a nice break from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok.
46 Thewet Soi 1, Krungkaseam Rd, Bangkhunprom, Phranakorn
5. The Siam
With its name harking back to the historic days of Thailand you would expect The Siam to be a luxurious hotel where service is everything; and you wouldn’t be wrong. The Siam is a boutique hotel set right on the Chao Phraya River and even though it is only a few years old the theme inside and out gives it a historic atmosphere. This is helped by the fact that the hotel also contains a museum that houses pieces from the owner’s – the renowned Sukosol family – collections, and that some of the architecture and design has Art Deco accents mixed with colonial and Thai.
The riverside setting, architecture and boutique style of The Siam are just a few reasons why we have this on our where to stay in Bangkok list, add in the lovely breakfast, the riverside infinity swimming pool, complimentary boat shuttle, and great service from the hotel’s butlers and you can see why this is one of the best hotels in Bangkok.
3/2 Khao Road, Vachirapayabal, Dusit
4. The Peninsula Bangkok
Synonymous with The Peninsula Hotels name, The Peninsula Bangkok is a stunning and luxurious offering in the Bangkok hotel market. It is by no means cheap or affordable for the average traveller but if you’re looking for luxury and an amazing service to go with it, this is it.
Set right on the banks of the Chao Phraya River the hotel is across, and downriver, from the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. The complimentary ferry service will whisk you off to these attractions and more within minutes, so being across the river is never a problem. There are other nice touches such as the Rolls Royce airport pick-up service so you can arrive at the hotel in style and comfort.
This towering hotel has been designed so that each one of its 370 rooms has a river view, so whether you opt for a Deluxe Room or the exclusive Penthouse Suite you’re going to enjoy a river view regardless. All rooms are elegantly furnished and include multiple phones, free internet, entertainment system, and marble bathrooms, and the hotel has some excellent restaurants overlooking the river, as well as a spa, fitness centre and inviting three-level swimming pool. This hotel definitely deserves to be on any list of where to stay in Bangkok.
333 Charoennakorn Rd, Khlong San
3. Mandarin Oriental Bangkok
Another hotel brand that is synonymous with luxury, the Mandarin Oriental is also set on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, just opposite The Peninsula. You can expect the same levels of service and luxury at this hotel where the staff call you by name and everything is done perfectly – the service levels are on par with the best hotels in Bangkok, and the world for that matter, and they have the awards to show for it. It’s also nice to know that when you stay here you are staying in a piece of history. The original structure was the first hotel in Thailand when it opened as The Oriental in 1879. Through the years it has hosted many world famous names including Diana Princess of Wales and Prince Charles, Sean Connery, Noel Coward, Tennessee Williams, Audrey Hepburn, Richard Nixon and many more.
Today the hotel has 393 rooms with 35 suites. Many do have full or partial river views and all are elegantly furnished with the finest furniture and fittings. Choose one of their extravagant suites for the ultimate in luxury.
48 Oriental Avenue, Charoenkrung
2. Oriental Residence Bangkok
The Oriental Residence Bangkok is another of the city’s most luxurious hotels but what separates this one from the others on our best hotels in Bangkok list is the fact that this hotel only offers suites, not standard rooms. For anyone looking for somewhere with more space and is perhaps planning a longer stay this would be top of the list. Of course, there’s nothing stopping you from staying just a night or two but either way, you’re in for real luxury here.
Overlooking Lumphini Park the hotel has a contemporary elegance to it, different to that of the Mandarin Oriental. Here you’ll find a combination of colonial charm and modern sleekness in all the 145 bright suites. It is crisp and clean but not overly so, retaining an air of comfort and homeliness. All suites feature a fully equipped kitchen, beautiful marble bathroom, and complimentary wifi. There’s casual dining at Café Claire or go a step up and enjoy dinner at the exclusive French gourmet restaurant, Savelberg Thailand.
The hotel also has the usual fitness centre and swimming pool, but this pool is a cut above the rest with its unique indoor/outdoor setting and cozy cabanas for privacy.
110 Wireless Road, Lumpini
1. Ariyasomvilla
The top of our list of where to stay in Bangkok is not considered a luxury hotel, and it’s not a large hotel either. What AriyasomVilla lacks in size it makes up for in charm. This is a truly beautiful hotel, perfect for couples thanks to its romantic setting and pretty colonial architecture.
It has only been a hotel since 2008 though the main house dates from 1942. The hotel follows the theme of the 1940s and 50s with its elegant furnishings and decorations including antique and reproduction furniture and recycled Teak floors, yet it has all the conveniences of modern day living. The lush gardens that surround the hotel are a nice surprise compared to the busy streets on the other side of the gates. You’ll find a lovely swimming pool in the gardens, and the hotel’s library is a nice touch. Spa services and a restaurant complete the facilities, and the hotel has a great location too, close to the Skytrain and just off the busy Sukhumvit Road. All in all, this tops our list of best hotels in Bangkok because it is more affordable than others, has a lovely historic charm, excellent location, and beautiful gardens and swimming pool.
65 Sukhumvi Soi 1, Khlong Toei Nuea, Wattana