Where to Stay

There is an impressive array of accommodation in Bangkok, from some of the world’s better backpacker hostels to five-star luxury. When selecting an option, remember that Bangkok is a sprawling metropolis that’s best navigated by the city’s network of trains and water taxis. Staying close to a station or pier enables you to see and do more in a shorter period of time. The listings below were chosen not only for their location but also for their pool access or communal areas — you will need a place to relax during the heat of the day. Regardless of your budget, here’s our guide to the best accommodation in Bangkok.

Hotels

U Sukhumvit — U Sukhumvit has an excellent location within easy walking distance of Sukhumvit Road, an area famous for nightlife, international restaurants, and luxury shopping malls. The hotel is also a one-minute walk to the Nana Chard Pier that offers frequent water taxis to the old town. Despite the great location for city attractions, the rooftop pool bar with spectacular city views may tempt you to delay sightseeing for a couple of hours.

Play Haus Thonglor — This theater-themed hotel is in the heart of Thong Lo, a residential neighborhood known for its many restaurants and bars. The entertaining and colorful rooms are theater-themed, representing plays such as Romeo and Juliet, Aladdin, and Mary Poppins. The Backstage Cocktail Bar on the ground level is a chic watering hole, perfect for a happy hour drink before heading out to Thong Lo’s many nightspots.

Silom Serene — The Silom Serene is in the lively neighborhood of Silom, just around the corner from the La Lai Sap Market and a 10-minute walk to Lumpini Park. As the hotel name suggests, it’s a quiet retreat from the busy city, with a garden area, fitness center, massage parlor, and outdoor swimming pool — an ideal place to cool off during the heat of the day.

Buddy Lodge — If you plan to stay on the infamous party street of Khao San Road, it pays to stay in a quality hotel. The Buddy Lodge has clean, comfortable rooms with balconies, but the hotel’s best feature is the rooftop pool. After a hard night of partying on Khao San, relaxing in a sun lounger with a hair-of-the-dog beverage is the perfect way to recover.

Luxury Hotels

Anantara Riverside — The Anantara Riverside resort on the west bank of the Chao Praya River is an oasis in the concrete jungle of Bangkok. Its enormous pool has ample umbrellas, shaded trees, and a swim-up bar, making it the perfect place to cool down. The resort has several on-site restaurants, a nightly dinner cruise, and a Thai cooking school. Although the hotel is a little secluded, it offers a free shuttle boat to the Asiatique night market and the Taksin Bridge metro station, allowing easy access to the city.

Shanghai Mansion — Located on Yaowarat Street in the heart of Chinatown, Shanghai Mansion is one of the swankiest hotels in Bangkok. The superior rooms feature four-post beds and a bold, contemporary color scheme. The deluxe rooms are decorated in an “old Shanghai” style with classic Chinese art and antiques. The open-air bar has tables overlooking the busy street life of Chinatown, and there are live jazz performances every evening.

Lebua at State Tower — It is easy to see why the Lebua at State Tower is often used as a movie location — the hotel is simply spectacular. Each room in this five-star hotel is a suite with a balcony and city view, and the hotel is famous for its iconic rooftop bar under a Roman-style dome. Lebua has several dining options, including the Michelin-starred, French-Japanese fusion Mezzaluna restaurant, which is renowned for its seven-course tasting menu.

The Rose Residence — This elegant boutique hotel, with a blend of classic Thai and European architecture, is full of character. The swimming pool is surrounded by greenery and wooden Thai-style facades, giving it the feel of a bygone era. The rooms come equipped with fridges, a mini-bar, and balconies, while the suites have kitchenettes, which are perfect for families or groups. The hotel is in an excellent location on a side street in Silom, a 10-minute walk to Lumpini Park, four minutes to the metro, and around the corner from the Patpong Night Market.

Hostels

Folk Poshtel Asoke — This “poshtel” combines the comfort of a hotel with the communal atmosphere of a hostel. The open lobby has a bar, cafe, ping-pong table, library, and ample space to hang out with fellow travelers. The private rooms are an excellent value for couples, with renovated showers and new mattresses. Folk Postel is close to the Sukhumvit metro station in a neighborhood with dozens of low-key bars and restaurants.

Once Again Hostel — The Once Again Hostel is everything a good hostel should be. The dorm beds are set inside niches and come with a reading light and privacy curtains. Features such as a 24-hour reception, large communal area, individual lockers, movie room, and free breakfast make it a comfortable and convenient place to stay. The hostel is one of the few accommodations in Rattanakosin (Old City) and an ideal place for people who want to get an early start to explore the neighborhood before the tour groups arrive.

The Yard Hostel — Tucked away on a side street and centered around a leafy courtyard in the up-and-coming district of Ari, The Yard Hostel is an oasis of calm in the hectic city. The seating areas and bar in the courtyard are great places to relax and have a lovely social atmosphere. The hostel has thoughtful amenities like free long-term luggage storage, free bikes, and a barbecue grill for guest use.

Art Hotel Sanamchai — This hostel has a unique location inside a converted warehouse in the Pak Khlong Flower Market. The downstairs communal area has pool and foosball tables, a library, and a commodious seating area. The hostel is within easy walking distance of the Old City and Chinatown, and it’s a short ferry ride to Thonburi, making it an ideal place to stay for anyone who wants to explore the historical districts of Bangkok.

Airbnb

Central one bedroom apartment with pool — This one-bedroom apartment, with a balcony, kitchenette, spacious living room, and on-site swimming pool is right in the middle of the action. Located at the Asoke BTS train station, it’s within easy walking distance of Benjakitti Park, the Terminal 21 shopping mall, and the many restaurants, bars, and clubs of Sukhumvit.

Two bedroom apartment near Chinatown — This clean and modern two-bedroom apartment with a spacious bathroom and comfortable seating areas features large windows that allow for ample light. The location on the edge of Chinatown is near tourist-friendly bars and inexpensive restaurants. It is also close to the Hua Lamphong Train Station, perfect for anyone arriving or departing Bangkok by train.

Private canal view studio — For people looking to hang out in the lively backpacker ghetto of Khao San Road who don’t want to sleep in the noisy hostels in the area, this studio is perfect. The clean and comfortable studio apartment is a short walk to the nightlife but is also nearby the Phra Sumen Fort and several impressive Buddhist temples.