Posted: February 19, 2024 | February 19, 2024
Known for its chaotic streets, friendly people, cheap and delicious street food, and exciting nightlife, Bangkok is one of my favorite cities in the world (I lived here for two years). It has an infectious energy that is hard to beat. I never tire of coming here.
With a population of 8 million, Thailand's capital is huge. Choosing where to stay in Bangkok can be overwhelming, especially for first-time visitors. That's because there's a lot to see and do here, and the city is very spread out (thankfully, the public transportation system is much improved).
I have been visiting this city since 2005 and have stayed in hundreds of hotels, guesthouses and hostels. There are thousands to choose from. To help you plan your trip, here is a list of the best hotels in Bangkok:
1. Bangkok Hotel Lotus Sukhumvit 33
This 4-star hotel is located in the heart of Sukhumvit, famous for its nightlife, shopping and numerous restaurants. It's the center of many things, including the Skytrain. Although a bit dated, rooms are spacious and clean, with amenities including a flat-screen TV, desk, electric kettle, free Wi-Fi and minibar. The beds are decorated with firm, plush bedding, and floor-to-ceiling windows allow for plenty of natural light. Some rooms have little seating space.
Hotel facilities include a decent fitness center with a rooftop pool, spa and sauna. There is also an on-site restaurant serving Thai and international cuisine as well as breakfast. Overall, I really like this hotel and think it's a solid value for its convenient location.
2. Phraya Jasaen’s house
This 3-star hotel is built inside seven old antique shops. The store has been remodeled into a 32-room boutique hotel with an eclectic industrial design, with brushed concrete walls offset by soft wood accents. There are 10 different room types, including rooms with kitchenettes and single rooms with shared bathrooms (perfect for those on a budget who want more privacy than a dorm). Room size and amenities vary depending on the room you choose, but all rooms include air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and free Wi-Fi.
There is also a small spa on site and a restaurant serving a delicious breakfast. They also offer some cool perks. After you check out, if you want to come back and take a shower before your late night flight, you can do so in your free room. Overall, this is a comfortable and affordable accommodation located in Sathorn, Bangkok's bustling central business district.
3. Prince Theater Heritage Stay
This theater-themed 4-star hotel has been around for 100 years. The charming interior is inspired by the movies, with photos and paintings of movie stars hanging on the walls and beautiful hardwood floors throughout. Here you can stay in a suite or dormitory bed. Suites are large in size with plenty of natural light and feature a living room, kitchenette, air conditioning, flat-screen TV and rainfall shower. Dormitories feature capsule beds with individual privacy curtains, power outlets, reading lights and lockers.
The on-site restaurant, Box Office Bar & Cinema, serves breakfast, delicious cocktails and Thai food. Classic film screenings are also held every evening. A wonderful and unique property located in Silom, famous for its vibrant nightlife and excellent restaurants.
4. D&D in Khaosan
D&D Inn is an institution on Khaosan Road (it's been around forever). Perfect for those making last minute travel plans as we always have rooms available. Plus, the reception is open 24 hours a day. Decorated in a modern Thai style with wooden interiors and tiled floors, the recently upgraded rooms feature a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, a small refrigerator and an en suite bathroom with powerful shower water pressure. Not all rooms have windows, so if a window is important to you, reserve or request one.
There's a bar downstairs and a swimming pool (with its own bar) on the rooftop, which is packed with travelers. Breakfast is served directly across the street at the “Greens and Cheese” restaurant associated with the hotel. This is a great place to stay if you want a private room in the heart of Khaosan Road. Just know that this isn't the quietest place to stay, as street parties continue all night long.
5. The Quarter Bangkok Ratchathewi
The Quarter calls itself a “poshtel”. This means you can enjoy the social atmosphere of a hostel while still enjoying the comforts of home. Light and airy, it blends modern aesthetics with traditional Thai elements. The rooms at this 3-star hotel are clean and have lots of natural light thanks to large windows. There are both private and dormitory rooms with en-suite bathrooms.
Dormitory beds all have privacy curtains, outlets, USB ports, and built-in lockers. There are plenty of common spaces to socialize, including a rooftop terrace with a pool, as well as a co-working space that can accommodate up to 20 people. A free continental breakfast is provided every morning.
Overall, this is a convenient place to stay in Pratunam as it is just a 1-minute walk to the BTS Skytrain station and a 10-minute walk to the Airport Railroad station.
6. Park Hyatt
Located in the iconic Central Embassy building, this 5-star hotel is one of the city's finest. The lobby impresses with its soaring ceilings, sophisticated architecture and a selection of artwork by local and international artists. Rooms and suites are spacious and designed in a minimalist contemporary style, combining neutral earthy tones with rich accents. Each room features luxurious bedding, a marble bathroom with bidet and deep soaking tub, a desk, minibar, and floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views of the city.
The hotel features a stunning rooftop cocktail bar and restaurant, a stylish whiskey bar, a stylish café serving breakfast and the Catalan Restaurant, recognized by the Michelin Guide. There's also a gorgeous rooftop infinity pool surrounded by lush greenery (the sun only shines until 1pm, so get there early).
If you're a travel hacker looking to redeem points at Bangkok hotels, Park Hyatt offers a great redemption option (25,000 points per night). This is where I stay whenever I want to go for a dip and cash in my hotel points.
7. Aloft Bangkok Sukhumvit 11
I think this hotel is the best value luxury hotel in the city. The rooms at this 4-star hotel are spacious and sleek, with high ceilings and large windows that let in lots of natural light. Rooms feature huge marble bathrooms with walk-in showers, plush pillowtop mattresses, mini-fridges, desks, and coffee/tea makers. Not only is the room amazing, there's a lot going on here. The breakfast buffet is also really, really delicious.
The fitness center is large, but the real win is the rooftop pool with loungers and cabanas and panoramic views of the expansive cityscape. I almost always stay here when I'm in town as it's located near many restaurants, bars and activities.
Bangkok is a multi-layered city. Many travelers only spend a few days here before heading elsewhere in Thailand, but I think this city is worth spending more time than that. Choosing one of the hotels above will be a great place to stay while exploring this fascinating and chaotic metropolis.
Get our in-depth budget guide to Thailand!
My detailed, 350+ page guidebook is made for budget travelers like you! It cuts through the nonsense found in other guidebooks and provides straight to the practical information you need for your trip to Thailand. You'll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, things to see and do off the beaten path, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, safety tips, and more! Click here to learn more and get your copy now.
Book a trip to Bangkok: logistics tips and tricks
flight reservation
Find cheap flights with Skyscanner. Two of my favorite search engines search websites and airlines around the world so you always know everything!
Accommodation Reservation
You can book hostels through Hostelworld, which offers the largest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, try Booking.com. We consistently offer the lowest rates on guesthouses and budget hotels.
If you're wondering which part of the city to stay in, here's information on the neighborhoods in Bangkok where I live.
If you're looking for more accommodation, here are some of my favorite hostels in Bangkok.
Don't forget travel insurance
Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft and cancellation. Comprehensive protection in case something goes wrong. I can't go on a trip without it, as I've had to use it several times in the past. Here are some of my favorite companies that offer the best service and value:
Are you looking for the best company to help you save money?
Check out my resources page for the best companies to use when traveling. I list everything I use to save money on the go. You can also save money when traveling.