Where to stay in Bangkok

Where to stay in Bangkok

See also: Best Things to Do in Bangkok

Today, Bangkok is a sprawling metropolis that brims with fascinating historic sites, fashionable hotels, and inconceivable gastronomic adventures. It has turned to be a cosmopolitan shroud and has wiped clean of its longstanding representation of baseness. It is an urban space that engages in frenzied partying, and enchanting arts scene. The culture has a lot to thank the celebrated street food mores that lures many visitors to leave enthralled by this cornucopia of attraction.

It is not without reason that Bangkok relics on the charts for its many highlights. Nonetheless, it is ubiquitous beaming of its citizen that makes it all worth it. This provides the city with an exquisite and soulful dimension. The Thai capital brims with action along its phenomenally historic riverbank. From exquisite palaces to economical fare panorama, here are our top picks for the best neighbourhoods to stay in Bangkok.

Siam Square

Siam Square
TopTakeKlong / shutterstock.com

A place to grab everything that is ‘in’, Sian Square is a commercial Mecca that bursts with opulent commercial centres and a dense warren of boutiques, cafés and marketplace. The place is alive with authentic traces of alternative fashion as well as internationally acclaimed brands whose price scale goes right across the board. True to the city’s multipart configuration, the neighbourhood marks much collaboration of high-end brands. Siam Paragon totals the bands of malls that starts in on and borders the square, earning its streaks as a leading hub of commerce.

The dining options are eclectic with a wealth of fare alternatives peppering the streets. From archetypal street food to universal delicacies, from simple dishes to elaborate preparations, the dining scene is positive to gratify you. With an abundance of cafes, patisseries and restaurants, Siam Discovery and Siam Paragon contend for the hottest gastronomic drifts. The neighbourhood is an entertaining area that bears rudiments of old and modern. Eccentric Japanese-fashioned whims run into conventional alleyways. Siam Paragon offers a synthesis of shopping and leisure prospects. If you have a liking for art-house movies, hope on to the city’s oldest picture houses like the Lido and Scala. At a walkable distance, near the National Stadium BTS is positioned the Jim Thompson Museum. While Siam is not the best pick when it comes to enjoying the nightlife, it does fare well when it comes to a night out. Many fashionable bars that are fashionable amongst both tourists and city mates are situated within the hotels. There is a number of cafes that perform live nightly shows. Silom marks the mass of the city’s infamous nightlife and you can get there in and under 10 minutes by using a Skytrain.

Sukhumvit

Sukhumvit
newroadboy / shutterstock.com

You might not see Sukhumvit crammed with leading attractions, but it is still fashionable with its vivacious night scenes, upscale restaurants and many more. Hailed as one of the longest streets in the world, people flock here for all the right reasons. There are plenty of things to take pleasure in including the cosmopolitan clubs and two red-light districts.

Throughout Sukhumvit Road, you will find many spots for upscale shopping and the best ones are undoubtedly Emporium and Terminal 21. This area is full of upscale happenings with its range of classy rooftop bars which comes with breathtaking views of the city’s skyline. You are guaranteed to witness the expansive tapestry of downtown Bangkok in here. The notorious Soi Cowboy offers some happening music venues. If you are seeking an innovative and refreshing way to spend your evenings, visit the Bangkok comedy clubs that pride in great live comedy.   The neighbourhood is also home to a number of walk-in beauty treatment hubs to pamper yourself. This area of the city also boasts of excellent dining options. In fact, you cannot reach the end of the street without smelling some flavourful delicacies.  If you want to explore, have a taste of the famed noodle soup along with a Chang beer. If you are not into the adventure, go for the safely formal cooking. Terminal 21 besides being one of the first-class shopping malls also holds the city’s best food court that features some of the best dishes you will ever eat, for fractionally reasonable rates.

Silom

Silom
chatnara / shutterstock.com

The glamour and charm in Silom are as miscellaneous as the region’s disunited daylight and nocturnal individualities. Throughout the day, Silom is the city’s answer to Wall Street, with its soaring office blocks occupied with industrious workers. However, with the sun setting, Silom outdoes its colours. You can see skyline lined with lit skyscrapers and the popping up of lively market stalls; opening of fine-dining restaurants and coming alive of raunchy nightclubs.

Do not mistake Silom to be just about leisure and enjoyment, though. From alcove museums to eccentric colonnades, Silom is not just for shopping and dining. It is an experience to be relished in itself.   Holding the bearing for being one of the most cherished green spaces in the whole of central Bangkok, there is no shortage of attractions and sights to get lost in. Lumpini Park is a soothing oasis, quite often described as a haven from the city’s traffic. If you want to escape the tautness of the city, this is where to go. Appreciating the soaring Sathorn skyline in its perimeter, you cannot go wrong with this one. Soi Cowboy’s counterpart, the Patpong marks the neighbourhood’s most renowned red-light district. Its notorious reputation lures many tourists to the place. Flanking the adult entertainment, the neighbourhood is abuzz with hawkers and humble stalls selling eye-catching touristy items. The eateries are one of the best things about the city. Sumptuous foods at amazingly affordable cost seem to be the mantra. The street food is mouth-watering and totally is worth the dip.

Khao San

Khao San
Nattakorn_Maneerat / shutterstock.com

This neighbourhood marks a tiny stretch of lined street with many commercial centres, restaurants, bars and vendors. Recognized as the city’s backpacker central, it as a superlative pedestal from which you can travel around and discover some of the classic attractions. However, it has no historical attractions to speak of. The neighbourhood is a hub to watch people and their many activities. At only a minute’s walk, the Phra Arthit Road gives you a glimpse of distinguishing bohemian ambience.

Opened by King Rama V, in the Bangkok National Museum abodes the biggest assortment of emblematic Thai art and artefacts in the country. Circled by continuous hordes of traffic, Bangkok’s Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnoen Road is another landmark you should not miss. The lofty wing-like structures and the relief scriptures here are heavily symbolic of democracy and an embodiment of Thai culture. One of the most notable changes that have been brought about in recent years is undoubtedly the countercultural elements like a tasteful selection of tiny eateries. It is safe to say that the strip foresees the travellers’ every need.   It has proved to lure the Indie crowd with its varied meals to appease homesickness, cafes that tell swapping travel tales among many others. In short, Khao San continues to evolve into a melting pot of high-profile and self-sufficient travellers and their modern ideas

Chinatown

Chinatown
Sean Pavone / shutterstock.com

The oldest neighbourhood in Bangkok, the Chinatown stands on the East bank of the Chao Phraya River. Dubbed to be an authentic Chinese neighbourhood, it is definable for its dynamic trade and commerce. It is not a tourist attraction but a place that is throbbing with work and life.  The streets are jam-packed with people, market stalls and attentively vivid actions. The highlights, resonance and scents of Chinatown equal to a stabbing to your senses, so come geared up. This neighbourhood is for anyone with a strong sense of adventure and does not mind getting lost among the many marketplace passageways. With an intermingling of Chinese and Thai culture, this part of town is a fascinating realm which can be quite daunting to enter without a plan.

Wat Traimit with its largest statue of a sitting Buddha, is a conformist tourist attraction worth hunting out. At the heart of Chinatown’s action stands the prestigiously lively temple-the Dragon Lotus Temple. If you nurse a liking for thematic as well as fascinating engravings and illustrations, be sure to visit the slighter side pathways of Sampeng Lane and Songwat Road. Readily obtainable street food can be lesion at all hours of the day, but the street food panorama for which the neighbourhood is celebrated really come sentient at night. Large crowds of people trawling the streets are a common sight but this isn’t much of a surprise considering Chinatown’s street food competence.

Bangkok Old Town

Bangkok Old Town
Sean Pavone / shutterstock.com

A historical area outlined by Chao Phraya, the Bangkok Old Town accounts to the city’s most revered historical panache.  It is home to a gleaming assortment of ancient temples, imposing places and marvellous architecture that makes it quite the cultural heart of the city. This neighbourhood is for anyone and everyone who has an eye for history and origins amidst broad, tree-lined boulevards. The well-known Grand Palace dominates the district. Speckled around it is a generous gathering of antique constitutions that will impress anyone. Also prominent here are museums and art galleries that amazes even long-term visitors. The old marketplaces offer an absorbing foretaste into history. The streets are reflective of excellent street food that leaves you wanting more.

Dusit

Dusit
Luciano Mortula - LGM / shutterstock.com

The throbbing political apex of Thailand, the Dusit is most notable being the address to the National Parliament, the Royal Palace. If you want to explore the political scene of the city, it does not simply get better than this neighbourhood. But we are afraid that the area does not offer more than a few prominent political institutions and other international organizations. However, you would be in for a verdant treat with extensive thoroughfare dappled by outsized trees. Although until a few years ago, provisions for accommodation and shopping were practically nonexistent, this scene is fast changing. Within numbered years, this neighbourhood is certain to metamorphose into a fashionable expanse that boasts of unique conveniences and highlights. In a nutshell, if you want to flee the turmoil of the city and get away to a hushed, then Dusit is the ideal pick. It is delightfully authentic and is sure to secure you the best experience.

Thonburi

Thonburi
asam3dv / shutterstock.com

This neighbourhood encompasses the whole west side of the Chao Phraya River and stands at odds with the city centre. The place offers a brilliant respite from the smoulders of everyday city life. Expect the moments here to be marked by unhurried tranquillity. This side of Bangkok would come as a surprise to many and is a great way to travel around and enjoy the time-honoured Thai culture. As far as transportation services are concerned, the Skytrain only gets till the Southern Khlong San area. The majority of people get around with the help of tuk-tuks or boats

When you are in Thonburi do not miss the opportunity to visit the most photographed icons of Thailand-partly made of brightly ornamented spires Wat Arun is a landmark temple that stands majestically on the Thonburi bank of the Chao Phraya River. This ‘Temple of the Dawn', is effortlessly one of the most astonishing temples in the whole of Bangkok. This neighbourhood also promises a glimpse into the beautiful canals that plunks the moderately out-of-the-way quarters. The most sought-after tourist activity is long-tail boating and exploring the expansive stretches of watercourses and floating markets. Do not expect a big culinary scene here in Thonburi. However, if you want to explore the local dining scene, you are in luck- there are a number of unnamed restaurants and small carts that makes available meals at cheap costs. If you are looking for something a bit more dependable, hop on to mid-ranged chain restaurants like Yayoi and Sizzlers

💌
Spotted a mistake, have some feedback, or just want to chat with our editorial team? Click here to get in touch.
✍️
Find out more about Travel Lens and read our editorial guidelines here.