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Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, is a thriving tourist destination renowned for its historic temples, epic temples, vibrant nightlife, and bustling shopping scene. There’s a huge array of tourist attractions to explore and no shortage of hotels, guesthouses, and hostels to choose from.
If you’re planning a trip to Bangkok and wondering which part of the city to stay in, check out this handy guide.
We describe the pros and cons of the city’s most popular areas and highlight some of the best Bangkok hotels to help you choose the perfect place to stay.
Sukhumvit for Luxury
Highlights: Terminal 21, Bejasiri Park, Soi Cowboy, Nana Plaza
Sukhumvit Road is considered by most to be the very center of Bangkok, and it’s where some of the city’s best hotels, restaurants, and bars can be found. Tourists flock here to enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere, particularly in the evening. There’s no better way to finish a day of sightseeing in Bangkok than by sipping cocktails in an elegant rooftop bar and indulging in a fine dining experience at an opulent eatery.
A big benefit of staying in Sukhumvit is that it has excellent public transport links. The neighborhood lies on the BTS Line, an elevated train line known as the SkyTrain which meets with the MRT underground rail network at the Asok Interchange. Together, the BTS and MRT lines make it really easy to travel around the city and out to Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). Plus, there’s a major shopping mall called Terminal 21 that’s open daily right next to Asok Interchange.
It’s worth noting that Sukhumvit is also known for its go-go-bars and red-light districts which center around Nana Plaza off Soi 4 and Soi Cowboy off Soi 23. If you’re planning a family vacation to Bangkok, you might want to steer clear of these areas.
Where to Stay in Sukhumvit
Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok is a stylish upscale hotel with spacious rooms, a rooftop pool, a fitness center, and an onsite restaurant. It provides a concierge service, room service, and free parking.
Siam Square for Shopping
Highlights: Siam Paragon, MBK Center, CentralwOrld, Sea Life Bangkok
Siam Square is the pinnacle of Bangkok’s shopping scene and lies close to the heart of the city, with two BTS SkyTrain lines connecting it to other neighborhoods. Siam Paragon and MBK Center are the biggest shopping malls here, but there are plenty of smaller shopping centers to explore too, all within easy walking distance of one another.
Siam Paragon is one of the best-known malls in Southeast Asia, and it contains a huge range of high-end clothes stores and design houses, as well as a gym, a movie theater, a food market, and a wide range of restaurants. It even houses Sea Life Bangkok Ocean World which is home to a huge array of sea life including stingrays and sharks. MBK Center is a much more affordable mall but it’s something of a maze to navigate. If you’re looking for quirky souvenirs and budget electronics, you’ll find them at MBK.
If your visit to Bangkok is likely to center around shopping, it makes sense to stay in the Siam area. There’s plenty of accommodation to choose from, including luxurious five-star establishments and mid-range hotels.
Silom for Families
Highlights: Lumphini Park, Sri Mariamman Temple, Silom Complex, Lebua Skybar, Patpong Night Market
Silom is the financial and business district of Bangkok, but it also offers excellent shopping and dining options. Its biggest attraction is Lumphini Park (often spelled Lumpini), a scenic urban green space with an artificial lake, pristine lawns, and plenty of playgrounds for the kids to blow off steam. You can rent a boat to spend a few hours out on the water, or simply stroll along the park’s paths.
There’s some great nightlife to be had in the sophisticated bars and restaurants in Silom. One of Bangkok’s best-known bars, Lebua Skybar, is located here. It’s a rooftop bar with a quirky drinks menu and provides exceptional views of the city’s skyline.
Silom has great transport links, with an MRT station on the edge of Lumphini Park and Sala Daeng BTS Station a short walk away.
Where to Stay in Silom
There are also plenty of great hotels to choose from, many of which are family-friendly.
Bangkok Marriott Hotel The Surawongse is a high-quality hotel with a great range of facilities, including an outdoor infinity swimming pool, a spa, and a fitness center. It offers free WiFi and has several restaurants and a rooftop bar to enjoy.
Sathorn for Business
Highlights: King Power Mananakhon SkyWalk, Bangkok CityCity Gallery, Khlong Chong Nonsi Park
Sathorn has been called the Wall Street of Thailand because it’s the economic hub of the city and home to the offices of many national and international banking, audit, and law firms. It’s quieter and less touristy than Silom, but it still has a great range of high-end restaurants, cafes, and bars that are popular with local expats and business travelers.
Despite its focus on business, there are some fun things to do in Sathorn. For epic panoramic views, head to the King Power Mananakhon SkyWalk where you can walk along a glass-floored observation deck near the top of a towering skyscraper. For a dose of cutting-edge culture, explore the Bangkok CityCity Gallery which showcases contemporary artworks by emerging local artists. Finally, to enjoy some fresh air and green space, take a stroll in the ultramodern Khlong Chong Nonsi Park.
Accommodation options are limited to predominantly 5-star hotels, so expect comparatively high rates if you want to stay in Sathorn. You can also find some luxurious apartment lets in some of the neighborhood’s impressive skyscrapers.
Bangkok Old Town for Sightseeing
Highlights: Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Saket, National Museum Bangkok
Bangkok Old Town lies right on the Chao Praya River and is the most historic part of the city. It’s packed with popular tourist attractions including the enormous and opulent Grand Palace which is the official residence of the Thai monarchy.
There are several Buddhist temples to explore in Old Town. One of the most popular is Wat Pho, also known as “Temple of the Reclining Buddha”, which has a huge golden Buddha that stretches along its entire length. Don’t miss out on Wat Saket — it dates back to the Golden Age of Ayutthaya which ran from 1605 to 1767.
If it will be your first time in Bangkok and you plan to do plenty of sightseeing, Old Town could be the best area to stay in. There’s a good range of boutique hotels in this part of the city and it’s easy to navigate on foot or by tuk-tuk. Public transport links are plentiful and give you easy access to other neighborhoods if you want to explore further afield.
Dusit for History
Highlights: Dusit Zoo, Parliament House of Thailand, Buddhist temples
Dusit is considered the political center of Thailand because it’s home to some of the country’s most important government buildings, including the Parliament House of Thailand. There are also several beautiful Buddhist temples in the area, such as Wat Benchamabophit, Wat Indharawihan, and Wat Devaraj Kunchon. Dusit Zoo is also a popular attraction that draws lots of visitors to this area.
If you’re a lover of history and opulent architecture, Dusit could be the perfect area for you to stay. Compared to many other parts of the city it’s relatively quiet and lacking in the busy shops, bars, and restaurants that Bangkok is known for. There isn’t a huge choice of accommodation but the hotels that are here are very opulent.
Where to Stay in Dusit
The Siam Hotel is an impressive luxury hotel surrounded by lush gardens set on the Chao Phraya River. Its indulgent rooms and suites boast beautiful views and are adorned with fine art and antiques.
Chao Phraya Riverside for Tranquility
Highlights: Wat Arun, street food stalls, boat tours
Chao Phraya Riverside area lies on the western bank of the river and is the perfect place to stay for a tranquil escape from the busy city. It offers historic charm and fantastic views over the waterway, and it comes alive at night as locals and tourists head out to buy a delicious dinner from one of the many street food stalls.
Wat Arun, “Temple of Dawn”, is one of the most stunning temples in the city and it lies in the Chao Praya Riverside area. It is intricately decorated and surrounded by lush gardens and is illuminated at night to strike an impressive figure on the riverbank.
There are some great hotels on the riverside, but you can expect higher rates for rooms with river views. You don’t have to worry about feeling disconnected from the city center here because it’s easy to get around by boat on the river and surrounding canals. In fact, klong (canal) tours are one of the best ways to see Bangkok’s sights.
Khao San Road for Backpackers
Highlights: Khao San Market, bars, food stalls, clubs
Khao San Road is a bustling street that is packed with tourists day and night. Set within the historic part of the city, it’s a budget-friendly area that is lined with affordable guesthouses and cheap hostels. You’ll find some fantastic Thai food at the night market here, plus lots of bars serving cheap drinks. This is also a great area to visit for an inexpensive Thai massage.
The Khao San Road area is a great location for backpackers to stay in, or for anyone who wants to visit Bangkok on a tight budget. Solo travelers often find that staying in shared dorms helps them to socialize and meet new people, so book a hostel on Khao San Road if you’re visiting by yourself and want to find some buddies to explore with.
Chinatown for Foodies
Highlights: Chinatown Heritage Center, Wat Traimit
Bangkok’s Chinatown is considered the best in the world thanks to its sheer size. This is a must-visit for foodies because there are many excellent restaurants here serving not only Chinese and Thai food but a variety of Asian cuisines. You’ll also find interesting souvenirs and treasures when you visit the area’s stores and markets. Yaowarat Night Market is a particular highlight.
Chinatown is also home to yet more Buddhist temples, including Wat Traimit which boasts the largest solid gold Buddha statue in the world. Mangkon Kamalawat is a busy Chinese-Buddhist temple and it stands out for its unique design that is unlike any of the other temples in Bangkok. If you’re interested in the history of Bangkok’s Chinatown, drop into the Yaowarat Heritage Center.
Pratunam for the Market
Highlights: Pratunam Market, Baiyoke Observation Deck, Suan Pakkad Palace
Pratanum is the area surrounding the famed Pratunam Market, which is a huge, vibrant shopping center where you can bag yourself a bargain. The majority of vendors are wholesalers but they’re often very happy to sell their wares in small quantities, so be prepared to negotiate. There are also some food stalls and restaurants in the market so you can grab a snack as you wander around.
A popular attraction in this part of the city is the Baiyoke Observation Deck. Be sure to visit for amazing 360-degree views from the 77th floor of the tallest building in Thailand. If you’re more interested in Bangkok’s historic buildings, visit Suan Pakkad Palace where you can step back in time as you wander around traditional houses and gardens.
Thong Lor for Entertainment
Highlights: Sing Sing Theater, Japanese restaurants, clubs
Thong Lor is a classy neighborhood that lies east of the city center. It’s far less touristic than many of the other areas in this guide but is beloved by locals for its sophisticated entertainment scene. There are some excellent high-end clubs here such as the Sing Sing Theater where you can enjoy cocktails, dance performances, and DJ sets. Thong Lor is also known for its excellent Japanese food: It’s considered one of the best places to enjoy the likes of sushi, sashimi, and gyoza outside of Tokyo.
Many of Thong Lor’s hotels are luxurious and set in ultramodern towers and skyscrapers. There’s less choice of accommodation than in the very center of Bangkok, but if you want a sophisticated getaway and a taste of Bangkok’s more elegant nightlife, this is a great place to stay.
Choose Your Bangkok Accommodation
Now you’ve learned about the best neighborhoods for tourists in central Bangkok, you can get started planning your trip to this lively Thai city. Which part of Bangkok suits your travel style the best?
