Where to Stay in Bangkok: 7 Best Areas & Hotels

Kriszti
View from Loha Prasat in Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is full of excitement, with its vibrant culture, delicious street food, and wild nightlife. But it’s not always easy to navigate around such a sprawling city, particularly when it comes to finding the best place for you to stay.

With so many district areas – from the busy historic heart of the city to the more relaxed spots further out – deciding where to stay in Bangkok might seem overwhelming at first.

To help guide you on your journey through this dynamic city, we have put together a list of the best areas to stay in Bangkok, with specific hotel recommendations for each area. Whether you are traveling on a budget or looking for a luxury stay, there is something perfect out there for everyone.

*Disclosure: This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link.*

Overview of Where to Stay in Bangkok

The bustling city of Bangkok is home to over 10 million people, so as you can imagine, it can get pretty chaotic. The city is divided into 50 districts which are further divided into roughly 170 sub-districts, making it quite difficult to decide where to stay.

To make the decision a bit easier, we have narrowed down the best areas to stay in Bangkok into seven different categories: Sukhumvit, Khao San Road, Silom, Siam, Thonglor, Bangkok Riverside, and Chinatown.

If you don’t have time to read through this whole article, take a look at this table instead. It covers the best areas to stay in Bangkok and has a quick breakdown of what each one has to offer.

AreaRecommended Hotel
Sukhumvit (first-timers, food, nightlife, shopping)Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit
Khao San/Banglamphu (budget-friendly, nightlife, sightseeing, first-timers)Chillax Heritage Hotel Khaosan
Silom (nightlife, green spaces, shopping, food)Amara Bangkok Hotel
Siam (shopping, sightseeing, families, attractions )Pathumwan Princess Hotel
Thonglor (atmosphere, food, shopping, entertainment)Ascott Thonglor Bangkok
Riverside (families, scenery, luxury stays, atmosphere)Millennium Hilton Bangkok
Chinatown (food, culture, budget-friendly, history )Shanghai Mansion Bangkok

Map of the Best Areas to Stay in Bangkok

Below you can find a customized map that includes the best areas to stay in Cartagena, including our recommended hotels for each area for every budget.

How to use this map: This map is fully interactive, so you can move around, zoom in/zoom out, and click on the icons. If you want to see a larger map, click on the bracket in the upper right corner. To see more details and the different layers, click on the tab in the upper left corner. If you want to save it for later, click on the star icon next to the name of the map. Then simply open Google Maps either on your desktop or phone, go to ‘Saved’/’Maps’, and open the map whenever you need it.

Best Areas to Stay in Bangkok

1. Sukhumvit – Best place to stay in Bangkok for first-timers

View of the Bangkok skyline at night from the infinity pool at the Okura Prestige Bangkok

If you’re wondering where to stay in Bangkok and it’s your first visit to the city, then the neighborhood of Sukhumvit may be your best bet! 

It’s one of the most central neighborhoods in the city and is a popular spot with expats and digital nomads, so as you can imagine, the facilities in this area are pretty impressive.

Offering plenty of supermarkets, a wide variety of restaurants, quirky bars, and lots of shopping opportunities, this place has something for everyone.

Sukhumvit is also a great option if you’re looking for nightlife, as this is where the party street of Soi 11 is located. The red light district is situated in this neighborhood too, but let’s not go into detail about that one!

Still not convinced? This area is home to the iconic Sukhumvit Road, which is the longest street in the city. Here, you’ll find plenty of world-class restaurants, entertainment options, and upmarket shops.

If you do decide to stay in this neighborhood, then I’d recommend hitting up some of the rooftop bars in this area, as you’ll be treated to spectacular views of Bangkok’s skyline. 

Sukhumvit is easily one of the best areas to stay in Bangkok, as it has so much to offer! It’s the perfect option for first-time visitors who want to be in a central location, which is why many travelers choose this neighborhood to be their base.

Pros and cons of staying in Sukhumvit

PROS

  • It has so many fantastic amenities, including shops, restaurants, and bars
  • A great area for nightlife 

CONS

  • Traffic congestion in this area can get pretty intense
  • Not really suitable for families due to the lively nights and red-light district

Best places to stay in Sukhumvit

2. Khao San/Banglamphu – Best area to stay in Bangkok on a budget 

The famous Khao San Road in Bangkok

Khao San is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bangkok, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s actually a road, and along it, you’ll find various cheap accommodation options, lively bars, plenty of street food, and lots of markets.

Khao San is the backpacker hub of the city, so it’s one of the best locations to stay in Bangkok if you’re traveling on a shoestring budget. 

This is one of the more rowdy areas of the city as it’s known for its late-night parties, so it’s definitely not an area that will suit everyone. 

Khao San is located in the area of Banglamphu, which is why I’ve grouped the two together. So, if you’d prefer not to stay along the road itself, there are plenty of other hotels in the area. 

The majority of Banglamphu isn’t as lively, and you’ll be in a great location for exploring some of Bangkok’s most popular attractions. This includes The Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha!

One of the best things about staying in Banglamphu is that you’ll have a mix of vibrant nightlife, culture, and historic architecture, so there’s something for every type of traveler.

Pros and cons of staying in Khao San/Banglamphu

PROS

  • Huge variety of budget-friendly accommodation options
  • You won’t be short of food options in this area, especially on Khao San Road

CONS

  • Khao San is very lively, especially in the evenings, so it’s not the best option for families
  • There aren’t many luxury options in this area, so it’s not the place to stay if you’re looking to splash the cash

Best places to stay in Khao San/Banglamphu

3. Silom – Best place to stay in Bangkok for nightlife 

If you’re looking to party the night away, then Silom is one of the best areas to stay in Bangkok! Thailand’s capital isn’t short of nightlife options, with Khao San and Sukhumvit also having plenty of clubs and bars.

However, Silom is one of the best spots for a party! If you wander through this area during the day, you’ll see endless office blocks and banks, and it’s hard to compromise how this neighborhood turns into a party central at night.

As a whole, Thailand has a great LGBTQ+ scene, but it’s Bangkok that offers the best nightlife in the country. The country itself is actually one of the most gay-friendly cities in Asia, and you’ll find a variety of drag acts, and gay bars here.

Not only does Silom have great nightlife, but you’ll find plenty of awesome places to visit in this area, including Charoen Krung Road, which is where you’ll find a variety of authentic Thai restaurants. 

If you’re wondering where to stay in Bangkok, then make sure you consider Silom. It’s got a bit of everything ranging from vibrant nightlife to lush parks.

Pros and cons of staying in Silom

PROS

  • Great for nightlife and LGBTQ+
  • You’ll be staying close to Lumpini Park, the largest park in Bangkok

CONS

  • It may not be suitable for families as this area gets extremely lively at night
  • Home to one of Bangkok’s most notorious red-light districts

Best places to stay in Silom

4. Siam – Best area to stay in Bangkok for shopping

Entrance to the ICONSIAM in Bangkok

If you’re not interested in nightlife and you’d prefer to hit up some of the city’s iconic shopping malls, then Siam is one of the best places to stay in Bangkok for you!

This part of the city has the highest density of shopping malls in Bangkok, and there are endless options to choose from. The best part? You can easily walk between these malls and shop ‘til you drop! 

Some of the most popular shopping malls in Siam include MBK, Siam Discovery, Siam Paragon, Siam Center, and Central World Mall. Between them, you’ll literally find everything you could imagine. 

As well as shopping, you’ll find plenty of entertainment options in this part of the city, including cinemas and sports.

Not only that, but there are lots of attractions situated in and around Siam, including Sea Life Bangkok, Madame Tussauds, and the Jim Thompson House Museum.

If you’re wondering where to stay in Bangkok, then this is one of the best neighborhoods, especially if you want to avoid the crazy nightlife scene. This makes Siam another fantastic spot for families as it’s much quieter than other areas of the city, but there’s still plenty to do.

Pros and cons of staying in Siam

PROS

  • Plenty of shopping opportunities 
  • There are plenty of things to do and see in this neighborhood  

CONS

  • Siam can get busy and crowded, especially on the weekends 
  • Although there are plenty of dining options, many of them aren’t authentic

Best places to stay in Siam

5. Thonglor – Best place to stay in Bangkok for ‘trendy vibes’

Thonglor is undoubtedly one of the trendiest neighborhoods in the city, and honestly, it feels completely different from other areas of Bangkok. 

Although the majority of the city can feel quite gritty and authentic (which is part of the reason why so many people love Bangkok), Thonglor is more of a ‘high-end and hip’ area. 

It’s one of the best areas to stay in Bangkok if you’re looking for world-class cuisine, high-end shopping, and upscale bars. Another great thing about staying in Thonglor is that you’ll be close to a variety of attractions, including Wat That Thong Temple. 

Now, if you’re wondering where to stay in Bangkok and you’re a huge foodie, then I’d recommend staying here, or in Chinatown, which we’ll discuss in a minute.

There are plenty of fantastic food options in Thonglor, including The Commons, W Market, which is home to around 50 international cuisines, and Sukhumvit Soi 38 Night Food Market, which isn’t too far away. 

In this area, you’ll also have plenty of quirky rooftop bars, funky restaurants, and vibrant jazz bars, so keep your eyes peeled!

Pros and cons of staying in Thonglor

PROS

  • One of the ‘trendiest’ areas of the city
  • Huge variety of shops, bars, and restaurants 

CONS

  • The traffic in Thonglor can get crazy, so I wouldn’t recommend using taxis to get around
  • Like many other areas of Bangkok, this neighborhood can feel pretty busy

Best places to stay in Thonglor 

6. Riverside – Best area to stay in Bangkok for families 

The beautiful middle tower at Wat Arun in Bangkok, Thailand

If you’re traveling as a family or with little ones, then Riverside is one of the best areas in Bangkok to stay. It’s one of the quieter areas of the city and is a more ‘high-end’ neighborhood, so you won’t have to worry about rowdy nightlife and red-light districts. 

Although you’ll find budget-friendly accommodation in this area, the Bangkok Riverside is more tailored towards luxury stays. For this reason, you’ll find plenty of 5-star hotels situated along the river.

Now, there aren’t many options when it comes to MRT stations in this area, but there are public ferries and water taxis that will take you up and down the river to get around. This way, you’ll be able to get around easily, and you’ll be treated to jaw-dropping views of the city as you head down the river. 

In fact, The Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and Wat Arun are all nearby, so you’ll have endless cultural attractions to visit. 

If you’re wondering where to stay in Bangkok, then this neighborhood is a fantastic option! Boasting scenic views, a wide variety of accommodation options, and easy access to iconic attractions, this area has so much to offer. 

Pros and cons of staying along the Riverside

PROS

  • One of the most scenic neighborhoods in the city
  • The Riverside is one of the best places to stay in Bangkok for families 

CONS

  • One of the more expensive areas in the city
  • There aren’t many MRT stations in the neighborhood

Best places to stay along the Riverside

7. Chinatown – Best place to stay in Bangkok for foodies

Whether you’re traveling on a budget, looking to try some delicious food, or want to appreciate the city’s culture, Chinatown is one of the best places to stay in Bangkok for you!

It’s one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city, as it was founded in the 1780s, which means you’ll find plenty of history and culture here.

Home to colorful neon signs, a vibrant atmosphere, and a diverse foodie scene, there’s no better place to stay. This is especially the case if you’re looking to cut costs, as there are endless budget options in the area.

However, the main reason people visit is, of course, the cuisine! Boasting world-class food vendors, authentic restaurants, and funky bars where you can grab some delicious snacks, you’ll have endless dining options.

You’ll find a bit of everything here, ranging from fresh seafood to roasted duck, and plenty of tasty desserts if you’ve got a sweet tooth.

Another fantastic reason to stay in Chinatown is the ‘old-town’ feel, traditional Chinese architecture, and bustling markets. Trust me, this part of Bangkok will assault your senses and leave you wanting more, with a variety of unique sights, smells, and tastes!

Pros and cons of staying in Chinatown

PROS

  • One of the best locations to stay in Bangkok for foodies
  • Plenty of fantastic budget-friendly accommodation options

CONS

  • You won’t find many luxury accommodation options in Chinatown
  • There aren’t really any nightlife opportunities here

Best places to stay in Chinatown

Planning a trip to Thailand?

Then you might want to take a look at all our other travel guides about Thailand. I promise, they are just as awesome as this article was!

Bangkok:

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Where to Stay in Bangkok: 7 Best Areas & Hotels
Where to Stay in Bangkok: 7 Best Areas & Hotels

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