Top Areas to Stay in Bangkok
Siam
Siam is Bangkok’s mall mecca, with your shopping options ranging from luxury boutiques to bargain department stores. It’s the beating heart of the city center, always buzzing with activity. But step away from the megastores and you’ll also find a quirky, exciting neighborhood with plenty to eat and explore. Siam is covered by three Skytrain stops: National Stadium, Siam, and Chitlom and is easily walkable, making it an ideal base from which to quickly get to all other areas of Bangkok.
Where to stay in Siam
- $$$ Hotel: [Sindhorn Midtown Hotel](hotel link)
- $$ Hotel: [COZ Ratchathewi](hotel link)
Prapadaeng
While Bangkok is easily one of Asia’s most stimulating cities, it can admittedly be a bit much sometimes. Luckily, to the east of the city center is a small neighborhood known as Bangkok’s Green Lung. It’s sometimes hard to believe this is in Bangkok! Most of the peninsula at Bang Krachao is car-free, but you can rent bikes or walk to explore the elevated concrete walkways that criss-cross the marshland and forest.
Where to stay in Prapadaeng
- $$$ Apartment: [Bangkok Treehouse](hotel link)
- $$ Hotel: [Baanklangsoun Bangkorbour](hotel link)
- $$ Homestay: [Phuengnang Homestay](hotel link)
Sukhumvit
If you’re looking for luxury hotels, top-rated restaurants, and lively nightlife, then cosmopolitan Sukhumvit is the place to stay in Bangkok. This modern district may lack some of the charms of other areas, but the amenities and nightlife make Sukhumvit ideal for business travelers, long-term apartment stays, or those on a layover from Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Where to stay in Sukhumvit
- $$$ Apartments: [Oakwood Suites Bangkok](hotel link)
- $$ Hotel: [Kokotel Sukhumvit](hotel link)
Chinatown
Chinatown in Bangkok is a riot of color, smells, and noise and it’s easy to get the good kind of lost along the small lanes here. While it isn’t as well-connected to the rest of the city, Chinatown is one of the more traditional and fun areas to stay, especially if you enjoy random exploration. It’s simply a joy to get lost in seemingly never-ending alleyways filled with sellers, artisans, blacksmiths, and fishmongers.
Where to stay in Chinatown
- $$ Hotel: [The Orientale](hotel link)
- $ Hostel: [Our Secret Base](hotel link)
Thonburi
Most visitors to Bangkok only see the Thonburi area while whizzing past along its canal or visiting Wat Arun, the terracotta decorated Temple of Dawn. These are both noteworthy, but they only really give you a glimpse of Bangkok’s left bank. Thonburi is home to some fantastic art spaces and offers a taste of real Thailand in the capital.
Where to stay in Thonburi
- $$ Hotel: [W Station](hotel link)
- $$$ Hotel: [Siamotif Boutique Hotel](hotel link)
Ari
Ari is a residential neighborhood of Bangkok with many nice cafes and restaurants and a quieter atmosphere than the very center. Food trucks on Soi Ari are a common sight, and the area is perfect for anyone who’s on a repeat Bangkok visit.
Where to stay in Ari
- $$$ Hotel: [Bangkok Voyage Boutique](hotel link)
- $$ Hostel: [The Yard Hostel](hotel link)
Silom
Silom is known for some excellent restaurants and is adjacent to Lumpini Park, the city’s favorite park. If the hustle and bustle are too much for you, Silom is a great place to relax and enjoy park life and nightlife.
Where to stay in Silom
- $$$ Hotel: [Baan Vajra](hotel link)
- $ Hostel: [All We Need Is Hostel](hotel link)