Are you looking for a hotel for your first time visiting Bangkok and no idea where to start?
This article will help you to find the best area to stay for your blissful journey in Bangkok from my point of view as a local Bangkokian who lived here for more than 30 years and has no car, just like every tourist here.
My recommendation is based on 3 main factors: distance from the tourist attractions, access to public transportation and the surrounding environment, including safety and decent quality of local food.
Let’s get started.
Ratchaprasong
I can say this area is the heart of Bangkok. It is a commercial area surrounded by many shopping malls as well as offices.
It is also a very convenient location if you want to travel to the old town of Bangkok like Ko Rattanakosin to see The Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha, the famous Wat Pho or even Wat Arun in 40 minutes by taxi.
If you want to visit places near the train station like Jim Thompson House Museum, MBK, Dusit Central Park, Mahanakon Tower, or hang out with friends in the Prompong area, you can always jump on the BTS skytrain at Chit Lom or Siam station.
Since the area is surrounded by shopping malls, this means there are varieties of food you can choose, from fast food to fine dining, both Thai and international cuisines.
The only downside of this area is that the hotel can be pricey. But in exchange with the location, surrounding environment and the quality of the hotel services, I can say that it is worth your experience for your first time in Bangkok.
Here are our recommendations:
Luxury: Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, InterContinental Bangkok by IHG, Centara Grand Central World, Waldorf Astoria Bangkok, Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, Grande Centre Point Prestige Bangkok
Midscale: Moxy Bangkok Ratchaprasong, Holiday Inn Bangkok by IHG, Arnoma Grand, Grande Centre Point Ratchadamri, Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok
Asok
This area is very vibrant at night as it has many many restaurants around which includes Japanese, Korean as well as Indian restaurants.
At night there are plenty of places for drinking, rooftop bars for socializing with your friends, perfect for those who are planning to discover Bangkok nightlife.
The location of Asok is superb. With both access to BTS skytrain network as well as the MRT subway, you can always reach the famous tourist attractions near the train very easily.
The downside of this area is the traffic is unimaginably heavy. If you are planning to visit parts of the city with no access to public transportation, it is better to take the BTS skytrain or MRT away from this area first before calling for a taxi.
Here are our recommendations:
Luxury: Grande Center Point Hotel Terminal 21, Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit a Luxury Collection Hotel Bangkok, Fairmont Bangkok, Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit
Midscale: Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Bangkok, S15 Sukhumvit Hotel, Samala Suites Bangkok Sukhumvit 19 by Kingston Hotels, Jasmin City Hotel Asoke Bangkok, Carlton Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit, Mövenpick Hotel Sukhumvit 15, Canopy by Hilton Bangkok Sukhumvit
Budget: T2 The Portal Sukhumvit, greet Bangkok Sukhumvit 16 Jono, Best Western Sukhumvit 20
Prompong
I would say this area is an extension of the Asok area we mentioned earlier. The area is also super vibrant at night and filled with many great restaurants and places for nightlife.
What makes Prompong different from Asok is the area itself is the EmDistrict, a multiple shopping complex which creates the whole range of shopping experiences from local products to international luxury brands.
The EmDistrict itself also houses many great restaurants of many cuisines from around the world and bars.
The location is great. With access to the BTS skytrain Prompong station, you can reach many interesting places very easily. The MRT Asok is the nearest MRT in this area which is only 1 station away from BTS Prompong. You can walk for about 15 minutes from the station if you prefer.
Similar to the Asok area, the downside of this area is the heavy traffic. If you plan to visit a place by taxi, it is better to take the BTS skytrain away from this area first before calling for a taxi.
Here are our recommendations:
Luxury: Emporium Suites by Chatrium, KROMO Bangkok Curio Collection by Hilton, SKYVIEW Hotel Bangkok, Oakwood Suites Bangkok, Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok
Midscale: Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok Sukhumvit, Tarosia Collection Hotel Sukhumvit, S31 Sukhumvit Hotel, Mercure Bangkok Sukhumvit 24, Novotel Living Bangkok Sukhumvit Legacy, Holiday Inn Bangkok Sukhumvit by IHG
Budget: S33 Compact Hotel, S Box Sukhumvit Hotel, ibis Bangkok Sukhumvit 24
Charoenkrung
This area is my favorite area as most hotels in this area are located by the riverside of Chaophraya. If you stay in one of those hotels, I am very sure you will be amazed by the stunning view of the dawn right from your room.
The area is filled with old buildings that turned themselves into nicely designed coffee shops and art galleries, which makes the area even perfect if you are planning to spend more time in a cafe, chilling around for local food or relaxing throughout the entire afternoon.
Food you can find in this area is mostly Thai street food. There are not many restaurants with international cuisine outside the hotel.
The downside of this area is the distance from the main public transportation like BTS and MRT. It is quite far and not walkable with huge suitcases as the foot path in this area is narrow and built in old style which is not great for dragging the suitcase around.
However, the alternative option for the public transportation I highly recommend if you stay in this area is the boat. You can ride the Chaophraya Express Boat right from this area to the main highlights of Bangkok in the old town such as the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, River City and Icon Siam within 20 minutes. It will be one of a kind experience you will never find anywhere else in the world.
Here are our recommendations:
Luxury: Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, Shangri-La Bangkok, Lebua at State Tower, Grande Centre Point Surawong Bangkok, Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel Bangkok, The Peninsula Bangkok, Millennium Hilton Bangkok
Midscale:Hilton Garden Inn Bangkok Riverside. Hilton Garden Inn Bangkok Silom, Holiday Inn Bangkok Silom by IHG
Budget: Oriental Heritage Hotel, Riva Vibe Hotel Bangkok by PCL, Hotel Rue De Siam, ibis Bangkok Riverside
Lumphini Park
Lumphini Park is known as the Central Park of Bangkok. For the first time traveling to Bangkok, I highly recommend this location as it is close to many new lifestyle destinations like Silom, and One Bangkok and has good access to public transportation.
From this location, you can also head to the old town of Bangkok via Taxi in about 40 minutes.
Hotels in this area are located around the park. Since the park is very big, staying on the opposite side of the park can feel different.
I personally recommend staying on the Rama IV road side. This side of the park has direct access to both BTS skytrain at Sala Daeng station and MRT Silom station.
There are plenty of eating, shopping and entertainment places on this side such as Dusit Central Park and One Bangkok in a walkable distance. Food choices are mainly Thai, Japanese cuisine, and coming in the form of both restaurants inside and outside of shopping malls.
Here are the hotels on the Rama IV side.
Luxury: Dusit Thani Bangkok, The Ritz-Carlton Bangkok, SO/ Bangkok, Grande Centre Point Lumphini Bangkok
Midscale: AETAS Lumpini, Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumphini Park by IHG, Nishitetsu Hotel Croom Bangkok Silom,
Budget: ibis Style Bangkok Silom
The other side of the park along Sarasin road and its branches street also has plenty of great hotels. Staying on this side of the Lumphini Park is best if you prefer more privacy and to spend some time inside the hotel as it is less crowded and quite a distance from the shopping malls, restaurants and other attractions.
Here are the hotels on the Sarasin side.
Luxury: Dusit Suites Hotel Ratchadamri, Conrad Bangkok, Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok, The St. Regis Bangkok
Midscale: Centre Point Hotel Chitlom Bangkok, Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok by IHG, Luxx Langsuan Hotel
Bottom Line
These 5 locations are best for the first time travelers to Bangkok and each have a slightly different in details which fits differently to your vacation plan. Here are the quick summary for you:
Best for old town visit and experience the local life: Charoenkrung
Best for relaxing inside the hotel: Charoenkrung and Lumphini Park on Sarasin side
Most variety of cuisine options in the area: Ratchaprasong, Asok, Prompong
Best for nightlife activities: Asok, Prompong and Lumphini Park area on Rama IV side
Best for shopping lovers: Ratchaprasong and Prompong area
Best access to public transportation: Ratchaprasong, Asok and Lumphini Park area
I hope you have some ideas about the location to stay for your blissful holiday in Bangkok.
Do not forget to check out the best price and support us by booking your dream hotel from our affiliate partner below.
Have a blissful journey.
