*Updated May 2016*

The first step to planning your holiday will be purchasing of air tickets. After which, the next difficult task will be selecting the hotel to stay. There are over 1000 hotels in Bangkok, and  you will always have this question in your head – Where to Stay in Bangkok?

For me, I can stay in any location as long as it is accessible to major attractions be it by trains or taxis. The most important thing in my selected hotel is that is has to be clean and modern. Modern decorated rooms will help ensure a clean and comfortable stay. Clean rooms is a must as I do not want a room that is dusty with old beds. Finally, to ensure a repeated visit to the hotel, they must have good customer service with staff who can  speak simple English and places emphasis on hospitality.

Now to help you, I have a few questions which will help you narrow down your choices – How to Choose a Hotel to stay in Bangkok. Ask yourself these questions, but ultimately you can only choose one:

*Note: Hotel options recommended below are those that I have personally stayed or visited for inspection. They are personally inspected and are ensured of quality standards that are worthy to be on AroiMakMak.com.*

1. Do you need a hotel close to BTS (trains)?

Yes > Stay along the Sukhumvit or Silom Line. The options below are hotels which I have tried personally and they are less than 5 minutes away to BTS.

LIT Bangkok [4.5 Star]Pathumwan Princess Hotel [5 star]
BTS: National StadiumBTS: National Stadium
The LIT Bangkok - Extra Radiancepathumwanprincess-room1
Read Review…Read Review…

 

Novotel Ploenchit Sukhumvit  [4 Star]Grand Swiss  Hotel [4 star]
BTS:  Phloen ChitBTS: Nana
novotelbangkokploenchit-superiorroomgrandswisshotel-premiertwin
Read Review…Read Review…

 

Galleria 12 Hotel  [4 Star]The Continent  Hotel [4 star]
BTS:  AsokeBTS:  Asoke
galleria12hotel-studiogdayThe Continent Hotel - Rooms
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Mode Sathorn  Hotel  [4 Star]W Bangkok  [5 star]
BTS:  SurasakBTS:  Chong Nonsi
modesathorn-roomnightwbangkok-spectacularroom1
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2. Do you want a hotel close to your shopping and street food?

Yes > Stay in Pratunam. If you want an all-in-one area inclusive of shopping and lots of street food, this is the place to stay. But do take note that roads are usually congested and streets are always packed. If you don’t like mess and noise, this is not the place for you. Over at Pratunam, there are many 3-star hotels but I recommend you to stay in a 4-star Hotel if you want convenience and comfort. Most 3-star hotels are located right in the middle or end of the streets. The nearest train is either Airport Rail Link (ARL) Ratchaprarob station or BTS Ratchathewi / Chidlom but it requires about 10 to 15 minutes of walking.

Centara Watergate Pavillion  [4 Star]GLOW Pratunam  [4 star]
ARL:  RatchaprarobARL:  Ratchaprarob
Centara Watergate Pavillion - Deluxe Roomglowpratunam-deluxecorner2
Read Review…Read Review…

 

Vince Pratunam  Hotel  [4 Star]The Berkeley Hotel  [4 star]
ARL:  RatchaprarobARL:  Ratchaprarob
vincehotelpratunam-room1The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam - Luxury Corner Room
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Novotel Bangkok Platinum  [4 Star]Amari Watergate Hotel  [5 star]
ARL:  RatchaprarobARL:  Ratchaprarob
novotelbangkokplatinum-superiorroomamariwatergate-executiveroom1
Read Review…

3. Do you want a hotel which is quiet, close to the locals but still near to major attractions?

Yes > Stay around Silom / Si Phraya area. If you want some peace, stay close to the locals to experience their lifestyle but still near to major places such as Siam and Yaowarat, a good choice will be at Si Phraya area. In fact, one of my favourite place to stay in Bangkok when I go over for work is at Si Phraya. See if you can spot it.

iSanook Residence  [3 Star]Mandarin Hotel  [4 star]
MRT:  Sam YanMRT:  Sam Yan
isanookresidence-studiomandarinhotel-deluxeroom
 Read Review…Read Review…

4. Do you want a boutique hotel which is very different from the rest?

Yes > I believe you are not in Bangkok to shop, but mainly to relax, have some spa sessions and enjoy the hotel facilities.

Sofitel So Bangkok  [5 Star]Hotel Indigo Bangkok  [5 star]
MRT: LumpiniBTS: Phloen Chit
sofitelsobangkok_metalroom2hotelindigobangkok_chaiyapruek1
 Read Review…Read Review…

5. Do you have recommendations of a good hostel?

Yes > They are mainly situated close to BTS or major attractions and the good news is that they are modern, clean and fun! A good option if you are looking at something cheap and you love to meet fellow travellers.

CHAO HostelSleepbox Sukhumvit 22
BTS: National StadiumBTS: Asoke / Phrom Phong
chaohostel-room1sleepboxsukhumvit22-sweetbox1
 Read Review…Read Review…

 

Lub d Siam SquareHQ Hostel
BTS: National StadiumBTS: Sala Daeng
Lub d Bangkok Siam Square - RoomHQ Hostel - Suite
 Read Review…Read Review…

6. Do you want a hotel beside the river?

Yes > Stay at hotels along Chao Phraya River but they are usually 5-star hotels. If you stay along the river I recommend you to stay at Old Bangkok which is near to Khao San area, where there is much more for you to explore.

Riva Surya Hotel [4 Star]  Riva Surya - Deluxe Riva Room

7. Do you want something even more different, perhaps a resort in Bangkok?

Yes > This is perhaps a good option if you have already visited Bangkok many times or you are here for your honeymoon and want to stay in a resort in Bangkok itself. Probably something like a villa in Phuket but still in Bangkok?

The Siam Hotel [5 Star]  thesiamhotel-poolvilla

Hope this guide aids you in choosing your hotel, solving your questions of “Where to Stay in Bangkok?”! If it is not your first time to Bangkok, you may want to check out other interesting hotels that I have reviewed  here. :)