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Alison Fox, Contributor
Forbes Vetted
There’s a hum of energy that pulses through Bangkok, making the city feel magical and exciting no matter if it’s your first visit or 20th. From the vibrant Chao Phraya River, filled with ferry boats criss-crossing the narrow stretch, to the city’s bustling night markets, gold-gilded Grand Palace and fast-moving Skytrain, Bangkok is lively and dynamic at all hours of the day. The best hotels in Bangkok are no different, offering both a space to celebrate that spirit and a respite from it.
Travelers can find a wide range of hotel options in this city, from the quiet elegance of The Peninsula Bangkok to the romantic sanctuary of The Siam. Some feature exciting rooftop bars with unmatched views of seemingly endless high-rises, while others delight with Michelin Star-caliber dining and quiet gardens to escape the buzz of the city and recharge. Each offers something unique, from complimentary amenities like free bikes to explore with to luxury escapes that make you forget you’re in the middle of a city of millions. Below, our selections for the best hotels in Bangkok for 2024.
- Best High-End Hotel In Bangkok: The Peninsula Bangkok
- Best Hotel In Bangkok For Nightlife: The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon
- Best Hotel In Bangkok For Foodies: Mandarin Oriental Bangkok
- Best Hotel In Bangkok For Couples: The Siam
- Best Hotel In Bangkok For Families: Shangri-La Bangkok
- Best Value Hotel In Bangkok: Shanghai Mansion
- Hotel With The Best Location In Bangkok: Capella Bangkok
- Hotel With The Best Amenities In Bangkok: Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok
Best High-End Hotel in Bangkok: The Peninsula Bangkok
Guest room at The Peninsula Bangkok.
Courtesy of The Peninsula BangkokThe Peninsula Bangkok
Who Will Love It: Travelers used to classic luxury, impeccable service and elegant design
All-Star Amenities: In-suite executive desks with printers and scanners; built-in nail dryers; views over the Chao Phraya River
What Not To Miss: The hotel’s lush 288-foot, three-tiered outdoor swimming pool overlooking the river
Location: Khlong San
Set on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, The Peninsula Bangkok offers a quiet escape from the city that begins the moment you pull up to the 333-foot-long driveway. The property is a true oasis, featuring hundreds of fresh orchids and impressive banyan trees, bringing the outside in in the most splendid way. Step into what feels like a secret garden at Thiptara and enjoy traditional Thai dishes like spicy green papaya salad and deep-fried soft-shell crab while overlooking the river, or allow yourself to become immersed in the hum of city life with a ride on one of the hotel’s restored rice-barge ferries.
Each of the property’s 370 guest rooms feature rich Thai silks and marble bathrooms, but the true jewel in the crown is the nearly 4,000-square-foot Peninsula Suite, which includes its own private helipad so you can arrive in style. The richly-appointed suite is perfect for entertaining with dining room seating for up to 10 people, a butler’s room and a terrace overlooking the city’s expansive skyline.
Best Hotel In Bangkok For Nightlife: The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon
Outdoor bar at The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon.
Courtesy of The Standard, Bangkok MahanakhonThe Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon
Who Will Love It: Night owls looking for a place to rest their heads while being in the center of all the action
All-Star Amenities: Bang & Olufsen Bluetooth speakers; floor-to-ceiling windows; Davines bath amenities
What Not To Miss: The views from the Mahanakhon Sky Walk, which sits 1,030 feet above the city, with access included in each stay
Location: Silom
Bangkok’s boundless energy is unmistakable from the moment you step into the always-buzzing The Standard hotel, which opened in 2022 and is set in one of the best nightlife districts in the capital. Party the night away sipping All Day Frosé cocktails high above the city lights on the 78th floor at the hotel’s Sky Beach, the highest rooftop bar in Bangkok. Those in-the-know start to plot their evening during happy hour at The Parlor, sipping a Chang lager from one of the jewel-toned couches, before hitting up the high-end cocktail bars of Silom and reveling in the neon-tinged appeal of Patpong, historically one of the most notorious red-light districts in the world.
Set inside the iconic King Power Mahanakhon building, night owls can sleep off a hangover in one of the hotel’s 155 rooms and suites. Rooms are bright and airy with floor-to-ceiling windows—and floor-to-ceiling curtains—but can also be snug, starting as small as just 312 square feet. For something with a bit more wiggle room, the 1,130-square-foot penthouse includes a fully-stocked kitchen pantry (for late-night, post-bar snacking), giant soaking tub, plush living room, and king-size bed to sprawl out on after a long night.
Best Hotel In Bangkok For Foodies: Mandarin Oriental Bangkok
The Verandah at The Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok.
Courtesy of The Mandarin Oriental, BangkokMandarin Oriental Bangkok
Who Will Love It: Travelers who prioritize amazing food experiences in equally amazing spaces
All-Star Amenities: Butler service; silk bathrobes; biodegradable and glass water bottles
What Not To Miss: A cooking class on-request hosted in the kitchen of the historic Baan Phraya restaurant
Location: Bang Rak
Food is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in a destination, and Bangkok is full of experiences that spotlight the unique flavors of Thai cuisine. Nowhere is that more true than at the Mandarin Oriental, where travelers can feast on elevated versions of Thai staples and long-forgotten cooking techniques in a historic riverside house. Once home to The Oriental Thai Cooking School—the first Thai cooking school in the country—on-site restaurant Baan Phraya now welcomes diners with a sundown aperitif on the outdoor terrace overlooking the river and a multi-course dinner that ends with an indulgent dessert trolley featuring ten classic Thai sweets. Or settle in for a contemporary French meal at the property’s other dining option, the two Michelin-starred Le Normandie by Alain Roux.
Beyond dinner, foodies will love the afternoon tea service, which blends Chinese traditions and Western tea culture (think foie gras choux with five spice and pear compote and lotus paste danish), and finishing the night off with an inventive mango sticky rice cocktail at The Bamboo Bar, Bangkok's first jazz bar. The elegant hotel features 331 rooms, including 60 suites, set along the Chao Phraya River. Each room feels both modern and richly traditional with warm wood floors and Thai silk fabrics. The hotel also offers a selection of two-bedroom suites with private balconies and sophisticated living areas.
Best Hotel In Bangkok For Couples: The Siam
Bedroom in Courtyard Pool Villa.
Courtesy of The SiamThe Siam
Who Will Love It: Couples looking to get away from it all on a romantic escape
All-Star Amenities: Butler service; mini bar with complimentary water and local snacks
What Not To Miss: The traditional Sak Yant tattoo studio
Location: Dusit District
There’s a time and a place for large, centrally-located hotels—but sometimes, you just want to feel like the only people in the world. That’s the appeal of quietly charming The Siam, which offers over-the-top luxury in a serene package that’s just a bit off-the-beaten-path. The property’s 38 suites and villas are set over three acres of lush gardens, offering a sanctuary just down the river from the city. Enjoy the quiet respite of the property’s library, tour the thousands of artwork pieces and antiques from the owner’s own personal collection, or relax by the riverside infinity pool.
Each room combines a modern, bold design with sophisticated old-world elements, like grand curtains and inlaid flooring. Each suite is large, starting at 860 square feet, but the two largest villas are the real gems, coming in at 1,400 square feet each and welcoming guests to relax in a private courtyard surrounded by greenery or take a dip in the private pool. When guests are ready to get back to the action, the hotel offers a complimentary shuttle boat to the city’s central Sathorn pier.
Best Hotel In Bangkok For Families: Shangri-La Bangkok
Guest bath at Shangri-La Bangkok.
Courtesy of Shangri-La BangkokShangri-La Bangkok
Who Will Love It: Families with children of all ages
All-Star Amenities: Children's meal plan; every room category in Krungthep Wing has a balcony; pillow menu available in some room categories
What Not To Miss: Beautiful afternoon tea on the river
Location: Bang Rak
There are many hotels in Bangkok that welcome families, but few on par with the Shangri-La. This luxury hotel takes celebrating little ones to a new level, inviting them to become immersed in Thai food and culture on their own terms. There’s a seemingly endless array of kid-focused activities available, from cooking demonstrations and Muay Thai boxing to lotus folding workshops and even mocktail classes. Youngsters aren’t left out of vacation indulgences like brunch either, with a dedicated kids’ counter set out during the weekend breakfast buffet and fun activities like do-it-yourself pancakes. Parents will love that the stay is a bit easier on their wallets too, with free buffet dining for kids 6 and under.
The hotel offers a total of 802 guest rooms spread across two wings. While rooms in both feature rich creams and gorgeous views of the city or river, the Krungthep Wing really stands out. Set slightly apart from the rest of the hotel, the wing has its own entrance and lobby, its own private pool and lush lawns, which are perfectly suited for tiny travelers to get out the jet lag-induced wiggles.
Best Value Hotel In Bangkok: Shanghai Mansion
Guest room at Shanghai Mansion.
Courtesy of Shanghai MansionShanghai Mansion
Who Will Love It: Budget-conscious travelers who want to be in the middle of the action but don’t want to sacrifice style for price
All-Star Amenities: Complimentary mini-bar replenished daily; complimentary umbrellas
What Not To Miss: A night spent sipping inventive cocktails at the Red Rose Jazz Bar and Restaurant
Location: Chinatown
The 19th century building now home to Shanghai Mansion has had many lives: as a trading house, Bangkok’s first Chinese opera house, a stock exchange and textile trading center, and a department store before being transformed into the distinctive abode it is today. Walk across the small bridge underneath a canopy of red Chinese lanterns to the tranquil indoor courtyard with an indoor pond that harkens back to a bygone era. Set in the middle of one of the busiest parts of the city, a traditional Chinese coffee or street snack is never far away, and for travelers seeking an escape, the hotel’s spa offers restorative (and affordable) treatments, with a traditional 50 minute Thai massage priced at around $33.
Rooms, like the rest of the property, are dimly lit and moody, with four poster canopy beds, freestanding bathtubs, and carved screens in each room. What some rooms lack in natural light (not every room has an external window), they more than make up for in ambiance.
Hotel With The Best Location In Bangkok: Capella Bangkok
Riverfront Premier Suite at Capella Bangkok.
Courtesy of Capella BangkokCapella Bangkok
Who Will Love It: Travelers who want to be in the middle of the action and close to major sites
All-Star Amenities: Mini bar with complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages; courtesy pressing on arrival; Egyptian cotton linens
What Not To Miss: Spending time in the tranquil riverfront spa garden and water therapy area
Location: Yan Nawa
Bangkok boasts many breathtaking sites, from the 18th century Grand Palace complex with its golden stupa and intricately carved figures to the larger-than-life reclining Buddha at Wat Pho. A stay at the Capella Bangkok puts travelers near all of them, just a short way up the river. From the hotel, travelers can also take the complimentary shuttle boat over to IconSiam, a modern mall built to resemble a traditional floating market on the ground floor with stunning views of the river and skyline available from the sixth floor terrace.
Capella Bangkok is made up of just 101 rooms and welcomes guests in style with complimentary bubbles and bonbons upon arrival. The hotel’s villas—which feature private plunge pools, gardens overlooking the river and marble bathrooms—are the perfect place to watch the world go by from.
Hotel With The Best Amenities In Bangkok: Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok
Exterior of Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok.
Courtesy of Kimpton Maa-Lai BangkokKimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok
Who Will Love It: Travelers who want everything at their fingertips; those traveling with furry friends
All-Star Amenities: In-room yoga mat; Vifa Helsinki Sound System; Harnn bathroom amenities
What Not To Miss: Request a plant pal (complete with a name tag) to be brought to your room for an extra dose of greenery
Location: Pathum Wan
Travel can bring out a forgetful streak in anyone, but the Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok has you covered with everything and anything a traveler would need, from makeup remover and extra nail polish to a curling iron, body tape, and even a rubber duck for the bathtub. Each room also comes equipped with yoga mats, and there are free books to borrow from the on-site library as well as complimentary bikes on hand to help you explore the city. Pets are also taken care of here at no extra charge, with pet beds, toys, and even dog and cat grooming kits. In the evenings, travelers can relax with a daily social hour by the pool complete with complimentary wine, cocktails and slushies.
The hotel features 362 guest rooms, including 131 serviced apartments, decked out in organic fabrics and neutral colors with grays and natural woods lending a calm vibe. Giant soaker tubs in the bathroom welcome travelers to relax, while some suites offer private balconies to look out on the green park for a tranquil city view.
About Alison Fox, Your Bangkok Guide
I am a journalist who focuses on travel news and features and has visited over 50 countries. Born in Brooklyn and a lifelong traveler, I developed a love for exploring at an early age, and one day hope to visit every country in the world. Thailand has remained one of my favorite countries since my first visit as a teenager and it is a destination I have continually returned back to over the years. Aside from Forbes Vetted, you can find my work in Travel + Leisure, Parents.com, The Wall Street Journal, and more.
