Wat Arun in Bangkok
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Bangkok is one of the world’s busiest travel hubs and it remains an attractive holiday destination in its own right. This sprawling metropolis covers so much ground and has so much to offer that it’s only natural to ask: which is the best area to stay in Bangkok?
In this blog, we’ve decided to view Bangkok through the eyes of different audiences that visit the city. While we can’t cover every individual traveller’s preferences, we think these broad groups fairly represent the views of most people visiting Bangkok. Read on to see which area of Bangkok is best for you.
Emsphere Mall on Sukhumvit Road
Bangkok's Key Neighbourhoods at a Glance
While every area in Bangkok can fairly claim to have something for tourists, we have chosen to narrow down our selection to 7 key neighbourhoods that are simply the best in the city. Here they are:
Sukhumvit: One of Bangkok’s main arterial roads, Sukhumvit is absolutely buzzing with activity, attractions, and much more. While the main Sukhumvit road has plenty to choose from, its side streets or ‘sois’ are well-rounded neighbourhoods of their own; these include Thong Lor (Sukhumvit 55), Ekkamai (Sukhumvit 63) and many others. This road is extremely long and carries on outside of Bangkok, so for our list, we’ll limit it to Ekkamai in the east.
Siam: The de-facto centre of the city for many, Siam is the biggest shopping centre of Bangkok and is home to its largest malls. Siam Square is also a big part of life here as it features walking streets, boutiques, restaurants and much more. In terms of transportation, this is where the BTS Skytrain lines meet so many tourists pass through here at some point during their trip.
Chong Nonsi Skywalk in Sathorn
Mahanakhon Building
Silom/Sathorn: The Silom/Sathorn area has long been the business district of Bangkok with towering skyscrapers dominating the skyline here. Silom is a vibrant tourist area, which features sophisticated restaurants, bars and cafes. New shopping malls such as One Bangkok and Dusit Central Park have just opened to add more to this embarrassment of riches, and they are both right next to Lumphini Park, Bangkok’s beloved green space. Our Senior PR Manager, Tum, also recommended to stop by Commons Saladaeng, a great community space for good coffee or a glass of wine. They also have the best focaccia in town, perfect as a post-run treat.
Riverside: The Chao Phraya river is the lifeblood of Bangkok and its many khlongs, so it comes as no surprise that both sides of the river are some of this city’s prime locations for tourist attractions. You can enjoy river cruises ranging from luxury dining to party boats or check out the incredible Buddhist temples.
Ratchada: Home to RCA (Royal City Avenue), a street that is filled with nightclubs, bars, live-music venues and restaurants. Ratchada is also well-known for its night markets such as Jodd Fairs. You’ll want to visit here to see how the locals enjoy their city.
Bangkok's Old Town
Old Town/Rattanakosin: The historic city centre of Bangkok is where you’ll find the Grand Palace, historic temples and buildings, and many iconic restaurants. This area is also close to Yaowarat (China Town) and its neon-filled streets as well as the famous backpacker hub, Khao San Road.
Asoke: While it is technically a neighbourhood in Sukhumvit, Asoke has been carving out its own role in Bangkok for the past couple of decades as a tourism and business hub. It has malls such as Terminal 21, massive business towers, distinct nightlife and it’s also a crucial transportation hub as the BTS and MRT (Metropolitan Rapid Transit) meet here. Tum also suggested to drop by the nearby Benjakitti Park one of the city’s most popular green spaces, with a new skywalk that’s perfect for strolling and catching the sunset. Stay here and you’ll never run out of things to do.
The Shrine of Erawan
Best Areas by Traveller Priorities
For First-Time Visitors & Sightseeing
If it’s your first time visiting Bangkok, why not start at the heart of it all? Siam is where every journey across Bangkok can easily begin because its connectivity and central position are better than arguably any other spot.
Two of the biggest and most iconic malls in the city, Siam Paragon and CentralWorld, are walking distance from each other right here. Other big shopping destinations, such as MBK Center, Siam Square, Gaysorn Plaza, Gaysorn Amarin, Central Chidlom, and Central Embassy, are all very close by.
You’ll be able to take the BTS from Siam to any station on the Sukhumvit or Silom line, which covers most of the neighbourhoods on our list and more! While the traffic might make road travel less appealing, if you do take a taxi from Siam during off-peak hours, you’ll get to most places quite easily.
For sightseeing, this connectivity is what makes Siam stand out. Getting to the Grand Palace or Wat Pho isn’t especially difficult by car or by taking the BTS and MRT. The same goes for visiting an area like Yaowarat, which is accessible by MRT. We can continue listing places but the point is quite clear: of all the areas to stay in Bangkok, Siam is the best place for first-time visitors and sightseers.
Anantara Pool Residence at Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel
Where to Stay
The Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel is one of the most iconic hotels in this area and it can be one of the very best experiences for a first-time traveller. Not only does it have superlative facilities such as Michelin guide-recommended Biscotti,it is right next to a beloved Bangkok landmark, the Erawan Shrine, which houses a statue of Phra Phrom, the Thai representation of Lord Brahma. You can walk to most locations in Siam from the hotel or take the BTS from the Ratchadamri BTS station to Silom in a matter of minutes.
Enjoy a night at AQUA Bar, Asia's 50 Best Bars, with a playful collection of eight special cocktails inspired by the secret garden of Quill, the magician duck. This little oasis turns garden magic into creative drinks worth discovering. And if you’re craving authentic Thai flavours, Spice Market right next door has you covered.
Rattanakosin by the Chao Phraya River
For Families
Bangkok’s most popular and exciting areas can be very dense and difficult to navigate for families and large groups of people. Family vacations need to be comfortable for everyone and having the space to unwind and move freely is perhaps the most important factor.
It’s for these reasons that we recommend staying by the Riverside for most families. The hotels there have much larger properties and spaces for everyone to spend time together and apart. The ferries transport people from one place to another very efficiently and can easily accommodate large groups.
If you want to visit Wat Arun, Wat Pho, or the Grand Palace, the ferry system is right there to get you exactly where you need to go. ICONSIAM also makes its presence felt along the riverside and as one of Bangkok’s biggest new malls.
Anantara and Avani+ Riverside
Where to Stay
For families who want a resort escape without leaving the city, Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort is hard to beat. Set in 11 acres of tropical gardens on the banks of the Chao Phraya, it feels far removed from the traffic across the river. Children can spend their days at the kids' club or in the pool, while parents stay active with tennis, yoga, tai chi, group fitness classes or a round in the muay Thai ring. The Anantara Spa offers everything from single treatments to multi-day retreats, and Anantara Wellness goes further with personalised health programmes that few city hotels can match.
Right next door, Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel has a livelier, more grown-up energy. The rooftop infinity pool looks out across the river and skyline, and SEEN Restaurant & Bar serves food and cocktails on the roof as the city lights come on. Long Bar is the place for tapas and drinks by the water, while Lost & Found tucks creative cocktails away in a bunker-style bar after dark. The Anantara Spa and the resort's restaurants are only a short walk away, so it's easy to pair rooftop evenings with slower days in the garden.
To round off an evening, Tum suggests booking a table at Sala Lakorn, where dinner comes with an elegant show telling the story of Thai history through performance.
Ratchada Area in Bangkok
For Business
In the past, recommending the best area for business travellers was very easy: just stay in Sathorn. The truth is, Bangkok has become more dynamic over the last two decades with ‘the business district’ no longer hosting every major company or office tower in the city. Sathorn is still the main business district for many industries and it is worth staying here if all meetings are in the area.
However, these days, Sukhumvit is where new businesses are flocking. Asoke is the main beneficiary of this interest because its connectivity to both BTS and MRT is very valuable. You’ll find plenty of offices in the region. Since Asoke is on Sukhumvit, this is where our overlap occurs but other areas of Sukhumvit, such as Phrom Phong, Thong Lor and even far away Punnawithi (where True Digital Park, the tech hub of Bangkok, is located) remain in the conversation.
Finally, Ratchada is an evergreen business district as it is home to the Rama 9 office complexes, and it is connected to Asoke as well as Bangkok’s outer industrial estates and special economic zones.
Avani Ratchada Bangkok Hotel
Where to Stay
Every business traveller has different areas in mind when they visit Bangkok but for its broad connectivity and generally central position in the city, we recommend staying at Avani Ratchada Bangkok Hotel. It is walking distance from all the Rama 9 office towers, Central Rama 9 mall, and of course, the Rama 9 MRT station.
Take the MRT, and in two stops, you’ll be at Sukhumvit MRT station in the heart of Asoke. Alternatively, you can stay on the MRT and get to Si Lom MRT station to access the Silom/Sathorn area or go the other way to access Bangkok’s outer districts.
If you’re planning to primarily visit True Digital Park during your stay then, The Avani Sukhumvit Bangkok Hotel is a much more convenient option. This hotel is just a 5-minute drive away, and has direct access to On Nut BTS Station. There are many nice cafes in the area and some local nightlife spots.
If you need to stay in Asoke and generally visit the Sukhumvit area, then NH Bangkok Asoke is extremely convenient. It’s a short walk from the hotel to the Asoke BTS and Sukhumvit MRT Stations as well as Terminal 21 Asoke.
Siam Square Walking Street
For Shopping
As mentioned earlier, Siam is definitely the best area in Bangkok for shopping. The city has so many great shopping malls but it is hard to think of many malls better than CentralWorld and Siam Paragon. Both of these malls have dominated the retail landscape, offering a wide range of shopping experiences and Siam Paragon is also flanked by Siam Center and Siam Discovery, which are unique shopping experiences in terms of presentation and layout.
Siam Square is a huge shopping area with smaller malls like Centrepoint Siam Square and Siam Square One as well as a multitude of boutiques. MBK Center is also in the area and it has long been a popular shopping destination for tourists looking for good deals on clothes, Thai souvenirs and electronics. The malls in the Chidlom and Phloen Chit area are also just a short BTS ride away.
The other popular tourist shopping malls are in the Asoke and Phrom Phong areas of Sukhumvit. Phrom Phong hosts the Emporium, EmQuartier and the EmSphere, which are known for their luxury boutiques, excellent dining options and playful layouts. Terminal 21 is the main shopping mall in Asoke and it hosts great local boutiques as well as some global brands in its fun air travel-themed space. Both Siam and Sukhumvit rank among the best areas to stay in Bangkok for shopping enthusiasts.
Where to Stay
The Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel is the best choice for avid shoppers because its position in Ratchadamri means every major Siam mall is within reach. It’s also right next to Gaysorn Amarin and Gaysorn Plaza, which are high-end luxury shopping malls with exclusive brands not found anywhere else in the city.
An alternate option here is the NH Bangkok Asoke and NH Bangkok Sukhumvit Boulevard because of its proximity to Terminal 21, Emporium, EmQuartier and EmSphere.
The Iconic Asiatique Sky Ferris Wheel
Asiatique The Riverfront Destination
For Nightlife
Bangkok has always had thriving nightlife in various parts of the city but our pick has got to be Ratchada. The biggest reason to choose Ratchada is RCA, as it is the most celebrated nightlife street by locals and tourists alike. Bangkok’s mainstay nightclubs, Route 66 and ONYX, are still going strong and the street also has other nightclubs and bars that cater to different tastes. If nightclubs and bars are not your idea of nightlife, Ratchada has Jodd Fairs Night Market to keep you entertained. Take this opportunity to try Thailand’s famous street food and night market specialities and spend some time shopping here.
While many wonder which area of Bangkok is best for nightlife, the truth is Thais do love a night out, so you’ll find some great spots across the city. You can choose to hang out on rooftop bars in Sukhumvit or Silom or enjoy Asiatique by the riverfront. Soi Nana in Chinatown is also a major new nightlife hotspot that features some of the most well-regarded bars in the city.
Where to Stay
The Avani Ratchada Bangkok Hotel is a Ratchada favourite, as you either take the MRT one stop to Thailand Cultural Centre MRT station or make the 20-minute walk to Jodd Fairs Night Market from here. RCA is not too far away either so you’re perfectly positioned to get to both places quite easily. Many Sukhumvit night spots are close by if you take a taxi and travelling across the city at night is much easier because there won’t be any major traffic jams.
Bangkok BTS Skytrain
Key Considerations When Choosing Your Area
Choosing the best area to stay in Bangkok goes beyond just proximity to attractions and hotspots, so we’ve put together some key considerations here for you to keep in mind before making your decision.
Transport Connectivity
BTS vs MRT
- The Bangkok Skytrain (BTS) covers Sukhumvit, Siam, Silom and more. As the name suggests, the tracks are elevated, and the service is tourist-friendly.
- The Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT) is an underground rail network that connects the city centre with the outer regions and passes through Ratchada, parts of Silom, Old Town, and more.
- Asoke is an intersection for the MRT and BTS, thus, it provides more transport flexibility than most places.
- Other areas not connected to these rail networks require taxis or river ferries for transportation.
River Ferry System
- The Chao Phraya Express Boat covers most of the historic sites and Riverside hotels.
- The ferries are slower than the trains, but they offer a scenic way to travel.
- With the ferry, you avoid road traffic entirely.
Road Traffic in Bangkok
- Taxis in Bangkok are affordable, but you will spend a lot of time in traffic.
- Download the popular ride-hailing app, Grab, to request specific vehicles.
- You must avoid the roads during peak hours (8-10 AM, 4.30-7.30 PM); otherwise you might go off schedule.
- Ultimately, taxis are the best option for many trips; just be aware of the traffic situation.
Lumphini Park
Location Trade-offs
Value vs. Location
- The Riverside has luxury resorts and space, but it is not centrally located, which means you’ll spend more time travelling to and from attractions.
- Siam is a premium location at a premium price, but you’re getting a more convenient and pleasant experience for shopping and entertainment.
- Ratchada is a great location for nightlife and business travellers, but it is well-connected and can still be a great base for other tourist attractions.
Travel Time vs Activity Time
- Getting across Bangkok can take a lot of time, depending on where you want to go and what you want to do. Sometimes, taxis during peak times are unavoidable if you are on a busy schedule.
- Choosing a centrally located hotel for a shorter trip to the city is more worthwhile than staying further away and trying to maintain a strict daily itinerary.
- Traffic jams, public holidays, and rainy weather are just some of the factors that can easily cause delays in transit. and they must be accounted for when planning your trip.
- A good rule of thumb is to plan not more than 2-3 activities in one day as this can account for any time spent travelling.
Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort
Tourist Hub vs Local Experience
Which areas are Bangkok’s tourist hubs?
- Siam and certain areas of Sukhumvit (Nana to Phrom Phong) are set up as major tourist hubs with more English speakers, English menus, international restaurants and tourist services.
- Other parts of Sukhumvit, like Thong Lor and Ekkamai, and Silom have more of a mix of tourist infrastructure and local characteristics.
- The rest of the city including Ratchada and Chinatown will have more of an authentic local character with pockets of tourist infrastructure like international restaurants and malls.
What does a local Thai experience really mean?
- This is a good question, and it takes a lifetime to really understand what this is all about. But let’s list a few things you can experience when you visit Bangkok.
- Eating Thai food at local restaurants and night markets or from street food vendors.
- Checking out local cafes, restaurants, markets and retail locations.
- Interacting with locals in public spaces such as parks and community areas.
- These are just some ways that you can connect with Bangkok’s authentic city identity beyond the tourist attractions.
Garden Pool Villa at Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel
Find Your Perfect Bangkok Base
Our tour of Bangkok's diverse neighbourhoods comes to end but now you have the insight to determine the best area to stay in Bangkok for your specific needs. You can choose from the resort luxury of the Riverside, the shopping paradise of Siam, the authentic nightlife of Ratchada, or the business connectivity of Asoke; each area delivers a distinct Bangkok experience.
Bangkok's BTS and MRT networks can quickly connect you across the city but you can always take a taxi (during off-peak hours) to get anywhere conveniently. The area you choose just determines what you'll have at your doorstep and where you'll return to unwind after exploring this incredible city.
