Bangkok is big, really big. It can also be a little overwhelming, so it makes sense that you’d want to carefully consider your hotel’s location to stay as close as possible to the places and activities you’ve got planned.
Every neighborhood in the city offers something different, so deciding where to stay just depends on the kind of holiday you want.
Want to party and drink until morning? Bangkok has you covered. Prefer sightseeing, trying local foods, and winding down at a spa? Bangkok has that too. Feel like shopping? There’s no better place to indulge a shopaholic’s addiction than in Bangkok.
I’ve lived in the Big Mango for over 16 years now, and I like to think I’ve gotten to know its neighborhoods quite well. In this article, I’ll be breaking down the main areas so you can decide the best place to stay in Bangkok for you.
1. SUKHUMVIT:
For nightlife aficionados and high-end living
This is easily my favorite area to stay in — it’s perfect for anyone looking for a city center location with easy access to public transport. Sukhumvit is one of Bangkok’s most action-packed areas, known for its high-end malls, clubs, restaurants, and trendy cafes. It’s a well-developed area and is great for digital nomads and travelers who want to try a bit of everything and enjoy a metropolis atmosphere.
Another great perk of staying in Sukhumvit is that the city’s Skytrain covers the entire area, so you’ll have no problem hopping from one place to another in just a few minutes!
If you’re a traveler who enjoys being close to the action, I’d suggest looking for a hotel around Asoke. This area is a key point where the BTS Skytrain and MRT subway intersect, making it convenient for getting around the city. You will also have some of the best restaurants and cafes in the city right at your doorstep!
Pros of Staying in Sukhumvit:
✔️ Easy access to high-speed transit
✔️ Central location
✔️ Lots of malls and cafes
✔️ Great nightlife
Cons of Staying in Sukhumvit:
❌ Can be expensive in some areas
❌ Quite crowded
❌ Concrete jungle — could be boring if you’re not into high-rise buildings and modern city life
Popular Attractions and Landmarks in Sukhumvit Area:
- Terminal 21
- The EM District (Emquartier, Emsphere & Emporium)
- Benjakitti Park
- Octave Rooftop Bar
- Nana Plaza
2. CHINATOWN OR YAOWARAT ROAD:
For budget-conscious foodies with a taste for indie scenes
With the opening of Wat Mangkon and Sam Yot stations, Chinatown has become more accessible by public transport and is gaining popularity among travelers looking for budget-friendly stays. It’s not the most developed area, but it’s got a lot of character! On weekends, the whole street comes alive with bustling markets and lines of street food stalls. You’ll also find many Michelin-star restaurants, cheap wholesale vendors, and vintage cafes.
If you’re a new traveler, however, the Yaowarat area might overwhelm you quite a bit. So if you want to travel comfortably with less chaos, you might want to consider other neighborhoods on this list. But if you want to experience the more authentic side of Bangkok, this is the place to be!
Pros of Staying in Chinatown:
✔️ Lively atmosphere
✔️ Cheap hotels
✔️ Lots of local food options
✔️ Great for photos if you want to capture the more vintage side of Bangkok
✔️ Connected to the city via metro and Skytrain
Cons of Staying in Chinatown:
❌ Crowded and noisy
❌ Congested area with a lot of traffic at night
❌ No malls or Western-style restaurants
Popular Attractions and Landmarks in Chinatown Area:
3. SIAM:
For families and retail lovers
Siam is a timeless choice. While I’m personally a fan of the EM District, Siam undeniably stands out as Bangkok’s top shopping center. It’s perfect for travelers who enjoy modern conveniences, as it’s home to some of Bangkok’s biggest malls like Siam Paragon, CentralWorld, and MBK — you can easily walk between these malls and shop to your heart’s content!
If you’re into fashion, entertainment, or just exploring urban hotspots, Siam offers plenty of trendy cafes, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. It’s also well-connected by public transport so you’ll have easy access to other parts of Bangkok.
Since Siam is a popular shopping destination (even among locals), the area is always busy and crowded, especially on weekends, so just be prepared for a lot of foot traffic!
Pros of Staying in Siam:
✔️ Considered the heart of Bangkok so it’s located in the center of everything
✔️ Access to all types of public transit
✔️ Near family-friendly attractions
✔️ A lot of shopping malls
✔️ Tourist friendly
Cons of Staying in Siam:
❌ Crowded with lots of traffic, especially during weekends
❌ Hotels can be expensive around the area
❌ Being centrally located, you may have a hard time finding authentic Thai food nearby
Popular Attractions and Landmarks in Siam Area:
4. CHAO PHRAYA RIVERSIDE:
For couples who want a beautiful backdrop
The Chao Phraya Riverside area is ideal for travelers who enjoy a more peaceful, scenic stay. It’s perfect for anyone who appreciates stunning river views, heritage sites, and a slower pace of life. If you’re planning to visit iconic landmarks like the Grand Palace, Wat Arun, and night markets, staying by the river provides easy access. It’s also great for those who enjoy relaxing riverside dining, sunset cruises, or simply soaking in the serene atmosphere while still being close to key attractions in Bangkok.
Another great aspect of staying by the Bangkok riverside is the ferry boat rides. The Chao Phraya River can be a great way to travel in Bangkok, with ferries running up and down the river all day. Central Pier (or Tha Saphan) is also conveniently located near the Saphan Taksin BTS station, so you’ll have access to the Skytrain if you want to travel to other areas of the city.
Some hotels offer free ferry rides, so be sure to ask the front desk if you’re staying at one around here!
Pros of Staying in Chao Phraya Riverside:
✔️ Beautiful views of the river
✔️ Access to ferry boats
✔️ Quiet, but still in the center part of the city
✔️ Lots of places to eat
Cons of Staying in Chao Phraya Riverside:
❌ Hotels around here are more upscale, so you can expect them to be on the pricier end
Popular Attractions and Landmarks in Chao Phraya Riverside Area:
5. CHATUCHAK:
For thrifty shoppers
Chatuchak is a bit out of the way but it can be a great place to stay if you’re someone who loves night markets, local culture, and a more quiet, residential vibe. It’s ideal for bargain hunters and shopaholics as it’s home to the famous Chatuchak Weekend Market, one of the largest markets in the world. This area is also perfect if you enjoy parks and want a more local experience away from the city’s main tourist spots.
While there aren’t many attractions around the area, Chatuchak is still well-connected to central Bangkok by both the MRT (Chatuchak MRT Station) and the Skytrain (Mo Chit BTS Station). It takes about 30 minutes to travel from Chatuchak to the Siam area on the BTS, so it can still be quite convenient!
Pros of Staying in Chatuchak:
✔️ Near some big parks
✔️ Access to metro and Skytrain
✔️ Quiet since it’s mostly a residential area
✔️ Close to Chatuchak market
✔️ Not a lot of tourists
Cons of Staying in Chao Phraya Riverside:
❌ Not close to many attractions
❌ Not a lot of hotel options
Popular Attractions and Landmarks in Chatuchak Area:
6. SILOM AND SATHORN:
For a metropolitan business vibe
Silom and Sathorn are ideal areas to stay in if you’re a business traveler, foodie, or someone who enjoys a mix of corporate and fun city life. Known as Bangkok’s business district, these areas are perfect for those who want to be close to office buildings, embassies, and high-end hotels. At the same time, the areas come alive in the evenings with rooftop bars, trendy restaurants, and lively nightlife, especially around Patpong Night Market.
You’ll have access to both BTS and MRT trains and you’ll also be close to major attractions like Lumpini Park and Bangkok Art and Culture Center.
Think of it as Sukhumvit with a more professional, business-oriented vibe. The only downside is the traffic during rush hour, but it shouldn’t be a problem if you’re taking the metro or Skytrain.
Pros of Staying in Silom & Sathorn:
✔️ Great nightlife
✔️ Central location
✔️ Upscale hotels with Western dining options
✔️ Easy access to the metro and Skytrain
Cons of Staying in Silom & Sathorn:
❌ Not a lot of major attractions nearby
❌ Hotels are quite expensive since it’s a more commercial area
❌ Calmer than other areas in the central location
Popular Attractions and Landmarks in Silom & Sathorn:
7. PRATUNAM:
For shopaholics looking for wholesale deals
Pratunam is great if you’re in Bangkok to shop! It isn’t as expensive as Siam, and there are thousands of affordable clothing stalls and surrounding wholesale malls like Bao Bei and Platinum Fashion Mall.
The area is also well-connected with the rest of the city via the BTS Skytrain and Metro stations, so I’d say it’s a pretty solid choice!
Pros of Staying in Pratunam:
✔️ Access to the metro, Skytrain, and ferry boats
✔️ Family-friendly area
✔️ A lot of shopping malls with wholesale deals
Cons of Staying in Pratunam:
❌ Crowded with lots of foot traffic
❌ Difficult to go around by taxi due to congested traffic
Popular Attractions and Landmarks in Pratunam:
PLACES IN BANGKOK I'D AVOID STAYING IN
The area you stay in can really make or break your entire trip. Which is why I’ve also listed a few places in the city that I personally would suggest avoiding. All these are considered red-light districts and are known for their sex tourism. So if that’s not what you’re in Thailand for, I’d suggest finding a hotel elsewhere.
Khao San Road
If you’ve already read other articles about places to stay in Bangkok, you’ve likely seen Khao San Road mentioned a few times.
This area is hectic, with many college students and expats roaming around drunk at night, and some people pestering you to watch their “ping-pong show, ping-pong show!” 🙄 If you’ve seen the ending of the movie Hangover, you already know what kind of show that is.
Khao San is great if you want to party during your entire stay, but not so much if you just want to relax.
Soi Cowboy
Soi Cowboy is another area you would want to steer clear of if you’re not into the whole sex tourism scene.
This street will have go-go bars, loud music, and girls out front in skimpy clothing trying to lure you in. It’s fun, wild, and can be a cool place to get a few drinks in. But it’s not for everyone, especially not families and young travelers.
Patpong
Patpong is much like the other places I’ve mentioned. There are ping-pong shows and girls in bikinis dancing outside trying to draw in tourists. It’s not a place for kids and as a female traveler myself, I find it to be seedy and tasteless.
It can be an interesting area to visit for one night, but it might not be the best choice for your entire stay here.
