A Simple Guide to Figuring Out The Area Best Suited to Your Needs (With a few Hotel Recommendations)
Hello, I am back after a very long hiatus, and yes, I know, I am sorry, but I was really stuck working on a couple of new projects, and it was quite exciting and fun. This month, I had the opportunity to go to Bangkok for a very short time, but guess what? I loved every moment of it. So, when I came back, I started thinking about a question that I have been asked a lot, which is :
WHERE SHOULD I STAY IN BANGKOK?
The fact is, Bangkok is a huge city, and there are so many different things to see and/or do that one might feel totally lost while deciding upon the area to stay in. However, here’s a handy dandy guide to figuring out which area to stay in Bangkok, together with a map which can be downloaded. I got this map from THIS particular source.
Some Basic Ideas about Bangkok
Despite its size, on careful observation, you can break the city into different segments, and stick to the region you like.
Sightseeing and Shopping in Bangkok
For example, if you want to do some basic sightseeing of Bangkok (King’s Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, etc., it is probably a good idea to stay close to Khao San road, and you can easily walk to the King’s palace from there, and go to Wat Pho as well as Wat Arun from there. If you want to go shopping for brands, Siam is the place to be, since it harbours some of the major shopping malls in Bangkok. I personally adore Siam Paragon for brand shopping.
I personally have stayed in a couple of places in Khao San, as well as places close to Khao San, and the two hotels I recommend are Dang Derm In the Park on Khao San road itself, as well as The Warehouse, which is a short walk from Khao San Road. I love The Warehouse, since its close to some really tiny but fabulous food stalls, and you can get great noodle soup at around 30-50 baht (as of 2019), which is definitely a bargain, given that Khao San Road food is considerably more expensive and definitely touristy.
Cheap and Central
For cheaper option when it comes to shopping and eating out, Platinum Mall or Central Mall are good choices, and I personally am of the opinion that the cheapest as well as most versatile food court is that of Terminal 21. In case you want to do some local shopping, Chatuchak Market is very well known, but you can also check out the Maeklong Railway Market, as well as the floating market, for some novelty shopping experience. Amongst these, the Maeklong Railway Market is really cheap and great for getting some fresh produce as well as good quality groceries. I also found a few places selling clothes that were quite pretty, and a fraction of a price of MBK. Berkeley Hotel, Novotel Platinum Mall, as well as Amari Watergate are some of the perfectly good options you can opt for when you stay.
MBK and National Stadium
A lot of people swear by MBK, which is a huge mall, but I am of the opinion that it is over-hyped, and most of the stuff available there are available elsewhere for far cheaper prices, if you know how to look. In case you want to stay close to MBK, look for options close to National Stadium, like Holiday Inn Express, Siam, as well as Ibis Siam, not to mention the famous Mercure Hotel. By the way, Mercure Hotel and Ibis share the same building, but the luxury quotient is definitely different.
Local Feels
In case you want to see how Thai people live and want to get a more local feel to your neighbourhood, then Thong Lo (Sukhumvit Soi 55) is a lovely area to stay in. On my first trip to Bangkok, I stayed there in a cute little AirBnb and my host was really gracious and nice, who made a lot of concessions for me. I would always remember that stay with fondness.
Riverside Romance
If you want luxury and quietness, then the Riverside may be a good place to be. Thanks to properties like Ramada and Hilton, the riverside region is now becoming a sort of status symbol, and it is definitely worth exploring the options in this region. On the other hand, if you are looking for *ahem*, well, earthly pleasure-centric, maybe stay close to Nana, which is known for it.
What is Sukhumvit?
One more thing: Many people tell me they are staying in Sukhumvit. Here’s the deal : Sukhumvit is a VERY LONG ROAD, with streets sprouting off it constantly. So, check the region you are staying in. Though mostly safe, there are a few areas in Sukhumvit that are not 100% safe, and you might want to read a few reviews before booking that hotel of yours. So ask a few friends and check reviews if you are booking online, and don’t just jump in if you like the looks of it. Do a little bit of research and I swear, it shall yield great results.
Airport Transfers to and from Suvarnabhumi
I did find a few hotels near Suvarnabhumi as well as Don Mueang airport, and I recently stayed in Mariya Boutuique Hotel near Suvarnabhumi. Their breakfast was quite comprehensive, and I enjoyed the free beverages available, not to mention the free pick up and drop from Suvarnabhumi airport on request.
So, with this post I have tried to give you an idea about where you can stay in Bangkok. If you have better ideas, please leave them in the comment section. As I am not a local, I cannot tell you with absolute conviction these are the best places. However, as I have been to the city quite a number of times, I think I am finally getting some ideas and I decided to share it with you.
Disclaimer: I was invited by Thailand Tourism and Thai Smile Airways to go to Bangkok on a FAM trip recently. However, the information provided here has been curated over a period of three years, so happy picking your place to stay!
