11 Best Hotels in Bangkok, Thailand

After checking in on the ground floor, you'll soar up the elevators to your room at this 60-story hotel—the light-filled suites in the impossibly slender tower all have sweeping city views. Native woods in everything from large desks to walk-in closets give each room a warm glow. A fully equipped spa offers the latest treatments, and a 53rd-floor sundeck beckons with a relaxing whirlpool. The rooftop restaurant Vertigo is one of Asia Pacific's highest open-air eateries.

You'd expect to find this charming little hotel on Paris's Left Bank—the rooms are small but comfortable, and each is individually decorated with an unerring eye for detail. It's one of the few low-key lodgings in an area dominated by office towers. Families should consider one of the suites, which are big and with kitchenettes. A ground-floor restaurant serves Thai food and doubles as a sitting room. The hotel entrance is just down Soi Anuman Rojdhon off Surawong.

The expansive marble lobby is your first clue that this hotel is head and shoulders above others in its price range. Rooms have pleasant furnishings and spotless baths. There's a rooftop garden for sunbathing, and a small indoor pool next to the lobby. The best asset, though, may be the friendly staff. Many Asian tour groups stay here. The Skytrain is a 15-minute walk from the hotel.

With a rich history dating back to 1879, The Oriental is one of Bangkok's most prestigious hotels. It's on the banks of the Chao Phraya River and has hosted presidents, royalty, and international celebrities. Each room and suite has individual touches and elegant colonial-style flair. The rooms' large picture windows overlook the river or gardens. Outstanding restaurants and bars showcase everything from Italian and French to Thai cuisine; don't miss the famous Author's Lounge, known for its English-style afternoon tea.

This hotel within stumbling distance of Patpong has been well maintained since it was built in 1970, playing up its old-fashioned aesthetic. Prices are slightly higher than you'd expect for the area, but the rooms are spacious, and discounts are often available. In-house fortune-tellers, who will read your palm for a small fee, are one sign of the quirky neighborhood a few doors down.

Dating back to 1968, this is one of Bangkok's older hotels, but it's well kept up and conveniently located by the business district on Silom Road. It has basic but comfortable rooms and a friendly staff. The hotel's name refers to the god Vishnu (Narai is the Thai name for Vishnu), and an elegant bas-relief of the Hindu deity can be seen on the wall in front of the main staircase. 

This four-suite hotel started life in 1917 as one of Bangkok's first cinema houses, and the art deco stained glass window and original theatre marquee have been preserved, along with an original 35mm projector and screen. The location, on a short alley off Charoen Krung Road, is superb for exploring the shops and street eateries nearby.

One of Bangkok's most prestigious riverfront properties, the Shangri-La rivals even the more famous Mandarin Oriental. Crystal chandeliers illuminate the palatial marble lobby, and the adjacent lounge offers a marvelous Chao Phraya views through floor-to-ceiling windows. The peace of the gardens is interrupted only by the puttering of passing boats. In the luxurious Krungthep Wing, a separate tower across the garden, the rooms are larger and quieter, with balconies overlooking the river—a rare treat in Bangkok. The hotel is a short walk from BTS Saphan Taksin.

The family that runs the Siam Heritage has created a classy boutique hotel with a purpose—to preserve and promote Thai heritage. Each room is individually furnished, mostly with pieces from northern Thailand. The bedrooms have teakwood floors, and the bathrooms have stonework in place of tiling. The attention to detail is seen in the painted elevator doors, colorful woven bedspreads, and other touches.

With beautiful rooftop venues and abundant flair, the ultraluxurious Tower Club section of Lebua has spacious rooms with stunning upper-floor views and prices to match. The fancier rooms come with full kitchens, washers and dryers, and private balconies. Tower Club privileges include free tapas, high tea, and cocktails in the Tower Lounge, along with priority reservations at any of the State Tower building's restaurants. The hotel is at the end of Silom Road near the river, convenient to most attractions.

The trendy sister property of the adjacent Narai Hotel has spacious rooms with wood floors and modern fittings in deep brown, cream, black, and red. The windows are small, so don't expect a lot of natural light. There's a courtyard in the center, and a restaurant and bar with indoor and outdoor seating. Guests at Triple Two have access to the Narai's swimming pool and fitness center, just steps away.