The 50-room Rikka Inn is a budget property located in the heart of the action on Bangkok's famous Khaosan Road. The scene surrounding the hotel is active 24/7, and guests can walk to restaurants, street food stalls, shops, and many, many, many bars in any direction. Rooms are nothing fancy, and we did spot a bit of wear in some, but they are a step above many of the budget digs in the area. They are clean and have air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and private bathrooms (though they are wet rooms). The rooftop pool and sundeck are a plus, especially at these rates and in this location, but for something closer to the Chao Phraya riverfront, check out the New Siam Guest House II. Rates are similar, though rooms there are more dated.
The 50-room Rikka Inn is a budget property located in the heart of the action on Bangkok's famous Khaosan Road. The scene surrounding the hotel is active 24/7, and guests can walk to restaurants, street food stalls, shops, and many, many, many bars in any direction. Rooms are nothing fancy, and we did spot a bit of wear in some, but they are a step above many of the budget digs in the area. They are clean and have air-conditioning, mini-fridges, and private bathrooms (though they are wet rooms). The rooftop pool and sundeck are a plus, especially at these rates and in this location, but for something closer to the Chao Phraya riverfront, check out the New Siam Guest House II. Rates are similar, though rooms there are more dated.
The 455-room Pathumwan Princess Hotel is one of Bangkok's largest upscale properties. It's ideal for shoppers and sits right next to MBK Mall. Rooms are spacious, smart, and stylish, with polished wood floors, marble bathrooms, and great city views of central Bangkok. The hotel has a large swimming pool, plus a free Olympic Club, and one of Bangkok's largest hotel gyms, with tennis, squash, and badminton courts. The dining options are varied, with Chinese, Italian, Thai, Korean, and an international buffet all available. For an upscale option with a bit more funk and style, travelers should compare rates with Shanghai Mansion, though the Chinatown location is a bit farther from public transit options.
The 455-room Pathumwan Princess Hotel is one of Bangkok's largest upscale properties. It's ideal for shoppers and sits right next to MBK Mall. Rooms are spacious, smart, and stylish, with polished wood floors, marble bathrooms, and great city views of central Bangkok. The hotel has a large swimming pool, plus a free Olympic Club, and one of Bangkok's largest hotel gyms, with tennis, squash, and badminton courts. The dining options are varied, with Chinese, Italian, Thai, Korean, and an international buffet all available. For an upscale option with a bit more funk and style, travelers should compare rates with Shanghai Mansion, though the Chinatown location is a bit farther from public transit options.
The Grand Sathorn is a three-and-a-half-pearl hotel with budget-friendly rates, topped with a great rooftop terrace that has an outdoor pool and a bar. It's a short walk from the Chao Phraya River, and both the Saphan Taksin and Surasak BTS Skytrain Stations give guests convenient access to the city's attractions. The 79 guest rooms are large, with comfortable seating areas, microwaves, and mini-fridges. The decor blends traditional and contemporary styles, with colorful wall murals, though some of the furnishings are a bit worn down. A restaurant serves Thai and international cuisine, and there's a bright fitness center next to the pool. Another notable value is the four-pearl Shanghai Mansion Bangkok in Chinatown, which swaps the pool for a spa and stylish, Chinese-inspired decor.
The Grand Sathorn is a three-and-a-half-pearl hotel with budget-friendly rates, topped with a great rooftop terrace that has an outdoor pool and a bar. It's a short walk from the Chao Phraya River, and both the Saphan Taksin and Surasak BTS Skytrain Stations give guests convenient access to the city's attractions. The 79 guest rooms are large, with comfortable seating areas, microwaves, and mini-fridges. The decor blends traditional and contemporary styles, with colorful wall murals, though some of the furnishings are a bit worn down. A restaurant serves Thai and international cuisine, and there's a bright fitness center next to the pool. Another notable value is the four-pearl Shanghai Mansion Bangkok in Chinatown, which swaps the pool for a spa and stylish, Chinese-inspired decor.
The lebua at State Tower is a large hotel in one of Bangkok's tallest buildings. Located on Silom Road in the heart of the central business district, it's near scores of restaurants, bars, and shops, and boasts a great location for accessing the Chao Phraya River and various city sights. The rooms here are palatial, and come with full kitchenettes and separate living rooms, and even washers and dryers in the larger suites. Needless to say, the views are jaw-dropping, and the hotel has some of the city's most upscale restaurants up on the roof. The hotel also has a fitness center, pool, and spa. While the views here are definitely the best in town, the hotel is not quite as elegant as some of the neighboring competition, and with all the floors and guests, the elevator waits are long.
The lebua at State Tower is a large hotel in one of Bangkok's tallest buildings. Located on Silom Road in the heart of the central business district, it's near scores of restaurants, bars, and shops, and boasts a great location for accessing the Chao Phraya River and various city sights. The rooms here are palatial, and come with full kitchenettes and separate living rooms, and even washers and dryers in the larger suites. Needless to say, the views are jaw-dropping, and the hotel has some of the city's most upscale restaurants up on the roof. The hotel also has a fitness center, pool, and spa. While the views here are definitely the best in town, the hotel is not quite as elegant as some of the neighboring competition, and with all the floors and guests, the elevator waits are long.
The upscale 201-roomed Mode Sathorn Hotel is sharp, contemporary hotel located in Bangkok's business-heavy Sathorn neighborhood. Each room is dressed in modern lines and funky splashes of the hotel's signature purple, and all include bathrooms sporting separate tubs and showers. All also have great city views. Located next-door to the Surasak BTS, access to public transportation is easy, which is good as the immediate area is sedate at night. A 360-degree rooftop bar and an infinity pool are some of the hotel's highlights; and there's also a 24-hour gym, full-service spa, and two restaurants. For an more classic alternative to the Mode's trendy interiors, the Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn across the street has a kids' club and business features, but higher rates.
The upscale 201-roomed Mode Sathorn Hotel is sharp, contemporary hotel located in Bangkok's business-heavy Sathorn neighborhood. Each room is dressed in modern lines and funky splashes of the hotel's signature purple, and all include bathrooms sporting separate tubs and showers. All also have great city views. Located next-door to the Surasak BTS, access to public transportation is easy, which is good as the immediate area is sedate at night. A 360-degree rooftop bar and an infinity pool are some of the hotel's highlights; and there's also a 24-hour gym, full-service spa, and two restaurants. For an more classic alternative to the Mode's trendy interiors, the Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn across the street has a kids' club and business features, but higher rates.
Citrus Sukhumvit 11 is a simple mid-range tourist hotel located an 11-minute walk or free tuk-tuk service from the Nana BTS station. The 136 rooms are well-maintained and simple, with rainfall showers, minibars, and coffee- and tea-making facilities, and many have great views of the city. There's no pool, but there is a rooftop sunbathing deck along with a fitness center with great views. Other amenities include free Wi-Fi, limited free parking, and a restaurant, Munch, offering room service for all three meals. Breakfast included or room-only rates are available. Guests with included breakfast can opt to eat at the morning buffet or order from the a la carte menu if they sleep in late. Travelers looking for something larger (but more impersonal) should consider the sprawling Ambassador Hotel Bangkok, which has a huge outdoor pool.
Citrus Sukhumvit 11 is a simple mid-range tourist hotel located an 11-minute walk or free tuk-tuk service from the Nana BTS station. The 136 rooms are well-maintained and simple, with rainfall showers, minibars, and coffee- and tea-making facilities, and many have great views of the city. There's no pool, but there is a rooftop sunbathing deck along with a fitness center with great views. Other amenities include free Wi-Fi, limited free parking, and a restaurant, Munch, offering room service for all three meals. Breakfast included or room-only rates are available. Guests with included breakfast can opt to eat at the morning buffet or order from the a la carte menu if they sleep in late. Travelers looking for something larger (but more impersonal) should consider the sprawling Ambassador Hotel Bangkok, which has a huge outdoor pool.
With 517 rooms, the four-pearl Dusit Thani was the tallest building in Bangkok when it first opened. Things have faded since then, though the hotel's Silom location near Lumpini Park means that everything from trendy dining to wild nightlife and public transportation are a five- to 10-minute walk from the hotel. There are nine excellent dining options plus an elegant spa and modern gym, though the hotel lacks the luxury polish to which it aspires. Decor in many rooms is dated and heavy, with a bit of Thai style, and some are looking worn. It's worth considering hotels like the Shanghai Mansion, in bustling Chinatown, or the Landmark Bangkok, near Sukhumvit Road, for a lot more style at a similar price point.
With 517 rooms, the four-pearl Dusit Thani was the tallest building in Bangkok when it first opened. Things have faded since then, though the hotel's Silom location near Lumpini Park means that everything from trendy dining to wild nightlife and public transportation are a five- to 10-minute walk from the hotel. There are nine excellent dining options plus an elegant spa and modern gym, though the hotel lacks the luxury polish to which it aspires. Decor in many rooms is dated and heavy, with a bit of Thai style, and some are looking worn. It's worth considering hotels like the Shanghai Mansion, in bustling Chinatown, or the Landmark Bangkok, near Sukhumvit Road, for a lot more style at a similar price point.
Smack in the middle of the action in bustling Sukhumvit, the two-and-a-half-pearl THEE Bangkok offers good value with an excellent location and pleasantly furnished, well-maintained rooms. There are, however, some trade-offs. The entry-level Superior Rooms lack windows (they try to compensate with light boxes, but it doesn't really work) and thin walls are less than ideal for those who want quiet at night. Moreover, there aren't many facilities beyond a small fitness center and a lobby bar -- though there is a cafe on the ground floor where guests can go for meals. Travelers willing to spend a little more will find lots of promising alternatives in the immediate area, such as the Hotel Mermaid Bangkok just across the main road, which has an outdoor pool and nicer rooms.
Smack in the middle of the action in bustling Sukhumvit, the two-and-a-half-pearl THEE Bangkok offers good value with an excellent location and pleasantly furnished, well-maintained rooms. There are, however, some trade-offs. The entry-level Superior Rooms lack windows (they try to compensate with light boxes, but it doesn't really work) and thin walls are less than ideal for those who want quiet at night. Moreover, there aren't many facilities beyond a small fitness center and a lobby bar -- though there is a cafe on the ground floor where guests can go for meals. Travelers willing to spend a little more will find lots of promising alternatives in the immediate area, such as the Hotel Mermaid Bangkok just across the main road, which has an outdoor pool and nicer rooms.
This upscale hotel sits on lively Soi 11, but its location at the end of the street means it's nonetheless quiet and tranquil. All rooms are spacious suites, with kitchenettes, modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs and free WiFi, and attractive, Asian-influenced decor. There's also a small outdoor pool and a gym on-site, and neither ever feel crowded. In fact, the lack of a scene is what deters some guests from coming back. But overall, the Solitaire Bangkok is a convenient, modern pick -- particularly for those on longer stays who may appreciate the in-room kitchens.
This upscale hotel sits on lively Soi 11, but its location at the end of the street means it's nonetheless quiet and tranquil. All rooms are spacious suites, with kitchenettes, modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs and free WiFi, and attractive, Asian-influenced decor. There's also a small outdoor pool and a gym on-site, and neither ever feel crowded. In fact, the lack of a scene is what deters some guests from coming back. But overall, the Solitaire Bangkok is a convenient, modern pick -- particularly for those on longer stays who may appreciate the in-room kitchens.
Shama Lakeview Asoke Bangkok is an upscale property that offers 429 serviced apartments in Bangkok's Central Business District near the Asok junction, a bustling area home to Terminal 21 shopping mall, excellent restaurants, and both skytrain and subway stations. Studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments have full kitchens as well as an array of modern comforts like flat-screen TVs, DVD players, and free Wi-Fi, though guests complain the connection is slow. The hotel has superb facilities, including two swimming pools, a comprehensive fitness center, meeting rooms, two restaurants, and a coffee shop. These features draw many corporate guests and long-term stays. But travelers might want to compare rates with other four-pearl properties, such as the Berkeley Hotel Pratunam or the Shanghai Mansion, though rooms at either lack kitchens.
Shama Lakeview Asoke Bangkok is an upscale property that offers 429 serviced apartments in Bangkok's Central Business District near the Asok junction, a bustling area home to Terminal 21 shopping mall, excellent restaurants, and both skytrain and subway stations. Studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments have full kitchens as well as an array of modern comforts like flat-screen TVs, DVD players, and free Wi-Fi, though guests complain the connection is slow. The hotel has superb facilities, including two swimming pools, a comprehensive fitness center, meeting rooms, two restaurants, and a coffee shop. These features draw many corporate guests and long-term stays. But travelers might want to compare rates with other four-pearl properties, such as the Berkeley Hotel Pratunam or the Shanghai Mansion, though rooms at either lack kitchens.