Hotel Royal Bangkok at Chinatown

The hotel manages to stand out on Chinatown's busy main street thanks to its towering glass-front facade and bold purple signage. On the inside, the hotel is rather plain and characterless, lacking the traditional Thai charm that you'd normally find in smaller boutique hotels. The lobby is narrow, with glossy floors and soft lighting, lined with black leather couches and decorated with fresh flowers. Communal areas at the hotel can be chaotic, with many loud groups gathering around the front desk and at the seating areas, so travelers hoping for a peaceful stay may want to look elsewhere. The hotel's saving grace is the rooftop pool, a spacious area where guests can relax on colorful padded sun loungers and sip drinks at the poolside bar. It's a go-to at sunset, offering amazing views over the city and Chao Phraya River. Owing to its location, the hotel mostly attracts travelers on sightseeing tours, with a high number of Chinese guests staying here. 

The hotel is well-located for anyone who wants to be in the heart of Chinatown. It's situated on busy Yaowarat Road, with plenty of street food stalls and restaurants right outside the front door, though this also means it can feel noisy and hectic. The open-air Sampeng Market and Mangkon Kamalawat Temple are a five-minute walk from the hotel, while the Grand Palace and Wat Pho are both a 15-minute drive, depending on traffic. The hotel has easy access to public transport, with Hua Lamphong Railway Station and metro around a 15-minute walk from the hotel. The Chao Phraya River Ferry is also a 15-minute walk away. Most popular attractions can be easily reached via public transport, with Lumpini Park, Khaosan Road, and the MBK Shopping Mall all around 15 to 30 minutes away by metro or skytrain. You should budget at least an hour to reach either of Bangkok's airports, though 90 minutes may be smarter. Gridlock in this part of town is a nightmare.

The Hotel Royal Bangkok has a total of 290 rooms decorated in a simple yet modern style. Most are on the small side and lack windows, while some have small windows with nice city views. Room types vary, ranging from Superior Rooms to spacious Family Suites, plus apartments with extra living space and modern kitchenettes. All rooms have been decorated with dark carpets, neutral tones, glass-topped work desks, simple dark wood furniture, and red cushions that sit on big double beds. Standard in-room amenities include flat-screen TVs, electric kettles, mini-fridges, safes, phones, alarm clocks, free Wi-Fi, and free bottled water. Bathrooms are modern and well-finished, with frosted glass doors, spacious countertops, walk-in rainfall showers, hairdryers, and free toiletries, while some upgraded rooms add deep-soaking tubs. Travelers should note that some guests have complained about noisy guests in the hallways, plus some external noise from the street outside. 

The Hotel Royal Bangkok has good facilities for a three-pearl property, including an impressive rooftop salt-water swimming pool with amazing views over the city. The pool is perfect for tanning, surrounded by colorful padded sun loungers, umbrellas, and a small poolside bar serving ice-cold beers and cocktails. The Royal SK Lounge also offers great city views from the top floor, and there are two restaurants serving Thai and Cantonese cuisines in a modern setting. A varied breakfast buffet is available for a fee, consisting of breads, fruits, pastries, cooked-to-order eggs, bacon, sausages, noodles, and a range of curry dishes. Guests can work out at the hotel's fitness center, equipped with modern cardio machines, resistance machines, and free weights, but there are no spa facilities. Other facilities include a business center, stylish meeting rooms, and a tour desk. Airport shuttle services can be arranged, but this costs extra. The front desk is open around the clock, and room service operates with limited hours. Wi-Fi and valet-parking are both free.