Where to Stay in Bangkok: 8 Areas Travelers Love Most + My Top Stays

From street-side food stands and buzzing tuk-tuks to sleek skyscrapers with LED-lit rooftop bars, Bangkok spans a huge spectrum of experiences (and budgets!).

Where exactly you decide to stay will hugely affect how you’ll experience this city, since every part is distinct and appealing to a different crowd — and there isn’t a single ‘best’ area. 

When I first explored Bangkok over 10 years ago, I was definitely in the budget backpacker category, so I inevitably ended up near the infamously raucous Khao San Road nightlife area. In later visits, I’ve preferred quieter and down-to-Earth areas like Ari or Thonburi, where you can more easily escape the madness of Bangkok. However, when it comes to enjoying the more sophisticated side of Bangkok, there’s no doubt that Thong Lor is unbeatable.

So, let me share with you some of the key areas in Bangkok to consider staying, along with tips for the best things to do and see in each neighborhood.

Bangkok areas from a tourist’s perspective (not administrative boundaries)

Thong Lor/Ekamai

Part of the Sukhumvit area, Thong Lor and Ekamai are two adjacent districts known for their hip cafes, cozy brunch spots, and luxury condos. It’s where affluent Thais and expats alike go for high-end dining, craft cocktails, and stylish nightlife. 

If you’re looking for a more sophisticated experience in Bangkok, this is where I recommend looking first — both as a place to stay and to explore.

Mind you, there’s not much in terms of tourist attractions or traditional culture here. Instead of visiting museums and temples, you will have an opportunity to discover some of the coolest artisan cafes, independent boutiques, and craft beer bars in all of Bangkok.

Thong Lor/Ekamai areas are a great base for:

• Affluent travelers or expats who want a polished, livable neighborhood
• Families with kids (especially in Ekamai)
• A stay in modern cosmopolitan Bangkok, but still with easy access to historical areas

1. Volve Hotel Bangkok

Volve is my top pick for this area — it’s a hotel that is modern and comfortable while staying deeply anchored in Bangkok’s local rhythm. It breaks away from the city’s usual glass tower scene to a smaller, more intimate property with just 28 rooms, built around a “modern explorer” theme.

If you like to experience modern Bangkok while also enjoying a down to Earth vibe, Volve delivers a more authentic experience and genuine comfort than the more generic downtown hotels.

• 💲Starts from $102/night
• ⭐️ Rated 9.3 on Booking.com

2. THA City Loft by TH District

A solid pick for visitors who want something affordable without slipping into soulless budget-hotel territory. The loft-style rooms, lobby, and reception are all designed with such youthful, electric energy. There’s also an all-day grab-and-go breakfast — perfect if your plans are in flux and don’t want to be boxed into a set breakfast schedule.

• 💲Starts from $33/night
• ⭐️Rated 8.4 on booking.com

What to do in Thong Lor/Ekamai

Thong Lor is less about tourist sightseeing and more about trendy food places and shops. While the Siam shopping district (covered later) is all about the mega malls, what I love about Thong Lor are the smaller-scale, intimitate shopping hubs.

A perfect first stop is the Commons, a leafy creative space is packed with street food vendors, coffee shops, bars, and some retail stores. J Avenue Lifestyle Centre is an open-air community mall with about 20 mostly Japanese cafes and restaurants

If you’re searching for rooftop bars look no further than Tichuca, a jungle-themed sky bar that hosts late-night DJ sessions.

Ekamai meanwhile is a haven for vintage shops. If you’re travelling with little ones you may want to also pass by Gateway Ekamai, a mall with an indoor playground fitted with hamster wheels, a bouncy castle, an inflatable slide. For a fun morning coffee, stop by Capybara Coffee, which has several pet capybaras and meerkats!

Ari

I was first introduced to Ari years ago by a local expat and I’ve been a fan ever since. Yes, it’s a bit away from the center — about 20-30 minutes north by Skytrain from where most of the sights area — but it’s a more down-to-earth and creative place that manages to be both trendy and authentic. 

Ari is a residential neighborhood of Bangkok with many nice cafes and restaurants and a quieter atmosphere. While trendy the area isn’t defined by skyscrapers and shopping centers, making it a cosy corner of Bangkok that I really enjoy.

Whether you’re looking for some delicious and affordable street food, or fine craft brews and fusion dining, you can capture both ends of the spectrum here. Many English teachers and other expat types choose to base themselves in Ari as it has a great mix of Thai and international vibes, though it’s also a perfect area to stay for anyone who’s on a repeat Bangkok visit.

Food trucks on Soi Ari

While it’s a bit out of the way, it’s actually very close to one key sight: just two stops along the BTS from Ari is Chatuchak Weekend Market, a maze of covered stalls that sell everything from snakes to socks.

It’s worth a visit even if you aren’t a shopaholic as the atmosphere is just great to see in itself. It will take at least half a day to get a sense of the 35-acre site, but there’s a fantastic outdoor food section that’s perfect for pit stops.

Ari is a great base for:

• Travelers who’ve done Bangkok already and want to stay in a different area (or first-timers looking for a nice alternative)
• Expats and English teachers drawn to Bangkok’s international community
• Travelers who love exploring cafes, street food, and trendy eateries

1. Bangkok Voyage Boutique

As its name suggests, the property leans heavily into the voyage theme, which shapes both its design and overall atmosphere. Each room blends vintage charm with loft-style touches, creating a nostalgic, curated feel that’s rare in the city. It’s a nice corner that lives up to the neighborhood’s creative vibe.

• 💲Starts from $54/night
• ⭐️Rated 9.0 on Agoda

2. Josh Hotel

Josh Hotel boasts a retro‑mid‑century aesthetic and a character‑rich atmosphere, complemented by warm social spaces and a relaxed pool. It’s small, relaxed, and social without feeling crowded – typical of Ari!

• 💲Starts from $46/night
• ⭐️ Rated 7.7 on Booking.com

3. The Yard Hostel

I actually first blogged about this hostel years ago after it had just opened. It has since become one of the highest-rated hostels in Bangkok, which didn’t really surprise me. The most remarkable thing about The Yard is that it feels like a peaceful garden in Bangkok, almost like being in Chiang Mai. If you are looking for a social atmosphere, I can’t recommend this place enough!

• 💲Starts from $13/night
• ⭐️Rated 9.6 on HostelWorld

Things you should do in Ari

Art lovers can head out to the incredible Numthong Gallery which celebrates Asian art at its best.

The locals see Ari as a hip neighbourhood to spend time in, so there are plenty of cool coffee shops and restaurants here. Salt is one of the places to be seen, with a fusion menu and a stunning glasshouse dining room. If you want something more affordable, head to Soi Ari for excellent street food, especially between Soi 1 and 3.

Ari has become a coffee mecca and whether it’s coconut lattes or cold drip there’s a café for your caffeine fix. Need to get your creative juices flowing? FabCafe is a working space with excellent espressos. For lounging and quirky interiors, The Coffee Zelection offers plenty of coffee treats.

Chinatown

Chinatown in Bangkok is a riot of colour, smells and noise and it’s easy to get the good kind of lost along the small lanes here.

It didn’t used to be so well-connected, but nowadays it’s on the MRT Blue Line (Wat Mangkon station), making it easy to recommend for anyone wanting a practical base. However, the real reason to consider Chinatown is that it’s one of the more traditional and fun areas to stay, especially if you enjoy spontaneous exploration.

It’s simply a joy to get lost in seemingly never-ending alleyways filled with sellers, artisans, blacksmiths, and fishmongers. As an independent traveller, I personally much prefer this area over the gleaming hotels of Sukhumvit — it’s a soulful little world of traditional medicine shops and gold merchants that somehow really speaks to my imagination.

The Chinatown area is a great base for:

• Travelers who like Bangkok’s traditional, local culture (with all the street markets, artisans, old shops, and authentic daily life)
• Travelers looking for a practical base, as it’s well-connected to other areas of Bangkok

1. Loy La Long Hotel

The best way to describe it is that you’ll be booking what resembles to a riverside cottage, than a standard city hotel. It’s a small boutique hotel made up of individually styled guest rooms and suites right on the Chao Phraya River. You’ll have access to real local life and slow mornings by the water.

• 💲💲 Average: $100/night
• ⭐️ Rated 9.0 on Agoda

2. Luk Hostel

One of our recommended Bangkok hostels, Luk Hostel is a budget hostel that doesn’t feel like one. It sits right in Bangkok’s Chinatown, with rooms and dorms that are simple but smartly laid out. There’s also a chill rooftop terrace and common spaces that function as a digital nomad/social hub (as you can see in the picture below.) Location-wise, it’s just a few steps from Yaowarat’s street food and bustling markets.

• 💲Starts from $15/dorm room
• ⭐️ Rated 8.8 on Hostelworld

Things to do in Chinatown

Sampeng Lane Market may not actually sell anything you need but the narrow paths with stalls packed so high that you fear they might topple over at any second. Visit Wat Chakrawat to see the temple crocodiles and Wat Traimit for the impressive gold Buddha statue.

Street food is the way to eat in Chinatown. Just off Yarowat Road, you’ll find Lek Seafood for curry fried black crab, Krua Porn La Mai for mussel omelette and Kuay Jab Nai Huan for crispy pork noodles. Traditional Thai sweets make an excellent dessert and can be found at stalls on the corner of Yaowarat Road and Yaowa Phanit Road.

If you have a few more baht to spend then enjoy dinner at Red Rose Chinese Restaurant & Jazz Lounge. The opulent restaurant serves delicious Peking duck and fluffy wasabi fried prawns. Make an evening of it and stay on and listen to the house band. For an afternoon treat, Double Dogs Tea Room serves the best brews from across Asia, including China, Sri Lanka and Japan, with staff who know their oolong from their sencha.

If you are in Chinatown on a Thursday or Friday evening, get tickets for the Khon dancing show, a traditional Thai dance where performers tell folktales and wear elaborate costumes and the occasional painted mask.

Those willing to get up early (or stay up late) should visit Bangkok’s Flower Market (Pak Khlong Talat). Blooms come in from all over the country and are sold to shops and stalls across the city and it’s just as bustling and beautiful as the rest of Bangkok’s Chinatown.

Sukhumvit

I began this guide by telling you about Thong Lor and Ekamai, which evolved into Bangkok’s hippest dining and nightlife district. They’re technically part of upper Sukhumvit around Sois 55 and 63, but let’s zoom out here and look at the broader Sukhumvit area. 

It is a great place to look for larger-scale hotels, though the options span the gamut from luxury hotels to boutique, as well as serviced apartments and some budget-friendly options.

This modern district may lack some of the lived-in charms of other areas, but the amenities and nightlife make Sukhumvit ideal for long-term apartment stays, business travelers, or those on a layover from Suvarnabhumi Airport.

The vibe depends on which ‘Soi’ (side street) you are. Sukhumvit Road actually runs all the way down towards the distant beach resort of Pattaya, but in Bangkok, the area worth exploring runs from Soi 1 to 100, with several Skytrain stops along the way.

1. IR-ON Hotel

Sukhumvit is the kind of neighborhood that pulls you outside. It’s fast, electric, and always moving and this boutique stay reflects that perfectly. Rooms are practical and smartly designed for both short visits and longer stays. Its social areas keep you connected to the neighborhood’s energetic, cafe-and-bar-filled rhythm. Basically, if you’re after a mid-range, practical stay in this neighborhood, IR-ON hotel is the perfect pick.

• 💲💲 Starts from $66/night
• ⭐️ Rated 8.8 on Booking.com

2. Gardina Asoke Hotel & Residence

Another comfortable Sukhumvit base that blends hotel convenience with serviced‑apartment living. Particularly ideal if you’re looking for a longer stay or want more space and facilities without being on a hectic main street.

• 💲💲Starts from $112/night
• ⭐️ Rated 9.3 on Booking.com

What to do in Sukhumvit

Head to Octave Rooftop Lounge & Bar for happy hour sunset cocktails and a rooftop view. Australian entrepreneur Ashley Sutton has made a name for himself creating quirky and fantastical bars and restaurants across the city including many in Sukhumvit. These include Iron Fairies (imagine a dark forge with live jazz and deep leather seats) and Sing Sing Theater (drinks and dancing in a Chinese Brothel).

Soi Nana is known for seedy nightlife, but across the street to Soi 11 is a popular evening spot with some excellent street food and a few bars and nightclubs, including a couple of rooftop drinking spots.

The famous Cheap Charlie’s Bar, with its quirky decor and excellent value drinks, is located at the other end of Sukhumvit, near On Nut (Soi 50) and is worth a visit. This area is quite authentic, though it has also become a major hub for digital nomads and long-term travelers.

Sukhumvit doesn’t have as much to see as other areas, but there are also some lovely green spaces near Sukhumvit: Benjasiri Park and its sculpture garden or slightly further out Rama IX Park, which is worth the 20-minute taxi ride and has gardens inspired by Italy, China, Japan and The USA as well as a space-age Pavillion.

Banglamphu/Khao San

Banglamphu is a historic neighborhood that serves as the gateway to Bangkok’s past. While it’s famously home to Khao San Road — the legendary backpacker strip of neon lights and “bucket” cocktails — the wider neighborhood is actually quite charming, filled with traditional food markets and leafy riverside alleys.

Banglamphu is the perfect base for exploring the Old City. Within the neighborhood, you can visit the whitewashed Mahakan Fort or the Bangkok National Museum. Just a short tuk-tuk ride south lies the Grand Palace and the stunning Wat Pho (Temple of the Reclining Buddha).

(Gumpanat/iStock)

For the best views in the city, head slightly east to climb the 300+ steps of Wat Saket (The Golden Mount). And don’t forget to hop on a 5-baht cross-river ferry to see the iconic porcelain spires of Wat Arun on the opposite bank.

Vegetarians can dine at Ethos Vegetarian & Vegan Restaurant. Their veggie lasagna is mouthwatering! For fresh and tasty seafood, there is the legendary family-run Krua Apsorn restaurant. If you are in the mood for some tasty Thai delicacies, I recommend paying a visit to Kajohn Authentic Southern Thai Cuisine. To try a unique Thai coco sugar coffee, go to Coco Chao Phraya.

And then, there is Khao San!

Bangkok’s iconic backpacker hub is one of the most famous party streets in this part of the world. At night, Khao San transforms into pure madness. Think thousands of people, lively bars blasting loud music from the speakers, shiny neon lights, and endless food stalls.

You can enjoy some cheap street food here (like pad thai or mango sticky rice), or if you’re feeling adventurous you can try eating some grasshoppers and other insects. Perhaps you’ll want to buy some comfy elephant pants at the market — a rite of passage for any backpacker setting off into Thailand. But above all, Khao Sand is a place to have cheap drinks and to party.

The music truly gets turned up to 11 here, so choose a place far away from the walking street if you want a good night’s rest! The places listed below are all within walking distance, but not within earshot.

Silom

Step off the Skytrain or subway on Silom Road and you’ll find yourself amongst the hubbub of street food vendors and stalls selling imitation goods. It can feel claustrophobic at first, but step down the side sois and it’s far calmer and leafier.

If the hustle and bustle are too much for you, Silom is adjacent to Lumpini Park, the city’s favourite park. Here you can rent a Swan pedalo and tour the lake or wander around the lush tropical gardens. Food stalls operate at the entrance, so grab your fresh coconut and chicken satay there.

That’s the Hangover Tower in the distance!

Silom is known for some excellent restaurants. Eat Me serves international cuisine in a sleek dining room and has a daily cupcake on the dessert menu. For spectacular skyline views over Bangkok, tasty French delicacies, and sunset cocktails, go to Scarlett Wine Bar & Restaurant.

Many of Bangkok’s famous sky bars can be found here, including Vertigo and Moon Bar at The Banyan Tree Hotel (no shorts or sandals) and Park Society at So Sofitel. Back at ground level and at the other end of the scale is Wong’s Bar, which opens at 2 am and is open until the last customer finishes their last beer.

Siam

Siam is Bangkok’s mall mecca, with your shopping options ranging from luxury boutiques to bargain department stores. It’s the beating heart of the city center, always buzzing with activity.

But step away from the megastores, and you’ll also find a quirky, exciting neighborhood with plenty to eat and explore.

Siam is covered by three Skytrain stops: National Stadium, Siam and Chitlom and is easily walkable, making it an ideal base from which to quickly get to all other areas of Bangkok.

(urf/depositphotos.com)

One of the busiest crossroads in the area is home to the Erawan Shrine, where Buddhists come to give thanks. The smell of incense and the chants of traditional Thai dancers offering thanks almost cover up the heavy traffic that zooms by, but the contrast is what makes Bangkok such an exciting place to visit.

For a calmer temple experience, go to Pathum Wanaram Temple which is sandwiched between two of the largest malls in the area and is often overlooked by visitors.

The Guggenheim-inspired Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre gives you a glimpse into the art scene in Thailand, albeit curated by the State. Wander past National Stadium Station and visit Jim Thompson’s House. Based in Bangkok in the 1950s he exported Thai silk around the world and faithfully kept this canalside teak house as a homage to Thai history, which is now a museum.

For a modern take on Thai street food head to Somtam Nua for green papaya salad and fried chicken. Baan Khun Mae is so cosy and welcoming. It serves Thai comfort food, from spring rolls to tom yum. Expensive but worth it is Sra Bua – Michelin-starred Thai food that arrived in Bangkok via Copenhagen and gives diners a food experience to talk about for months afterwards.

Thonburi

Most visitors to Bangkok only see the Thonburi area whilst whizzing past along its canal or visiting Wat Arun, the terracotta decorated Temple of Dawn (which is best visited first thing in the morning to avoid the crowds). These are both noteworthy, but they only really give you a glimpse of Bangkok’s left bank. If you want a taste of real Thailand in the capital, this is the place to be.

Thonburi is home to some fantastic art spaces. The Artist’s House is perched above the canal in a restored wooden house. It hosts traditional Thai puppet shows and you’ll often find artists sketching at the paint-splattered tables. The whole house feels like a gallery and there’s also a café on site as well as some excellent local restaurants just along the lane.

Thonburi is also home to the oldest Catholic church and the oldest mosque in Bangkok. Santa Cruz was built by Portuguese traders. Tonson Mosque was first established in 1688 and renovated in the 1950s. Bangkok has always been an international hub, and these buildings give you a glimpse of that history.

Foodies can book a table at the fabulous Never Ending Summer, which serves traditional Thai and fusion food. Nestled near the Chao Phraya River, it is one of the most stylish dining establishments in the neighborhood.

Thonburi can be reached by public boat (pier N10 or N11) or by crossing the river on the Skytrain to Krung Thonburi.