Where to Stay in Bangkok? – Best Areas for Travelers

-- Last Updated on March 18, 2023 by Jonesy

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Bangkok is a fairly diverse place in many ways. This means that from the hordes of visitors coming here every year, many often have completely different ideas and experiences in mind.

If you want modern city life amidst some of the best designer malls you are likely to find anywhere—it’s here. If you simply can’t live without your usual creature comforts when it comes to food, drink, even leisure-wise—never fear, bring your yoga mat or gym gear with you. It’s all within reach in the central regions of the thrall, chaos, and ever-changing city that is Bangkok.

If, on the other hand, you are more interested in the historic development and cultural aspects of the Thai capital in terms of architecture, museums, and historic temples and districts—it’s here. As is the biggest outdoor market in the world, one of the biggest Chinatowns, and street food—there really is so much to take in!

Many of the visitors heading to Bangkok who really make the best of their time in the city are the ones with an idea of the kind of pursuits they wish to indulge in upon their arrival. On top of that, which areas are best suited and most convenient to what they have in mind?

All of these considerations are a massive part of planning a trip to Bangkok. Unless you are one of those blissful souls content to just turn up and let it all happen around you, taking it as it comes—which may not always bring about blessings.

However, the task we have charged ourselves with today is to take a look at some of the best choices on offer for where to stay in Bangkok. This will largely be according to what kind of area is best-suited to your visit’s itinerary as well as your budget.

The Sukhumvit Road

The Sukhumvit Road is usually a notable point of interest for anyone visiting the country. It is actually the longest road in the whole of it, stretching nearly 500 kilometres up to the Cambodian border.

As far as the city’s central leisure and entertainment districts go though, the Sukhumvit Road is a region of the Thai capital that encompasses the main areas surrounding the central BTS Skytrain line.

This line runs straight along the road and includes stops at all the main districts—many of the city’s hotspots—so it pays to stay somewhere close to the BTS line if you are interested in leisure, entertainment, food, and shopping etc. You’ll even find some decent parks if you get bored with the humidity of the concrete jungle.

There are three main areas of Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok, which are largely:

The ‘Upper’ region, comprising the Asok and Nana districts (street numbers start low)
The ‘Middle’ region, which includes the slightly more upmarket neighbourhoods of Phrom Phong, and Thonglor, along with Ekkamai and Bang Na (Street numbers into and past the 20s and 30s)
The ‘Lower; region covers the districts of Prakanong and heading into the 40s, 50s and beyond in the general direction of the main airport.

1. Asok/Nana–the Best Bar and Party Area in Bangkok? (Mid-Upper Sukhumvit)

While there are those who would do best to avoid certain aspects of this area with a very long barge pole, of course many others consider this the inimitable Bangkok nightlife region.

Asok At Night — Asok at night by Octanou Creative Commons

Asok is a kind of reference point along the main central stretch of the Sukhumvit Road running virtually parallel to this BTS line.

This ‘main stretch’ includes a wide selection of some of the best eatery, nightlife, and leisure options within the city and it is generally considered to run between the Nana (around Sukhumvit sois 2-15) and the Thonglor district (Sukhumvit soi 50s up). Both of these areas have stops along the BTS line, as do the majority of the city’s main developed central regions.

The entire area is a hotbed of activity which includes offices, coffee shops, bars, restaurants, gyms and other leisure facilities, shopping, and transportation.

The Asok BTS station is one of the main stops as it also functions as an interchange for the MRT subway, which makes travel to and from this region of the city easy enough—if you are OK with masses of crowds and packed carriages, that is.

The Nana region—with Asok one side of it and the distinctly more ‘hi-so’ Phloen Chit and Chit Lom on the other—is a slightly run-down area that is also home to the city’s ‘Soi Arab’, not to mention one of its infamous ‘adult entertainment’ areas specifically aimed at foreigners—Nana Plaza.

Reasons to Stay

Nightlife (Including Adult)—bars, clubs, restaurants, entertainment plaza etc.
Easy transportation access
Restaurants, pubs, bars etc., days/nights
Grit & Insights
Huge nearby shopping malls in either direction (Terminal 21, Central Embassy)

Reasons Not to Stay

All the above bar the second!
Noise
Hecklers, etc.

Points of Interest

Nana Plaza (!)
Terminal 21
Robinsons Department Store
Tops Supermarket

Inside Terminal 21 Bangkok Shopping Mall — _{Terminal 21 by Dushan, Openverse}

Interchange Building At Asok In Bangkok By Ian Fuller From Creative Commons — _{Interchange building at Asok in Bangkok, by Ian Fuller (Creative Commons)}

Entertainment Nana Plaza In Bangkok — _{Nana Plaza by Holy Hand Grenade (Creative Commons)}

Vivid Neon Signs Glowing On Soi Cowboy Street. Nightlife In Erotic Red Light District. Illuminated Bar And Adult Go-Go Show Club. Night Life Tourist Entertainment. — _{Soi Cowboy Entertainment}

Hotel Recommendations Near Asok/Nana

High End

Landmark Hotel – The Landmark Hotel is in the best location you could wish for if you like this area. This huge 5-star hotel is on the main Sukhumvit Road within range of both the Nana and the Asok interchange stops along the BTS line. The hotel has views, dining (including a great Chinese restaurant), and its own shopping arcade, alongside other luxury features.

The Landmark Hotel In Bangkok Sukhumvit Swimming Pool Outside — Landmark Hotel

Landmark Availability

Mid-Range

Maitria Mode Sukhumvit 15 – The Maitria Mode Sukhumvit 15 is also in a great location between the Asok and Nana stations. The hotel presents a modern and clean setting that is away from the thrall of the main street—but it can still get lively around here and nightlife is literally on the doorstep.

Maitria Mode Sukhumvit 15 Bangkok Rooftop Area — Maitria Mode Sukhumvit 15 Bangkok

Maitria Mode Availability

Budget-Friendly

OYO 426 All Day Hostel – If you are trying to budget accommodation costs as much as you care to—this Hostel could be just what you are looking for. The OYO Hostel is a clean and bright little spot that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

Oyo 426 All Day Hostel In Bangkok Double Room With Bed — OYO Hostel

OYO 426 Availability

2. Phloen Chit, Chit Lom, Siam (Upper Sukhumvit)

At the top end of the low numbers on the main stretch of the Central Sukhumvit Line you will find both the Phloen Chit and, a bit further along, the Chit Lom stops and districts. These two stations are basically on the way towards Siam station and the main shopping area of the city away from the Sukhumvit stretch.

Central Embassy Chitlom In Bangkok — Central Embassy Chitlom in Bangkok by Oppapoo (Openverse)

Phloen Chit is a slightly more upmarket region than Nana that features mainly residential and office buildings, although you’ll still find a spot of retail and a Villa Market around there.

But the next stop along—Chit Lom—is another main stop along the BTS line although we are now heading away from the Sukhumvit Road geographically and into what many Thai believe is the center of the city—Siam. This may not be true geographically, but for the volumes of retail-mad locals this is where it all happens, and it starts at Chit Lom with the shopping malls like Central, Central Embassy, and the Mercury Ville.

This little region of Bangkok doesn’t have much by way of nightlife unless you are willing to venture in one direction or the other, but it is a nice place to consider staying and it is just one or two BTS stops away from some of the main stops.

Siam, however is considered by locals as the centre of Bangkok—in retail, not geographical terms though In general terms this section of the city is nestled somewhere between the start of the Sukhumvit stretch (Phloenchit, Chit Lom) and the regions of Silom and beyond. I

It isn’t that much of a residential area—although there are plenty of accommodation options—it is far more the main shopping area of the city. Along with the Sukhumvit and Silom regions of the city these regions are undoubtedly among the most visited spots in the city.

The expanse of Siam, along with the fact that it is home to absolutely the highest concentration of the grandest, most popular shopping malls and mega-complexes—obviously makes it shopaholic central. It is widely considered as one of the best places for shopping in Bangkok, if not the best—although if you are not one for shopping or crowds it is best avoided.

Siam is a trendy, upmarket area close to the city’s Chulalongkorn University. Siam Square is one example of small streets and backstreets in the area lined with local boutiques, in contrast to the surrounding mega-malls with international names and imported brands.

Paragon and some of the other malls might actually prove useful for anyone traveling with young ones as you can find various other pursuits like the world-acclaimed aquarium, as well as cinemas, playgrounds and all other manner of activity.

The huge malls of Bangkok can often transmorph into something akin to another little city once inside! You’ll also find restaurants, wine bars and coffee shops of equal calibre to those along Sukhumvit Road although slightly more subtle.

The Siam BTS Skytrain station is one of the busiest—if not the busiest in the city. It is a good spot from which to make your way around to a few other prime destinations in the city, but not necessarily to stay though.

You’ve got Arts Centres (BACC), Wax Museums, the lot in Siam—but heading a bit more towards other local landmarks such as the Pathum Wanaram Temple, the Erawan Shrine, and the Jim Thompson House, and you’ll definitely encounter plenty other Bangkok ‘must-visits’ when in Siam.