Bangkok’s busy-ness and bustle, the many smells of it and its many colours, has the power to permeate almost everything, but it sort of stops at a respectful distance from the shrines and temples, which are the other thing Bangkok is known for. So that you get this fantastic experience of a real sea of movement and life and then ancient stillness. A foodie destination like no other, and a shopping destination like no other, so much life in Bangkok is conducted on the streets and just beside them that it’s a fantastically rewarding city to lose yourself in. And it’s hard not to. Which is why it’s so useful to have a centrally located hotel (and even better one with a swimming pool, or one on the banks of the Chao Praya River), like many on our Guru’s list of recommendations for the best places to stay in Bangkok.
Some of our recommendations will be familiar names - Bangkok is a popular destination and the big names cover it well, especially the hotel brands known for luxury, but we also have some great recommendations for you if your idea of the best places to stay in Bangkok would be a small hotel, or a hip, centrally located hotel. Our recommendations also includes some fantastic, and quite luxurious, options with room rates that start at incredibly cheap rates.
What not to Miss
- Bangkok is a great entry point for Thailand because it’s a great opportunity to meet the Thai people and try out your communication skills. Don’t shy back from the markets or from street food, you’ll really be missing out on one of this city’s great experiences, and you’ll soon learn that it’s big smiles and an air of friendliness that prevails over the spoken word.
- It must be said again, don’t shy from Bangkok’s street food, it’s some of the world’s best. But you should also eat in its restaurants, cafes, hotels and bars - widespread immigration has lead to this being a hub of fusion cuisine, with ideas flowing in from all over Thailand, and from all over the world.
- A good place to experience both Bangkok’s food and its markets is the Chatuchak Weekend Market, which must be one of the world’s largest markets. And you can pretty much buy anything here. It’s hard not to be overwhelmed by the choice - imagine if eBay were a real place and that’ll give you some sort of an idea. There are antiques and handicrafts, musical instruments, Thai toys, CDs of Thai music, clothes ranging from cowboy wear to sophisticated independent labels and styles from every facet of youth culture you might imagine you belong to, there is jewellery, homeware, kitchenware, food, food and food, and then there are the pets… There are all kinds of furry, feathery and scaly friends to consider, plus everything you might need for them - even if you’re someone who believes that their pet squirrel needs a wardrobe as big as Princes Di.
- Talat Mai, is Bangkok’s Chinese Market, another cacophony of smells and flavours interspersed with people riding motorcycles, the Amulet Market is a dense network of covered footpaths and market stalls people obsessed with amulets, and Chang Chui is the unique one, with performance artists and an insect-themed restaurant.
- When it comes to the other side of Bangkok’s appeal: its temples and shrines, the highlight for many people is What Phra Kaew, an incredible temple complex of golden spires and graceful, colourful roofs, which houses Thailand’s most sacred treasure, the Emerald Buddha, and is also part of the Grand Palace, the former royal residence. The grounds are huge, and there are more than one hundred buildings, built by two hundred years worth of royal inhabitants. Even though this is a large complex it’s can feel quite busy, so if you feel a little overwhelmed by all the gilding and photographers, take a break in the mural area which is often the most peaceful. The temple of Wat Arun is part of the same complex, and it’s one of the few Buddhist temples you’re encouraged to climb on.
- Wat Pho is where you’ll see the famous reclining Buddha - and it’s just as massive as you’ve been told it will be. It also houses a huge collection of images of the Buddha. And a famous Thai massage school with two massage pavilions.
- And Wat Traimit is where you can see the fantastic solid gold Buddha. He’s 3metres tall and weighs about five and a half tonnes. This temple is in Chinatown, a fascinating area to walk around anyway.
- These are just the headliner temples, there are many more you could visit if you have time. But it’s definitely worth taking a break between temples, and a great place to do that is in Lumphini Park, a large, almost tropical feeling park arranged around an artificial lake. Here it’s possible to find peace, playgrounds and paddle-boats in amongst the traffic noise. First thing in the morning the park is full of people practicing t’ai chi.
- Dusit Palace Park and Museum also offers a great break from the Thai temple architecture, it’s a strangely European looking building packed with treasures.
- The Bangkokian Museum is good too. The Museum of Siam is worth a look as well. And the National Museum is vast - albeit a bit dusty. Most visitors also take a spin through Jim Thompson’s House, which is actually six Thai-style houses combined in a jungle-like compound, and was home to this silk merchant and CIA operative during the many years he was Bangkok’s most famous expat.
- Once you’ve had a break, head back to the wat trail to Wat Saket and the Golden Mount. The mount refers to an artificial hill - made from a collapsed stupa - with a winding staircase leading up to the temple and an amazing lookout, which has to be one of the best places to get a view of the whole city.
- Phra Sumen Fort also makes a nice change, as does the Queen Saovabha Institute Snake Farm.
- Many visitors also take a tuk-tuk tour, or a bicycle tour - depending on how brave/confident you are. It’s also worth taking a canal tour and seeing a cultural performance, and possibly even a drag show - the most famous being the Calypso Cabaret in Ratchathewi.
Aside from the markets, much of Bangkok’s best shopping is centred around Siam Square, Sukhumvit and Patpong have the nightclubs and nightlife, and Rattanakosin is Old Bangkok, where you’ll find many of the city’s main sights.
But don't forget that this is a popular year round destination (especially with such a good range of great value hotels), so if you want to guarantee a room in one of the best places to stay in Bangkok, do your homework and book well ahead, especially if you favour the smaller properties.