7 Stunning Hotels with Unforgettable River Views in Bangkok
Are you heading to the iconic megacity of Bangkok, and are looking an unforgettable stay by the Chao Phraya river?
Well, look no further!
Choosing an accommodation by the river will reward you with breathtaking views and luxurious stays, while also allowing you to experience a much more local atmosphere when compared to Bangkok’s more modern side, such as the famous Business District.
What’s more, not only will choosing a stay on the riverside give you easier access to the city’s amazing ferry network, it will allow you to more easily reach and admire the world-famous sights that can be found along the river, such as The Grand Palace, the ancient Wat Arun temple and even the most famous shopping mall in the city, Iconsiam.
To help you choose the best accommodation for your trip to Bangkok, we’ve created a list of our favourite riverside hotels that offer stunning views, a top service and great connections to the rest of this incredible city.
These are just some of our top riverside hotel picks in Bangkok, in no particular order. You’ll find a map below with all of the locations we mention.
So, let’s get started.
Riva Surya Bangkok
Address: 23 Phra Athit Rd, Chana Songkhram, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
© Audley Travel
In close proximity to the Old City of Bangkok, Riva Surya Bangkok is a spectacular 4-star boutique hotel located within walking distance of The Grand Palace, and close to other unique locations such as the Wat Pho temple and Khao San Road.
The service at Riva Surya Bangkok is hands down one of the best we’ve experienced; the staff is extremely attentive and kind, always looking out for the needs of their guests. In addition, the breathtaking panoramic views you’ll experience from every location in the hotel, from the wonderful bedrooms to the amazing riverside restaurant and bar, are just to die for.
Riva Surya Bangkok is also fully equipped with facilities that include a gym and a riverside swimming pool that is perfect to relax with a drink after a long day of exploring the city.
Considering its price point, this hotel offers arguably the best value for money out of all the options on our list; the level of service, along with the quality of the stay and the facilities, is pretty much unbeatable.
Shangri-La Bangkok
Address: 89 Wat Suan Phlu Alley, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
Arguably one of Bangkok’s most famous hotels, Shangri-La Bangkok is a luxury hotel located in the Sathon neighbourhood. This bustling area is perfect to get a taste of the old Bangkok, with plenty of markets and street food stalls lining the nearby streets.
From there, you get direct access to the Saphan Taksin BTS Skytrain, easily connecting you to the rest of Bangkok. On top of that, Shangri-La offers a free shuttle boat across the river to the iconic Iconsiam.
As you would expect from a 5-star luxury hotel, Shangri-La Bangkok doesn’t skimp on the amenities; you’ll find 9 restaurants, a huge fitness centre and spa facilities. The outdoor area features two large pools where some of the main events organised by the hotel take place, such as aerobic dances, games and activities.
If you can, we recommend getting the Riverside view upgrade for an unforgettable look over the Chao Phraya river. Also definitely worth getting is the “all you can eat” breakfast buffet that you can enjoy while sitting right by the water.
All in all, staying at Shangri-La Bangkok is the best way to gift yourself a luxury stay that doesn’t completely wreck the bank!
Baan Wang Lang Riverside
Address: 342 Trok Watrakhang Alley, Siriraj, Bangkok Noi, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
This conveniently located boutique hotel overlooks the Grand Palace, and is in walking distance from the famous Wat Arun temple. The strategic location of the Baan Wang Lang Riverside hotel also gives you direct access to the Prannok ferry pier, allowing you to easily move up and down the river.
What makes this area so special is that it does not really cater much to tourists, and will provide you with a more local and immersive experience. As evidence to that, the Wang Lang Market is just on the corner from the hotel, and is one of the largest open markets in the city. There you’ll find everything from clothes to street food and unique ingredients, all at a local cost instead of the inflated price for tourists.
Baan Wang Lang includes a stunning rooftop bar and restaurant with great food options and drinks, combined with amazing panoramic views of the river and Bangkok’s skyline. Unfortunately, there is no pool; we didn’t find this to be a deal breaker, but it something to consider before you book a stay.
With simple but spacious rooms, friendly and attentive staff and a really nice terrace to relax at the end of the day, Baan Wang Lang offers less amenities but makes up for with its excellent value for money and a great location.
Mandarin Oriental Bangkok
Address: 48 Oriental Ave, Khwaeng Bang Rak, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand
The Mandarin Oriental is an iconic classic hotel in Bangkok that is steeped in over 100 years of history. It was the first luxury hotel in Thailand, established during the rule of the Siam Kingdom, and the first Mandarin Oriental hotel ever to be built. Historically, this is where sea traders typically stayed and spent the night while passing through Bangkok.
Located right by the riverside, you’ll get to experience a lovely view of Bangkok’s skyline and Iconsiam, which can be found opposite to the hotel on the other side of the river. Its prime location will also give you easy access to the ferry network, and allow you to easily move up and down the river.
Inside, Mandarin Oriental features incredibly large common rooms and lobbies, along with elegant rooms with a true heritage feel to them. Really good quality materials can be seen everywhere, and it all makes for a truly luxurious experience. The hotel is also spotlessly clean, and the service and staff are top notch.
From full buffet breakfasts by the river, to amazing swimming pools surrounded by nature in the courtyard, the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok is an historical stay that does not disappoint, despite the price not being for the faint of heart.
Loy La Long Hotel
Address: PGP6+65G, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100, Thailand
For a truly special stay along the Chao Phraya river, we cannot leave the Loy La Long Hotel out of our list; this accommodation is uniquely located on the grounds of the Wat Pathumkongka temple, which can actually make it a little confusing to find at first. When you do, however, you’ll discover a peaceful and cozy family hotel with a traditional wooden interior, antique furniture and colour-themed rooms.
The location also couldn’t be better; the property sits on the edge between the quiet and artistic neighbourhood of Talat Noi and the hustle and bustle of Bangkok’s Chinatown. It is in close proximity to many of the city’s sights, including Wat Traimit, the temple of the Golden Buddha.
If you are looking for a peaceful, cozy and more homely experience in Bangkok, you’re going to absolutely love staying at the Loy La Long Hotel. Nothing beats having breakfast right over the river, while seeing the boats pass by.
The Peninsula Bangkok
Address: 333 Charoen Nakhon Rd, Khlong Ton Sai, Khlong San, Bangkok 10600, Thailand
The Peninsula Bangkok is a luxury 5-star riverside hotel located only a 5 minute walk from the Iconsiam mall, one of Bangkok’s most famous shopping destinations. Its close proximity to many of the city’s landmarks make this hotel the perfect base from which to explore everything Bangkok has to offer!
All of the hotel rooms feature breathtaking views of the Chao Phraya River and the city’s iconic skyline. The real highlight, however, is the perhaps one of the most stunning pool areas we’ve ever seen, offering an oasis of peace and quiet in the heart of Bangkok. In addition to the pool area, other amenities include a fully equipped gym, sauna and wellness centre.
The Peninsula Bangkok is the epitome of luxury and first class service. The delicious food and excellent staff, combined with a stylish interior design and outstanding amenities really make this stay an unforgettable experience!
Theatre Residence
Address: 69, 4-8 Wat Rakhang Kositaram Woramahawihan Alley, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
Situated between the Wat Rakang temple and Wang Lang market, Theatre Residence is a small but unique hotel in a building that was once the famous Patravadi Theatre, Bangkok’s first open-air theatre; the building’s past can still be admired in a small museum on the bottom floor. The amazing location offers views of both the river and The Grand Palace, as well as being within short distance of many other incredible sights.
This is a beautifully designed hotel, with spacious rooms and huge common areas. The outdoor section features a large but minimalist garden and pool surrounded by greenery, making this quiet location a good place to hide away from the chaos of Bangkok.
The scenic view you’ll experience from the waterside terrace are breathtaking. From there, you’ll enjoy breakfast while looking out towards the spectacular Grand Palace and the Temple of the Dawn.
All in all, the Theatre Residence is a minimalist and quiet hotel, perfect to relax and disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city. Its amazing location, however, also allows you to easily explore the city, literally giving you the best of both worlds.
After having stayed in many different areas in Bangkok, we can definitely say that the riverside is our favourite. The combination of easy transportation, local vibe and incredible sights really make the areas surrounding the Chao Phraya river a must-visit!
So, what is your favourite place to stay in Bangkok?
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