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Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
8 ways to find calm in Thailand's larger-than-life capital city
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). Bangkok may have a reputation as one of the world's biggest concrete jungles, but in between the neon-lit streets, rooftop bars and crowded markets there are some glorious pockets of calm. The city's network of canals help create breathing space among the tuk-tuk packed neighbourhoods, and there's a surprising amount of green space in the city's environs — accessible by boat, bike or on foot. Here are eight of our favourite hideaways. One of several plush hotels lining the Chao Phraya River, the Riva Arun is noteworthy for its peaceful, top-floor terrace restaurant, Above Riva. You can ease into the day with breakfast or settle in for sunset cocktails, watching boats crisscross the river. The dinner menu goes big on both Thai and European dishes with a twist — such as duck confit green curry or fettuccine with a tom yum goong (hot and sour Thai soup) sauce. You'll need to dedicate a little more time — either a half or full day — to visit this artificial island known as Bangkok's 'green lung'. Book a bike tour from the city, which starts with a boat ride before you pedal through 6.2sq miles of mangroves. Tours typically pass through Sri Nakhon Khuean Khan Park and Botanical Garden and past the small villages and markets that dot the canals. With its tranquil gardens and canalside setting, the elegant former home of American Jim Thompson, who helped to transform the Thai silk industry, is about as peaceful as it gets. Take a walk through the Thai teakwood buildings to learn about the artefacts, fabrics and art inside, before wandering through the gardens. Leave time for an iced coffee at the cafe afterwards. Local farmers still practise traditional coconut harvesting at Bang Prathun in southwest Bangkok, one of the city's last remaining coconut orchards. You can visit independently, but booking a trip with a local guide or as part of a community tour will give you a better understanding of the local way of life and the traditional methods used in the orchards. You'll also have the chance to try fresh coconut products and family recipes. Also known as Ban Silapin, this centuries-old, traditional Thai-style wooden house and gallery is located in the Thonburi area, right on the canal. It's a fascinating escape from the more contemporary side of the city, where traditional shows are performed using intricate puppets, with plotlines from Thai folklore. Paintings, masks and puppets line the walls and there's a small cafe selling iced coffee and tea to help you cool off. Galleries often offer respite in frantic cities, and MOCA (the Museum of Contemporary Art) Bangkok is a perfect example. It's calm, quiet and cool — quite literally, as the aircon will provide some relief from the sticky city. You're not just here for the atmosphere, of course, but for the five floors of permanent and rotating exhibitions of Thai modern art. While weekday mornings are the quietest, you could combine your trip here with frenetic Chatuchak market, a 10-minute drive away, which is at its liveliest on Saturdays and Sundays. Hop on an express boat on the Chao Phraya River and get off at Memorial Bridge Pier. From there it's a short walk to Suan Somdet Ya (Princess Mother Memorial Park), where you can learn about where Princess Srinagarindra grew up. She was the mother of Thailand's ninth and longest-serving king, Bhumibol Adulyadej (1946-2016). Take a wander through the large garden, pause at her statue and then head for lunch at My Grandparent's House, a cafe on the water. You'll have your fill of markets and street food in Bangkok, but if you find the noise and chaos a little overstimulating, Talad Phlu in Thonburi is one of the most popular with locals and least hectic (although don't expect silence). There's a big Chinese community and it feels untouched by tourism, with stalls selling cheap dishes made roadside. Seek out crispy pork with rice and khanom buang (Thai crispy pancakes). It's easy to reach on the BTS Skytrain, and great for lunch or dinner. Published in the May 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK).To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
Forbes
09-05-2025
- Forbes
Best Hotels In Bangkok 2025
The best hotels in Bangkok make it easy to enjoy this buzzing city's many offerings, which include bustling night markets and opulent temples. As the destination continues to rise in the ranks of the world's most visited, its hotel scene has rightly kept up, and features grand dames with Indochine architecture as well as sleek escapes in modern skyscrapers. My top recommendation is Capella Bangkok, which has a prime location, exceptional service and excellent dining and amenities. Luxury lovers will want to check in to the new Aman Nai Lert Bangkok, couples will enjoy the understated romance of The Siam, and the kid-friendly Shangri-La Bangkok is a great choice for families. Below, all the best hotels in Bangkok for 2025. Guest room at Capella Bangkok. Perched right on the Chao Phraya riverfront, Capella Bangkok offers more than just a central location. The property feels like a true escape from the city's hustle and bustle, offering clean design, amenities with a true sense of place (even the shower caps are gorgeous) and dining for all palates, including the high-end Côte By Mauro Colagreco, the recipient of two Michelin stars, and the more casual Phra Nakhon—also Michelin-starred—which serves up classic Thai favorites. Aside from tranquil communal spaces, including a spa garden with views of the river, what really stands out at Capella Bangkok is its warm and meticulous service. Each guest is assigned a 'Capella Culturalist,' who, at the end of every stay, feels more like a family member—during my stay, my preferences were memorized by the entire staff within hours. The impeccable doting is always thoughtful, and never obtrusive. Premier Suite at Aman Nai Lert Bangkok. Returning to its roots—the brand's first property, Amanpuri, opened in Phuket in 1998—the hotly anticipated Aman Nai Lert Bangkok opened its doors this spring, offering an ultra-luxurious urban oasis right in the heart of Bangkok. Rooms are spacious, with the smallest being an impressive 990 square feet, and the property's design includes robust terracotta murals and peaked Thai roofs. The ninth-floor outdoor pool features an infinity edge and nearby bar, while the Harmony spa offers seven rooms, one of which is exclusively dedicated to Thai massage. The property is also home to Aman's latest dining concept, Sesui ('calm water'), a 19-course omakase experience by sushi chef Satoshi Tsuru. Rooftop pool at Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel. It's not hard to find affordable hotel options in Bangkok, but for travelers who want great value along with high-end design, a beautiful rooftop pool and attentive service, it's hard to beat the Avani + Riverside Bangkok Hotel. With rooms available for around $100 a night, the property offers sleek and modern interiors, an excellent location with views of the Chao Phraya river and plenty of communal spaces: The rooftop Seen restaurant and bar is a hot spot for creative cocktails with Thai flavors and international cuisine, while the Lost & Found 'entertainment bar' features pop-up music and theater performances. Guests can can also book a spa treatment at upscale sister hotel Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort and have dinner aboard the property's restored rice barge. Guest room at 137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok. Historically, the number of pillars on a teakwood house were used to denote wealth in Thailand, which is what inspired the luxe hotel 137 Pillars's name. While the hotel's Bangkok location doesn't have as many pillars as its original property in Chiang Mai, it offers a sleek, modern and residential stay in one of the city's best shopping areas. A stay here feels like a home away from home, if that home was located in a glam high-rise tower with personal butler service. Amenities are all from local Thai brands, the restaurants' fruits and vegetables are sourced from a family-owned farm and daily coffee is transported from Chiang Mai. For an even more homey atmosphere, guests can sleep in to their heart's desire (breakfast is served until 5 p.m.). Make sure to head to the sixth floor for some mini-golf, or take in the views from the rooftop infinity pool, which is the highest in Bangkok. Guest room at The Siam. Sometimes, you just want to feel like the only people in the world. That's the appeal of quietly charming The Siam, which offers over-the-top luxury in a serene package that's a bit off-the-beaten-path. The property's 38 suites and villas are set over three acres of lush gardens, offering a sanctuary just down the river from the city. Enjoy the quiet respite of the property's library, tour the thousands of artwork pieces and antiques from the owner's own personal collection, or relax by the riverside infinity pool. Each suite is spacious, starting at 860 square feet, but the two largest villas are the real gems, coming in at 1,400 square feet and designed with a private courtyard surrounded by greenery and a stunning pool that you have all to yourself. Views at Shangri-La Bangkok. There are many hotels in Bangkok that welcome families, but few are on par with the Shangri-La. The luxury hotel takes celebrating little ones to a new level, inviting them to become immersed in Thai food and culture on their own terms. There's a seemingly endless array of kid-focused activities available, from cooking demonstrations and Muay Thai boxing to lotus folding workshops and even mocktail classes. Children aren't left out of vacation indulgences like brunch either, with a dedicated kids' counter set out during the weekend breakfast buffet and fun activities like do-it-yourself pancakes. Parents will love that the stay is a bit easier on their wallets too, with free buffet dining for kids ages 6 and under. Pool at The Peninsula Bangkok. For a slice of classic Bangkok, The Peninsula Bangkok is a garden oasis in the middle of the city that blends historic architectural elements with modern design. Step into what feels like a secret garden at Thiptara and enjoy traditional Thai dishes like spicy green papaya salad and deep-fried soft-shell crab while gazing at the scenic river. Guests can also become immersed in the hum of city life with a ride on one of the hotel's restored rice-barge ferries. Each of the property's 370 guest rooms feature rich Thai silks, marble bathrooms and river views thanks to the building's unique W-shape. The hotel is close to Bangkok's Old Town, and the property encourages exploring the historic district with complimentary daily walking tours. Grounds of Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River. From floating overwater pathways to elephant-lined walls and an elaborately designed courtyard built to evoke the rice fields of Northern Thailand, the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River is a design-forward oasis perched right on the eponymous riverbank. Since its opening in late 2020, the property has stood out for its floor-to-ceiling windows, rooms featuring silks and soothing palettes of cream and white, and décor that provides a strong sense of place (white elephants are meant to symbolize prosperity in Thai culture). Even the restaurants are enticing: Riva del Fiume serves up Italian favorites in a room that evokes Lake Como and Yu Ting Yuan offers Cantonese classics in a space inspired by Chinese traditions (don't miss the hanging Peking ducks). Guests can end their night at the popular BKK Social Club, which serves creative Mexican cocktails in a fresh and stylish area. Poolside cabana at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok. Few spas are more elaborate than the one found at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok. The first city spa to open in Bangkok, it's situated across the river from the property and offers ten treatment rooms as well as a restorative array of facials, massages and more. Treatments blend both Thai and Western healing practices, and the property's unique 'Essence of Thailand' menu includes traditional Thai treatments like Tok Sen therapy, Langasuka and a Bamboo massage with local ingredients, such as sticky rice and coffee beans. After a day of relaxation, foodies will also enjoy on-site restaurant Baan Phraya, which welcomes diners with a sundown aperitif on the outdoor terrace overlooking the river and a multi-course dinner that ends with a dessert trolley featuring classic Thai sweets. Lobby at The Standard, Bangkook Mahanakhon Bangkok's boundless energy is unmistakable from the moment you step into the always-buzzing The Standard hotel, which opened in 2022 and is set in one of the best nightlife districts in the capital. Guests can enjoy cocktails above the city lights at the hotel's Sky Beach on the 78th floor, the highest rooftop bar in Bangkok. Those in-the-know start their evening during happy hour at The Parlor, sipping a Chang lager from one of the jewel-toned couches, before hitting up the high-end cocktail bars of Silom and reveling in the neon-tinged appeal of Patpong, historically one of the most notorious red-light districts in the world. Design here is bold and modern; during my stay, I sought out the striking black and white tea room, inspired by the geometric patterns of artist Josef Hoffmann as well as classic Viennese tea rooms of the 1920s. The Forbes Vetted travel team has researched, written and published dozens of hotel guides to destinations around the globe. We selected the top contenders based on personal stays as well as extensive research. My name is Astrid Taran and I'm the senior travel editor at Forbes Vetted, where I oversee all of our hotel coverage. I have reported on travel for almost a decade as both a writer and editor. Along with extensively reviewing hotels and airlines, I have also written multiple destination guides as well as long-form features on luxury travel, adventure travel, wellness travel and more. Bangkok is one of my favorite cities: I have visited multiple times and fell in love with its great food scene, nightlife and warm hospitality.
