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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.
Forbes
27-04-2025
- Forbes
Pump Up The Posh: Four Ways To Do Bangkok In Style
Sunrise might be the traditional time to visit Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), but Bangkok's iconic ... More riverside temple is even more gorgeous when illuminated in the evening. (Photo by Mladen Antonov) For anyone who first visited Bangkok as a backpacker doing the famous 'Hippie Trail' across Asia, distinct memories come to mind. Staying at the legendary Malaysia Hotel (where Tony Wheeler wrote the first Lonely Planet guidebook), tooling around town in tuk-tuks, sipping tom yum gai at a street stall, and making the obligatory pilgrimage to the Grand Palace to view the Emerald Buddha. You might have taken a dragon boat tour of the floating market, flitted across the river at the crack of dawn to experience sunset at Wat Arun, or made the trek to the summit of the Golden Mount (Wat Saket) for a panorama of a city where temples were once the tallest structures. How times have changed . . . Bangkok has grown into a modern, first-world city. While all of the old landmarks remain, the Thai capital is now a city of skyscrapers, superhighways and air-conditioned shopping malls. And you're (hopefully) ready to do Bangkok in the style you couldn't afford as a traveling college student, Peace Corps worker or NGO volunteer. Here are four ways to pump up the posh on your next visit to Bangkok: Decorated with genuine antiques and exquisite reproduction furnishings, The Siam Hotel could easily ... More double as a Thai royal palace. Or at least something that resembles one — like The Siam Hotel. Located in the Dusit District near Chitralada Palace where the current king of Thailand and his family reside, The Siam could easily pass for a royal residence. Although it looks vintage, the all-suite property was created in the early 21st century, an architectural blend of traditional and modern elements filled with original artworks and antiques from Thailand and beyond. There's also a luxury spa and Muay Thai boxing arena where guests can practice the national sport with a professional trainer. Even the simplest three-room suites boast ample space, exotic views, and elegant furnishings and décor. The ultimate overnight is a courtyard or riverside villa with its own garden, swimming pool, and outdoor seating area. Adorning The Siam waterfront are the upscale Chon Thai Restaurant, the outdoor pool area, and wooden deck with al fresco bar and landing for the hotel's own dragon boat, which ferries guests up and down the Chao Phraya. Pichaya "Pam" Utharntharm, founder and head chef of one Michelin star restaurant Potong, oversees ... More her kitchen in the Chinatown area of Bangkok. (Photo by Manan Vatsyana) Bangkok has always been an awesome foodie destination and nowadays the city sports 34 Michelin star restaurants. At the pinnacle of the local food chain is Sorn, a three-star establishment serving southern Thai cuisine not far off busy Sukhumvit Road. The extravagant 23-course chef's menu might include dishes like Roti Crab Curry, Phuket Lobster, Grilled Crispy Pork or Taro Soup with crab stock. If you can't snag a table at Sorn (it only seats 40 diners), consider one of the city's seven two-star eateries. Two of them — Mezzaluna and Chef's Table — serve contemporary French on the upper floors of the State Tower Building at the river end of Silom Road. While Sühring, located in a smart residential neighborhood, specializes in 'whimsical' modern German cuisine in a restored villa with greenhouse seating. But when in Thailand, it seems kind of sacrilegious not to cherish the local cuisine. Which means you should really be sampling the Spicy Ant Egg Larb Soup, Seven Color Lobster Curry and Spicy Snow fish at R-Haan restaurant. Or the artistically presented Thai-Chinese fusion dishes at Potong in Bangkok's Chinatown district. The vertigo-inducing view from Sky Beach Bar at the summit of the King Power Mahanakhon skyscraper. ... More (Photo by Petr Svarc) Even if you don't dine in the State Tower Building, be sure to ride the rocket-like elevator to the summit for a sunset cocktail at the Sky Bar by Lebua. Hovering at 820 feet above sea level, the outdoor rooftop seating area is literally breathtaking (and vertigo inducing). Among the signature cocktails is the Hangovertini, a blend of Dewar's 18 years, sweet vermouth, rosemary honey and green apple created by the resident mixologist after parts of the movie Hangover Part II were filmed there. If bubbly is more your thing, CRU Champagne Bar perches on the 59th floor of the Centara Grand Hotel. The al fresco drinking hole complements its champagne cocktails and rare single malts by the glass with Caspian Sea caviar, oysters on the half shell, Wagyu beef skewers, and truffled French fries. Higher still is Sky Beach Bangkok. The world's third highest rooftop bar rides the summit of the 1,030-foot King Power Mahanakhon skyscraper, one of the tallest buildings in Southeast Asia. During the winter dry season, the bar hosts DJ parties under the stars. Among the standout drinks are the Thai Daiquiri with passion fruit, a mocktail called the Last Mango in Paris, and quite good local craft beer. Celebrating Thai design, the cast of "The White Lotus" decked out in Jim Thompson clothes and ... More accessories at a soirée hosted by the celebrated Bangkok fashion house. (Photo by Amanda Edwards) Chatuchak Market is a blast to browse — and you might even find a few unexpected treasures. But collectors of genuine Asian art and antiques or faithful reproductions, it's best to consult the experts. A great place to start is River City shopping center, which boasts more than 50 upscale antique, fine art and jewelry outlets. While Thai artifacts predominate, you can find exquisite items from around Asia — Morita specializes in Japanese relics, Bo Gu Zhai in decorative arts from China, Himalayan Treasures in objects from Nepal and Tibet. Locals tend to favor small out-of-the-way places like Paul's Antiques near busy Soi Sukhumvit 11. It's a great spot for Burmese and Javanese antique furnishings and collectibles, as well as custom-made furniture created by artisans in the onsite workshop. Serious collectors zero in on RCB Auctions. Either online or in person, buyers can bid on a wide array of rare gold, silver, ceramic and wooden masterpieces from Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and China. Even if you're not a potential buyer, you can preview the items and browse the catalogues in RB's River City showroom. Fashion wise, Jim Thompson is still the first name in Thai silk clothing and accessories (which feature prominently in the latest season of The White Lotus). The flagship store is on Surawong Road, the factory outlet on Sukhumvit 93. But the ultimate haute couture adventure is visiting the Jim Thompson Heritage Quarter, which includes the original shop and the museum house where the line's namesake American businessman and Allied spy lived after World War Two. Browsing modern Thai paintings at River City art and antique center in Bangkok. (Photo by Guillaume ... More Payen)
