A Rooftop Pool by Khao San for £23: Bangkok's Best Hotels

Bangkok's surprise for UK visitors is not the price of a river suite. It is that a rooftop pool here can cost less than a cheap UK hotel room. On our November price check, Rambuttri Village Plaza, a few steps from Khao San Road, with two rooftop pools, started at £23 a night for two. In all, 12 hotels in this guide list a rooftop pool, and 9 of them start under £50.

At the other end, the Chao Phraya river palaces are as grand as their reputation: Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok from about £548 and Capella Bangkok from about £815. This guide covers the whole range: 50 hotels you can book on JetMeAway, 14 luxury, 13 mid-range and 23 budget, each linking straight to its own live prices.

Prices checked 24 October 2026 for November stays (Wednesday 18 and Saturday 28 November 2026, 2 adults, 1 room, 1 night; the lower of the two is shown). Where a hotel had no rooms on one of those nights we used Saturday 21 or Wednesday 25 November, or Saturday 12 December. Live prices change; click any hotel for today's rate.

Jump to: Rooftop pools from £23 · Luxury from £160 · Mid-range from £61 · Budget from £16 · Which area?

Scout's 3 quick picks: 🏊 Rambuttri Village Plaza, from £23: two rooftop pools, steps from Khao San Road. 🛶 Avani+ Riverside Bangkok, from £100: a 5-star with a rooftop infinity pool and Chao Phraya river views. 🛏 Khaosan Art Hotel, from £16: the cheapest hotel in this guide, about 700 m from Khao San Road.

Bangkok is several cities at once, and the one you sleep in shapes your trip. Old Town and Khao San (Rattanakosin and Banglamphu) put the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and the river piers within walking distance and have the cheapest beds. The riverside (Charoen Krung and Bang Rak on the east bank, Khlong San and Thonburi on the west) is where the heritage hotels sit, with boats instead of traffic. Chinatown (Yaowarat) is the street-food quarter. Siam, Pratunam and Ploenchit are mall Bangkok, at the centre of the BTS Skytrain. Silom and Sathorn are the business district, with Lumpini Park and the sky bars. Sukhumvit is the long Skytrain strip of hotels, restaurants and nightlife from Nana to Thong Lo.

Compare live Bangkok hotel prices across all of them, or search UK flights to Bangkok (BKK) to fix your dates first.

Bangkok Hotels With a Rooftop Pool: 12, From £23

Every hotel below names a rooftop pool in its own facilities or description on JetMeAway. We did not count pools that the hotel's listing does not place on the roof.

Two more pools worth knowing: The Okura Prestige Bangkok describes its outdoor infinity pool as "suspended", and Millennium Hilton Bangkok has a 20-metre infinity pool facing the river. Neither calls it a rooftop pool, so we left them out of the count.

Luxury Bangkok Hotels — 14 Five-Star Icons From £160

Bangkok's top tier splits in two: the riverside palaces on the Chao Phraya, and the newer towers around Siam, Ploenchit and Lumpini Park. All 14 are bookable through JetMeAway with live rates.

At a glance — the luxury tier compared:

1. Capella Bangkok — Charoen Krung, riverside · 5★ · 177 reviews, rated 9.6/10 · from ~£815/night. The most expensive hotel in this guide, on the east bank of the Chao Phraya. The hotel lists an outdoor salt-water infinity pool, a spa with a hammam, rooms with balconies and a restaurant serving French, Italian and Mediterranean food, with halal and vegan options. Our cheapest rate on both dates included breakfast. For couples marking a big occasion.

2. Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok — 48 Oriental Avenue, Bang Rak · 5★ · 246 reviews, rated 9.6/10 · from ~£548/night. Bangkok's most famous hotel, on the river since 1876, and home of the Authors' Lounge afternoon tea. The hotel lists two outdoor pools, tennis courts, a full-service spa and its own shuttle service. For anyone who wants the most storied address in the city.

3. Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River — Charoen Krung, riverside · 5★ · 908 reviews, rated 9.6/10 · from ~£510/night. A riverside estate with a garden, a terrace and an outdoor infinity pool. Its facilities include a kids' club and children's play equipment, unusual at this level. For families and couples who want space by the water.

4. Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok — Rama I Road, Siam · 5★ · 3,021 reviews, rated 9.5/10 · from ~£319/night. The hotel has direct access to the Siam Paragon mall and several pools in landscaped gardens; some rooms open straight onto a pool. There is a kids' club, and our cheapest rate on both dates included breakfast. For shoppers and families who want a resort in the middle of the city.

5. Park Hyatt Bangkok — Central Embassy, Ploenchit (BTS Ploenchit) · 5★ · 707 reviews, rated 9.2/10 · from ~£311/night. In the Central Embassy building, with an outdoor infinity pool looking over the city. Central Chidlom and Siam Paragon are within walking distance, says the hotel. For a sleek, central city stay.

6. The Peninsula Bangkok — Charoennakorn Road, west bank · 5★ · 1,404 reviews, rated 9.3/10 · from ~£310/night. River-view rooms on the quieter west bank, with the hotel's own boat across to the Saphan Taksin side. It has an outdoor pool, a spa and Thiptara, a Thai restaurant beside the river. Our Saturday rate included breakfast. For couples who want the classic river view.

7. Rosewood Bangkok — Ploenchit Road (access to BTS Ploenchit) · 5★ · 869 reviews, rated 9.6/10 · from ~£254/night. A design-led tower with an outdoor salt-water pool, a sauna, a hot tub and a terrace. One of the highest-rated hotels in this guide, and our Saturday rate was £130 less than the Wednesday. For style-conscious couples.

8. Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok — Soi Tonson, Lumpini · 5★ · 1,613 reviews, rated 9.8/10 · from ~£234/night. Near Lumpini Park, with an outdoor salt-water infinity pool, a kids' club and a garden. The hotel lists halal, vegan and gluten-free options on request. For families and Gulf visitors who want a calm, green address.

9. The Standard, Bangkok Mahanakhon — King Power Mahanakhon, Silom · 5★ · 144 reviews, rated 9.4/10 · from ~£196/night. In the lower floors of the Mahanakhon tower, by Chong Nonsi BTS. The hotel lists an outdoor pool, a 24-hour gym and a bar-lounge; the tower's 78th-floor SkyWalk observation deck is a separate ticket. For fans of design hotels and big views.

10. Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok — Soi Tonson, Lumpini · 5★ · 1,148 reviews, rated 9.8/10 · from ~£188/night. An outdoor infinity pool, a sauna and a terrace with city views, and staff who speak Arabic, German, English and Spanish, says the hotel. Our cheapest Saturday rate included breakfast. For travellers who want a top-rated hotel below the riverside prices.

11. The Okura Prestige Bangkok — Wireless Road, next to BTS Ploenchit · 5★ · 2,945 reviews, rated 9/10 · from ~£177/night. Rooms start on the 26th floor, there is a sky bar on the 24th, and the outdoor infinity pool is described as "suspended" above the street. The hotel says it was featured in the Michelin Guide 2021, and it has a Japanese restaurant. For city views and a Skytrain at the door.

12. Millennium Hilton Bangkok — Charoennakorn Road, Khlong San · 5★ · 6,734 reviews, rated 9/10 · from ~£167/night. Every room has a river view, says the hotel, and there is a 20-metre infinity pool, a spa and the ThreeSixty Lounge for city views. ICONSIAM mall is close by, and the facilities include a children's playground and a free shuttle. Its midweek rate on 25 November was much higher (£256), so this is a weekend bargain.

13. Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort — Charoennakorn Road, west bank · 5★ · 2,575 reviews, rated 9.2/10 · from ~£163/night. A resort overlooking the river, with a large outdoor pool, a kids' club and a kids' pool, and a spa. Krung Thon Buri BTS is about a 5-minute drive. Our cheapest rate on both dates included breakfast. The family pick of the riverside hotels.

14. Shangri-La Bangkok — Soi Wat Suan Plu, Bang Rak · 5★ · 4,936 reviews, rated 9.2/10 · from ~£160/night. The cheapest luxury hotel in this guide and one of the most reviewed, right by Saphan Taksin BTS and Sathorn Pier. You choose a city or river view; the hotel lists a 10,000 sq ft fitness centre, Chi spa and an outdoor salt-water pool. For a riverside 5-star at the lowest price.

Compare all Bangkok luxury prices →

Mid-Range Bangkok Hotels — 13 Picks From £61

In Bangkok, mid-range often means a full 5-star: 10 of these 13 are rated five stars, with rooftop pools, sky bars and river views, from £61 to £140 a night.

1. SO/ Bangkok — North Sathorn, opposite Lumpini Park · 5★ · 1,807 reviews, rated 8.6/10 · from ~£140/night. About 200 m from Lumphini MRT and a walk from Sala Daeng BTS. Rooms look over the city or Lumpini Park, and the HI-SO rooftop bar is one of the hotel's draws. For design lovers and couples.

2. Amara Bangkok Hotel — Surawong Road, Bang Rak · 5★ · 11,008 reviews, rated 9.2/10 · from ~£127/night. A rooftop infinity pool, and breakfast included in our cheapest rate on both dates. With more than 11,000 reviews, it is the most-reviewed 5-star in this guide. For a rooftop swim between Silom and the river.

3. Banyan Tree Bangkok — South Sathorn Road · 5★ · 2,754 reviews, rated 9.4/10 · from ~£126/night. Home of Vertigo and Moon Bar, the open-air rooftop restaurant and bar on the 61st floor. The hotel lists city or river views, a 25-metre pool and a kids' club. For a sky-bar dinner without leaving the hotel.

4. lebua at State Tower — State Tower, Silom · 5★ · 9,765 reviews, rated 8.8/10 · from ~£118/night. The tower with the Sky Bar on the 63rd floor, made famous by The Hangover Part II. Rooms have balconies with city views, the restaurants serve Chinese, French and Indian food, and our cheapest rate included breakfast. A Saturday stay was £63 cheaper than the Wednesday.

5. Royal Orchid Sheraton Riverside Hotel Bangkok — Charoen Krung Soi 30, riverside · 5★ · 4,206 reviews, rated 8.8/10 · from ~£114/night. On the bank of the Chao Phraya, with two outdoor pools, river-view restaurants and Thai dance shows at Thara Thong. Breakfast was included in our cheapest rate. For a classic river hotel at a mid-range price.

6. SKYVIEW Hotel Bangkok – Sukhumvit — Sukhumvit Soi 24, near Phrom Phong BTS · 5★ · 9,077 reviews, rated 9.2/10 · from ~£109/night. A short walk from Phrom Phong BTS and The Emporium mall. Rooms look over the skyline or a park, and there is an outdoor salt-water pool with the Liquid pool bar. For a Sukhumvit base near the best malls.

7. Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok — Charoen Krung Soi 70, riverside · 5★ · 5,828 reviews, rated 9.4/10 · from ~£107/night. Suites with kitchenettes and balconies, an infinity pool, a children's playground and a free shuttle boat to the Skytrain. Our cheapest rate included breakfast. The best riverside pick for families who want space.

8. Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel — Charoennakorn Road, Thonburi · 5★ · 2,699 reviews, rated 9.4/10 · from ~£100/night. A rooftop infinity pool and Chao Phraya views from contemporary rooms. It is next to Anantara Riverside on the west bank. The cheapest 5-star with a rooftop pool and a river view in this guide.

9. Sala Arun — Tha Tien, by Wat Pho · 4★ · 231 reviews, rated 8.1/10 · from ~£94/night. A small riverside hotel whose rooms have private balconies with direct views of Wat Arun or Wat Pho, says the hotel. The Flower Market is close, and our cheapest rate included breakfast. For temple views from your bed; book early, it sells out.

10. Hotel Muse Bangkok, Autograph Collection — Langsuan Road, Lumpini · 5★ · 2,111 reviews, rated 9.2/10 · from ~£93/night. An outdoor pool and the Speakeasy rooftop bar over the skyline. The Saturday rate was £60 lower than the Wednesday. For a stylish, central weekend.

11. Siam At Siam Design Hotel Bangkok — Rama I Road, near National Stadium BTS · 5★ · 4,682 reviews, rated 8.8/10 · from ~£91/night. A rooftop infinity pool and rooftop bar, minutes from National Stadium BTS, MBK and Siam Paragon. For shoppers who want a rooftop swim.

12. Baiyoke Sky Hotel — Ratchaprarop Road, Pratunam · 4★ · 13,076 reviews, rated 8.1/10 · from ~£66/night. Thailand's tallest hotel, 88 storeys, with a revolving roof deck and an observation deck, seven places to eat and an outdoor pool. The most-reviewed hotel in this guide. For views on a budget, beside the Pratunam markets.

13. ASAI Bangkok Chinatown — Charoen Krung Road, Chinatown · 4★ · 4,029 reviews, rated 9.8/10 · from ~£61/night. About 300 m from the Yaowarat street-food market, says the hotel, and one of the highest-rated hotels in this guide. No pool, but you will not need dinner plans. For food lovers.

Compare all Bangkok mid-range prices →

Cheap Bangkok Hotels — 23 Under £50, From £16

Every hotel below is a named, bookable hotel with live rates on its JetMeAway page. Nine of them have a rooftop pool. Budget rule in Bangkok: check the exact street. A district name such as Sukhumvit can cover several kilometres, and the walk to the nearest station changes a lot within it.

Khao San & Banglamphu — from £16

The cheapest area in the guide, about 1.5 km from the Grand Palace. There is no Skytrain here; you walk, take a river boat from Phra Arthit Pier, or use Grab.

1. Khaosan Art Hotel — Phra Arthit Road · 2★ · 6,999 reviews, rated 7.8/10 · from ~£16/night. The cheapest hotel in this guide, about 700 m from Khao San Road, with the National Museum and the Grand Palace close by. Breakfast options include a full English. For the tightest budget.

2. Lucky House Khaosan — Chakkapong Road · 2★ · 980 reviews, rated 8/10 · from ~£17/night. Simple air-conditioned rooms with en-suite bathrooms and hot showers, a short walk from Khao San Road and, says the hotel, the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. For a cheap, central bed near the temples.

3. Rambuttri Village Plaza — Soi Rambuttri · 3★ · 20,000+ reviews, rated 7.8/10 · from ~£23/night. Steps from Khao San Road, with two rooftop pools looking over the city. Our cheapest Wednesday room was refundable; the Saturday price was £29. The cheapest rooftop pool in this guide.

4. Tara Place Hotel Bangkok — Samsen Road · 3★ · 6,177 reviews, rated 8.8/10 · from ~£26/night. A short stroll from Khao San Road, and one of the best-rated cheap hotels in this guide. For couples who want Khao San nearby but not outside the window.

5. Penpark Place — Samsen Soi 3 · 3★ · 2,067 reviews, rated 8.3/10 · from ~£27/night. No pool, but a rooftop terrace with views of the Chao Phraya and Rama VIII Bridge, a short walk from Khao San Road. For sunset views on a budget.

6. Nouvo City Hotel — Samsen Soi 2, Banglumphu · 4★ · 12,094 reviews, rated 8.4/10 · from ~£39/night. A rooftop pool with sun loungers and skyline views, a spa and a gym, close to Banglamphu Market. The facilities include a kids' club. For a 4-star with a rooftop pool near Khao San.

7. Villa De Khaosan by Chillax — Chakrabongse Road · 4★ · 5,503 reviews, rated 8.6/10 · from ~£42/night. Steps from Khao San Road, with a rooftop pool. It sold out on 28 November in our check, so book early.

By the Grand Palace & the River — from £25

8. RALPH Bangkok — Maharat Road, by Wat Pho · 3★ · 390 reviews, rated 9/10 · from ~£25/night. Steps from Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, says the hotel, with family rooms, a shared terrace and bikes to borrow. Sanam Chai MRT is close. The best cheap base for temples on foot.

9. Baan Wanglang Riverside — Wang Lang Pier, west bank · 3★ · 1,325 reviews, rated 8.9/10 · from ~£32/night. A few steps from Wang Lang Pier, with the Rooftop 342 bar and café. A short ferry crosses to Tha Chang by the Grand Palace. For a quiet, local riverside stay.

Riverside & Bang Rak — from £24

10. Pas Cher Hotel de Bangkok — Charoen Wiang Road, Bang Rak · 3★ · 1,432 reviews, rated 8.1/10 · from ~£24/night. A rooftop pool for £24, a short walk from Saphan Taksin BTS and Sathorn Pier. For river boats and the Skytrain on a budget.

11. Naga Residence — Charoen Nakhon Soi 17, Khlong San · 3★ · 1,419 reviews, rated 9.6/10 · from ~£34/night. A garden and terrace on the west bank, and the highest-rated budget hotel in this guide. Its Saturday price was lower than its Wednesday price.

12. Ibis Bangkok Riverside — Charoen Nakhon Soi 17, Khlong San · 3★ · 6,886 reviews, rated 8/10 · from ~£38/night. An outdoor pool with Chao Phraya views, a children's playground and a free shuttle to Krung Thon Buri BTS. For families who want the river at a chain-hotel price.

Chinatown — from £26

13. Pho Place — Trok Pho, Samphanthawong · 3★ · 2,510 reviews, rated 8.5/10 · from ~£26/night. Steps from Sampeng Market and Hua Lamphong MRT, says the hotel. For street food and old Chinatown lanes.

14. The Quarter Hualamphong by UHG — Traimit Road, opposite Hua Lamphong station · 4★ · 5,453 reviews, rated 9.6/10 · from ~£36/night. A rooftop pool, a spa and a gym, opposite Hua Lamphong MRT. Note the Saturday price was £64, so midweek is the deal here.

Silom & Lumpini — from £27

15. Pinnacle Lumpini Park Hotel — Soi Ngam Duphli, Sathorn · 3★ · 2,487 reviews, rated 7.7/10 · from ~£27/night. A rooftop pool and a 2-minute walk to Lumphini MRT, says the hotel. Lumpini Park is close. For a cheap, connected base.

16. Le Siam Hotel Silom Bangkok — Convent Road, Silom · 4★ · 1,083 reviews, rated 8.5/10 · from ~£43/night. Rooms with teak furniture, a pool and a library, in the middle of Silom, about 200 m from Sala Daeng BTS on our map. For a quiet 4-star near the nightlife.

Pratunam & Siam — from £21

17. KC Place Hotel Pratunam — Ratchaprarop Soi 5 · 3★ · 1,896 reviews, rated 7.8/10 · from ~£21/night. About 100 m from Ratchaprarop Airport Rail Link station and 10 minutes' walk from Phaya Thai BTS, says the hotel, near Platinum Fashion Mall. For arriving by train from Suvarnabhumi.

18. True Siam Rangnam Hotel — Soi Si Ayutthaya 8, Ratchathewi · 4★ · 4,548 reviews, rated 8.6/10 · from ~£37/night. A rooftop pool, a few minutes from Gaysorn Village and CentralWorld, says the hotel. Same price on both our dates. For shoppers on a budget.

Sukhumvit — from £31

19. Woraburi Sukhumvit Hotel — Sukhumvit Soi 4 · 3★ · 1,254 reviews, rated 7.9/10 · from ~£31/night. A rooftop pool and a spa, plus a free tuk-tuk service to the main road, says the hotel. For Soi 4 nightlife at a low price.

20. Asoke Residence Sukhumvit by UHG — Sukhumvit Soi 21 (Asoke) · 4★ · 1,829 reviews, rated 9.4/10 · from ~£38/night. Serviced apartments with a kids' club, a kids' pool and a playground, within walking distance of the MRT and BTS. The budget family pick.

21. Ibis Bangkok Sukhumvit 4 — Sukhumvit Soi 4 · 3★ · 4,594 reviews, rated 7.8/10 · from ~£39/night. A trusted chain about 350 m from Nana BTS on our map, with a breakfast buffet. Sukhumvit Soi 3 and 5, the area many Gulf visitors call Arab Street, are across the road. For a predictable, central stay.

22. Travelodge Sukhumvit 11 — Sukhumvit Soi 11 · 4★ · 10,558 reviews, rated 8.6/10 · from ~£49/night. A rooftop pool and a 7-minute walk to Nana BTS, says the hotel, on Soi 11, one of Sukhumvit's busiest bar and restaurant streets. For nightlife with a pool on top.

Near Suvarnabhumi Airport — from £21

23. Pimthong Place — Lat Krabang · 3★ · 527 reviews, rated 9.8/10 · from ~£21/night. About 7 km from Suvarnabhumi Airport, says the hotel, and breakfast was included in our cheapest rate on both dates. For a late arrival or an early flight, not for sightseeing.

Budget summary: cheapest — Khaosan Art Hotel, £16; cheapest rooftop pool — Rambuttri Village Plaza, £23; best-rated — Naga Residence, 9.6/10, £34 and The Quarter Hualamphong, 9.6/10, £36; closest to Wat Pho — RALPH Bangkok, £25. Compare all Bangkok hotels with live prices →

Riverside, Sukhumvit or Khao San? Make This Choice First

Best Bangkok Hotels for Specific Trips

A Rooftop Pool on a Budget

Rambuttri Village Plaza (£23) by Khao San, Pas Cher Hotel de Bangkok (£24) by Saphan Taksin BTS and Pinnacle Lumpini Park Hotel (£27) by Lumphini MRT are the three cheapest rooftop pools in this guide. For a 5-star rooftop infinity pool, Siam At Siam starts at £91 and Avani+ Riverside at £100.

River Views and River Boats

Chatrium Hotel Riverside (£107) runs a free shuttle boat to the Skytrain. Millennium Hilton (£167) says every room faces the river. The Peninsula (£310) and Mandarin Oriental (£548) are the classic river views. On a budget, Ibis Bangkok Riverside (£38) has a pool facing the water and Baan Wanglang Riverside (£32) sits by Wang Lang Pier.

Wat Arun and Temple Views

Sala Arun (£94) has rooms with balconies facing Wat Arun or Wat Pho, says the hotel. RALPH Bangkok (£25) is steps from Wat Pho. Penpark Place (£27) has a rooftop terrace over the river.

Families With Kids

Anantara Riverside (£163, kids' club and kids' pool, breakfast included), Siam Kempinski (£319, kids' club, next to Siam Paragon) and Four Seasons (£510, kids' club) lead the luxury tier. Chatrium Hotel Riverside (£107) has suites with kitchenettes and a playground. On a budget, Asoke Residence Sukhumvit (£38) has a kids' club, a kids' pool and a playground.

Near the Malls

Siam Kempinski connects directly to Siam Paragon. Park Hyatt is in Central Embassy, and The Okura Prestige is next to Ploenchit BTS. For less, Siam At Siam (£91) is near MBK, True Siam Rangnam (£37) is a few minutes from CentralWorld, and KC Place (£21) is near Platinum Fashion Mall.

Gulf and Indian Travellers

Sindhorn Kempinski and Capella list halal options, and Kimpton Maa-Lai lists Arabic-speaking staff. lebua at State Tower serves Indian food among its restaurants. For the Nana area that Gulf visitors call Arab Street, Ibis Bangkok Sukhumvit 4 (£39) and Travelodge Sukhumvit 11 (£49) are the closest hotels in this guide.

Couples and Honeymoons

Capella, Mandarin Oriental and The Peninsula are the river-view splurges. Rosewood and Kimpton Maa-Lai are the highest-rated city hotels. For less, Sala Arun gives you Wat Arun from the balcony for under £100.

Late Arrivals and Early Flights

Pimthong Place (£21) is about 7 km from Suvarnabhumi. In town, KC Place (£21) is about 100 m from an Airport Rail Link station.

Bangkok's Sky Bars and High Views

The Sky Bar at lebua is the famous one, and worth a drink even if you stay elsewhere. Dress codes apply at most sky bars: no shorts, vests or flip-flops.

The Monk Alms Round — the Bangkok Most Visitors Miss

Most visitors start the temple run at 9am and miss the ritual that defines the city. Around 6am every morning, saffron-robed monks walk barefoot from neighbourhood temples on binthabat, the alms round. Residents wait at their doors with rice, fruit and snacks; the monks accept in silence, and the givers earn tham boon, merit. If you stay in Old Town, Banglamphu or Bang Rak (for example at RALPH Bangkok, Tara Place or Shangri-La Bangkok), step out at 5:45am, stand quietly across from a temple gate and watch. Then find a street cart for a Thai iced coffee and breakfast. It costs nothing.

How Bangkok Compares to Singapore and Hong Kong

Singapore is the orderly one and Hong Kong the vertical one; Bangkok is the layered one, with riverside hotels older than either city's luxury sector, Sukhumvit's modern towers, and street markets at almost every station. On price it wins clearly. In this guide, 5-star hotels start at about £91 a night and the luxury icons at £160, while comparable hotels in Singapore and Hong Kong usually cost far more. At the budget end, a private double room with air conditioning for £16-30 is something neither city offers.

10 Essential Bangkok Experiences

1. Wat Pho at opening (8am). The reclining Buddha is 46 m long and 15 m high, with mother-of-pearl feet, and the temple has the country's best-known traditional Thai massage school. Go early, before the tour groups.

2. The Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaew. The Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the former royal residence. Strict dress code: shoulders and knees covered.

3. Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn). On the west bank, a short ferry ride from Tha Tien pier. The porcelain-covered spire is best at dawn and when it is lit at dusk.

4. A floating market day trip. Damnoen Saduak is the famous, very touristy one; Amphawa is more local, with firefly boat rides on weekend evenings. Both are about 90 minutes away.

5. Or Tor Kor Market. Bangkok's best fresh-food market, next to Chatuchak, with outstanding fruit and ready-made Thai dishes.

6. Chatuchak Weekend Market. Saturday and Sunday only, with thousands of stalls: vintage clothes, homeware, plants and street food. Go before noon, before the heat.

7. Jim Thompson House. The teak-house home and art collection of the American who revived the Thai silk industry and disappeared in Malaysia in 1967. Guided tours run all day.

8. A Chinatown street-food evening. Yaowarat Road after 6pm: roast duck, seafood, mango sticky rice. Arrive by river boat at Ratchawong pier.

9. Muay Thai at Rajadamnern Stadium. Bangkok's oldest Muay Thai stadium, open since 1945, with proper title bouts on fight nights.

10. A long-tail boat through the klongs. Hire one from Tha Chang or Tha Tien pier for a trip through the Thonburi canals, where life on the water still looks decades old.

UK Flights and Practicalities

Flights: Thai Airways and EVA Air fly non-stop from London Heathrow to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) in about 11-12 hours. One-stop flights via Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Istanbul are often cheaper and serve UK regional airports. Don Mueang (DMK) is the budget-airline airport for flights within Asia; check which airport your ticket uses. Search flights to BKK →

Airport to city: the Airport Rail Link runs from Suvarnabhumi to Phaya Thai (for the BTS) in about 30 minutes for around 45 baht. For the riverside or Old Town, Grab or a metered taxi is easier with luggage.

Entry: UK passport holders can currently visit visa-free for a holiday, and must complete the online Thailand Digital Arrival Card before arrival. The allowed length of stay has changed more than once since 2024, so check the UK Foreign Office travel advice for Thailand before you go.

Money: the Thai baht (THB). Most Thai ATMs charge foreign cards 220 baht per withdrawal, so take out larger amounts less often. Cards work in hotels and malls; carry cash for street food, markets and tuk-tuks.

Weather: cool and dry from November to February (the best time), hot from March to May, and rainy from June to October, usually as short afternoon storms.

Budget: in this guide, budget hotels start at £16-49 a night, mid-range at £61-140 and luxury at £160-815, for two people. Street food costs a pound or two a dish.

Booking Bangkok Hotels: Rates and the Dates to Avoid

Bangkok's prices move with the seasons more than the day of the week. The peaks are Christmas to New Year and Songkran (13-15 April), the Thai New Year water festival, when prices rise across the city. The cheapest months are usually in the rainy season, from late May to September. Within a week, our November check showed big swings at some hotels in both directions: Rosewood, Hotel Muse and lebua were £60-130 cheaper on the Saturday, while The Quarter Hualamphong was dearer and Villa De Khaosan sold out. Always compare two or three nights. Compare live Bangkok prices →

Privacy Shield: Why Book Bangkok Through JetMeAway

Bangkok's big hotel groups and booking sites run some of the most aggressive email and retargeting programmes in Southeast Asian travel, and loyalty sign-ups at check-in are often how it starts.

When you book Bangkok through JetMeAway, your details go to the hotel for your stay, not into a marketing database built to follow you for the next 12 months. There are no booking fees.

Bangkok Hotels FAQs

Can you really get a rooftop pool in Bangkok for under £50? Yes. On our November check, 9 budget hotels in this guide with a rooftop pool started under £50. The cheapest was Rambuttri Village Plaza by Khao San Road at £23, then Pas Cher Hotel de Bangkok at £24 and Pinnacle Lumpini Park Hotel at £27.

What's the cheapest hotel in this guide? Khaosan Art Hotel, from about £16 a night for two on both our November dates, about 700 m from Khao San Road. Lucky House Khaosan was £17.

Which is the cheapest 5-star? The cheapest 5-stars in this guide were Siam At Siam Design Hotel at £91, Hotel Muse at £93 and Avani+ Riverside at £100, all three with a rooftop pool or bar.

Which hotel is closest to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho? RALPH Bangkok (£25) and Sala Arun (£94) are both by Wat Pho on Maharat Road and Tha Tien, about 500 m from the Grand Palace on our map.

Which riverside hotel has a boat to the Skytrain? Chatrium Hotel Riverside lists a free shuttle boat to the nearby Skytrain station. Shangri-La Bangkok is right by Saphan Taksin BTS and Sathorn Pier, so you do not need one.

Which hotels are best for families? Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort (£163, kids' club and kids' pool), Chatrium Hotel Riverside (£107, kitchenette suites and a playground) and, on a budget, Asoke Residence Sukhumvit (£38, kids' club and kids' pool).

Where should I stay for the airport? Pimthong Place is about 7 km from Suvarnabhumi, from £21 with breakfast. KC Place Hotel Pratunam (£21) is about 100 m from the Airport Rail Link at Ratchaprarop.

Is Khao San Road too noisy? The road is loud until late. Tara Place, Nouvo City and Penpark Place on Samsen Road, and Khaosan Art Hotel on Phra Arthit Road, are a few minutes away and quieter.

Which hotels have halal options or Arabic-speaking staff? Sindhorn Kempinski and Capella Bangkok list halal options; Kimpton Maa-Lai lists Arabic-speaking staff. Ask the hotel to confirm before you book.

Where Next? More City Guides

Our Dubai hotels guide, Istanbul hotels guide and Marrakech hotels guide cover more UK-favourite city breaks in the same three-tier format. Heading north? Our Chiang Rai hotels guide covers the White Temple and the Golden Triangle, a short domestic flight from Bangkok. Going on to another Asian hub? Our Singapore hotels guide covers the city-state.

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