Best of Bangkok
Best of Bangkok
by Peter Graham
by Peter Graham
Bangkok is a city of magnificent temples, wonderful shopping and sizzling nightlife. However, it has also become a great city for business travellers. Over the past decade, it has undergone a remarkable transformation. Gone are the days when you had little option other than to brave massive traffic jams as you rushed from one appointment to another. Now the city has a highly-effective Skytrain and a new metro underground service, which means that business travellers can get across the city within minutes.
To ensure a good stay in the City of Angels, it is important to find a good hotel that not only fits your needs and budget, but cuts down on your travel time. Being close to major expressways and a Skytrain station is essential - nobody wants to be stuck in traffic when they would rather be handling their business matters.
HotelTravel.com has an excellent range of hotels in the major commercial areas of Bangkok. We take a look at the city's most important business districts and offer you our selection of some of the great hotels on offer. In the budget category, we select from hotels which offer rooms for less than US$50. Our mid-range hotels have rooms for less than $100, while our luxury choices range from $100 up.
Silom
Half a century ago, the Silom area was a remote district with rice paddies. Now it is the most important business and financial centre of Bangkok. The streets are lined by banks, international firms, export-import houses, airline offices and shopping arcades. At night people flock to this area for the entertainment on offer in great nightclubs and restaurants. Check all Silom hotels.
Half a century ago, the Silom area was a remote district with rice paddies. Now it is the most important business and financial centre of Bangkok. The streets are lined by banks, international firms, export-import houses, airline offices and shopping arcades. At night people flock to this area for the entertainment on offer in great nightclubs and restaurants. Check all Silom hotels.
Editor's Choice:
Luxury: Dusit Thani Hotel - In a prime location overlooking Lumpini Park, this long-running hotel still holds its own against newer, flashier competitors with superb restaurants, a great business centre, internet connectivity throughout the hotel and superlative service. A bonus is the hotel's outdoor golf driving range.
Luxury: Dusit Thani Hotel - In a prime location overlooking Lumpini Park, this long-running hotel still holds its own against newer, flashier competitors with superb restaurants, a great business centre, internet connectivity throughout the hotel and superlative service. A bonus is the hotel's outdoor golf driving range.
Mid-Range: Sofitel Silom Hotel – Great value in the heart of the commercial hub, with superb views from upper floors. Business centre offers secretarial and translation services, computer rental and internet connectivity.
Budget: Siam Heritage Hotel - New boutique hotel with only 69 rooms (all with high-speed internet). Also has a great bar, pool, spa and rooftop terrace.
Budget: Siam Heritage Hotel - New boutique hotel with only 69 rooms (all with high-speed internet). Also has a great bar, pool, spa and rooftop terrace.
Sathorn
The Sathorn Road area - which flanks Silom - has become an important business centre, with an increasing number of skyscraper buildings housing companies, embassies and banks. Check all Sathorn hotels.
The Sathorn Road area - which flanks Silom - has become an important business centre, with an increasing number of skyscraper buildings housing companies, embassies and banks. Check all Sathorn hotels.
Editor's Choice:
Luxury: Sukhothai Hotel - A stunning low-rise hotel set in six acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and lotus pools. A 24-hour business centre offers private offices, a well-stocked reference library and satellite video conferencing. With its understated elegance, the Sukhothai is a gem in this very busy city.
Luxury: Sukhothai Hotel - A stunning low-rise hotel set in six acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and lotus pools. A 24-hour business centre offers private offices, a well-stocked reference library and satellite video conferencing. With its understated elegance, the Sukhothai is a gem in this very busy city.
Mid-Range: Evergreen Laurel Hotel - Comfortable and well-run, this hotel offers a business centre, spa and well-appointed rooms. Popular among frequent business travellers and embassy officials.
Budget: Pinnacle Lumpinee Hotel - Newly-renovated rooms offer good views of the Silom skyline and Lumpinee Park. Located close to expressway. After business, you can relax at the rooftop pool and spa.
Budget: Pinnacle Lumpinee Hotel - Newly-renovated rooms offer good views of the Silom skyline and Lumpinee Park. Located close to expressway. After business, you can relax at the rooftop pool and spa.
Riverside
Some of the city's best hotels line the Chao Praya River as it winds its way through Bangkok, making these luxury palaces the first choice of top executives and international business travellers. The riverside area is close to the busy Silom and Sathorn business areas – but fleets of limousines ferry guests to any part of the city with the minimum of fuss. Five-star hotels include the Oriental, the Shangri-La, the Royal Orchid Sheraton and the Marriott. All offer fine dining in superb restaurants, many overlooking the river. Check all Riverside hotels.
Some of the city's best hotels line the Chao Praya River as it winds its way through Bangkok, making these luxury palaces the first choice of top executives and international business travellers. The riverside area is close to the busy Silom and Sathorn business areas – but fleets of limousines ferry guests to any part of the city with the minimum of fuss. Five-star hotels include the Oriental, the Shangri-La, the Royal Orchid Sheraton and the Marriott. All offer fine dining in superb restaurants, many overlooking the river. Check all Riverside hotels.
Editor's Choice:
Luxury: The Peninsula Hotel - Once overshadowed by the Oriental across the river, the Peninsula is now recognised as one of the finest hotels in the world. It offers fabulous views from every room, magnificent service and everything a business executive could desire - including a rooftop heli-pad.
Luxury: The Peninsula Hotel - Once overshadowed by the Oriental across the river, the Peninsula is now recognised as one of the finest hotels in the world. It offers fabulous views from every room, magnificent service and everything a business executive could desire - including a rooftop heli-pad.
Mid-Range: Centre Point Silom - Set a few blocks back from the river, Centre Point offers apartment-style studios and one-bedroom suites above a busy shopping mall. Perfect for business travellers spending a few days in the city.
Budget: Royal River Hotel - Great value for money. Located along northern stretch of river, but offers free shuttle boat to River City shopping centre.
Budget: Royal River Hotel - Great value for money. Located along northern stretch of river, but offers free shuttle boat to River City shopping centre.
Sukhumvit
The long Sukhumvit Road and the streets leading from it have become one of the prime business areas of Bangkok. Besides great shopping centres and company head offices, it is also a top-end residential area. To the north of Sukhumvit Road is the extensions of Phetburi Road, with a number of office blocks. There are several skytrain stations along Sukhumvit Road and a subway station at the Asoke intersection (Sukhumwit 21). Check all Sukhumvit hotels.
The long Sukhumvit Road and the streets leading from it have become one of the prime business areas of Bangkok. Besides great shopping centres and company head offices, it is also a top-end residential area. To the north of Sukhumvit Road is the extensions of Phetburi Road, with a number of office blocks. There are several skytrain stations along Sukhumvit Road and a subway station at the Asoke intersection (Sukhumwit 21). Check all Sukhumvit hotels.
Editor's Choice:
Luxury: JW Marriott Hotel - Located close to the expressway, it has an executive floor and a business centre with meeting facilities and secretarial services. Has one of the best grillhouse restaurants in Bangkok, the New York Steakhouse. Wireless internet in rooms.
Mid-Range: Majestic Grande Hotel - Great rooms with wireless internet, a superb executive lounge and a friendly business centre make this a great choice.
Budget: Ambassador Hotel - This massive high-rise hotel is perfectly located for access to transport and entertainment. Offers full gym facilities and a swimming pool.
Luxury: JW Marriott Hotel - Located close to the expressway, it has an executive floor and a business centre with meeting facilities and secretarial services. Has one of the best grillhouse restaurants in Bangkok, the New York Steakhouse. Wireless internet in rooms.
Mid-Range: Majestic Grande Hotel - Great rooms with wireless internet, a superb executive lounge and a friendly business centre make this a great choice.
Budget: Ambassador Hotel - This massive high-rise hotel is perfectly located for access to transport and entertainment. Offers full gym facilities and a swimming pool.
Siam-Ratchdamri
This is the biggest and busiest shopping district in Bangkok, with excellent skytrain connections. Shopping centres, department stores and small boutique shops ensure that the area is always bustling with people. Popular centres include Central World Plaza, Gaysorn Plaza, the Peninsula Plaza, Sogo Department Store, Siam Square and the MBK Centre. The area is also home to the Pratunam Market, which offers clothing for export. Check all Siam hotels.
This is the biggest and busiest shopping district in Bangkok, with excellent skytrain connections. Shopping centres, department stores and small boutique shops ensure that the area is always bustling with people. Popular centres include Central World Plaza, Gaysorn Plaza, the Peninsula Plaza, Sogo Department Store, Siam Square and the MBK Centre. The area is also home to the Pratunam Market, which offers clothing for export. Check all Siam hotels.
Editor's Choice:
Luxury: Conrad Hotel - Located among many excellent hotels, including the Four Seasons and the Grand Hyatt Erawan, the Conrad gets the nod because of its great restaurants, bars and scenic views. Part of All Seasons Place shopping and business centre, you don't have to venture far to find anything you need.
Luxury: Conrad Hotel - Located among many excellent hotels, including the Four Seasons and the Grand Hyatt Erawan, the Conrad gets the nod because of its great restaurants, bars and scenic views. Part of All Seasons Place shopping and business centre, you don't have to venture far to find anything you need.
Mid-Range: Baiyoke Sky Hotel - Located in the tallest building in Thailand, the hotel rises 88 storeys above the Bangkok skyline. It adjoins the Pratunam Market, making it a perfect choice for fashion buyers and those in the garment industry.
Budget: Eastin Bangkok Hotel - Comfortable rooms and friendly service make this the value-for-money choice in this area. It is located close to many embassies, shopping centres and company head offices.
Budget: Eastin Bangkok Hotel - Comfortable rooms and friendly service make this the value-for-money choice in this area. It is located close to many embassies, shopping centres and company head offices.
Airport
Bangkok’s new Suvarnabhumi Aiport is due to open on the other side of the city next year. Until then, millions of passengers continue to use Don Muang Airport each month. If you have a late arrival or an early departure, avoid traffic hassles by basing yourself close to the airport. Check all Airport hotels.
Bangkok’s new Suvarnabhumi Aiport is due to open on the other side of the city next year. Until then, millions of passengers continue to use Don Muang Airport each month. If you have a late arrival or an early departure, avoid traffic hassles by basing yourself close to the airport. Check all Airport hotels.
Luxury: Amari Airport Hotel - It is the only hotel with direct access to the airport. Luxurious rooms and 24-hour business centre make it a popular choice for time-stressed travellers.
Mid-Range: Rama Gardens Hotel - About 15 minutes drive from the airport, this comfortable hotel offers relaxing gardens, lake-sized swimming pools and a great sports centre. The lush tropical foliage makes you forget you are in the centre of a bustling city.
Budget: Comfort Suites Airport Hotel - Sound-proofed rooms only 1,5 kilometres from the airport.
Mid-Range: Rama Gardens Hotel - About 15 minutes drive from the airport, this comfortable hotel offers relaxing gardens, lake-sized swimming pools and a great sports centre. The lush tropical foliage makes you forget you are in the centre of a bustling city.
Budget: Comfort Suites Airport Hotel - Sound-proofed rooms only 1,5 kilometres from the airport.
To read other articles on Bangkok, go to our archive
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