The hotels of Bangkok range tremendously in style, rating, amenities and cleanliness, from the 5-star elite to the back street single room boarding house frequented by local professionals. The Saphan Taksin, or riverside area of the city, is the most sought-after by tourists thanks to its scenery, markets and local culture, as well as easy water or land access to the rest of the city and beyond. Here you will find a collection of luxury and tourist-class hotels with excellent amenities and prices that benefit from a friendly exchange rate.
The Shang-ri La Hotel Bangkok is perhaps the most visually pleasing and dramatically opulent hotel in the city. Set alongside the riverfront, this elegant 5-star property offers self-proclaimed "legendary hospitality" and views of the entire city. The redesigned lobby is a vast and open space with a soaring glass enclosure, and a marble and stone decor reminiscent of a Roman garden. The hotel features a selection of activity options, including a fitness center, tennis courts, the newly added riverside pool and the CHI Spa at Shang-ri La. The hotel restaurants range in cuisine type from Thai to Italian, and even include a dinner cruise on the Shang-ri La's private river cruise ship, the Horizon. The 802 guestrooms fall into three categories: standard rooms, horizon club rooms and suites. Each room features free Internet access, flat screen satellite TV, tea & coffee-making materials, gourmet toiletries and a balcony or patio. The room decor tends to be standard luxury hotel with touches of Asian motifs here and there. Rates for a standard double start around 5,850THB (about $195) per night as of December 2010.
The Citadines Sukhumvit 1 Bangkok occupies an oddly shaped modern design building in the center of Bangkok. The area is filled with business people and office space by day, and markets and nightlife after dark. Primarily designed for business travelers, the Citadines also is very suitable and even convenient for the leisure traveler or family. Classified as serviced apartments but with all the amenities of a hotel, this is a great option for those who prefer to feel more at home when on the road. The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, fitness room, guest launderette, restaurant and a complimentary tuk-tuk service to the main rail station. The room is where the convenience really comes into place though, as each room offers a fully equipped kitchen with stove, microwave, refrigerator and all utensils and cookware, flat screen cable TV, wireless Internet, air-conditioning and work station. Studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments are available, with studios starting around 1615THB (about $54) per night as of December 2010.
The Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok is a truly beautiful property located in the center of Bangkok, a few steps from the city's Skytrain, which takes you to several of the main attractions and the airport. Despite its city setting, the hotel grounds create a feeling of exotic escapism with thick palms and thatched roofs. There is a contrast between the exterior of the building, which is tropical, and the interior, which is ultra modern with classical Thai elements. The hotel's Spa by MSpa is a full service luxury experience with treatments for all stress levels. The hotel also has a fitness center and a very large outdoor swimming pool surrounded by tropical gardens, a waterfall and lotus ponds. Six restaurants are available serving cuisines ranging from Italian to Indian, Japanese to local fare. The plush guestrooms try to make the most of a square space, with angled wooden furnishings and strong decorative accents. All 354 rooms have a work desk, wireless Internet access and a flat screen satellite TV. Rates for a double start around 7300THB (about $240) as of December 2010.
