Sukhumvit
Where to lay your head
Where to lay your head
Bangkok is so big, we’ve split it up into areas, select one of the below for detailed accommodation and food listings in that area. Sights and general overviews for Bangkok as a whole can be found via the icons above. Don’t know where to start? Read an overview of Bangkok’s different areas.
Go back to Bangkok main page »The Sukhumvit area’s accommodation is arranged here by proximity to the different BTS skytrain stations. A stone’s throw from super-modern Siam Square, Phloenchit is a convenient option. Heading further east, Nana and Asoke put you close to some of Bangkok’s liveliest (and seediest in places) nightlife. Slick malls and hi-so restaurants define Phrom Phong and Thong Lor. Ekkamai, Phra Khanong and On Nut will be too far out for some, though others will appreciate the relatively short distance to Suvarnabhumi Airport.
The beginning of Sukhumvit Road can be viewed as an extension of the shopping and office districts of nearby Siam Square, with mostly tall and shiny high-rises set on some seriously pricey real estate often occupied by major hotels. This is a good area if you want to avoid the seedy (in places) scene found a bit further east while remaining close to the skytrain and central Bangkok. Ironically, two of the hotels listed here shrug off the norm by occupying one-of-a-kind buildings constructed in the mid-20th century.
Heritage architecture and an exquisite design combine with strong facilities and thoughtful service to make AriyasomVilla stand out in Bangkok’s upscale accommodation scene. With an intimate feel that’s similar to smaller bed and breakfasts, the hotel has enough space and extras to be called a small resort. Those who can afford to stay here will be soothed, pampered and intrigued. A garden... Read our full review of AriyasomVilla.
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One of several Bangkok hotels run by the Compass Hospitality group, Legacy Express is a good choice for flashpackers seeking a clean and comfy room in a very convenient location -- and little else. While the name and facade says “chain hotel” loud and clear, the rooms are done up with fun swirl-pattern pillows on good-quality mattresses, modern carpets, framed photos of old Bangkok scenes and... Read our full review of Legacy Express Bangkok.
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The Oasis occupies a pair of small buildings painted bright yellow and red, located across the street from one another on a sleepy lane next to Bumrungrad International Hospital. It’s an obvious choice if you’ve come down with malaria or fancy some plastic surgery, but the location is strategic even if medical care isn’t in your plans. Rooms are all similarly outfitted with air-con, TVs,... Read our full review of Oasis Inn.
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One of the Thai capital’s oldest and oddest hotels, The Atlanta hasn’t changed much since opening back in 1952. The spartan rooms and uptight rules are definitely not for everyone, but vintage enthusiasts wanting to check out an unusual slice of mid-20th century Bangkok will find an institution, quite unlike any other. You may recognise The Atlanta’s foyer from a film or two. The... Read our full review of The Atlanta.
The area around Nana and Asok BTS stations is one of Bangkok’s most vibrant, convenient and popular, boasting stacks of big-name hotels like Sofitel, Westin Grande and Aloft. This includes the lively Sukhumvit Soi 11 and multi-lane Asoke-Montri Road, but also some quieter streets with a few great hostels to choose from. Two out of Bangkok’s three red-light districts are also found here, but they’re mostly contained in their respective streets: Soi Cowboy and Sukhumvit Soi 4. The area also hosts an enclave of Middle Eastern travellers along with swanky nightclubs, loads of restaurants, upscale spas and an interchange between the skytrain and subway.
Good vibes, funky art and a banging social scene all make Bodega Hostel a prime choice off Sukhumvit Road. While the cool young staff and fun atmosphere are the main draws, guests can also count on clean and comfy dorms at reasonable rates. Don’t be surprised if Bodega entices you to stick around longer than expected while forgetting all about Khao San Road. Opened in late 2013 by three... Read our full review of Bodega Hostel.
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Fu House Hostel manages to be bright and homely, warm and cool, all at the same time. Set in a restored 50-year-old house down a fairly quiet side street, the small hostel puts you within easy walking distance of the public transport, nightlife, dining and other conveniences of Bangkok’s modern side. This might just be our top hostel pick on Sukhumvit. After looking at countless hostels set... Read our full review of Fu House Hostel.
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Expanding beyond its successful original property near Khao San Road, 3Howw Hostel opened a bigger and sharper urban-style hostel within sight of Asok BTS station in 2014. The spotless dorms and private rooms should do the trick if you seek a more luxurious experience over in Bangkok’s modern side. An excellent flashpacker-style hostel. Vying with Saphai Pae for the title of Bangkok’s... Read our full review of 3Howw Hostel at Sukhumvit 21.
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Every now and then we come across a place to stay that’s truly more than just a place to stay. Opened in July 2014 in the vibrant Asok area, COW Hostel offers comfy dorms for less than we’d expect. Beyond that, it hosts a casual English conversation club that meets in the evenings — with free beds for English speakers who are willing to put in some time. Moo. Run by an affable Korean man... Read our full review of COW Hostel and English Club.
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Looking for all the world like a funky 1960s roadside motel, colourful RetrOasis Hotel offers solid value rooms in an excellent, if unexpected, location right on Sukhumvit Road. Two-storeys of rooms are clustered around a kitschy kidney-shaped pool. We wouldn’t have been surprised if Don Draper had slunk up to drape himself on a poolside lounger while we were there. Not only are two-storey... Read our full review of RetrOasis Hotel.
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Shooting for sophisticated guests who prefer glossy glass and muted greys over creaky wood and bright colours, S15 is a fairly large midrange hotel within an easy walk of either Nana or Asok BTS stations. An entrance right on Sukhumvit Road leads you into a sharp lobby with high ceilings, post-modern sculptures, leather sofas and a subtle scent of jasmine. Accessed by a lift, the cheapest... Read our full review of S15 Hotel.
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The personable owners of Baan Sukhumvit Inn run two small bed and breakfasts within a three-minute walk of one another. Both are set in nondescript shophouse-style structures at the corners of quiet side lanes, about a 10-minute walk from Asok BTS and Sukhumvit MRT stations. Because the two are so similar and so close together, we’ve combined them into a single listing. Take a load off at... Read our full review of Baan Sukhumvit Inn.
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Industrial-chic The Blocks is yet another design-y hostel geared to budget travellers looking to stay near the happening nightlife of lower Sukhumvit. While rather cramped, the dorms have some unexpected features and the common areas rival some of Bangkok’s pricier hostels. A solid all-round hostel. Opened in 2014, The Blocks occupies a block-like building that was gutted and redone with lots... Read our full review of The Blocks Hostel.
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Continuing east up Sukhumvit, the area around Phrom Phong and Thong Lo BTS stations is less seedy, more trendy (at least in places) and with notably large communities of Japanese expats and hi-so Thais. Though very convenient and with a terrific dining, shopping and nightlife scene, the vibe is more laid-back than around Asoke and Nana, with more condos than big-name hotels. If you don’t mind being a bit further from the rest of Bangkok, you’ll have some very good small hotels to choose from.
Offering a taste of colonial-era ambiance in the middle of modern Bangkok, Cabochon Hotel blends abundant antiques with high-end luxuries and impeccable service. The mid-size boutique hotel is one of the classier upper-range choices found in the Thai capital. Not your average upscale Bangkok hotel. The modern-built yet elegantly old-style four-storey building emerges from behind tall-reaching... Read our full review of Cabochon Hotel.
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Set in a quiet but convenient spot off Sukhumvit, MHC Guesthouse is an affordable choice for families, couples and solo travellers wanting to avoid the big, impersonal hotels without sacrificing comfort. If you have a passion for aviation, the pilot owner will happily show you around his model airplane collection. Pilots welcome. With plain white walls, tinted windows and a few potted plants... Read our full review of MHC Guesthouse.
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Personable service and enormous rooms at very reasonable rates make Napa Place Bed and Breakfast a terrific midrange choice near Thong Lor BTS station. Families and comfort-minded travellers will appreciate a B&B that, first and foremost, focuses on taking good care of its guests. Where private living rooms come standard (or just about). First off, Napa Place is not a good fit if you’re keen... Read our full review of Napa Place Bed and Breakfast.
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If you wish to stay in Bangkok’s Thong Lor area and you’re on a lower midrange budget, theatre-themed Playhaus offers plush and soothing, if rather small rooms, in a convenient location. Did someone say flamboyant? The boutique hotel is set in a renovated shophouse building, just off the main Thong Lor thoroughfare — a 10-minute walk down to the BTS. It is perhaps a little incongruously... Read our full review of Playhaus.
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S Box Sukhumvit Hotel is a sleek, no-fuss flashpacker option in a solid location for the Sukhumvit area. While you wouldn't ordinarily be optimistic about a hotel that actually calls its rooms a box, orange-themed S Box offers four categories of rooms, from pristine capsules of just seven square metres through to rooms of 21 square metres. The vibe is a little characterless, but small touches... Read our full review of S Box Sukhumvit Hotel.
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Tucked-away Tints of Blue is an excellent midrange option for the Sukhumvit area, boasting a small pool with great city views, friendly staff and spacious, thoughtfully appointed rooms. Murals lend an arty touch. The 42 rooms are spread across seven floors, with the eighth floor home to a modest pool and gym that has great views of the buildings marching down Sukhumvit Road — it’s not a... Read our full review of Tints of Blue.
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The Thong Lo area is best known for trendy wine bars, pricey boutique hotels and hi-so nightclubs. Going against the grain of this upscale market, Padi Madi Guest House delivers affordable rooms right next to Thong Lo BTS station. Considering the prices, they’re surprisingly stylish too. Set in part of a large brick building at the corner of Sukhumvit and Soi 53, Padi Madi’s clean and... Read our full review of Padi Madi Guest House.
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The Seven Design Hotel is what happens when a nondescript building in a busy urban area collides with a truly creative and imaginative eye. Six guestrooms plus one ground-floor lounge are designed to the tune of seven colours, each representing a day of the week in Thai culture. Look no further if a really good bed is your top priority. All rooms are equipped with exceptionally cushy king-size... Read our full review of Seven Design Hotel.
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The accommodation surrounding Ekkamai, Phra Khanong and On Nut BTS stations put you at least six skytrain stops from Siam Square and a solid hour’s journey from the historic Rattanakosin district. The pluses of staying here include very easy access to the eastern bus terminal and relatively close proximity to Suvarnabhumi Airport. Sukhumvit’s livelier areas are a short cruise up the skytrain line, and some interesting art galleries are found in the Ekkamai vicinity.
Refill Now! is no ordinary hostel. From the ground-floor hangout zone that feels like it could be in a pricey boutique hotel, to the mini swimming pool, to the thoughtful info packets given to all guests and the swish immaculate dorms, this place does not cut any corners. But is it for everyone? The purpose-built four-storey building features a very spacious open-air ground floor... Read our full review of Refill Now!.
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Opened in mid-2014 off Sukhumvit Road, the Beat Hotel blends comfort and a creative edge into a large, modern space. From gallery-worthy wall murals to individually stitched pillows, the place was pieced together by local artists. Solid midrange value, strong common facilities and an “art market” location help to make this one of Bangkok’s coolest boutique hotels. Is that a roller coaster... Read our full review of Beat Hotel.
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Named after the non-touristy avenue where it’s located, Pridi Hostel offers the homely atmosphere of a bed and breakfast in a budget-friendly package. The location may be too far from the action for some, but if you’re looking for a friendly, classy and exceedingly comfortable hostel, Pridi is worth the extra five minutes in a taxi. Pretty, isn’t it? Set in yet another renovated... Read our full review of Pridi Hostel.
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Opened in 2013 in Bangkok’s southern reaches, VX The Fifty covers everything we look for in a hostel for those looking to avoid a party scene. The location will be too far from the action for some, but others will appreciate the quiet atmosphere and easy access to the skytrain. For the right sort of traveller, this is among the best-value hostels in town. A clean, well-rounded hostel... Read our full review of VX The Fifty.
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The Moroccan-themed Imm Fusion Hotel serves up decent-value rooms in a setup that’s one-of-a-kind in Bangkok. Read on if you seek affordable comfort and a swimming pool, and don’t mind an out-of-the-way location near On Nut BTS station. Colours in common spaces can be a shock. Set in what was once an alley between two buildings, Imm Fusion’s lobby is a clever piece of work. Asphalt has... Read our full review of Imm Fusion Hotel.
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This tall and slender budget hotel occupies a shophouse-style building that’s literally two steps from an entrance to Phra Khanong BTS station. Such effortless access to the skytrain is a good reason to stay here, but the rooms aren’t too shabby either. Spread over five floors accessed by a narrow stairway, the characterless but modern rooms get the job done with glossy white-tile floors,... Read our full review of The Mix Hotel.
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Newly developed as a direct result of Suvarnabhumi Airport’s opening in 2006, the Lat Krabang area in the city’s far eastern reaches has a handful of good-value small hotels. If you want the absolute closest bed to your departure gate, splurge for the Hotel Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. Suvarnabhumi is far removed from the rest of Bangkok and we wouldn’t recommend staying here unless you’ve got an early departure or late arrival.
A new location for the longstanding and popular Queen’s Garden near Suvarnabhumi airport, the Great Residence has the same owners, a similar set-up and many of the same friendly staff, but a new name. (The old Queen’s Garden is, at time of writing, undergoing a makeover.) The Great Residence. Their new location is closer to the airport than before, being right next to the airport bus... Read our full review of The Great Residence.
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