StayAreas

Riverside

Bangkok

Both banks of the Chao Phraya around Saphan Taksin, where Bangkok's classic luxury hotels look out over river boats, with ICONSIAM across the water.

Best for Upscale · Families

Transport
4/5
Sights
3/5
Value
3/5
Quiet
4/5
Food
4/5

Typical mid-range hotel ~$130/night · 20 min to Siam

See hotels in Riverside

Riverside on the map

Why stay here

  • Bangkok's best luxury hotels, with river views
  • Boats to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho
  • BTS at Saphan Taksin

Who should stay here

  • Luxury stays and couples
  • Families who want hotel pools and space
  • Travellers who like river boats over traffic

Not ideal if…

  • You want nightlife outside the door
  • You're on a tight budget
  • You want to walk to malls and the Skytrain from a west-bank hotel

What it's like

The stretch of river around Charoen Krung Road was the city's old trading quarter, and the Mandarin Oriental has stood here since 1876. Today the big hotels line both banks, with free shuttle boats between them, the ICONSIAM mall opposite and the Asiatique night market a little downstream.

Staying here means sunsets over the river and an easy boat ride up to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho, plus the Skytrain at Saphan Taksin for the rest of the city. Charoen Krung has old shophouses, galleries and good restaurants. Hotels on the west bank depend on their shuttle boats to reach the BTS.

Best streets and sub-areas

  • Charoen Krung Road

    Bangkok's oldest paved road, with galleries and old shophouses.

  • Sathorn pier

    Hub for express boats and hotel shuttles under the Taksin bridge.

Getting around

Nearest stations
BTS at Saphan Taksin, Chao Phraya Express and tourist boats from Sathorn pier, and free hotel shuttle boats.
To Siam
About 20 minutes
From Suvarnabhumi Airport
About 60 minutes: Airport Rail Link to Phaya Thai, then the BTS to Saphan Taksin.

Nearby attractions

  • Chao Phraya boat ride

    Tourist or express boats up to the Grand Palace and Wat Arun.

  • ICONSIAM

    Giant riverside mall with an indoor floating market of food stalls.

  • Asiatique The Riverfront

    Night market and Ferris wheel in old riverside warehouses.

Where to eat and drink

  • Charoen Krung

    Old-school noodle shops and newer restaurants side by side.

  • Hotel riverside terraces

    Sunset drinks overlooking the boats.

Where to stay in Riverside

A few hotels we'd book in this area, at different budgets.

Luxury pick

Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

Why we like it: The city's most famous hotel, on the river since 1876.

Typical luxury rate in Riverside: ~$520/night

Check availability

Luxury pick

The Peninsula Bangkok

Why we like it: West-bank tower with river views from every room and a shuttle boat.

Typical luxury rate in Riverside: ~$520/night

Check availability

Luxury pick

Shangri-La Bangkok

Why we like it: Large riverside resort-style hotel next to Saphan Taksin BTS.

Typical luxury rate in Riverside: ~$520/night

Check availability

StayAreas may earn a commission when you book through selected links, at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Hotels in RiversideMid-range from ~$130/night

See hotels