| Hotel | Bank and district | Access | Indicative price (to be checked) | Who for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sala Rattanakosin Bangkok | Rattanakosin | Tha Tien pier 130 m away | from about 4,500 THB | temples, Wat Arun view |
| Riva Surya Bangkok | Old Town, Phra Arthit | Khao San 5 min on foot | about $140 | couples, relative budget |
| Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok | Khlong San | shuttle boat to Saphan Taksin BTS | about $165 | families, suites |
| Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort | Thonburi | shuttle to ICONSIAM and Sathorn | about $155 to $200 | a slow stay, kids |
| Millennium Hilton Bangkok | Khlong San | ICONSIAM a few minutes on foot | about $170 to $185 | shopping, views |
| Shangri-La Bangkok | Bang Rak | next to Saphan Taksin BTS | about $210 to $225 | comfort, two pools |
| The Peninsula Bangkok | Khlong San | free river shuttle | from 12,000 THB++ | luxury, views |
| Mandarin Oriental Bangkok | Bang Rak | Saphan Taksin BTS or shuttle | from about 15,000 THB | historic palace |
Which bank to choose
East bank (Bang Rak, Saphan Taksin): the Shangri-La is next to Saphan Taksin BTS station and the Mandarin Oriental about ten minutes on foot or by shuttle; these are the best connected to the Skytrain. West bank (Khlong San, Thonburi): quiet, facing ICONSIAM, but no metro on foot, so you depend on shuttles. Old Town: the temple bank, with Riva Surya and Sala Rattanakosin, within walking distance of the Grand Palace and Wat Pho.
From affordable to palace
Old Town: Sala Rattanakosin and Riva Surya
The Sala Rattanakosin, from about 4,500 THB, looks onto Wat Arun, Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, with Tha Tien pier 130 m away; the area is very quiet in the evening, with few restaurants open late. The Riva Surya, on Phra Arthit Road, has river-view rooms, two pools and a restaurant on the water; Khao San is five minutes on foot. Reviews: night boats can be noisy.
West bank: Chatrium, Anantara, Millennium Hilton, Peninsula
The Chatrium Hotel Riverside mostly offers suites with kitchenettes and a free shuttle boat from its private pier next to Saphan Taksin station; late-2025 reviews mention work on the pool. The Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort spreads over 11 acres of gardens with a large pool, kids' club and spa. The Millennium Hilton, a few minutes' walk from ICONSIAM, has an outdoor pool and a spa. The Peninsula Bangkok is a palace on the bank, about a five-minute free boat ride from Saphan Taksin station according to Booking.
East bank: Shangri-La and Mandarin Oriental
The Shangri-La Bangkok, in Bang Rak, has two pools, a large spa and a shuttle to ICONSIAM; reviews mention long corridors between wings and a pool that closes early. The Mandarin Oriental, a historic palace in Bang Rak, has an outdoor pool, a garden and the reputation of one of the city's best tables; book ahead. For more palaces, read luxury hotels in Bangkok.
Getting around from the river
The Chao Phraya express boat links the main piers; it is covered in our transport in Bangkok guide. To see the river without changing hotel, longtail boats and canals and the Chao Phraya dinner cruise are compared in two guides. Another riverside perk: Wat Arun is close by.
Limits to know
- No metro on the west bank: plan for the boat or a taxi.
- Early last boat: free shuttles have limited hours; ask the hotel.
- Taxis are rare late at night on the Thonburi side.
- "++" charges: 10% service and 7% VAT are often added to displayed prices.
FAQ
Which riverside hotel is best connected to the metro? The Shangri-La, next to Saphan Taksin BTS station.
Do I need a boat to reach the centre? On the west bank, yes: free shuttle or express boat.
Best choice to see the temples? The Sala Rattanakosin, facing Wat Arun, or the Riva Surya.
Where to find luxury hotels? Mandarin Oriental, Peninsula or Shangri-La: see our luxury hotels page.
