Bangkok Old Town, aka Rattanakosin island, is the beautiful historic area of Bangkok, located along the bank of Chap Phraya River. It is home to many of Thailand’s most iconic cultural and historical landmarks.
Some famous attractions in the Old Town are the famous Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), and Wat Pho (Temple of The Reclining Buddha). It also has lots of other lesser-known temples, historic sites, and local markets.
Many visitors to Bangkok prefer to stay in the Old Town due to its authentic and historical charm. While others prefer to stay in the downtown areas like Sukhumvit or Siam, then take day trips to the old town.
In this article, I will share with you my opinion on why you should stay in Bangkok Old Town, the disadvantages of staying here, and the best hotels and top places to stay in Bangkok Old town.
See more: Where to Stay in Bangkok – All Best Areas
Where is Old Town Bangkok?
Bangkok Old Town is a historic area located on the eastern side of Chao Phraya River. This island city is surrounded by water, with Chao Phraya River on the west and several moats on the east. The moats were dug to protect the city from the attack of Burmese invaders.
The old town was founded in 1782 when King Rama I moved the capital of Siam in Thonburi on the west side of Chao Phraya River to this location on the east side of the river. The island is home to Bangkok’s iconic attractions such as the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, and Khao San Road.
The Old town is also bordered with the vibrant Chinatown neighborhood, where you can visit several cultural attractions and enjoy the lively street food scene.
To reach the old town from various locations in Bangkok, have look at this article: How to get to Old Town Bangkok.
Why Should You Stay in Old Town Bangkok?
I love to stay in Bangkok Old Town due to its authentic atmosphere, and its close proximity to major attractions such as the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun, and Khao San Road. It offers a unique experience that differs significantly from the modern, high-rise parts of the city.
Here are some of the reasons why you should stay in Bangkok Old Town from perspective:
1. Historical Atmosphere and Authentic Vibe
The Old Town is the cultural and historical heart of Bangkok. It is home to historic sites such as the Grand Palace and Wat Pho that were built from its foundation. You will be located near the centuries-old temples, palaces, and traditional shophouses rather than glassy skyscrapers in the downtown areas.
I recommend staying in the Old Town if you’re looking to step into the soul of Thailand’s capital, appreciate its deep cultural roots, and enjoy a more authentic and relaxed experience of the city.
2. Good base for Sighseeing
The Old Town is a good base in Bangkok for sightseeing. This area is home to many Bangkok’s iconic attractions such as the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho, and Democracy Monument. You can easily explore these attractions on foot, motorbike taxi, or on tuk tuk.
From the old town, you can easily take a boat ride along the Chao Phraya River to visit major riverside attractions such as Wat Arun, Icon Siam, Asiatique, and Jim Thompson House Museum.
It is also located right next to Chinatown, where you can visit for more temples, cultural attractions, night markets, and street food.
3. Authentic Street Food & Cafés
The Old Town has a legendary food scene, with traditional Thai dishes served from generations-old vendors. From street food vendors to Michelin-rated street food and Riverside cafés with views of the Chao Phraya River, The Old Town has it all!
Lots of restaurants in the old town have menus in Thai only which offer a more authentic atmosphere. English is less widely spoken in these restaurants than in tourist-heavy areas like Sukhumvit.
4. Scenic River Access
The Old Town is located along the Chao Phraya River, which provides some advantages. It makes it easy to boat transport to other parts of Bangkok, avoiding heavy road traffic. Additionally, you can enjoy the stunning sunset views from riverfront hotels and bars.
5. Unique Boutique Hotels
Rather than chain hotels, you’ll find charming boutique stays in renovated colonial buildings or traditional Thai homes. These guest houses offer more personalized service with stylish, culturally immersive decor. It is often located in quiet alleys near the action.
6. Quieter Nights
The nightlife of Bangkok Old Town is concentrated in the area around Khao San Road and Soi Rambuttri. Compared to Sukhumvit or Silom, Old Town offers less nightlife noise and more cultural authenticity.
Downsides of Staying in Bangkok Old Town
While The Old Town is a great base in Bangkok for sightseeing and experiencing the authentic side of the city, it, like other areas of the city, has some downsides to consider.
Limited transit options
There are no BTS running through the Old Town, which can be less convenient for some visitors. There are still a couple of MRT subways stations in the edge of the old town, including Sam Yot and Sanam Chai. From these stations, you can walk for 1-2 km or use tuk tuk to get to your accommodation.
Further away from Bangkok Airport
The Old Town is located further away from Suvarnabhumi Airport compared to downtown areas like Sukhumvit, Pratunam, Siam, and Silom. This means you need extra time to travel between the old town and the airport.
Quiet at night, few entertainment options
Outside the Khao San Road area, the nightlife is more limited than in Sukhumvit and Silom. Many restaurants, cafes, and attractions close early. The area gets quiet at night (which some may find too boring).
Fewer modern comforts
The old town has fewer big malls, high rise buildings, or international chains. It will not be the pace for you, if you’re looking for sleek, high-end, or Western-style amenities.
In addition to the Old Town, there are many other areas to consider to stay in Bangkok. You can read more about where to stay in Chinatown, in Pratunam, in Sukhumvit, in Siam, in Silom, in the riverside area.
Best Areas to Stay in Old Town Bangkok
The Old Town is a small island, approximately 1.7 km wide (from west to east) and 1.5 km long (from North to South). Wherever you choose to stay, you can easily explore the area on foot, or take a short ride on a motorbike taxi (Grab Bike), and tuk tuk.
Some key areas to consider to book hotels in the Old Town include the area around the Riverside area, Near MRT Stations (Sam Yot/Sanam Chai), Khao San Road, and near Democracy Monument.
If you want to be in the heart of the nightlife and backpacker scene, you can book a hotel on Khao San Road or Soi Rambutri. If you want views of the river and iconic temple, consider staying somewhere on the riverside.
For easy access to other parts of the city for more shopping, nightlife, and sightseeing, I recommend a book somewhere near either Sam Yot or Sanam Chai MRT Stations.
It’s best to book your hotel well in advance if you’re traveling during the high season. Don’t wait until the last minute, as the best hotels tend to sell out quickly.
Best Places to Stay in Old Town Bangkok
1. The Old Town Riverside area
Staying near the riverside is a great choice for scenic views of the river and the iconic temples. There are clusters of hotels on Phra Athit Road and Maha Rat Road, that run parallel with Chao Phraya River.
These locations offer short walks to the piers where you can take ferries to visit famous temples, attractions, and shopping malls along the banks of Chao Phraya River. You can take a boat ride to Wat Arun, Icon Siam, Chinatown, and Asiatique.
There are several piers in the old town, including Phra Arthit, Tha Maharaj, Tha Chang Pier, or Wat Pho Pier. Phra Arthit is a good pier to access Khao San Road, Soi Rambutri, and Phra Sumen Fort, while Tha Chang Pier is close to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho.
Where to stay in Old Town Bangkok in the Riverside area:
Chakrabongse Villas
This boutique riverside hotel is a former royal residence located on Maharat Road, just across the Museum of Siam. It is within walking distance/ short tuk tuk ride to Wat Pho and Grand Palace.
The hotel is also just a few hundreds meters away from Wat Pho Pier and MRT Sanam Chai Station. It is convenient to take the cross ferries to Wat Arun and trains to other modern areas of Bangkok like Sukhumvit, Siam, and Pratunam for more shopping and nightlife options.
The hotel has riverside dining with stunning views of the river and Wat Arun, There is also an outdoor swimming pool and a lush garden. It is a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok.
Sala Rattanakosin Bangkok
This beautiful boutique hotel is located right on the riverside area of Bangkok Old Town on Maharat Road. It is within a few minutes walk from iconic sights such as the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. The lesser-known Pak Khlong Talat (Flower Market) is also close by.
Sala Rattanakosin is also within walking distance to the pier and Sanam Chai MRT Station. This makes it convenient to explore all attractions in the old town and downtown Bangkok on public transportation.
You can stay in the rooms that have stunning views of the iconic Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) across the river. The hotel has a rooftop bar and restaurant that offer panoramic views of the river and famous temple, especially breathtaking at sunset.
The downside of this hotel is that it has no elevator which is common in this historic part of the city. If you are staying on the high floor, it can be a bit inconvenient going up and down with the suitcase.
Riva Arun Bangkok
This is a charming 4-star hotel located along the banks of the Chao Phraya River, offering stunning views of the water and the iconic Wat Arun Temple. It also has a convenient location, within a few minutes walk from Tha Tien Pier and MRT subway Station for access to other parts of Bangkok.
This hotel has a nice rooftop area with a restaurant and bar. You can enjoy the meal, the drink, and the stunning views. The room at Riva Arun has a blend of modern and colonial aesthetics.
2. Near MRT Stations (Sam Yot/Sanam Chai)
There is no BTS sky train running through the Old Town but there are several MRT subway stations on the edge of the Old Town. These are Sam Yot and Sanam Chai MRT Stations.
You can use Sanam Chai Station to access the riverside area such as Tha Tien Pier, Wat Arun, Grand Palace, or Saranrom Park. The Sam Yot Station is convenient to access to places like Khao San Road, Old Siam Plaza, Democracy Monument, or the Giant Swing.
The distance from Sam Yot Station to Khao San Road is around 1.8km, which is a 25 minutes walk. You can take a short tuk tuk, Grab Taxi, or motorbike taxi ride.
Where to stay in Old Town Bangkok near Sam Yot MRT Station:
Villa De Pranakorn
This is a great accommodation in Bangkok Old Town. It is located right next to Rommani Nat Park, and is within a short walking distance from Sam Yot MRT Station. You can use this station to take the train to downtown Bangkok for more shopping malls, night markets, and bars.
It is also a short distance away from Golden Mount (Wat Saket) where you can climb to the top for stunning views of the city (especially beautiful at sunset). Other major attractions and local sites in the old town are also easily accessible on foot or short tuk tuk ride.
The hotel has a mix of modern luxury and traditional Thai charm. It also has a swimming pool, minimarket, onsite bar and restaurant.
Feung Nakorn Balcony Rooms and Cafe
This hotel is located in Trok Fueang Thong, in the heart of Old Town Bangkok. It is a convenient location to explore the historic town on foot and is a short distance from the public train station (Sam Yot).
All major sights such as Khao San Road, Wat Pho, and Flower Market are within 10-15 minutes walk from this hotel. It has a beautiful rooftop terrace with stunning views of the city and Wat Ratchabophit nearby.
1905 Heritage Corner
This boutique guest house is located in a very central location of the hotel. It is just a few minutes walk from the famous Grand Palace, Wat Pho, and the City Pillar. This hotel has a blend of colonial charm and modern luxury.
3. Khao San Road and Soi Rambutri
Most bars and clubs in Bangkok Old Town are concentrated in the area around Khao San Road and Soi Rambutri. If you want to be in the middle of the nightlife and backpacker scene, these areas are places for you to book a stay.
There are numerous cheap guest houses, and backpacker hotels in the Khao San Road area. This is a great base for solo and budget travelers.
Khao San Road has loud music all night long so, if you want a quieter alternative, you can consider staying around Soi Rambutri. They are located just 5 minutes away.
Where to stay in Old Town Bangkok near Khao San Road:
Tinidee Trendy Bangkok Khaosan
This is a popular place to stay near Khao San Road. It is located in Soi Rambutri, just a few minutes walk to a range of bars, restaurants, and clubs on both Soi Rambutri and Khao San Road.
The hotel has modern and spacious rooms. Its central location in the heart of the nightlife area means it can be noisy until late at night, if you ask for room in the back for a quieter atmosphere.
Dewan Bangkok
This hotel is located on Thanon Tani Road, which is a block away from Soi Rambutri and Khao San Road. It is a good base to access the nightlife and major attractions in the old town. The street where this hotel is located is also packed with tourist amenities such as travel agencies, massage shops, and restaurants.
Buddy Lodge, Khaosan Road
This hotel is located right on the action of Khao San Road. It has a beautiful rooftop pool, a gym, 24h front desk, and multiple restaurants. You will also be located within a few steps from a range of restaurants, bars, and street food stalls on Khao San Road.
If you love parties, music, and meeting people, this is a great base in the heart of Khao San Road. Be aware that the party noise can last until 4 am. If you can’t stand it, you might have to ask for quieter rooms, bring earbuds with you, or stay somewhere else.
4. Near Democracy Monument
Democracy Monument is a popular point of interest in Bangkok Old Town located at the intersection of the area’s main roads, Ratchadamnoen Klang and Dinso. There are many hotels around this area, where you can have easy access to Khao San Road, Wat Saket, and other highlights in the old town.
Where to stay in Old Town Bangkok near Democracy Monument:
I hope you found some useful information from my guide on where to stay in Old Town Bangkok. It is an overall good base for travelers interested in culture, history, and authentic Thai living. I always recommend my readers to put the Old Town in their Bangkok itineraries.