The Chao Phraya River is the lifeblood of Bangkok and Thailand’s most important waterway. It flows through the heart of the capital, passing the city’s famous neighborhoods like the historic Old Town (Rattanakosin Island) and Chinatown.
The banks of Chao Phraya River are packed with iconic temples, shopping malls, historical attractions, luxury hotels, and charming riverside dining.
Many visitors pass through Bangkok Riverside when visiting famous sights like Wat Arun, Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Icon Siam, and Asiatique. I love doing the hop on hop off boat tours on Chao Phraya River to explore the major attractions along its bank.
Lots of people choose to stay in the Bangkok Riverside area to enjoy the scenic river views, peaceful vibe, easy access to cultural sites and river boats. If you visit Riverside from other locations in the city, you can read this article How to get to Riverside.
In this travel guide about where to stay in Riverside Bangkok, I will share with you my opinion on why you should stay in the riverside area of Bangkok, what are the downsides, and the best hotels along the banks of Chao Phraya River.
See more: Where to stay in Bangkok – The Ultimate Guide
Where is Bangkok Riverside?
Chao Phraya River is a 372 km long river that flows through central Thailand, from Ayutthaya to Bangkok, and goes all the way to the Gulf of Thailand.
The most popular riverside area in Bangkok is the part of Chao Phraya River running next to Bangkok Old Town, Chinatown, Icon Siam, Silom, and Asiatique. It is around 10km long and is packed with historical attractions, temples, modern shopping malls and hotels.
Why should you stay in Riverside Bangkok?
I love Bangkok riverside due to the peaceful atmosphere, scenic views of the city skyscape over the water, and the proximity to major cultural and historical attractions.
This Riverside area is ideal for couples looking for a romantic setting, families who prefer peace over party, and luxury travelers seeking the best hotels and amenities.
Here are some reasons why The Bangkok River is one of the good areas to stay in Bangkok, from my perspective:
1. Scenic Views and Relaxed Atmosphere
Bangkok Riverside has a more relaxed atmosphere compared to the downtown areas of Bangkok like Sukhumvit, Siam, Silom, and Pratunam.
The Chao Phraya River provides a serene setting, especially at sunrise and sunset. You can have a romantic dinner and enjoy the tranquil nightlife. Many riverside hotels offer rooms with river views, private balconies, and rooftop bars.
2. Easy Access to Historic Sites
Bangkok Old Town and Chinatown are built on the eastern banks of Chao Phraya River, so you will have easy access to the major historical landmarks of the city. You can easily take the boat ride to visit iconic Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Grand Palace, Khao San Road, and the Flower Market.
If you want to be located within walking distance from Famous Wat Pho and Grand Palace, you can consider staying in the Old town Riverside around Maharat Road or staying around Phra Athit Road near Khao San Road.
There are also several nice affordable hotels along Chinatown Riverside which are within walking distance to Sampeng market, Wat Tramit Temple, and Yaowarat night Market.
3. High-End Riverside Hotels and Dining
The riverside is home to some of Bangkok’s best luxury hotels. If you want something luxury, the riverside has a wide range of accommodation options for you to choose from. Riverside restaurants offer Thai fine dining and international cuisine with stunning views.
4. Unique Transportation Experience
Staying along the banks of The Chao Phraya River means you can easily travel around using boats and ferries. This is a scenic and efficient way to travel. You can avoid road traffic while enjoying a local mode of transport.
The Downside of staying in Riverside Bangkok
1. Less Central for Shopping, Nightlife
The riverside is located further away from downtown Bangkok, like Sukhumvit, Siam, and Pratunam. You will need to take a long trip to get to major shopping and nightlife hubs like Siam Paragon, MBK, CentralWorld, Nana Plaza, or Soi Cowboy.
The nightlife along the riverside is very quiet. If you are into club-hopping, street nightlife, or trendy bars, you might want to stay in Sukhumvit or in Silom. If you want to go into the heart of shopping districts, I recommend staying in either Siam or Pratunam.
2. Slower access to BTS/MRT
The riverside does not have well-connected public trains like modern areas of Bangkok. The MRT subway and BTS skytrain lines only run in certain parts near the river. These include Sanam Chai MRT station near Bangkok Old Town and Saphan Taksin BTS Station in Silom line.
You’ll likely need to rely on taxis, Grab, or transfer to the BTS/MRT for daily trips into the core city, which can be time-consuming.
3. Further away from Bangkok Airport
Compared to the more central areas like Sukhumvit and Siam, Bangkok Riverside is located further away from Suvarnabhumi Airport. You will need to travel longer to reach your hotel in this area from the airport.
It is possible to use public transport (combination of Airport Rail Link and MRT/BTS trains) to reach the riverside depending on your location on the riverside. But it is not as convenient as other city’s downtown areas.
4. More Expensive
Riverside accommodations are often luxury-focused, with fewer budget hotel or hostel options. Dining and services in this area are generally higher-priced.
If you are staying in Bangkok for a week or so, you can consider mixing it up by staying a few nights at Riverside, then a few nights in a livelier area like Siam or Sukhumvit.
Best areas to stay in Riverside Bangkok
There are plenty of places to stay along the two banks of Chao Phraya River. The best area to book a hotel along Bangkok Riverside is the 10 km stretch between Bangkok Old town and Asiatique.
Some of the best areas to stay along the banks of Chao Phraya River in Bangkok include the Old Town riverside, Icon Siam Riverside, Silom Riverside, Asiatique Riverside, and Thonburi Riverside.
Best Places to stay in Riverside Bangkok
1. The Old Town Riverside Area
Staying by the riverside in Bangkok Old Town is a great option for those who want to be located in the heart of the historic town. You will be within walking distance from iconic sights such as Wat Pho, Grand Palace, Khao San Road, and Pak Khlong Talat (Flower Market).
You can easily take a short ride on tuk tuk or Grab Bike (motorbike taxi) to other attractions such as the Golden Mount, Democracy Monument, Giant Swing, or Chinatown Night Market.
The riverside area in Bangkok Old Town is the area around Phra Athit Road and Maharat Road. These two roads run parallel to the Chao Phraya River and are just one block away from its eastern bank.
This area is home to several piers like Wat Pho Pier, Tha Chang Pier, and Phra Athit Pier. From these piers, you can easily take ferries and hop on hop off boats to visit major temples, historical sights, and shopping malls along the river.
The boat rides can take you to Wat Arun, Icon Siam, Asiatique, Chinatown, Jim Thompson House Museum, or Pratunam. Wat Arun, located just on the other side of the river from Bangkok Old Town, is only a 5-10 minute cross ferry from Wat Pho or Tha Chang Piers.
In addition to the piers, this riverside area in Bangkok Old Town is well served by Sanam Chai MRT underground train station. This makes it very convenient to use public trains to explore downtown Bangkok like Sukhumvit, Silom, and Siam for more shopping and nightlife.
The old town has traditional charm and is a great place to experience local life and authentic food. Staying in this part of the old town offers a relaxing atmosphere, scenic views of the river and the iconic Wat Arun Temple, and easy access to all historical landmarks.
Where to stay in Riverside Bangkok in the Old Town area:
Chakrabongse Villas
This five star historic hotel is the former royal residence, situated in a prime location in Bangkok Old Town, on the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River. The hotel is just a short walking distance from Wat Pho Pier and Sanam Chai MRT station, which is convenient to explore the city by boat and trains.
All iconic sights in the old town (Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Flower Market, Khao San Road) are within a short walking distance or tuk ride from this hotel. You can easily take the cross ferry to Wat Arun on the other side of the river.
The amenities include a swimming pool, a lush garden, and rooms are uniquely decorated with rich Thai aesthetics.
Aurum The River Place
This is a 4-star hotel located along the bank of Chao Phraya River, an easy distance from the train station, the pier, and major attractions like the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. It has an excellent location to explore both Bangkok Old Town and downtown areas.
Riva Surya Bangkok
This 4-star hotel is located on Phra Athit Road, which is convenient to access to both the nightlife in Khao San Road and Rambuttri Road, and the river transport. Phra Athit Pier nearby offers a convenient boat ride to see major sights along the river.
Several local attractions located near the hotel include Phra Sumen Fort and its beautiful park, as well as the National Museum and National Gallery.
In terms of amenities, The hotel has a pool for adults and a pool for kids, as well as a gym, and multiple riverside restaurants and bars.
2. The Icon Siam Riverside Area
The riverside area near Icon Siam is home to several luxury and mid-range hotels and Condominiums. It offers easy access to Icon Siam which is Bangkok’s most iconic and luxurious shopping destination.
Additionally, this area has its own pier, making it easy to explore all attractions along the river in the Old Town, Chinatown easily on boats. The area is also well-served by the Golden BTS skytrain line, so you can easily transfer to the Silom BTS line to get to the downtown areas such as Silom, Siam, and Sukhumvit.
The Icon Siam is a famous shopping mall located on the western side of Chao Phraya River. You can shop for many global and Thai high-end brands.
The mall is also home to a SookSiam, which is a floating market-style zone on the G Floor where you can eat food from different regions of Thailand like North Thailand, Central Thailand, and South Thailand.
The downside of staying in this part, like many other areas along the bank of Chao Phraya River, is that it has limited nightlife and you will need to take a long trip to Downtown Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi airport.
Where to stay in Riverside Bangkok in the Icon Siam area:
Millennium Hilton Bangkok
This 5-star luxury hotel is located on the west bank of Chao Phraya River, right next to Icon Siam. It is also within walking distance from BTS Charoen Nakhon station and several piers around Icon Siam. You can easily get around and explore Bangkok on train and hop on hop off boat.
The hotel has modern rooms, a stunning outdoor pool and dining areas with views of the river. This hotel is a fabulous place for relaxation.
Hilton Garden Inn Bangkok Riverside
This is a 4-star hotel located right next to Icon Siam, one of the largest shopping malls in Asia. It is a good base near the river and for shopping without traveling too far. The hotel has easy access to the BTS golden line train and the piers to explore other parts of Bangkok.
River Home Bangkok
This is a three star good value for money accommodation located in a great location in a quiet residential area but close to everything. It is near the river, the main road, the train stations, and the river piers. The hotel has a nice rooftop terrace and spacious comfortable rooms.
3. The Silom Riverside Area
The riverside area in Silom district is one of the best areas to stay along the Bangkok Riverside. This area has a prime location, close to both the modern part and historic zone of the city.
You can use BTS skytrain Silom line at Saphan Taksin to access downtown areas like Sukhumvit, Siam, Silom, and Pratunam for shopping and nightlife. You can easily visit popular points of interest like Patpong Night Market, Siam Paragon, CentralWorld, Terminal 21, Nana Plaza, and Soi Cowboy.
Meanwhile, the Sathorn Pier is also located within a short distance from The Silom Riverside Area. You can use ferries, hop on hop off boats to explore Bangkok Old Town, Icon Siam, and Chinatown.
There are a cluster of five hotels and high-rise accommodations along the riverside of Silom near Saphan Taksin and Sathorn Pier. These hotels have stunning views of the rivers and the city skyline, especially at sunset and at night.
Where to stay in Riverside Bangkok in the Silom area:
Shangri-La Bangkok
Shangri-La is one of the most popular places to stay in Bangkok. It is a riverside hotel located in a prime location on the west bank of Chao Phraya River, and is a short distance from public transit. Both the Saphan Taksin BTS Silom line and Sathorn Pier are only 5 minutes walking away from this hotel.
You can use skytrain and boats to explore all parts of Bangkok including the old town, Chinatown, Icon Siam, and the downtown areas like Sukhumvit and Silom.
This hotel has stunning riverfront design, spacious grounds & lush greenery. It also houses two distinct pools and scenic riverside suites.
lebua at State Tower
lebua is a famous hotel in Bangkok located in the riverside area of Bangkok near Silom district. Its prime location makes it a great base to do sightseeing, shopping, and nightlife on public trains and boats.
The highlight of the hotel is its rooftop bars – the Sky Bar (famous from The Hangover II). The Michelin-starred Mezzaluna is a great place to enjoy fine dining.
Centre Point Plus Hotel Silom
Centre Point Plus is a 4-star hotel conveniently located on the main road of Silom, on North Sathorn Road. It is just a couple of minutes walk away from BTS skytrain station and the central pier. You can explore the city easily by using public transportation.
The hotel Modern, spacious rooms with some have balconies and full kitchenette. Other amenities include a saltwater rooftop pool, onsite gym, restaurant, cafe, and a mini‑shopping at Central Bangrak.
4. The Asiatique Riverside Area
The Asiatique is a famous riverside shopping and entertainment complex in Bangkok, along with Icon Siam. It has a vibrant open-air mall with hundred shops and restaurants.
At Asiatique, you can take a ride at Asiatique Sky, Bangkok’s tallest riverside Ferris wheel with stunning city views, especially at night. There are several cultural shows to explore like the ladyboy Calypso Cabaret performances, Thai puppet theater, and live Muay Thai demos.
You can find a range of high-end hotels and resorts between Asiatique and Saphan Taksin. These hotels offer luxury retreats in a peaceful location. Piers and BTS skytrain Stations are located within a 2 km radius from your hotel, so you can walk or use a short taxi ride to these stations for further exploration.
Where to stay in Riverside Bangkok in the Asiatique area:
Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Bangkok Menam Riverside
This five star hotel is located on the eastern bank of Chao Phraya River, within 6 mins walk from Asiatique and 10 mins drive from Saphan Taksin BTS skytrain Station. The hotel also offers shuttle boats to Asiatique and Sathorn Pier, from where you can take hop on hop off boat along the river.
In terms of amenities, it has a nice swimming pool area, comfortable rooms, and multiple dining outlets. You can book a river-view room for the best scenery and ambiance.
The Salil Hotel Riverside Bangkok
The Salil is a 5-star boutique riverside hotel located 10 mins walk from Asiatique. Like many other luxury hotels along Chao Phraya River, this hotel offers free shuttle boats to major sights like Asiatique, and the main pier, where you can take boats to other parts of Bangkok like the old town and Chinatown.
Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok
Chatrium is a famous 5-star hotel in Bangkok, located on the west bank of Chao Phraya River, very close to Asiatique shopping and entertainment complex. One of the highlights of this hotel is the infinity rooftop pool with breathtaking views of the river and the city skyline.
The hotel has a Complimentary river shuttle boat, which takes you to the central Pier (Sathorn Pier) and BTS skytrain station to explore other parts of Bangkok.
5. The Thonburi Riverside Area
There are a range of budget-friendly guest houses and luxury hotels on the riverside area of Thonburi. You can find a cluster of accommodations on the 3 km long Charoen Nakhon Road, stretching from Krung Thonburi Road to Mahai Sawan Road.
This area is located opposite Asiatique, so you can easily take a boat ride and short taxi ride to this shopping complex. The Krung Thon Buri Station on the Silom BTS line is also within a short ride from the hotel in the Thonburi Riverside area.
Thonburi is the original capital before Bangkok, offering a charming, less touristy, and culturally rich side of the city, perfect for travelers who want to dive deeper into local life.
Where to stay in Riverside Bangkok in the Thonburi area:
Ibis Bangkok Riverside
This is a popular 3-star hotel located on the riverside area of Bangkok in the Thonburi district. The hotel has a shuttle to BTS Krungthonburi Station, which is convenient for its guests to travel around Bangkok on public transit.
You can get to Icon Siam and other iconic sights along the river easily on boats from Sathorn Pier. This pier is around 10 minutes walk from the hotel by walking across Saphan Taksin bridge or 5 minute cross ferry ride.
There are plenty of restaurants and massage shops near the hotel. Amenities include a swimming pool, onsite restaurant, and a beautiful garden area. You can choose a room with river views.
Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort
This riverside hotel is located on Charoennakorn Road of Thonburi, offering stunning river views. The hotel has a shuttle boat to Sahtorn Pier which is convenient for taking hop on hop off boat to explore major sights along the river. Asiatique on the other side of the river is also a short distance away.
Anantara is a good base for a quiet retreat. Evening at the hotel is best spent on-site (bars, spa, riverwalks) as the downtown nightlife (in Sukhumvit and Silom) requires travel.
Avani Plus Riverside Bangkok Hotel
This five star hotel is located on the west bank of Chao Phraya River in the Thonburi district. It has a beautiful rooftop infinity pool overlooking the river and the cityscape. If you want to have a peaceful stay along the river, and don’t mind it being out of the city centre, Avani is a good choice.
The hotel has shuttle boats to Sathorn Pier/ Saphan Taksin BTS station and Icon Siam, so you can easily explore other parts of the city.
Bangkok Riverside is one of the best areas in Bangkok if you are looking for a calm, beautiful, and culturally rich stay. It’s not ideal if you’re after urban energy, bargain shopping, or fast-paced nightlife.
Whether you are staying on the riverside or not, it is still one of the best things to see in Bangkok and I highly recommend putting it in your Bangkok travel itinerary.
See more: Is it better to Stay in Sukhumvit or Riverside Bangkok?