Siam Hotel
Set back from the Chao Phraya River, the Siam Hotel puts Bangkok's historical attractions, such as the Royal Palace, Rakangkositaram Wat, and the Reclining Buddha, right on your doorstep. The Art Deco-inspired property has a glassed-in central courtyard, antique-filled suites, and spotless service.
There are two hotel dining options: Chon Restaurant, offering gourmet takes on classic Thai cuisine—the nine-course tasting menu is worth the splurge—and the Deco Bar and Bistro, which serves up international dishes. Other on-site perks include pampering treatments at the Grand Opium Spa, yoga classes, and meditation sessions. You can also arrange for a not-to-be-missed sunset river cruise on a traditional rice barge.
Hotel Muse
There's a subtle film noir theme at play in Muse, from the shadow-strewn lobby—with plenty of black marble—to the vintage-style furnishings. But count on a luxury touch. The rooms and suites feature dark wood accents and floor-to-ceiling windows, while the marble bathrooms come equipped with rain showers and stand-alone tubs.
For meals, you have your pick of 19th-story views from Babette Steakhouse or Italian fare in basement-level Medici, accompanied by live opera. There's also a Prohibition-themed speakeasy. Chit Lom SkyTrain station is a 5-minute walk, making Bangkok's main historical sights a mere 40-minute ride away.
Chakrabongse Villas
A boutique heritage hotel in the heart of Bangkok's historic district, Chakrabongse Villas has just three rooms and four suites. The elegant property was built by Prince Chakrabongse in 1908 and is currently being run by his granddaughter. The Moroccan-themed doubles have been converted from former staff quarters, while the suites are spread across two teak villages by the pool.
The on-site restaurant Aharn Thai specializes in royal Thai cuisine, befitting a princely residence. Dine on the terrace for across-the-river views of Wat Arun. You can also ask the friendly staff to arrange a boat tour of the Chao Phraya or a body treatment by skilled masseuses from nearby Wat Pho, a traditional massage school.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Arun Residence
Arun Residence is an intimate, traditional-style property located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River. It's next to beautifully restored 19th-century shophouses and a short stroll from Wat Pho, the Reclining Buddha, and the Royal Palace. The hotel boasts six spacious rooms filled with hand-carved furniture. Two suites have riverside balconies, while the two split-level deluxe doubles come with sumptuous loft beds.
Service is attentive, and the hotel's on-site restaurant, The Deck, specializes in Italian cuisine. Even if you prefer to dine out, it's a great place to watch the sunset. During the day, you can catch a boat from the nearby river terminal to connect to the SkyTrain, which will take you to the city's main tourist attractions.
Ariyasom Villa
Located within a leafy garden compound in the heart of downtown Bangkok, Ariyasom Villa overlooks a canal off Sukhumvit Road. Built as a private residence in 1942, the heritage hotel has 24 uniquely-styled rooms with heavy teak furniture, ornate mirrors, and Thai antiques. Most also come with verandas or balconies.
The Na Aroon restaurant caters to healthy eaters with delicious vegetarian and vegan offerings and a handful of seafood dishes. If you're looking to recharge after sightseeing, a bona fide Buddhist monk holds a daily meditation session. Hop a nearby riverboat to visit Jim Thompson House—the private art collection of an American silk entrepreneur—or even head all the way to the Golden Mount to get your fill of wats, museums, and palaces.
Dream Hotel Bangkok
Sheathed in glass, lit with neon flares, and with a lobby that looks like a high fashion catwalk, cutting-edge Dream sits right in the middle of the city's hedonistic nightlife strip. It attracts a lively mix of clientele, from romancing couples and aspiring celebrities to travelers set on painting the town red. The common areas boast Pop Art-inspired decor, while the rooms—equipped with larger-than-life TV screens and blue sleeping lights—have a distinctly futuristic vibe.
Flava, the on-site restaurant, has a menu range to satisfy even the pickiest of diners, with both contemporary Thai dishes and Western classics. The forward-thinking breakfast spread even includes Thai street food. Head to the rooftop pool bar for an early evening cocktail, or get ready to bust a move with DJ sets in the lounge.
Cabochon Hotel
Popular with artists and designers, the Cabochon is an intimate, colonial-style hotel situated in downtown Bangkok. It's furnished with antiques from all over Indochina, with stuffed animal heads adding a safari-like ambience. The four rooms, four suites, and four self-contained apartments all come with vintage-style beds and sleek, brand-new bathrooms—some with Indonesian copper bathtubs.
Get a taste of traditional dishes from all over Thailand at the whimsical Thai Lao Yeh restaurant, and be sure not to miss the sunset view from the rooftop pool, which looks down on surrounding skyscrapers. The hotel is centrally located, just a 10-minute SkyTrain ride from the shopping complexes surrounding Siam station. But it's also off a quiet side street, so rest assured it's insulated from the city's noise.