BANGKOK
Swan Hotel HOTEL $$
(Map p 80 ; %0 2235 9271; http://www.swanhotelbkk.
com; 31 Soi 36, Th Charoen Krung; s/d incl breakfast
1200/1500B; aiWs; river ferry Tha Oriental)
Despite its relatively large size, this classic
Bangkok hotel is able to maintain a homey
feel. Recent renovations has it looking bet-
ter than ever, although the room furnishings
are still stuck in the 1970s. The inviting pool
area is a bit more timeless, and the entire
place is virtually spotless.Peninsula Hotel LUXURY HOTEL $$$
(Map p 80 ; %0 2861 2888; http://www.peninsula.com; off
Th Charoen Nakhon, Thonburi; r 10,800-15,500B,
ste 18,800-120,000B; hotel shuttle boat from Tha
Sathon/Central Pier; aiWs) After more than
a decade in Bangkok, the Pen still seems to
have it all: the location (towering over the
river in Thonburi), the rep (it’s consistently
one of the highest-ranking luxury hotels in
the world) and one of the highest levels of
service in town. If money is no obstacle, stay
on one of the upper fl oors (there are 38)
where you literally have all of Bangkok at
your feet. Prices include breakfast.Millennium Hilton HOTEL $$$
(Map p 80 ; %0 2442 2000; http://www.bangkok.hilton.
com; off Th Charoen Nakhorn, Thonburi; r 6200-
7800B, ste 10,000B; aiWs; hotel shuttle boat
from River City & Tha Sathon/Central Pier) As
soon as you enter the dramatic lobby, it’s
obvious that this is Bangkok’s youngest,
most modern riverside hotel. Rooms, all of
which boast widescreen river views, follow
this theme and are decked out with funky
furniture and Thai-themed photos. A glass
elevator and an artifi cial beach are just some
of the fun touches.River View Guest House BUDGET HOTEL $
(Map p 80 ; %0 2234 5429; http://www.riverviewbkk.com;
768 Soi Phanurangsi, Th Songwat; r 350-1500B;
aW; river ferry Marine Department) After 20
years, this towering budget staple is fi nally
receiving a much-needed rennovation. The
rooms that have been renovated are spacious
and modern, although the halls and exterior
are caught in a rather gritty time warp. To
get there, heading north on Th Charoen
Krung from Th Si Phraya, take a left onto Th
Songwat (before the Chinatown Arch), then
the second left onto Soi Phanurangsi. You’ll
start to see signs at this point.New Road Guesthouse HOSTEL $
(Map p 80 ; %0 2630 9371; http://www.newroadguest
house.com; 1216/1 Th Charoen Krung; dm fan/air-con 160/250B, r 900-2500B; aiW; river ferry
Tha Si Phraya) For those on tight budgets, the
clean dorms with fan are among the cheap-
est accommodation in all of Bangkok. The
attached travel agency, visit beyond (see
p 146 ), is reputable.P&R Residence BOUTIQUE HOTEL $$
(Map p 80 ; %0 2639 6091-93; pandrresidence@
gmail.com; 34 Soi 30, Th Charoen Krung; r 900-
1800B; aW; river ferry Tha Si Phraya) There’s
nothing fancy about the P&R, but its rooms
are comfortable and clean and it’s very fairly
priced for this atmospheric corner of town.SILOM & SATHON
The city’s fi nancial district along Th Silom is
not the most charming area of town, but it
is convenient to nightspots and to the BTS
and MRT for quick access to modern parts
of Bangkok. There’s a lack of budget accom-
modation around Th Silom, but some good-
value boutique midrangers can be found on
Th Sala Daeng. Some of Bangkok’s most fa-
mous top-enders are also located along this
stretch of the river and can be reached via
the complimentary hotel ferries at Tha Sa-
thon (Central Pier).
Th Sathon is home to several top-end
hotels, but lacks atmosphere, the primary
feature being the vast eponymous road. If
you need to stay around this area also check
out p 115 for a few more hotel options around
lower Th Sathon.oSiam Heritage BOUTIQUE HOTEL $$$
(Map p 82 ; %0 2353 6101; http://www.thesiamherit
age.com; 115/1 Th Surawong; r 3000-3500B, ste
4500-9000B; aiWs; BTS Sala Daeng, MRT
Si Lom) Tucked off busy Th Surawong, this
classy boutique hotel oozes with homey
Thai charm – probably because the owners
also live in the same building. The rooms
are decked out in silk and dark woods with
genuinely thoughtful design touches, not to
mention thoughtful amenities. There’s an
inviting rooftop garden/pool/spa, which like
the rest of the hotel, are cared for by a team
of charming and professional staff. Break-
fast is included. Highly recommended.Heritage Baan Silom BOUTIQUE HOTEL $$
(Map p 82 ; %0 2236 8388; http://www.theheritagehotels.
com; Baan Silom Shopping Centre, 669 Soi 19, Th Si-
lom; r 2100-3400B; aiW; BTS Surasak) Tucked
behind a ‘lifestyle arcade’ (ie shopping cen-
tre), this wannabe top-ender is a modern
interpretation of an English colonial-era