The 6 Best Bangkok Riverside Hotels

The banks of the Chao Phraya river are host to a number of beautiful Bangkok riverside hotels, some steeped in legend, others quite new.

The Majestic Chao Phraya river, running right through Bangkok is a must see for visitors to the capital of Thailand. Plowed by ferry boats, teak dinner cruises and barges alike, it is still a major traffic route and a great way to avoid the notorious traffic jams that can clock up the streets for hours, while taking in fantastic views.

The hotels listed here, on both sides of the river, while all accessible by road, all have their own private pier and provide complimentary shuttle boat services to Saphan Taksin pier, which connects to the BTS Skytrain, allowing guests to easily travel to just about anywhere in this bustling metropolis.

Peninsula Hotel Bangkok

One of the classic riverside hotels in Bangkok, this hotel was built in a “W” shape, affording all of the 370 rooms of the 39 story hotel stunning views of the Chao Phraya River. The Peninsula Hotel Bangkok is often the subject of enlivened debate over which is the best hotel in Bangkok. It’s main rival of course being the next hotel on our list.

Mandarin Oriental Hotel

Formerly the Oriental, The Mandarin Oriental Hotel is considered one of the legendary hotels not only of Bangkok, but of all the East. It has been a favorite of the elite since it’s opening in 1876.

Of course over the years there have been many refurbishments, the latest being in 2006, providing this iconic hotel with the latest facilities and furnishings. Updated facilities include a large gym, tennis & squash courts, and two outdoor swimming pools.

Millennium Hilton Bangkok

One of the newer riverside hotels on the block, the Millennium Hilton Hotel offers stunning views of the Bangkok city skyline as well as the Chao Phraya River from it’s rooftop pool.

Voted as one of the “Top Hotels in 2009″ by Condé Nast, this towering hotel has it’s own pier and free shuttle boats to the Saphan Taksin pier, which connects to the BTS Skytrain, allowing easy connections to just about anywhere in Bangkok.

Shangri-La Hotel

The Shangri-La Hotel is located near the heart of the business district of Sathorn,  with easy access to tourist as well as business venues of Bangkok. This beautiful riverside hotel was voted one of the top ten hotels in the world and is just a few Skytrain stations away from the commercial hub of Bangkok.

Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa

The Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa is located a little downstream from most of the other Bangkok riverside hotels, and while it is accessible by road, the resort provides a pair of complimentary shuttle boats between the Saphan Taksin Pier, which connects to the BTS Skytrain, and the resort itself.

You don’t even have to be a guest to ride the shuttle boat for free, and it’s great to take a little trip down the river and enjoy the outdoor dinner buffet at the Marriott’s Riverside Terrace.

Strolling the tropical gardens or relaxing by the palm fringed pool, with a cool breeze coming in over the river, it is hard to believe that you are in Bangkok and not further south on a tropical island.

Royal Orchid Sheraton

The “Y” shape design of this hotel guarantees every guest stunning views of the river. The Sheraton features two swimming pools, tennis court, fitness center and spa.

Of course these are not the only hotels by the river in Bangkok.

For more choices, including cheaper 3 star hotels and hotels in the riverside area, but not directly on the riverbank, check out our list of Bangkok riverside hotels.

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