Few experiences in Bangkok compare with waking up beside the Chao Phraya. The river is where the city began, and it's still its most beautiful setting. Temples glow on the far bank as long-tail boats and ferries glide by.
We chose only the finest riverside hotels for their setting, character, and views. Legendary grand hotels sit alongside intimate heritage houses facing Wat Arun and contemporary retreats with sweeping river views. Many have their own boats, making it easy to reach the Grand Palace, the Skytrain and the riverside malls.
For Bangkok at its most romantic and timeless, stay by the water. And always book a river-view room, because watching the city drift past your window is half the magic. This is the Bangkok you'll remember long after you've gone home.
A riverside sanctuary of cascading courtyards and gardens, with interiors by Jean-Michel Gathy, two infinity pools and one of Bangkok's best cocktail bars.
Ultra luxury
Swimming pool
Spa
Fitness centre
Restaurant
Pet friendly
Sustainable
On-site parking
Room sizes from 50 m²Read the full story
Charoen Krung & the Chao Phraya
Four Seasons has one of the best settings in Bangkok. The Chao Phraya runs along one side, and Charoen Krung, the city's oldest paved road, along the other, with its galleries, boutiques and restaurants. Saphan Taksin BTS is a short walk away, and the hotel's free shuttle boat runs to Sathorn Pier and ICONSIAM.
Courtyards, Gardens and Contemporary Thai Art
The architecture cascades towards the river, with interconnected courtyards and gardens that flow from one to the next, and interiors by Jean-Michel Gathy. Contemporary Thai art is part of the experience too: a gallery run by Bangkok's Museum of Contemporary Art shows new exhibitions every quarter.
Light-Filled Rooms and Terrace Suites
Floor-to-ceiling windows and high ceilings maximise rooms starting at 50 square metres, with river or garden views. Bathrooms are spa-like, with deep soaking tubs and separate rain showers, and signature suites have large private terraces.
Cantonese, Italian and BKK Social Club
This is one of Bangkok's great hotels for food and drink. The signature Cantonese restaurant overlooks gardens and a reflection pond, with Peking duck and dim sum prepared in a live kitchen. A riverside Italian restaurant inspired by Lake Como serves wood-fired pizzas and fresh pasta, and a French brasserie has its own oyster bar. Save room for a nightcap at BKK Social Club, one of Bangkok's best-known bars, where the cocktails draw on Latin American glamour.
An Urban Wellness Centre and Riverfront Pools
The two-floor Urban Wellness Centre is built around a palm courtyard. Its spa rituals draw on Thai healing traditions, with herbal steams, scrubs and compress massage, alongside a vitality pool and physiotherapy. Two infinity pools overlook the river, and a 35-metre lap pool serves serious swimmers.
Every room overlooks the Chao Phraya at this riverside hotel, with its own shuttle boats, a three-tiered pool and a spa in a colonial-style building.
Ultra luxury
Swimming pool
Spa
Fitness centre
Restaurant
On-site parking
Room sizes from 42 m²Read the full story
Thonburi Riverside
The Peninsula gives you the best of both banks. It stands on the quieter Thonburi side of the Chao Phraya, with views across to the city skyline. The hotel's own boats cross to Saphan Taksin BTS and ICONSIAM, and the Old Town's temples are an easy river trip away.
Signature Elegance, Authentic Thai Charm
The Peninsula pairs its signature elegance with authentic Thai charm. Interiors feature Thai fabrics, silks, and traditional ceramics set against the classical lines of Thai design and warm teak, with suites adding Asian artworks and antiques.
River Views, Balconies and Marble Bathrooms
Every room faces the river, with views across the Chao Phraya to the city skyline. Rooms start at 42 square metres and open onto a teak foyer with walk-in closets, leading to marble bathrooms and an oversized desk, with Chromecast for streaming. Balcony rooms add a private outdoor space above the river, and suites include a dining table for four.
Riverside Thai, Chinese and Afternoon Tea
Every meal here comes with the river as a backdrop. The restaurants serve traditional and modern Thai, Chinese and global cuisines in tropical riverside gardens, from authentic Thai dishes to lively buffets by the water. Don't miss Peninsula Afternoon Tea, one of the hotel's great traditions.
A Three-Tiered Pool and Colonial-Style Spa
The three-tiered pool steps down towards the river. The Peninsula Spa occupies a three-storey Thai colonial-style building by the water, with private suites featuring steam showers and whirlpools overlooking the river, plus treatments drawing on European, Oriental, and Ayurvedic traditions. The fitness centre has a sauna, steam room, and plunge pools, plus a tennis court.
Celebrating 150 years on the Chao Phraya, with a two-Michelin-starred French restaurant, a legendary jazz bar and a spa reached by boat.
Ultra luxury
Swimming pool
Spa
Fitness centre
Restaurant
Sustainable
On-site parking
Room sizes from 38 m²Read the full story
Oriental Avenue & the Chao Phraya
Mandarin Oriental sits on one of Bangkok's most historic streets. Oriental Avenue is home to the colonial-era Assumption Cathedral, the old East Asiatic Company building and the antique and art shops of O.P. Place. The Grand Palace, Wat Arun and Chinatown are all within easy reach by river; the hotel's free shuttle boat runs to ICONSIAM, and Saphan Taksin BTS is about a 12-minute walk.
150 Years on the River
The hotel opened as The Oriental in 1876, and for 150 years it has welcomed royalty, writers, artists and travellers from around the world. Its literary past lives on in the Authors' Wing and The Authors' Lounge, where traditional afternoon tea is served beneath twin staircases and a glass-roofed atrium.
River Views and Butler Service
Most rooms and suites have floor-to-ceiling windows framing the river or the skyline, and the River Wing, reimagined by designer Jeffrey Wilkes, blends refined Thai aesthetics with contemporary comfort. Every room includes private butler service, silk bathrobes, and goose-down bedding.
Anne-Sophie Pic at Le Normandie and The Bamboo Bar
With twelve restaurants and bars, you could eat here every night for a week and still not try them all. Anne-Sophie Pic at Le Normandie holds two Michelin stars for classic French cuisine, with a menu that runs from Cantonese and Chaoshan cooking to refined Thai and Italian on a riverside terrace, plus a traditional Thai evening with dance across the water. End the night at The Bamboo Bar, a legend in Thailand's jazz scene, with live music every night.
The Oriental Spa
The Oriental Spa sits in a traditional Thai residence across the river, a short boat ride away. Treatments draw on traditional Thai healing and Chinese medicine alongside contemporary therapies. Back at the hotel, two outdoor pools, tennis courts, a yoga house, a Muay Thai studio, and a recovery studio with a cold plunge and infrared sauna.
River views from every room, riverside villas with plunge pools, and two-Michelin-starred Côte make Capella Bangkok a benchmark hotel.
Ultra luxury
Boutique
Swimming pool
Spa
Fitness centre
Restaurant
Pet friendly
Sustainable
On-site parking
Room sizes from 61 m²Read the full story
Charoen Krung Riverside
Capella has one of the most peaceful spots on the river. The Chao Phraya flows past the front, and Charoen Krung Road runs behind. Step out of the gates, and you're among old Chinese shophouses, antique dealers, and the Thailand Creative & Design Centre in the former Grand Postal Building; the Old Town and its temples are an easy boat ride upriver.
A Low-Rise Riverside Sanctuary
Inspired by life along the river, Capella is a low-rise, intimate hotel with the feel of a boutique pied-à-terre, and every suite and villa faces the water. The design offers a calm, contemporary take on riverside living, with the Chao Phraya as the centrepiece of every room.
Balconies, Plunge Pools and Riverside Villas
Even the entry rooms measure 61 square metres, with floor-to-ceiling windows and either a private balcony or a verandah with a jacuzzi plunge pool. Seven villas sit on the river's edge, including a two-bedroom Presidential Villa, each with a private garden, a plunge pool, a riverfront daybed and indoor and outdoor showers.
Côte by Mauro Colagreco and Riverside Thai
Dinner at Côte is a highlight of any trip to Bangkok. Côte by Mauro Colagreco holds two Michelin stars for its Riviera-inspired cuisine, served in light-filled rooms overlooking the river. The Thai restaurant, a sunlit conservatory in a riverside garden, celebrates traditional family recipes, and a tea lounge by a lily pond serves high tea. A patisserie and cocktail bar also serve mood-matched drinks.
Auriga Wellness by the Water
Auriga Wellness sits in a riverside garden, with treatments built around Thai ingredients such as mung bean, black sesame and riceberry, alongside Tok Sen hammer massage and Biologique Recherche facials. A vitality pool, water therapy, a sauna and a steam room complete the facilities. The 24-hour infinity pool overlooks the river, and the fitness centre is open around the clock.
Bill Bensley's riverside retreat in royal Dusit, set in three acres of gardens and filled with the owner's collection of art and antiques.
Ultra luxury
Boutique
Swimming pool
Spa
Fitness centre
Restaurant
On-site parking
Room sizes from 80 m²Read the full story
Dusit & the Royal Quarter
Staying at The Siam means seeing a side of Bangkok most visitors miss. Dusit is the city's royal district, a leafy area of palaces, ministries, and temples just north of the Old Town, with the Throne Hall, Vimanmek Teak Palace, and Dusit Zoo all within about ten minutes. No Skytrain is nearby, but the hotel's shuttle boat runs along the river to Sathorn Pier, turning every trip across the city into a river journey.
A Home for an Art Collection
Krissada Sukosol Clapp and designer Bill Bensley conceived The Siam to house Krissada's antique collection. The look recalls Bangkok at its grandest under King Rama V, with Art Deco accents and a muted palette of black, white, cream, and grey, softened by wood, weave, leather, stone, and three acres of riverfront gardens.
Suites and Pool Villas
Accommodation starts at 80 square metres, among the most spacious in Bangkok, with suites overlooking the gardens or the river. The Courtyard and Riverside Pool Villas add private pools for complete seclusion.
Thai Dining by the River and Afternoon Tea
Afternoon tea here is one of the best in Bangkok, so set aside an afternoon for it. The signature Thai restaurant sits by the river, and the Art Deco bar and bistro hosts live music on selected evenings. As the sun goes down, take a drink out to the riverside pier.
Opium Spa
Inspired by nature and designed to feel intimate, Opium Spa offers signature treatments, yoga, and meditation. Its rituals include organic moringa-based treatments created with the Thai-based Moringa Project.
Two riverside wings, two pools and tropical gardens along the Chao Phraya, with the Skytrain just 200 metres away.
Luxury
Swimming pool
Spa
Fitness centre
Restaurant
On-site parking
Room sizes from 36 m²Read the full story
Saphan Taksin & the River
Shangri-La is one of the best-connected riverside hotels. Saphan Taksin BTS is just 200 metres away, with direct access from the hotel, and the public ferry terminal alongside links guests to the rest of the river. Silom and Sathorn are a short Skytrain ride away.
Two Wings on the Water
The hotel has two distinct sides. The main Shangri-La Wing is lively and full of choice, while the Krungthep Wing has its own entrance, lobby, and pool, with manicured lawns for children to play on and private verandas overlooking the river, making it one of the calmest addresses on the Chao Phraya.
Thai Touches, Verandas and Connecting Rooms
Rooms blend contemporary style with classic Thai touches, and many overlook the river. In the Krungthep Wing, rooms measure 44 square metres and feature high ceilings, chandeliers and private verandas. Families can book connecting rooms, and Horizon Club guests have a private lounge with breakfast, evening cocktails and their own concierge.
Thai, Cantonese and a Dinner Cruise
For a night to remember, book a dinner cruise on the hotel's own boat. Back on dry land, the restaurants offer traditional Thai cooking, classic Cantonese cuisine, and a Tuscan grill, plus an all-day café, lobby lounge, bar, and chocolate boutique for something sweet.
CHI, The Spa and Riverside Leisure
CHI, The Spa offers some of Bangkok's largest private spa suites, with treatments drawn from Asia's ancient healing traditions. The riverside main pool and the Krungthep Wing pool are set among gardens, and the 8,500-square-foot health club offers more than 40 sports and fitness options, plus tennis courts.
A stylish boutique hotel on the Chao Phraya, with balconies, Jacuzzi rooms and a rooftop restaurant looking straight at Wat Arun.
Boutique
Trendy
Restaurant
Rooftop bar
On-site parking
Room sizes from 22 m²Read the full story
On the Chao Phraya in the Old Town
Riva Arun stands right on the banks of the Chao Phraya, in the heart of Bangkok's Old Town. Across the water, the porcelain-covered spires of Wat Arun catch the morning sun and glow after dark. Wat Pho is practically next door, and Sanam Chai MRT is a short walk away. The Grand Palace and Museum Siam are close by, and Tha Maharaj pier, with its riverside restaurants and boats, is just up the road.
Old Bangkok Style, Modern Comfort
The look takes its cue from the old city's Chino-colonial buildings. Expect carved wood, ornate ironwork and a modern touch throughout.
Balconies, River Views and Jacuzzi Rooms
Every room has its own balcony, and most face the river. Deluxe rooms greet you with a river view as you walk in, and Grand Deluxe rooms add more space. Book a Grand Deluxe Jacuzzi room to see Wat Arun from the bath. The Premium Jacuzzi Suites are the largest in the hotel.
Above Riva and a Riverside Café
Above Riva, the rooftop restaurant, is reason enough to stay. The Twist of Thai menu mixes local flavours and market-fresh produce with ideas from around the world, and the river views are magnificent. Come for a sunset cocktail and stay for dinner as Wat Arun lights up. Down by the pier, the lobby café serves coffee, Western comfort food and Thai street food all day.
A sleek, minimalist hotel on the river opposite Wat Arun, with a rooftop bar made for sunset.
Boutique
Trendy
Restaurant
Rooftop bar
Room sizes from 25 m²Read the full story
Rattanakosin Island
Sala Rattanakosin is on Rattanakosin Island, where Bangkok was founded. Step out of the front door and Wat Pho and the Grand Palace are a few minutes' walk away, with Sanam Chai MRT close by. Step onto the terrace and Wat Arun is right in front of you, just across the river. Ferries from the nearby piers make it easy to explore by boat.
Clean Lines and Temple Views
Rooms are cool and minimal, with a Marshall speaker, a Nespresso machine and a well-stocked minibar. Pick your view: Wat Pho, the river or Wat Arun itself. The suites face the temple head-on.
Riverside Dining and Oysters on the Roof
The riverside eatery serves modern Thai dishes with a creative twist, plus international favourites, from breakfast to dinner, and offers a long wine list. As the sun sets, head up to the fifth-floor rooftop bar for cocktails, fresh oysters and Wat Arun turning gold across the water.
A riverside residence in historic Thonburi, once home to the Patravadi Theatre, with an open-air pool and suites facing the Grand Palace.
Affordable
Boutique
Swimming pool
Restaurant
Room sizes from 32 m²Read the full story
Thonburi & Wang Lang
Theatre Residence is on the quieter Thonburi side of the river, in one of Bangkok's oldest neighbourhoods. The Grand Palace is right across the water. Wat Rakang, the Temple of the Bells, is a hundred metres away, and Wang Lang Market, a busy day market full of Thai food and fresh fruit, is next door. Wat Arun is a five-minute tuk-tuk ride away, and ferries cross to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho.
A Theatre by the River
This riverside site once housed the Patravadi Theatre. Today the building is modern, but it fits easily into the surrounding old neighbourhood.
River Suites and Kitchenettes
This is a serviced residence, so rooms feel more like apartments, and everyone has a kitchenette. The riverfront suites look across to the Grand Palace and Wat Arun from sunrise to sunset. Poolside rooms open straight onto the courtyard, and top-floor rooms have river views.
Sunset on the Terrace and a Neighbourhood Café
The riverside restaurant offers front-row views of the river's famous landmarks. Its terrace is the place for a sunset cocktail as the light shifts across the temples, before dinner inside. For something lighter, the café takes its cue from the streets around Wat Rakang, with local dishes, good coffee and seasonal fruit juices.
Free Local Experiences and an Open-Air Pool
Theatre Residence makes it easy to get to know the neighbourhood. A free guided walk takes guests through Wang Lang Market or to Wat Rakang every day, and the lobby hosts a free workshop each afternoon, from Thai dessert-making and garland folding to bracelet-making and a traditional Thai music performance by local students. Afterwards, cool off in the open-air pool, where a quiet corner is set aside for yoga.
A royal riverside home built in 1908, with tropical gardens, a pool and private Thai dinners facing Wat Arun.
Luxury
Boutique
Swimming pool
Restaurant
On-site parking
Room sizes from 12 m²Read the full story
Tha Tien & the Old Town
Chakrabongse Villas sits in the heart of old Bangkok, on the banks of the Chao Phraya. From the riverside terraces, you look straight across to Wat Arun. Wat Pho and Museum Siam are a short stroll away, the Grand Palace is close by, and Sanam Chai MRT is a few minutes' walk. Tha Tien pier is right on the doorstep for river boat trips.
A Prince's Riverside Retreat
Prince Chakrabongse built the house in 1908. He changed there before ceremonies at the Grand Palace and enjoyed the river. Today his granddaughter, Narisa, runs it as a boutique hotel that reflects her family's history and her love of Thai art, food and culture.
Four Villas and Three Rooms
With just four villas and three rooms, Chakrabongse feels more like a private home than a hotel. The villas range from a garden suite to a riverside teak apartment and a traditional Thai house on stilts, and some include kitchens and private verandas. The Moroccan-themed rooms are compact and charming, with desks overlooking the garden.
Royal-Era Recipes by the River
Dinner is served in a riverside pavilion, with Wat Arun as the backdrop. Narisa chooses the set menu herself, mixing traditional Thai and fusion dishes from the Rattanakosin era, with home-grown vegetables. Book ahead, as reservations are essential.
Tropical Gardens and a Pool
The pool sits among tropical gardens full of orchids and birdsong, and the riverside terraces are made for lazy afternoons.
A small, owner-run boutique hotel on the Chao Phraya, with river-view rooms, Wat Arun across the water and the Grand Palace a short walk away.
Affordable
Boutique
On-site parking
Room sizes from 25 m²Read the full story
Tha Tien & the River
You couldn't ask for a better base for the Old Town. Aurum sits down a quiet lane in Tha Tien, one of Bangkok's oldest trading districts. Wat Pho and its famous massage school are a few minutes' walk away, the Grand Palace is just beyond, and Sanam Chai MRT is around the corner. Step out for street food, cafés and riverside restaurants, or stroll to Tha Maharaj for dinner by the water. Ferries and long-tail boats pass all day out front, with Wat Arun on the far bank.
From Warehouse to Boutique Hotel
The owners grew up in this Thai-Chinese neighbourhood and turned a 50-year-old riverside warehouse into a small, European-style hotel. The name Aurum is Latin for gold, and the gold-leaf logo nods to the Thai custom of pressing gold leaf onto Buddha images.
City, Side-River and River View Rooms
Rooms come with city views, partial river views, or full river views, and each features high-quality bedding and linens. Breakfast is included in the rate.
Coffee with a View of Wat Arun
Start the day like the locals do, with coffee by the river. The hotel's coffee housefaces Wat Arun, the perfect spot to watch ferries and long-tail boats go by before a day at the temples.
