There are many reasons to stay in Shinjuku, Tokyo for your first visit to Japan. It’s one of the most popular areas in Tokyo convenient for travel, food, and overall full Japanese travel experience.
Shinjuku district has everything you’ll love and or was interested in Japan in the first place. The wonderful culture, the mesmerizing lights of billboards and signs with flashy Japanese characters. The sounds of J Pop music blaring around every corner with maid café hostesses carrying billboard menus.
The vibe of Japan is everywhere!
And who can forget about amazing Japanese foods too!
You’ll either love the Shinjuku in Tokyo or hate it. Some friends told me so when I was looking for good affordable hotels in Shinjuku. It was my first visit to Japan back then.
I’ve stayed in Shinjuku frequently. Although you can visit most of Tokyo via the Yamanote Line I prefer walking. So I’ve never taken a train to Shinjuku Gyoen Park, Shibuya, Harajuku, and Meiji Shrine to the south. I walked to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office to the west before and it was pleasant.
I tell you staying in Shinjuku was everything I expected. It blew my mind.
But there is more to Shinjuku. It will be right in your face and hard to ignore.
Shinjuku’s Famous Red Light District
Shinjuku is home to Tokyo’s largest red light district. To be more precise the Kabukicho Entertainment District. According to Wikipedia, there are over 3,000 nightlife establishments for tourists and locals to behave naughty. All crammed into .15 square miles.
It’s a terrific area to check out, especially at night. I recommend Izakaya Bars, these are popular food and drink establishments preferred by hard-working salary men and women. You can easily find them all over Kabukichō Entertainment District.
Shinjuku bar hopping Magical Tour group…
If you want a guided tour of Shinjuku bars I recommend Magical Trip. An English-speaking guide that will take you on a 3.5-hour bar-hopping tour of Shinjuku to places you might not find on your own.
Shinjuku Golden Gai
If you love beers and hard liquors, in tight quirky spaces with friendly bartenders, you must not miss the bars of Golden Gai! It’s an alley full of tiny bars stacked on top of tiny bars. Many with only 5 seats for bar patrons.
I first took a walk through Golden Gai twenty years ago. Back then it wasn’t really for foreign tourists. And I gotta admit it was intimidating.
Today Golden Gai has become so famous and well-known around the world Golden Gai’s Japanese bars have adopted a foreign-friendly attitude.
Today there are signs welcoming everyone. Even when the bars are super tiny with very little seating.
Golden Gai Bars Shinjuku
Because Shinjuku is NOT for Everyone
I stayed in Shinjuku a few times as a single male traveler. I can tell you with certainty if you’re a guy walking around Kabukicho you will be approached by pimps and touts. It’s annoying but if you can chill and relax they will leave you alone.
Today now that I have a wife and child traveling with them around Kabukicho where you see photos of scantily clad women plastered all over the area I get it. Shinjuku is not the type of place you want to take your mother to.
So why am I recommending Shinjuku for your first time in Japan? When they’re are so many other terrific neighborhoods in Tokyo.
If you can overlook the shenanigans and monkey business, which the local Japanese and millions of foreign travelers with families do you can easily have a terrific holiday.
There’s more good than bad for Shinjuku and safe for solo and female travelers.
Why Stay in Shinjuku
You can find all types of accommodations for all budgets. Because Shinjuku has a high concentration of hotels from the capsule, budget, and luxury, it’s all there.
Shinjuku Station is a great starting point for train travel to neighboring cities in Japan and also around the country.
Whether you prefer traveling by train or on foot, you can reach many popular areas in Tokyo quickly.
Lots of shopping and restaurants, just like it is in any of Tokyo’s major neighborhoods.
Shinjuku JR Station
Shinjuku Station is an incredibly complex transportation hub. All major railways connect to what the Guinness Book of World Records calls the busiest station. It’s where you can ride the city’s subway or catch a bus from the nearby bus depot.
It’s an amazing and beautiful station it’s even possible you can spend an entire day inside.
Although this hotel is the furthest away from Shinjuku station, Kabuchiko, and the center of activity, it’s not that bad. Sotetsu Fresa Inn Higashi Shinjuku is located on the quiet side of Shinjuku. I’ve stayed here more than a few times.
There’s a metro station not far from the hotel with plenty of restaurants for food and drink.
The rooms are typically small but most importantly clean and tidy. The hotel staff are curt and polite it is a good business-class hotel fit for touring Tokyo. I highly recommend this hotel!
Read reviews and find discounts for Sotetsu Fresa Inn Higashi Shinjuku on Agoda.com
Sotetsu Fresa Inn Higashi Shinjuku – Standard Room
This hotel will put you in the thick of all the nightlife action Kabukicho offers. Still a great little hotel mainly due to its location and quality. Though I warn you the room size is not highly desired at 12 square meters. But the room is clean, there is an onsen bath onsite and the room rate usually includes breakfast.
Overall a pretty good value.
Read reviews and find discounts for Super Hotel Shinjuku Kabukicho on Agoda.com
If you want to stay at a hotel with a massive Godzilla head on the rooftop and close to Shinjuku Station then I’ve got a hotel for you.
It’s a really good value for a 4-star hotel. The standard rooms are just slightly larger at 18 square meters and cost around $125 USD. Though they do have rooms up to 25 square meters you have to pay extra but not that much.
But I gotta warn you this hotel is in a super busy location so there are lots of people especially at night and on the weekends. But none of the stuff outside spills into the hotel.
Read reviews and find discounts for Hotel Gracery Shinjuku on Agoda.com
I always seek out new hotels in Shinjuku. WPU is one of the newest in the district. This means that the rooms will be tiny as most newer hotels in Tokyo are.
Located around the northern tip just a 10-minute walk to Shinjuku station. And Shinjuku subway station is mere meters away. Goes without saying there are plenty of dining options all around.
WPU Hotel has really good reviews for cleanliness and front desk service. But I warn you the rooms are the smallest like I mentioned at around 11 square meters.
Read reviews and find discounts for WPU Shinjuku on Agoda.com
Hotel Amanek is another property in the heart of Kabuchiko. So the price is higher but not so much that it’s not affordable.
The rooms here are slightly larger and the hotel staff is attentive. Again even though Hotel Amanek is located in Shinjuku’s red light district, none of spills into the hotel. Matter of fact it’s like an oasis away from the madness of Kabuchiko.
You can walk to nearby Golden Gai or simply check out the Izakayas for food and drink. Just the perfect location for enjoying local nightlife.
There are many hotels all over Shinjuku and I’ve shown you a few around Kabuchiko and Golden Gai. As well as others that on the outside away from the district’s nightlife.
And even though there are so many transportation options in Shinjuku I recommend getting around on foot if possible. Because Tokyo’s sidewalks are wide and well-paved. Streets signs are in English which makes wandering around fun.
I hope you find my hotel recommendations to your liking. Please check out my other Japan travel recommendations for even more helpful resources:
Affiliate disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a hotel booking via links we may receive a small commission, at absolutely NO EXTRA cost to you. Any commission received helps keep this blog alive and our cats fed.
Where to Stay in Bangkok – A Guide for Foodies – Huai Khwang
This is a guide for all the die-hard foodies looking for delicious local Thai eats in Bangkok. It is a recommended read for anyone familiar with traveling around Bangkok. If this is your first visit to Bangkok check you’ll find this blog post more helpful.
Nevertheless, if you already know the ins and outs of Bangkok. And confident enough to travel around and explore on your own, read on!
I wish I could tell you that there’s only one area of Bangkok where you can find great local Thai food. I’m not talking about Thai food made for foreign tourists and priced for foreign tourists.
This is a popular neighborhood spot for takeaway…
I will point you to areas in Bangkok with amazing, authentic Thai foods where you’ll be eating shoulder-to-shoulder with the locals. It’ll be an authentic Thai eating experience.
On top of that, you’ll find out where to stay in Bangkok near all the best local eats!
There is a simple answer to the simple question of “Where to find the best local eats?”
You go where the locals go!
Huay Khwang – Popular Local Neighborhood in Bangkok
It can’t get any more local than this. Huay Khwang is a district, located just north of central Bangkok. There are two MRT subway stations in this location:
Thailand Cultural Centre MRT
Huai Khwang MRT
Thailand Cultural Centre and Huai Khwang station are the next stop from each other. It is a super popular local area with many shopping centers such as the Street Ratchada which is partially open 24 hours with cafes and supermarkets. Around late evenings a night market appears outside the Street Ratchada’s parking lot.
And you can check out the newly renovated Big C shopping center and pick up some Thai snacks. There is also an updated food court and fast food restaurants serving a wide variety of Thai foods and snacks.
To take advantage of the convenience of this location I recommend Prom Ratchada Hotel. It’s right behind the Big C shopping center. A standard room costs about 1300THB a night, which is an excellent value for the location.
Standard room at Prom Ratchada Hotel
And many local Thai hawkers stand where food is delicious and affordable!
One popular Thai restaurant I can highly recommend is Zabb One Restaurant. I’ve been eating there for nearly 15 years. And back then it was just a dark humble shack. They mainly serve Issan food, a region in northeast Thailand.
Today, they’ve expanded their current location so there’s more space for customers to dine comfortably. Matter of fact they’ve become so popular they’ve even opened another location. It is only 600 meters on the opposite side of the Ratchadpisek Road called Zabb One Soi 5, here’s the location.
Zabb One Ratchada is 250m walk from Thailand Cultural Center MRT Exit #1Zabb One Ratchada RestaurantSomtam Kai Kem (spicy papaya salad with salted egg)Gai Yang (grilled chicken)Koo Moo Yang (grilled pork collar)
I like salty foods so for me Somtom with salted egg (ส้มตำไข่เค็ม) is my go to choice for that spicy papaya salad Thailand is famous for. And of course, some grilled pork collar (คอหมูย่าง) and grilled chicken (ไก่ย่าง) with sticky rice round out the meal.
I also highly recommend catfish with green mango salad (ยำปลาดุกฟู) and Tom Saap (ต้มแซบ) another version of Thai hot and spicy soup usually with pork but beef is also an option.
Zabb One Ratchada is popular, especially with the lunch and dinner crowd. I recommend going in before lunchtime and after lunchtime, if you want to eat comfortably. Because it gets busy as it is a very popular local som tam restaurant.
Another Great Huai Khwang Spot for Local Thai Food
Pracharat Bamphen Road Soi 7. Odd-numbered side streets are on the left and even-numbered side streets are on the right.
A little further up north closer, to Huai Khwang MRT station is another area I recommend for local Thai food in Bangkok.
There’s a street called Pracharat Bamphen Road located east of the Huai Khwang junction, with Huai Khwang MRT station entry/exit #1 leading right to the road. This often congested 600-meter-long narrow road is home to Bangkok’s new Chinatown.
Bangkok’s Second Chinatown
This is an area where a small wave of Chinese immigrants gradually settled. Operating restaurants and other businesses catering to Chinese tourists.
You will see the signage of this road spelled Pracha Rat Bamphen Road. However, the word “Rat” alone might be off-putting.
This is why I rather stick with the spelling Pracharat Bamphen Road because it’s the way Google Maps has it spelled. And I don’t want to cause any confusion.
Pracharat Bamphen Map Huai Khwang
In this area, I recommend walking down to Soi 9 and there are a few places I think you will like. It is as local as it will ever get. You might see a few curious foreigners here and there.
Trust me, this place is strictly the local’s favorite spot to pick up a quick meal box.
And these shops don’t have names or signage. You will not find them on Google Maps.
That’s because they open early in the morning. And sell out by the afternoon. You won’t even know they were there as everything they brought is gone. Poof like magic.
And you won’t see them again until early next morning.
Look for Pracharat Bamphen Soi 9
Look for Soi 9This corner has a lot of good food in the morning
Right at the entrance of Pracharat Bamphen Soi 9, in the morning you will find my favorite takeaway food hotspot!
Yes, only takeaway. There are no tables and chairs. But you can eat on the street in Thailand that sort of behavior is not frowned upon.
Or you can take it back to your hotel. I will recommend a few close to this area below.
Many locals living in this area come here for food. Mainly Thai office workers pick up a quick breakfast to eat at the office.
You will see customers standing in line and some even on their motorbikes ordering several boxes for takeaway.
They’ve got two dozen Thai classic food choices for you to pick from. Thai curries, Thai stir-fries, and stuff maybe you’ve never seen before.
I mean there’s stuff I’ve never seen before here either. But that’s the fun thing. You can eat here every single day without getting bored.
Cooked for Locals, Priced for Locals
You gotta give them credit for keeping food prices affordable. It’s not easy to cook up this quantity of food. Thai cooking requires lots of ingredients. They must be working from early morning to prep and cook these foods. While you are still dreaming comfortably in your bed.
1 Choice 30 THB
2 Choice 30 THB
3 Choice 40 THB
Some clarification for the 2 choices it’s still 30 Baht, they’ll just portion out appropriately. And if you want a bigger box with more portions they charge 40 – 50 Baht extra.
At the current exchange rate, 30 Baht is just under $1 US Dollar.
Everything is served on top of rice in a takeaway box. Bear in mind they do not cook everything on the spot. All of the foods are cooked in a separate location and transported to their location. Which means the food won’t be piping hot.
You can always bring it back to your hotel and ask them to reheat it.
I’ve tried at least 6 to 8 of their dishes. My favorite is their Thai-style fried chicken with cashew nuts. And be sure to try their fried boiled egg in tamarind sauce, it’s delish!
Thai Chicken Cashew Nut, My Favorite!Thai Tamarind Fried Hard Boiled Egg
I recommend their Chicken Massaman and Green Curry Chicken. Two classic powerhouse Thai dishes and they cook it just right.
Thai Fried Donuts
Who doesn’t like donuts?! A fine donut made on a street corner is a beautiful thing in the morning!
Patongo (ปาท่องโก๋) are Thai-style fried donuts locals line up for and enjoy for breakfast. And there are two styles of these puffy delectable treats.
This stand makes amazing Patongo, a Thai fried donut
The version that looks like two sticks stuck together is the most common. You will see small containers of coconut pandan custard (สังขยาใบเตย) or a simple sweetened condensed milk for dipping the fried donuts sold separately. Each container costs 10 Baht.
If you plan on buying coconut pandan custard remember to consume it quickly. Coconut milk spoils easily.
Don’t Forget to Try Salapao
This vendor also fries up fresh Salapao (ซาลาเปา) which is a different version of patongo. The outside has a sweet taste with a soft, airy inside and crunchy inside. Not too overly sweet, though enough that it goes terrific with some black coffee with no sugar. Which is how I like my coffee.
I prefer salapao because it reminds me of the classic Italian zeppole! Just without the powdered sugar.
Each piece is only 3 Baht!
Soy Milk is typically sold next to Patongo…
In Southeast Asia, when you see fried donuts like these, usually hot soy milk is sold beside it; this is because both are enjoyed together as breakfast.
Asians love to dip these fried goodies into soy milk.
Where to Stay Around Pracharat Bamphen Soi 9
CMYK Hotel Bangkok is 300-meter walk from Soi 9
CMYK Hotel is a newly renovated hotel on Pracharat Bamphen Soi 5. Only a 300-meter walk to Pratcharat Bamphen Soi 9 and a 250-meter walk to Huai Khwang MRT subway station.
CMYK rooms are on the small side, around 20 square meters. The upside is the room rates are affordable at around 1000 – 1300 Baht per night. You can read reviews and find discounts for CMYK Hotel on Agoda.com.
There are many other hawker stands and small Thai and Chinese-owned restaurants to explore here. And I just mentioned a few of my favorites that are not listed on Google Maps.
Here are a few local eats I like to recommend, that you can find on Google Maps
Por Charoenchai – Thai Chicken and Rice
Chicken Rice Restaurant Huai Khwang Bangkok
One of my favorite chicken and rice shops open 24 hours, Por Charoenchai is again, super popular with locals in this section of Huay Khwang.
Their tasty boiled chicken is tender and they make a good fried chicken. I like to order both over chicken broth-soaked ginger-infused hot rice. And their house ginger, garlic, and chili sauce is on point.
Thai Boiled Chicken and Fried Chicken mixed over Rice – 60 Baht
Danchai Chinese Steam Bun
Fluffy steamed buns stuffed with delectable delights are a staple in Asia. I like to recommend this little shop on a corner right next to patongo hawker stand I mentioned on the corner of Pracharat Bamphen Soi 9.
Danchai Chinese Steam Bun located on the corner of Pracharat Bamphen Soi 9
This is a very old-school Chinese bakery. And the folks that make their fine buns look like they’ve been around forever. That’s why they are very well known in this neighborhood for steamed buns filled with sweetened black bean paste, minced pork with salted egg, red pork with salted egg, and sweetened cream bun.
Steamed bun at Danchai
One steamed bun costs 30 Baht, which sounds pricey. However, I think the price is justified because it’s handmade. And these folks producing these buns are elderly so let them charge what they want.
Get Out There, Explore, and Eat!
There are other places that I recommend on this post. But I covered the places that are hard to find when you don’t know where to look.
Check out these recommended places to eat in Bangkok yourself and have fun.
Eventually, as I find more places to eat in Pracharat Bamphen Road I will update this post. So I hope you can make it out here one day.
Whether it’s good or bad, I’d like to hear about your experience by commenting below 🙏
See that photo above? It may not look like it, but that right there is an idiot who absolutely loves pizza from New York City.
And that’s where I grew up. On the Lower East Side of Manhattan more specifically. There were many pizzerias in and around my old stomping grounds in the late 80’s and early 90’s.
To this day I still remember going to pizzerias with my dad and grabbing a couple of slices and soda together. I don’t remember what we talked about. I just remember two guys enjoying pizzas. Those are good memories.
Then when I was old enough to go out on my own, like a rite of passage, my parents gave me .75 cents to get a slice for lunch. While trying not to get robbed. I grew up at the peak of the crack epidemic after all. It was life or death I tell you back in the old days of NYC.
I remember Gino’s Pizza on Catherine Street, Richard’s Pasta and Cafe on Pearl Street, Famous Ray’s Pizza (most of them), Pizza Palace on Bayard… and that’s all the names I can remember folks. Hey, it was 40 years ago and at my advanced age, things get foggy.
One of my favorite pizzerias in NYC
To me, it was like a privilege to walk a few minutes from where I lived. And smell the sweet, sweet aroma of a freshly baked pizza bubbling away inside an oven.
New York Style pizzas are thin and crispy. The outer crust is not too fluffy but got a good bite. A well-made cheese pizza with a generous sprinkling of garlic powder and dried oregano. And a dash of spicy chili flakes.
It’s the best I tell ya! THE BEST!
The usual lunch at my favorite NYC Pizzeria
BUT I’M NOT IN NYC ANYMORE
I’ve been residing in Bangkok for around 25 years now. It wasn’t until 5 or 6 years ago NYC style pizzas started to gain traction in Thailand, particularly in Bangkok.
Before that time the options for “Western” style pizzas in Thailand were limited. I mean you could find it in hotel restaurants and chain pizza restaurants. Which just wasn’t the same.
I recall there were a few small pizzerias near a red light district in Bangkok. This made sense cause those are the areas where many foreign tourists hang around to get drunk.
Then there are the local Thai pizza interpretations. A round piece of baked dough topped with mayonnaise and ketchup. With not-so-traditional toppings but I get it. The locals love “pizza” too. I don’t blame them.
Fancy pizzas were already in Bangkok before NY style pizzas…
That’s not to say decent or pizza as close to as I know it was never around Thailand. Like everything else around the world that people are passionate about there is an origin story.
A SHORT HISTORY OF PIZZA IN THAILAND
The fast food business in Thailand started slowly with a cold reception. As the founder of Pizza Hut in Thailand stated in this article, Dairy in the form of cheese wasn’t popular and neither was bread.
Times change and the Western diet is gradually taking hold.
As of writing, there are 180 Pizza Hut restaurants and delivery outlets in Thailand. Pizza Hut’s main rival competition Pizza Company has 560 branches around the Kingdom.
Thais are moving to a Westernized diet. Matter of fact not only Western but East Asian foods are popular also like Korean, Chinese, and Japanese.
That article was written in the 90’s. Today chain pizza restaurants with their flashy commercials are advertised on social media, traditional media with ads splashed all over public transportation. The younger Thai population is crazy about it.
Gradually restaurants serving Neapolitan style or as I like to call fancy pizzas were around too. Because there were many casual dining Italian restaurants, opened by foreigners, especially in Bangkok and Pattaya.
Neopolitan Style Pizza in Bangkok
THE ARRIVAL OF NEW YORK STYLE PIZZA IN BANGKOK
All the years living in Thailand I gave up the search for a slice of New York’s finest. I mean I get it. I’m not in New York City but I do go back once a year. And the first thing I did was search for a pizzeria right after I got out of the airport.
If I recall correctly I found SOHO Pizza through an advert on my Facebook feed. It looked legit with the classic New York style slice appearance. Matter of fact they sold pizza by the slice like they do in America. And they had the name SOHO in it.
SOHO is one of those fancy schmancy neighborhoods around lower Manhattan. With many popular pizzerias dotted around that neighborhood.
With SOHO pizza ads crammed in my face, I decided to go try it out with my wife.
Half and Half Pizza Pie – SOHO Pizza
I gotta say, I was pleasantly surprised. It was really good, as close to NYC style pizza as you can possibly get halfway across the world.
The cheese, the crust, the zingy tomato sauce. And oh yeah, the grease. You know the grease that runs down your hand leaving a yellow orange streak, down to your elbows if you’re not careful. Whether you like that or not it’s a hallmark of a NY slice.
I dug in a little about the background of SOHO Pizza. And learned they were managed by a powerhouse food and beverage agency called SOHO Hospitality. And I think they did a great job bringing my favorite pizza to Thailand. As of writing SOHO Pizza has 6 branches, all inside Bangkok.
Then we got Chef Bing! of Chef Bing Pizza who also started his pizza restaurant in Bangkok, around 2019. The first location was near Khao San Road and now he’s moved to the Lumphini area very close to central Sukhumvit Road.
The chef also has a New York City background and is a real chef. It’s not just a title he picked up. After working in the restaurant industry US for a while he eventually returned home.
And then taught himself how to make New York City style pizza. From scratch!
This reminds me of the story of Mark Iacono, a master pizzaiolo and owner of one of the most famous pizza restaurants in Brooklyn called Lucali. And I wish Chef Bing achieves the same level of success here in Thailand
His pizza has a very good char to it. Every bite I took there was a snap and a crunch, the cheese and the sauce, oh man! He had done NYC pizza justice and I am proud!
Chef Bing Cheese Pizza Pie 14″
PIZZAS IN THAILAND TODAY
If you want to eat Italian or American-style pizzas in Thailand today it is very easy to find. Whether or not they are authentic or taste good by your standards is a whole different matter.
Just take for example if an Italian from Napoli traveled to Bangkok and tried a Napolitana at an Italian-owned restaurant will that pizza remind them of Napoli?
It depends on how well the Italian chef trained his cook. It depends on the ingredients the Italian chef used are the same in the Italian city of Napoli. Pizzas in Napoli use specific ingredients native to its surrounding region, such as tomatoes and mozzarella cheese.
It’s the same way I look at it. Especially when I started making pizza reviews in Bangkok. And I can say for certain it is an exciting time!
As of writing, I made a few pizza reviews on Wally’s Travels and Eats which is my second YouTube channel.
Looking good from the topBottom needs a bit more time in the oven…
According to this online pizza publication https://www.50toppizza.it/ five of the best fifty best pizzas in Southeast Asia are in Thailand. That’s quite impressive. All of those 5 Thai pizzas are of the Neopolitan variety. I prefer New York style pizzas.
There are Thai cultural aspects to consider in the Thai food industry. Thais do not like to eat burnt food. Eating charred bits as a certain population of Thais believe is carcinogenic. Whether or not that is true I would say you have to do your research on the validity of such a claim.
Traditional pizzas have what’s called Leopard Spotting, where spots of dark char are visible under the pizza as well as the crust. It is typically more pronounced in wood and coal-fired ovens.
That said, there are so many pizzerias all over Bangkok, Pattaya, and Hua Hin I can’t wait to check them out. I’m pretty sure the islands of Phuket and Koh Samui have many too because of foreign tourists and expats.
What’s your favorite pizzeria in Thailand or anywhere you’re reading this?
I know a lot of first-time visitors to Bangkok want to experience staying at 5-star hotels. Because they know hotels in Thailand have a stellar reputation for affordability with excellent quality and service.
And they are right. The Swissotel Bangkok, located on Ratchada Road (Ratchadapisek Road) is a perfect example of a high-quality hotel in Bangkok with excellent guest facilities and genuinely friendly and caring service-minded hotel staff.
And for around USD 100 to USD 150, you can stay in a very comfortable 40 square meter room. Those are off-season rates but even in high season you can book a room for around USD 180.
Grand entrance to Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada
My friends, that is not a bad price at all for a 5-star international hotel near central Bangkok.
To find low rates for Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada I recommend Agoda.com it’s what I use to find discounts for hotels throughout Asia.
Once I paid USD 100 to stay 1 night in a shitty room at a filthy motel near Laguardia Airport in NYC because I didn’t make it to a standby flight. That is a story for another day.
Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada Reception
Where is Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada?
Swissotel is located in Huai Khwang district right by the main Ratchadapisek road intersection. About 1 hour and 15 minute drive to Suvarnabhumi International Airport by tollway. Don Muang International Airport is about a 45-minute taxi ride by tollway.
MRT subway Station Huai Khwang Entry/Exit 4 is about a 300-meter walk to Swissotel. So you do have the option to take the Airport Rail Link by riding the subway to MRT Phetchburi station and then walking a short distance to Makkasan Airport Rail Link station.
Huai Khwang MRT station
Directly south, just 4.5 kilometers lies the Asoke/Sukhumvit junction where you’ll find Terminal 21 Mall with the BTS Sky Train Asok station. You can reach this area by taking the subway to Sukhumvit MRT station, only 4 stops from Huai Khwang MRT station.
So if you want to check out a couple of Bangkok’s famous red-light districts such as Soi Cowboy and Nana you can use the subway station near the hotel. Or just hail a metered taxi, there are many driving past.
However keep in mind Bangkok’s subway and train systems close from 11;30pm to midnight.
Ratchadapisek Road Bangkok (Swissotel on the right side)
To the northwest of Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada is the city’s largest famous open-air market in the world, Chatuchak Weekend Market. You can travel to this popular Bangkok attraction again with the Huai Khwang MRT train to Kampheang Phet MRT station, which will take you to the southwest corner of Chatuchak Weekend Market.
There are many 2-star to 4-star hotels in Huai Khwang which I also reviewed on this blog post, on where to stay in Huai Khwang.
I can say with total confidence Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada is hands down the best 5-star hotel in Huai Khwang. Matter of fact it is the only true 5-star hotel in the area.
Huai Khwang is a Terrific Bangkok Neighborhood
The immediate area surrounding Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada is what I like to call a locals’ local area. Meaning it’s where many local Thais live. As you will see from the apartments and high-rise condominiums all over.
So there are plenty of local Thai restaurants. But you will also find Western and Asian restaurants, particularly Chinese Mala Hot Pot restaurants.
Pracharatbamphen Road leads you down to Bangkok’s second ChinatownChinatown in Huai Khwang Bangkok
Right after the pandemic, many Chinese moved to Huai Khwang, setting up a second albeit smaller Chinatown that runs through a 600-meter section of Pracharatbamphen Road.
There is a red light district aspect in Huai Khwang, particularly with massive massage parlors with prostitutes. But I can tell you for certain the stuff that happens inside doesn’t spill out. You won’t see or notice it.
But it won’t hurt to keep an eye on your husband when he says he is going out to buy milk in the middle of the night.
My Experience at Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada
I lived in Huai Khwang for a while so I am aware of Swissotel’s reputation. I’ve eaten inside the hotel’s restaurants often. And the food is always good.
Why not try staying there for a night I thought. It would be a nice family treat.
Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada Lobby
I booked one of their Premier rooms with a king-sized bed. Premier rooms are pretty much Swissotel’s standard rooms. It’s still a big room at 40 square meters.
At the time I paid around USD 125 plus taxes and breakfast for 2 and my daughter being just a kid ate for free. It was entirely worth it.
Big Room, Clean, Comfortable and Modern
40 square meters is certainly big for a standard room today in Bangkok’s hotel industry. All of the newer hotels built after the 2000s have smaller standard rooms.
Again we booked a premier room with king sized bed. There was plenty of space for my daughter to run around. With an armchair in one corner and a good-sized work desk opposite. I wish the flat-screen television was a little bigger but we didn’t hang out in the room all day.
King sized bed was comfortable. The pillows were soft and the comforter helped as we love blasting the air conditioning so it gets chilly in the room.
Nice spacious guest roomYou can’t see it but there’s a bathtub on the leftTelevision could be a little bigger
The view we had was perfect. We were on the 17th floor with a southwest view. The swimming pool was below and we could see the cityscape outside.
There are USB charge ports added to the bedside fixtures and also by the work desk. The provided free internet Wi-Fi was stable and should be fast enough for general web surfing.
The bathroom is spacious as well with a shower stall and full-sized bathtub. No need to buy soap and shampoo everything is there.
Slippers, check. Bathrobe, check. Hot water maker with powdered coffee and tea bags, check.
Plus a mini fridge to keep things cold and chilly, you got it.
Big Fitness Center and Swimming Pool
If you are a fitness fanatic you will love Swissotel’s gym. It is amazing!
It’s full of modern equipment. From weights to machines. Very clean inside too. And there is so much space inside you won’t bump elbows.
Large fitness center with modern gym equipmentLarge swimming pool at Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada
Outside there is a swimming pool, one side for adults and another for the kiddies.
I enjoyed these facilities so much that I decided to buy a monthly fitness membership. It is worth it especially the staff working inside. They are some of the nicest and friendliest people.
My Only Gripes…
As of writing, I think the in-room safe tucked inside the built-in closet is tiny. You can’t put a small laptop in it or even a full-size tablet. I’m sure Swissotel security is reliable and all. But a more up-to-date room safe wouldn’t hurt.
Swissotel is large, with plenty of space. It would be nice if they could add a playroom for children and young teens. As I mentioned I go to Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada frequently. And I can tell you there are many families with children staying as guests.
Surely Swissotel can find the space to put together a room filled with toys for young children and a gaming system for young teens.
Conclusion…
Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada is a fantastic 5-star hotel in Bangkok that I highly recommend. It’s in a great neighborhood. You can easily walk to the subway station. Plenty of metered taxis pass by because the hotel is near a major road.
I highly recommend staying at this hotel even if it’s just for a few nights and you want a 5-star hotel experience in Bangkok. It’s a terrific hotel near central Bangkok. And easy to get around the city to explore.
Read more reviews and find discounts for Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada on Agoda.com
These Are the Best Hotels Around MBK Shopping Centre
I’ve been living in Bangkok for 20 years. So my friends always ask me where they should stay around Mahbunkhrong Centre (MBK Centre) because they want to find tasty food and shops conveniently. Most importantly they want to stay at a hotel in the center of Bangkok.
So I noticed a lot of hotel booking websites promote hotels that are not even near MBK.
I have no idea why and it bothers me too.
If you are looking for a good hotel around MBK, I am here to help.
In this post, you’ll find Bangkok hotels so close to MBK Centre that you don’t need to take a taxi or sky train to get there. You can simply walk to MBK in a couple of minutes. Or even skip across the street. One of the nice hotels I recommend below you can even just walk down to the lobby.
That’s how easy and close to MBK Centre you will be by staying at any of the hotels reviewed below.
Where Exactly is MBK Centre?
MBK shopping center is located in the Pathumwan District. You can consider this area as central Bangkok. I mean just looking at the sheer volume of high-end shopping centers and small to medium-sized malls one can easily see that the area of Siam Square is one large chic shopping complex.
Also, two Sky Train Stations meet at Siam Square Station, the Light Green Sukhumvit Line, and the Dark Green Silom Line.
One more station nearby is called National Stadium Station, which is a part of the dark green Silom line. This station is directly linked to MBK Centre, as well as close to most hotels reviewed below.
National Stadium BTS Station
In a way, the area around MBK Centre is made for the younger Thai generation. Particularly Siam Square, an area filled with Thai boutiques beauty shops with dental and skin clinics.
Also, especially all the themed cafes which are widely popular and shared on social media.
Sort of reminds me of Harajuku in Tokyo or Hongdae in Seoul. You will feel that vibe, especially during weekends when the streets are filled with Thai locals shopping, eating, and hanging out with friends.
Siam Square with Siam Paragon in backgroundMany unique shops throughout Siam SquareA very popular Isaan restaurant on Soi 5
Reasons to Stay Around MBK Centre
You will be near two BTS Sky Train platforms, National Stadium station, and Siam Square station
Walking distance to Siam Discovery Mall, Siam Paragon Mall, and Siam Square One
Many types of Western and Asian restaurants. Also, MBK has a good food court and so does every mall in the vicinity.
There’s something for everyone. Whether you are traveling with the young or old and everyone in between this is a top location for couples and families.
With a short taxi ride, you can quickly travel to Bangkok’s Chinatown and riverside.
You can take the BTS train at National Stadium station, transfer at Siam station, and take another train to Chatuchak Weekend Market in 30 minutes.
You can take the BTS train at National Stadium station, transfer at Siam station, and take another train to Phaya Thai station for the Airport Rail Link to Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
Bangkok Art and Culture CentreJim Thompson House Museum
Around MBK are two immediate tourist attractions.
First is the Bangkok Art and Culture Center which showcases the works of local artists through galleries and special exhibits. Worth dropping by to walk around and support local talents.
Second, is Jim Thompson House; this is the first tourist attraction I visited during my first visit to Bangkok. The house else completely built with teak wood and to me, it’s an interesting visit especially if you’ve never seen a teak house before.
Ibis and Mercure hotels in the background
My Bangkok Hotel Booking Tips
There are many hotels in Bangkok, which is a good thing. Because they all try to keep prices as competitively low as possible. Though the area around MBK shopping center and Siam Square is considered a prime location, hotel prices will reflect as such.
In general Bangkok hotel prices are higher from November through late April. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find hotel deals during that period.
Thailand is still one of the best countries in Southeast Asia with affordable hotel rates and amazing quality.
Every hotel reviewed below provides guests with free Wi-Fi internet, and complimentary bottles of water refilled daily during room cleaning.
Hotels near MBK Centre are popular with foreign tourists
Thai hotel check-in times are usually 2 pm. However if you arrive a few hours earlier, and there are rooms available you may be able to check in earlier.
Typical check-out times are around noon.
And hotels usually ask for a room security deposit so be sure to have some Thai Baht on hand. These roomsecurity deposits are usually around 1000THB to 2000THB depending on individual hotel policy and duration of stay.
You will be given a receipt for the security deposit so be sure not to lose it. You will need the receipt to get your cashback.
I do notrecommend using a credit or debit card for a security deposit unless you don’t mind waiting 3 days or more for a refund.
Now that you know what’s around MBK Centre and why it’s a great area for your first visit to Bangkok here’s my short list of hotels that are super close to MBK Centre and near Siam Square.
Out of all the hotels on this list, the Pathumwan Princess Hotel is directly attached to MBK Centre. It can’t get any more convenient than that. All you have to do is walk downstairs and boom. You’re on the first floor inside MBK Centre.
The Pathumwan Princess with its 5-star rating is also the priciest. But it is not crazy expensive when you compare hotel rates against Western and East Asian hotels.
This is an excellent quality hotel with comfortable beds and guest rooms are decent sized too. A standard guest room is around 36 square meters and has a shower stall and bathtub. Standard guest rooms cost around USD 250 a night with taxes included.
Though if you can afford to pay USD 100 more you can stay in a corner room for a terrific city view.
I would actively check room rates for Pathumwan Princess because if the timing is right you can book a standard room 30% cheaper.
Of course, when you pay that amount of money, you’ll find some awesome guest facilities like a swimming pool, fitness room, and outdoor garden. Even a tennis court if you fancy smacking around a fuzzy green ball.
This branch of Novotel has been in the area of Siam Square like forever. And I stayed here more than a few times when I was a tourist in Bangkok, many moons ago.
Novotel Siam Square is located right behind the Siam Square One shopping complex. MBK Centre is directly across, about 400 meter walk.
Just north of the hotel, about a 300-meter walk is BTS Station Siam and Siam Paragon Mall. So yes, this hotel is in a good location.
And I’ve been recommending Novotel to friends since. If you’re unfamiliar with the Novotel name it’s a popular European chain of hotels.
It’s a large hotel with swimming pools and a fitness center plus a game room for kids. Making this hotel a popular family-friendly hotel.
Standard rooms here are 30 square meters in size. And pricey in my opinion. One of those rooms costs about USD 130. It’s certainly one of the higher-quality hotels in the Siam Square location.
This always popular Holiday Inn is located right across MBK Centre. It’s listed as a 4-star hotel. But to me, it’s a 3-star. Not that it’s a bad thing for the hotel.
Standard rooms are 23 square meters, which is a bit tight even for 2 guests. And it costs around USD 90 per night with taxes. But the rooms are modern and well maintained due to international standards.
There are 28 square meter rooms available and cost USD 15 to USD 20 more.
There’s no swimming pool but there is a small fitness room.
So you might be asking is this Holiday Inn Express worth it?
For one thing, the location is excellent. And if you prefer staying at a hotel with international standards, then I think so.
There’s a McDonald’s in the hotel lobbyGet a room on high floor for city view
As one of the newer hotels in the Siam Square area, Mercure Bangkok has smaller standard guest rooms which are around 25 square meters. It’s a bit pricey at USD 110 per night including taxes. But if you can find below USD 100 then I think it is a good deal.
The Mercure has a small swimming pool and a small fitness center. Overall this Mercure property is considered compact but it has 29 floors. I recommend staying in a room as high as possible for an amazing view of the city.
If you want to stay in a larger room you have to book a deluxe suite and those cost around USD 220. Not worth it. But of course, it’s entirely up to you.
Overall this is a neat and clean hotel with international standards which I know you will enjoy.
This Ibis property is located right below the Mercure Bangkok Siam. Because both are run by the same international hotel chain.
Though standard rooms at Ibis are cheaper, around USD 75 per night. Which is a decent price considering it’s close to BTS National Stadium train station. And directly opposite MBK Centre like all the hotels mentioned here.
Not to mention the amazing neighborhood.
It’s a no-frills hotel but rooms are clean and modern, which many travelers prefer.
This is a Thai-owned hotel in the Siam Square area since the 1960s. Of course, the property has been updated and renovated to today’s boutique-style look and feel. Like all the hotels in the blog post everything, food, shopping, and transportation is right outside the door with just a short walking distance.
Reno Hotel has an outdoor swimming pool and a small gym. This is a smallish hotel with about 50 rooms so I think if you want a nice little quiet oasis this is a good choice
Standard rooms here cost about USD 70 and room size is about 24 square meters.
I think many will enjoy the chic zen-like vibe of Reno Hotel. And be sure to check out the cafe by the front entrance. The coffee is really good and reasonably priced.
Whenever I can I like recommending Thai-owned hotels. This is an average ordinary hotel with standard rooms that cost around USD 35. With standard room sizes of about 22 square meters.
This is a Thai apartment or serviced apartment and one of the oldest in the area. The rooms and hotel haven’t been updated but if you want to stay in the heart of Siam Square on a budget this is a good option.
It’s a small and quiet hotel, off the main road directly opposite MBK Centre. If you just need a clean room with no bells and whistles, Muangphol Mansion is all you need.
Standard rooms here cost only USD 40 per night. Which is a fantastic deal! The only thing is the room size is 10 square meters. And gotta share a bathroom. It is a hostel after all.
If you choose rooms with shared bathrooms there are female and male separate bathrooms.
However, a slightly larger room with a private bathroom can be had for an extra USD 10 to USD 15. Which is still very good.
It’s another no-frills hotel, but it’s a good option for staying in a great neighborhood. And you don’t want to pay too much.
These hotels listed here are perfect for traveling couples to traveling families. The location simply has everything. Transportation, food, shopping, and entertainment are all within easy walking distance to MBK Centre and for exploring Siam Square and the rest of Bangkok.
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