Last updated on April 4th, 2024 at 12:23 pm
The Best Boutique Hotels and Hostels in Bangkok’s Chinatown
Bangkok has one of the largest Chinatowns in the world. And if you stay there you’ll experience a vibrant neighborhood morning through night. In this post, you’re going to find the best hotels in Chinatown. From very affordable hostels to affordable classy heritage boutique hotels.
After Wat Mangkorn MRT subway station was built in Chinatown, hotels and hostels seemingly sprung up overnight. Where you can find many really good quality Thai heritage hotels for around USD 30 to USD 50 per night.
There are plenty of restaurants and hawker stands for delicious seafood, especially Thai and Chinese traditional cuisine. Many 7-Eleven convenience stores too to curb your 24-hour appetite.
Like I always say if you want to save cash on hotels in Bangkok it is better to book further away from the city center.
I didn’t always think that way. About 10 to 15 years ago I would always recommend people stay within central Bangkok. But today hotel prices in those areas went up. Not saying that Thai hotels in general are expensive when compared to Western countries or East Asian country hotels.
But will you save a lot more money? And how’s the quality of hotels in Bangkok’s Chinatown?
Where is Bangkok’s Chinatown?
Why Stay There?
I know many travelers are looking to stay in heritage-style boutique hotels. They want to enjoy the history of a neighborhood and feel like they’ve gone back in time. Yet not so far back that there’s no air conditioning and toilets inside their room. I hear you.
- Bangkok’s Chinatown is located in the older yet charming Samphanthawong District of Bangkok.
- This is a foodies’ paradise. Especially at night on Yaowarat Road when the sidestreets are closed off so street food vendors can operate.
- Many good quality Thai hotels with affordable prices. Thrifty backpackers can find decent accommodations there too.
- Much closer to the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Khao San Road, and the Chao Praya River.
- It is generally less hectic and slower than the fast pace in central Bangkok.
- Subway Blue Line on Wat Mangkorn MRT station.
- Travel up and down or across the Chao Praya River at the nearby Ratchawongse Pier.
West of Bangkok’s Chinatown lies the Chao Praya River. Northeast about 1.5km is the Grand Palace with Wat Praew Kaow and the impressive Wat Pho with its reclining Buddha. Far to the east is the hustle and bustle of central Bangkok. You can easily travel with the Blue Subway line with a station close to the center of Chinatown.
I like to visit this area because of its slow urban pace. There are many fingers of alleyways to explore and wander around. When my feet get tired there are so many cafes to sit down and rest for a bit.
And I know many soulful travelers want to experience old historic charms in a city. Bangkok’s Chinatown has many old temples tucked away into corners between buildings. With quaint little shops around for many generations selling food and drink to things you’ve never seen before.
It’s a Chinatown so you will find many restaurants selling Chinese dim sum, noodles, and rice dishes.
When you feel like reversing gears and checking out the shopping centers and nightlife Bangkok is famous for, just take the subway train. It’ll get you there in no time.
So if that’s your travel style and you want to save some money on hotel stays, Bangkok’s Chinatown is right for you.
My Top Bangkok Chinatown Hotels
To start I’d like to recommend a couple of hotels along the main vein of Bangkok’s Chinatown called Yaowarat Road. These hotels put you in the heart of everything the neighborhood has to offer, food, shopping, and proximity to the subway station and access to the riverboat pier.
All hotels listed below have free internet Wi-Fi access, daily bottled water refills, and refrigerators. Plus water kettle, tea and coffee packets. Some hotels provide bathrobes and umbrellas for guest use. And yes every room has an air conditioner. I wouldn’t recommend staying at a hotel without one.
Yaowarat Road Hotels (The Heart of Chinatown)
If you want to stay at a hotel right in the heart of Chinatown and the great food and street scene, Yaowarat Road is where you want to be. There are three hotels listed directly below for you to consider.
Hotel Royal Bangkok ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is one of the most well-rounded hotels you’ll find in Chinatown because it’s one of the largest. Guests staying at Hotel Royal Bangkok have pool and fitness room access.
Rooms with no windows are cheaper here and cost around USD 60 per night. In contrast, rooms with city views cost around USD 10 to USD 15 more. Certainly one of the most modern hotels along Yaowarat Road.
If you’re traveling with a large family and prefer a larger room you’ll find it here.
A perfect hotel for foodies because around 6 pm the street vendors and restaurants start spilling out onto the streets.
Read reviews and find discounts for Hotel Royal Bangkok.
Grand China Princess ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is another one of the largest and perhaps oldest hotels in Chinatown. But it has been updated of course to compete with the newer hotels nearby. That said the rooms are still a little dated. The building also has a mini-mall in the lobby and a Starbucks in front.
As an older building the rooms inside Grand China Princess are larger than average. Standard rooms are around 26 sq. meters and cost about USD 70.
The Grand China Princes has many room types though so of course the larger the room or the better view it has the price goes up a bit. For example, a room with a river view will set you back USD 100.
All guests at the Grand China Princes also have access to the swimming pool and fitness center. Though be sure to check out the rooftop bar for an amazing view of Chinatown below.
Read reviews and find discounts for Grand China Princess.
Shanghai Mansion Bangkok ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I mentioned earlier that Chinatown has many heritage-style hotels. If you want to stay at a hotel with an old-world ambiance but with contemporary facilities then I highly recommend Shanghai Mansion right on Yaowarat Road.
Now the standard rooms here average in size about 27 sq. meters, which is good. I know this sounds crazy but I like the blackout curtains as it helps with the soundproofing from the outside noise. You’ll see that the interior design of the rooms is high quality and they pay attention to detail.
This stylish boutique hotel will wow you as you enter the hotel’s lobby. I like this hotel because it’s clean, and the hotel staff are friendly and professional.
So this hotel has no swimming pool or fitness center. And the price is kind of high compared to other hotels in the area. A standard superior room at Shanghai Mansion costs around USD 80 per night.
Read reviews and find discounts for Shanghai Mansion Bangkok.
Best Hotels “A Little” Outside Bangkok’s Chinatown
No doubt Chinatown can get quite busy and with all that busyness there’s noise. You want someplace more quiet, yet don’t mind a short walk to Chinatown. I hear you.
Here’s a small selection of Thai-Chinese-style boutique hotels for you to consider. They’ve got great reviews. And believe it or not most are priced around USD 50 for 2 guests! Though rooms will be small.
W22 by Burisari Hotel ⭐️⭐️⭐️
This terrific little-budget hotel gives off those days of old speakeasy vibe. Standard rooms are on the small side, about 20 sq. meters, and cost around USD 40 per night.
The beds here are quite comfortable for the price, clean room, and a clean bathroom with a modern feel. You can’t ask for more for such an affordable hotel near Bangkok’s Chinatown.
But the hotel is well managed, the rooms are clean and the hotel staff are professional and friendly. I highly recommend this little hotel and I think you guys will like it.
Read reviews and find discounts for W22 by Burisari.
Lhong Yaowarat Hostel ⭐️⭐️½
Here’s a cute little hostel near Bangkok’s Chinatown with an owner on the premises. I’ve been recommending this to folks traveling on a budget for a while and it never disappoints.
This charismatic property provides guests with that long ago feeling of Thai Chinese charm. There are so many details and furniture inside that’ll make you feel you’ve gone back in time.
There are a total of only 5 rooms so if you wish to stay here I highly recommend booking far in advance. The standard rooms cost about USD 40 a night. Even though there’s no swimming pool and fitness center you’ve got the ambiance.
Read reviews and find discounts for Lhong Yaowarat Hostel.
Luk Hostel ⭐️½
I know many solo travelers are looking for a no-frills, yet clean and cool affordable hostel. And the location of Luk Hostel can’t be beaten. Located parallel to Yaowarat Road, tucked away in a lane filled with wholesale goods.
Luk Hostel has many types of room types. From female and male-only dormitories. To small 9 sq. meter single standard rooms. All for USD 15 a night.
Around the hostel are many places to grab traditional Thai foods like noodles and stir-fries.
Just a perfect all-around hostel to stretch out a long stay in Bangkok.
Read reviews and find discounts for Luk Hostel.
I hope you have a chance to visit Bangkok’s Chinatown even if you don’t plan to stay around there. It’s an incredible place to experience Thai Chinese culture.
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