Bangkok is huge and picking accommodation can be overwhelming – booking sites list between 1,000 – 1,500+ hotels in the area – how do you choose? Things also get confusing if you’re not familiar with the city because there are so many districts, 50 in all, and no clearly defined central or “downtown” area.
When it comes to figuring out where to stay in Bangkok for the upcoming TBEX Asia 2015 conference I started looking at where the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre is located and then looked one to two MRT (Bangkok’s subway) stops away to narrow down what neighborhoods I should be limiting my search to for potential rooms. The city has its Skytrain (BTS) and subway (MRT) public transportation lines that only intersect at certain stations and the convention centre is located at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre MRT Station. (You can find a service and route map here.)
Knowing what a hassle it can sometimes be just going a short distance in Bangkok, and how much time participants will be spending at the convention centre, I personally feel like the less walking, transfers and stops you have to make the better. Especially when you also factor the heat and humidity of the city, you want to get to the conference as quickly, easily and (relatively) sweat-free as possible.
With that in mind, I’ve listed a handful of nearby accommodation possibilities ranging from $10 dorm rooms to unique luxury hotels. (Note that the affiliate links below go to where you can book the rooms on Agoda.com which is a hotel booking site that I regularly find the cheapest room prices on and use myself when booking hotels across Southeast Asia.)
The Asoke BTS Station (on the BTS Sukhumvit Line) and the Sukhumvit MRT Station connect and are one stop away from Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre MRT Station. Because of the location with both the BTS and MRT lines, and the fact that Sukhumvit Road is the city’s main thoroughfare with lots going on, I think this would best one of the best places to stay in Bangkok for the conference. You can get to the convention centre quickly, have a wider range of accommodation options, can access other parts of the city easily and have places to walk to in the evening.
This 4-star hotel is sleek and contemporary with rooms decorated in neutral tones – not something you easily find in colorful Thailand. Rooms are a little pricey here – in the $100s – but on Agoda I’ve found some steals including a flash deal with deluxe rooms discounted more than 60% to around $60. Certainly not bad for a 4-star hotel in a capital city.
Location: 5-minute walk away from Asoke BTS Station; 5-minute drive to the convention centre (depending on traffic…)
Similar to S15 Sukhumvit Hotel, the prices here usually run from the mid-$100s to just over $200, but I saw prices listed for as low as $53 if you book through Agoda. The hotel has a modern, futuristic feel to it – the beds seem to “float” onto a soft blue light.
Location: 5-minute walk away from Asoke BTS Station; 5-minute drive to the convention centre (depending on traffic…)
On the lower end of things, Asok Montri Hostel offers simple rooms really close to the Asoke BTSStation. Again, the prices on Agoda were listed lower than those on the actual hostel website ranging from a six-bed dorm room for about $10 to a double private room with en suite bathroom for about $23.
Location: Just a couple minute walk to Asoke BTS Station.
The Lumpini MRT Station is two stops away from the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre MRT Station.
As the nicest (and most expensive) property on this list, I’ve loved So Sofitel Bangkok for a while now because it’s just so dang cool looking! Styled by Christian Lacroix, the boutique hotel combines the themes of nature’s elements with an urban, upscale design that’s unlike any of the other Bangkok hotels. While the deluxe rooms and suites cost hundreds to $1,000+, the basic rooms are priced in the low- to mid-hundreds which is a steal – this is the coolest 5-star urban hotel I’ve ever stayed in.
Location: Less than a 5-minute walk away from Lumphini MRT Station
As a mid-range chain, none of the Ibis’ have too much character but you can expect a clean, comfortable room and price deals that are cheaper than many of the private rooms in Bangkok’s hostels. At the Ibis Sathorn, you can find rooms for as low as just under $30.
Location: 9-minute walk away from Lumphini MRT Station
This looks like a solid hostel option, with dorm room beds starting at less than $10. If you’re going for a basic hostel room however, I’d try to at least get a little closer to the convention centre.
Location: A 10-minute walk away from Lumphini MRT Station; 13-minute walk away from Khlong Toei MRT Station (which is one stop away from the convention centre)
While these locations are closest to the convention centre itself, the area surrounding them isn’t quite as interesting as around, say, Sukhumvit.
Another no frills hostel (unfortunately none of the cooler Bangkok boutique hostels are in this area), you can get a dorm bed at De Talak Hostel for less than $15 or a private double for as low as $17.
Location: A 10-minute walking to Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre
A standard double room at Varinda Hostel is just under $20 and it’s located really close to the convention centre.
Location: A 7-minute walking to Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre
If you’re spending a longer amount of time in Bangkok a long term hotel/serviced apartment may be the way to go. The city is filled with them but one of the closest to the convention centre is UR 22 Residence. For one night, basic rooms go for around $30 and you can stay for a week for less than $200.
Location: A 13-minute walking to Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre
Note: All photos for the hotels listed were taken from the respective Agoda booking pages.
Hey! I'm Alana and I've spent nearly the past decade living in Chiang Mai, Thailand, working as a writer and photographer. I started Paper Planes as a place to share local insight, special places, and how to travel well through a range of experiences — from hostels to high-end hotels, street meat to multi-course meals.
New places are always calling my name...
Enter your email for a taste of different worlds, must-read posts, and special offers.
(Don't worry, I'll never spam you — just send the good stuff.)
I’ve stayed at S1 Hostel quite a few times and it’s fab. Fantastic rooftop terrace and minutes to Lumphini Park.
I’m sold with the rooftop!
Bangkok is so cheap that I would usually go for real hotel rooms. Asok is a very central place to stay, so even though it’s very touristy, I often end up in that area because of the affordable hotels and the Skytrain station.
I love Bangkok and I wanted to attend TBEX, but I was scheduled for a clinical rotation in October with my studies, so i couldn’t go anyway:/ Are you going?
I definitely have stopped staying in the cheapest places available and like to stay in nicer hotels in Bangkok – it’s surprising how far your money can go even in such a big capital! I am going to TBEX (and staying in a cool place 😉 ) – Can’t wait!
I’m in the process of searching hotels, and this post is incredibly helpful. Thanks for the terrific information. Look forward to seeing you at TBEX.
See you soon!