What better place to stay with the family on a Bangkok vacation than a hotel on the banks of the Chao Phraya? Aside from the fact that these hotels have great views of the river and are very convenient for sightseeing, the real benefit of these riverside hotels for families is that they have resort level amenities and larger grounds and common areas, too. Parents won’t have to worry about cabin fever as children can stretch out and enjoy playing, swimming, and walking around outside in a relatively safe, enclosed area. These family-friendly riverside resorts tend to be located in the area around Chinatown but none except the Royal Orchid Sheraton are right in the middle of the city.
Aside from the old guard of large, luxury riverside hotels, there are a handful of more modern properties that have sprung up along the Chao Phraya. These, including Chakrabongse Villas and the newly opened Siam, offer guests luxury and without large crowds.
1. The Anantara Riverside
Anantara Riverside Bangkok
This riverside hotel is really more like a resort, with lush, expansive grounds overlooking the Chao Phraya and a wide variety of places to eat, drink and hang out during your stay. In fact, between the Trader Vics restaurant (check out their amazing Sunday brunch), the spa and the swimming pools, you don’t need to leave the Anantara at all, though you probably will want to take a ride on one of the hotel’s free shuttle boats and explore the rest of the city while you’re there (the Grand Palace and Wat Arun are an easy river ferry ride away). Rooms are modern and have small Thai details throughout. Amenities include wireless internet, flat screen televisions, coffee makers and dvd players. Suites and adjoining rooms, plus the pools and outdoor areas, make this a very family-friendly property.
- Address: 257/1-3 Charoennakorn Road, +66 2659 9000.
- Price: From 4,000 Baht ($130) for a double room, breakfast included.
2. The Royal Orchid Sheraton
If you don’t need the extreme luxury offered by the Oriental, Shangri-La or Peninsula but still want five star accommodations, lots of amenities and a riverside location, consider the Royal Orchid Sheraton. This more traditional high-end hotel offers guests well-appointed, comfortable rooms and spacious common areas and the Thai theme is present throughout. It’s right on the river, and next door to one of the city’s most popular antiques malls (River City), plus it’s either a long walk or short taxi/shuttle ride to the Skytrain.
- Address: 2 Charoen Krung Soi 30,Bangkok, +66 2266 0123.
- Price: From 4,000 Baht ($125) for a double room, breakfast included.
3. Ramada Plaza Maenam Riverside
About a mile south of Saphan Taksin on banks of the Chao Phraya is this large, upper mid-market property catering to vacationers. Rooms are comfortable, modern and well maintained. At around 350 square feet for the basic rooms they are not gigantic but big enough for a small family. Larger suites, though, are even better for families and not too much more expensive. The area, off of Charoen Krung Road, in a very local neighborhood, has been getting more and more developer attention over the last few years which means that the area still feels very Thai but is convenient enough for sightseers who want to explore Bangkok. The hotel has a river shuttle that will take you to the Skytrain, but if you’re depending on taxis to get to and from you’ll probably end up stuck in traffic at least once or twice during your stay.
- Address: 2074 Charoen Krung Road, Bangkok, +66 2688 1000.
- Price: From 4,000 Baht ($130) for a double with breakfast.
