Bangkok hotels

Long considered a backpacking destination de rigueur; hotels in Bangkok consistently live up to their reputation for offering excellent service at affordable prices. Those counting the pennies can take their pick of the many cheap and cheerful Bangkok hotels. Such is the excellent value of 4-star hotels that even those on a tight budget can sleep in splendour. Alternatively, for those with a pot of gold, there are a multitude of opulent 5-star hotels offering a level of extravagance one can only dream of at home.

As the gateway to the rest of Thailand, Bangkok is a fantastic place to land before heading south to the sunny beaches or north to trek the mountains. But there is so much more to Bangkok than backpackers and bongos. The city became a major commercial hub following the Asian investment boom in the 1980s and 1990s. The resulting proliferation of superior business hotels has pushed Bangkok to the top of the leader board when it comes to desirable corporate destinations. The Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre is an exceptional facility for those wishing to schedule meetings or events with Asian partners. In addition, Bangkok is serviced by two airports; Suvarnabhumi Intl and Don Mueang Intl, both of which are surrounded by excellent airport hotels offering a great range of deals and discounts.

Shoppers rejoice! In recent years, Bangkok has gained a name for itself as Thailand's premier shopping destination. The flashy MBK Center houses over 2,000 stores and, as an added bonus, offers special discount cards for tourists. For those with a more sophisticated retail palate, make your way across the elevated sky bridge to the upmarket Siam Paragon. Here, a range of designer stores and elite boutiques await a more discerning clientele.

If the thought of a shopping centre leaves you cold, then bag a souvenir in the largest flea market in Thailand, Chatuchak Weekend Market. Held near Chatuchak Park, this bustling market is a veritable maelstrom of chaotic stalls overflowing with everything from cheap clothes to wild animals. A real feast for the senses!

Thai people are renowned for living and breathing their spirituality and this gentle way of being is the reason many visitors return time and again to holiday in Bangkok. Experience this harmony for yourself with a traditional Thai massage, available in any one of the city’s spa hotels. Combining stretching and deep massage, a Thai massage will leave you relaxed yet invigorated, ready to take on whatever Bangkok may throw at you.

Bangkok is erratic, noisy and disorientating but it is also one of the most spiritually rewarding places you will ever visit. Swap the city’s notorious traffic jams for the peace and tranquillity of the sacred Temple of the Emerald Buddha. This stunningly beautiful place of worship welcomes visitors but please ensure that you adhere to its strict dress code. Enjoy the harmony before retreating to the comfort of one of the nearby luxury hotels. Decadence doesn’t come better or purer than this.