The best riverside hotels in Bangkok are the seven that stand on the Chao Phraya itself: The Siam, Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, Shangri-La Bangkok, The Peninsula Bangkok, Capella Bangkok, Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River and Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok. Choosing between them comes down to three questions: which bank you want, how far along the river you are willing to be, and how you will reach the BTS Skytrain, which for most of them means a hotel boat to Sathorn Pier at Saphan Taksin station.
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We list them from upstream to downstream. This is an editorial review based on each hotel's published facts and the MICHELIN Guide, not on stays. A few well-known hotels are left out on purpose: lebua at State Tower has river views but stands on Silom Road rather than the bank, and the dinner cruises run by inland hotels don't make them riverside.
The Siam: upriver in Dusit
The Siam is the only one of the seven in Dusit, the royal quarter north of the Old City, on three acres of riverfront garden at the foot of Krung Thon Bridge. That position is its argument: you are closer to the palaces and museums than to the malls. The hotel's own boat runs downriver to Sathorn Pier at BTS Saphan Taksin in about 30 minutes, with open-air and air-conditioned seats, and it is included in every stay along with breakfast and a butler. Every room is a suite or villa from 80 square meters, and the Riverside Pool Villas look over the main infinity pool to the water. The Pier, a private deck on the river, pours sunset cocktails, and Chon Thai serves Thai food in century-old teak houses. The MICHELIN Guide gives The Siam Three Keys. It suits couples who want quiet and the historic side of the city. Anyone planning nightly dinners downtown should budget for the boat ride or a long taxi.
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok: the original riverside hotel
Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok has faced the river from Bang Rak since 1876, and it uses both banks. The spa sits in a traditional Thai house on the far side, as do Sala Rim Naam, with its Thai set dinner and classical dance, and Baan Phraya, an eight-course Thai menu in a restored century-old house; hotel boats make the short crossing. On the main bank, Lord Jim's, The Verandah and Ciao Terrazza all look over the water, and Le Normandie, now led by Anne-Sophie Pic, holds two MICHELIN stars. Most of the 331 rooms have floor-to-ceiling windows onto either the river or the city, so ask for the river side. A free shuttle boat runs to ICONSIAM every 30 minutes, and a one-way boat to Sathorn Pier can be arranged. The MICHELIN Guide gives the hotel Three Keys. It suits a first visit built around the river and anyone who wants several serious dinners without leaving the property.
Shangri-La Bangkok: the big riverfront resort
Shangri-La Bangkok has the longest list of facilities on the river: 802 rooms in two wings, two pools, tennis courts, a large gym and nine restaurants and bars along its stretch of the east bank. The rail link is its practical edge. The hotel says it has direct access to the BTS Skytrain and the public ferry terminal, so you can skip the shuttle-boat timetable. Choose your wing with care. Entry rooms in the 25-storey Shangri-La Wing look at the city with only partial river views, while every room in the smaller Krungthep Wing faces the river from a private veranda, next to Chi, The Spa. By the water, Salathip serves Thai dinners in teak pavilions, NEXT2 Café runs riverside buffets, and the Horizon Cruise leaves from the hotel's own pier for a dinner trip past the Grand Palace and Wat Arun. It holds no MICHELIN Key. It suits families and groups who want space, choice and the quickest route to the Skytrain.
The Peninsula Bangkok: the view from the west bank
The Peninsula Bangkok is the only hotel of the seven on the Thonburi side, in Khlong San, and that changes what you see: the downtown skyline sits across the water, and all 370 rooms were angled to face it. Balcony rooms run up to the 35th floor, so a higher floor buys a wider view. At ground level, the three-tiered pool steps down toward the river for 88 meters, and The Peninsula Spa occupies a three-story Thai colonial-style building on the bank. Getting across is simple: the hotel's four rice-barge-style boats run to Taksin Pier for BTS Saphan Taksin from early morning to midnight on request, and to ICONSIAM every half hour for most of the day. Thiptara serves Thai dinners in riverside salas, and The River Bar mixes cocktails with Thai botanicals facing the skyline. The MICHELIN Guide gives the hotel One Key. It suits travelers who want the city in view rather than underfoot and are happy to start most outings with a crossing.
Capella Bangkok: small and low-rise
Capella Bangkok takes a different approach from its tower neighbors. Its 101 rooms, suites and villas sit in a low building on the east bank, where Charoen Krung meets the river, and most face the water. Rooms have either a balcony or a verandah with a plunge pool at river level, and the seven villas have their own gardens on the water's edge. The infinity pool runs along the riverfront and is open around the clock. The riverside garden also holds the Auriga Wellness spa and Phra Nakhon, a Thai restaurant in a glass conservatory that is in the MICHELIN Guide. Upstairs, Côte by Mauro Colagreco holds two MICHELIN stars and looks out over the river. A free shuttle boat runs to ICONSIAM and to Sathorn Pier for the BTS. The MICHELIN Guide gives Capella Three Keys. It suits couples and food-focused trips that value privacy over a big-hotel scene.
Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River: gardens on the water
Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River sits on the east bank near Capella, but spreads its 299 rooms through two mid-rise buildings with courtyards and gardens, and every room looks at either the river or the gardens. Two temperature-controlled infinity pools face the water, with a children's pool and a free kids' club nearby, which makes it the strongest family pick of the group. Several restaurants are on the riverfront: Riva del Fiume for Italian food, Brasserie Palmier for French brasserie cooking and oysters, and the seasonal Chao Phraya Terrace, which grills over lychee wood. BKK Social Club, the hotel's cocktail bar, is a draw on its own. For transport it offers two options: free hotel boats run to Sathorn Pier every 30 minutes and to ICONSIAM every hour, and Saphan Taksin BTS is about a 15-minute walk from Exit 4. The MICHELIN Guide gives it Two Keys. It suits families and travelers who want resort space on the river.
Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok: space for less formality
Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok is the farthest downriver of the seven, at Charoen Krung Soi 70 in Bang Kho Laem, and it trades polish for room to spread out. Every one of its 396 rooms and suites is at least 60 square meters, with a balcony and a small cooking station, and most look over the river, the skyline or both; book a River View category to guarantee the water. The 35-meter infinity pool on the 6th floor has two children's pools and a playground beside it. The free shuttle boat takes about 15 minutes to Sathorn Pier, next to Saphan Taksin BTS, and makes four trips a day to ICONSIAM. From Sathorn Pier the Chao Phraya Express Boat heads north to Tha Chang for the Grand Palace, and a cross-river ferry from Tha Tien reaches Wat Arun. River Barge serves Thai and international food on the bank, and Cloud 36 is the rooftop bar. It is not in the MICHELIN Guide. It suits families, groups and long stays.
Which riverside hotel should you choose?
The table compares the practical differences. Boat details come from each hotel and can change, especially in heavy rain.
| Hotel | Bank and district | Link to the BTS | MICHELIN Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Siam | East, Dusit | Hotel boat to Sathorn Pier, about 30 minutes | Three Keys |
| Mandarin Oriental | East, Bang Rak | Shuttle to ICONSIAM; boat to Sathorn Pier on request | Three Keys |
| Shangri-La | East, Bang Rak | Direct access to the BTS, according to the hotel | Not listed |
| The Peninsula | West, Khlong San | Hotel boat to Taksin Pier | One Key |
| Capella | East, Sathon | Shuttle boat to Sathorn Pier | Three Keys |
| Four Seasons | East, Sathon | Boat every 30 minutes, or a 15-minute walk | Two Keys |
| Chatrium Riverside | East, Bang Kho Laem | Hotel boat to Sathorn Pier, about 15 minutes | Not listed |
For a milestone trip with serious dining, the three-Key trio of Capella, Mandarin Oriental and The Siam lead the field. Families will find the most to do at Four Seasons and Shangri-La, and the most floor space at Chatrium. If you want to look at the skyline rather than sit in it, The Peninsula is the only choice on the west bank. See all our Bangkok hotels for options off the river.
Sources: The Siam location, The Siam pier, Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, Mandarin Oriental dining, Shangri-La Bangkok, The Peninsula shuttle boats, The Peninsula fact sheet, Capella Bangkok accommodation, Capella Bangkok wellness, Four Seasons Bangkok fact sheet, Four Seasons getting here, Chatrium Riverside FAQ, MICHELIN Guide Bangkok hotels. Checked September 26, 2026.
Seven of the hotels we list stand on the river: The Siam, Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, Shangri-La Bangkok, The Peninsula Bangkok, Capella Bangkok, Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River and Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok. All are on the east bank except The Peninsula, which is on the Thonburi (west) side in Khlong San.
Shangri-La Bangkok says it has direct access to the BTS Skytrain and the public ferry terminal. Four Seasons puts Saphan Taksin station (Exit 4) about a 15-minute walk away. The others rely on hotel boats to Sathorn or Taksin Pier, beside Saphan Taksin station.
Yes. The Peninsula's boat runs to Taksin Pier from 6 a.m. to midnight on request and to ICONSIAM every 30 minutes from 10 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Four Seasons runs boats from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., every 30 minutes to Sathorn Pier and hourly to ICONSIAM; seats from 7 to 10 a.m. must be reserved. Mandarin Oriental runs to ICONSIAM every 30 minutes and to Sathorn Pier on request. Chatrium's boat takes about 15 minutes to Sathorn Pier and makes four daily trips to ICONSIAM, and The Siam's takes about 30 minutes to Sathorn Pier. Schedules change, and boats may pause in heavy rain.
Not strictly. lebua at State Tower stands at the river end of Silom Road, not on the bank, but many of its suites have Chao Phraya views, and Saphan Taksin BTS is roughly a five-minute walk, according to lebua.
Four Seasons has a free kids' club for ages 4 to 12 and a separate children's pool. Mandarin Oriental runs The Little Fan's Club for ages 3 to 12 from Friday to Sunday. Chatrium has 60-square-meter rooms, two children's pools and a playground, and The Peninsula runs a Junior Chef class for ages 6 to 11.
Capella's Côte by Mauro Colagreco and Mandarin Oriental's Le Normandie each hold two MICHELIN stars in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide Thailand.
