3 Best Hotels in Silom and Bang Rak, Bangkok

A favorite with repeat Bangkok visitors, the Pullman projects a New York aesthetic with a Parisian flair, with the full-service Anne Semonin Spa and Scarlett Wine Bar---a rooftop indoor-outdoor bistro with a good selection of French wines and cheeses, popular with locals and expats during sunset happy hours. There are three other trendy dining venues in the hotel, including 25 Degrees, a custom burger eatery with a fully stocked bar open 24 hours. Rooms and suites are well-decorated, and there's an executive lounge for guests on the higher floors.

This hotel prides itself in its Thai heritage and has been very well maintained since it was built in 1970, playing up its old-fashioned aesthetic. Prices are fair considering the area, rooms are spacious and comfortable, and there is a large pool and a well-equipped fitness center. An in-house fortune-teller will read your palm and consult your astrological parameters for a small fee.

This unique hotel started life in 1917 as one of Bangkok's first cinema houses, and the art deco stained-glass window and original theatre marquee have been preserved, along with an original 35mm projector and screen. The location, on a short alley off Charoen Krung Road, is superb for exploring the shops and street eateries nearby. There are only three suites, plus four dorms for budget travelers.