Arun Riverside Bangkok

Wow wow wow! This place was amazing! First you are hit by the majestic view of Wat Arun which is literlly across the river. Walking distance from other temples and the palace. Great food spots around too! Amazing Resturant at the top of the road! Called TANA, that’s a must try! Sooooo good we went there twice! Including the pictures for TANA too! The staff are amazing, so helpful and welcoming. There are no lifts, but this didn’t bother us.

We stayed at the Arun Riverside Hotel in old town Bangkok for 5-nights in early-Jan ($334 Can/night). Located down a short, narrow side-street, the 5-story, 6-room boutique hotel has the best view in Bangkok, across the fascinating, busy river to Wat Arun. Our 3d floor river-view junior suite was as described on the website, spacious, elegantly decorated with white ceilings and walls with dark-wood highlights, flooring and furnishings. It was equipped with a large TV (never used it), in-room safe, large mini-refrigerator, automatic air-freshener, large couch, desk and chair, and cabinets with plenty of room for clothes storage. The bathroom was also large, all marble with modern fixtures, a full bathtub, and a separate walk-in shower. The crowning feature was the full width window and glass deck door with the river view, fascinating to watch with the constant buzz of commuter and tourists boats during the day, large brightly-lit sunset and dinner cruises in the evening. And Wat Arun, spectacular at any time, but especially when lit at night. The deck chairs provided comfortable viewing in the evening after the heat of the day had passed. Our room was on the middle of the three floors of rooms was the best location; the view from the lower floor rooms was partially obstructed by tarps and netting, while the upper floor was prone to noise from the popular bar and restaurant above. Breakfast was excellent, an a la carte selection of western and Thai courses, fruit plates, juices, coffee. The staff were universally friendly and helpful, and most spoke English. The hotel was a superb base for local sightseeing. The Temple of the Reclining Buddha was across the road from the hotel; turn left, walk 100 m to the next intersection, turn right and you are at the entrance (turn left for the cross-river ferry to Wat Arun). A further 10 min walk N along the Palace's wall passing the Naval Wives Club is the second crossroad; turn right to the Royal Palace's entrance, turn left to Tha Chang Pier for the express and tourist river ferries. Overall, the Arun Riverside is an excellent choice for a bit of splurge stay in Bangkok.

During my brief stay at ARUN Riverside Bangkok, I was treated to a remarkably spacious and clean room, complemented by a large and modern bathroom. The focal point, undoubtedly, was the stunning view, which lived up to my expectations. The hotel's location added to the allure, with a convenient 5-10 minute walk to the Grand Palace and nearby temples, as well as a mere 5-minute stroll to the pier for a boat excursion to Wat Arun. The proximity to a variety of small restaurants serving delectable Thai cuisine further enhanced the overall experience. The staff were notably kind, offering refreshing fruits and beverages during my wait. I highly recommend not overlooking the rooftop restaurant; the food was exceptional, accompanied by a fantastic view. Given its popularity, it's advisable to secure a table in advance to ensure a memorable dining experience.