Bangkok is one of the most frequently visited cities on the planet. This hotbed of tourism is located in the kingdom of Thailand, the world's 50th largest country in area, but ranked 28th in the world in terms of population. There are incredible luxury hotels in Bangkok at incredible prices, owing to local economic conditions and usual exchange rates. The city also boasts some awesome activities (apart from shopping!), like temples to visit, awesome nightlife, Thai kickboxing or Muay Thai, as well as the famous Thai massage - a decadent experience that your muscles will never forget! We look in this article at where to go, what to do and the best Bangkok hotels to stay at in Thailand.



If you have come to Thailand for the shopping, the shopping, and the shopping, then Siam is the district you'll want to stay in. Quite central, and with an excellent public transport system, Siam is home to shopping boutiques, cinemas, bowling alleys and plenty of karaoke bars and booths. If you are after a dose of authentic Thai in Siam though, try Jim Thompson House. Despite the Western style name, it actually consists of several Thai teak houses, actual antiques, set in beautiful tropical gardens. Jim Thompson was an American who did a lot to promote Thai silk in the West. The Erawan shrine also offers a moment of peace in one of the world's biggest cities, and has a genuine Thai feeling.

If you are staying in Siam, the Siam City Hotel is a great choice for an individual four star experience. It offers luxury with affordability, like so many hotels in Bangkok. There are hundreds of rooms spread over two separate towers, with a plush and sumptuous interior. As well as the standard hotel fare of a spa, business facilities and a health club, Siam City Hotel has an art gallery in-house, and a cafe style bakery on the grounds, if you don't need the pressure of five-star gourmet cooking!

Shangri-La Bangkok is the first choice of thousands of travelers every year who are looking to experience the luxury of a five-star hotel in Bangkok at the price of a decent meal in their own home in the West. Shangri-La Bangkok has made luxury and quality their selling points. Free of extras, odds and ends, the hotel focuses on the decadence and luxury of your experience. It is set in lush tropical gardens, and has gorgeously appointed rooms featuring ethereal Thai silk, local artwork and serene color schemes. Shangri-La Bangkok also offers serviced apartments for longer term visitors to the city. They are located only a few blocks south of Siam Square. There are so many hotels in Bangkok Thailand, and the city's official website lists Shangri-La Bangkok in their top ten hotels in the city.

Muay Thai is renowned as one of the world's most effective martial arts, and the practitioners are incredibly honed, skilled and lightning-fast units. If you are staying in Bangkok, seeing a Muay Thai match is a must...even for the pacifists among you! Be amazed simply by the boxer's physical perfection and their absolute control over their bodies.

Then once you have imagined all of the bruises on yourself, you can be refreshed and remoulded into a new person with a Thai massage. This massage discipline is a truly invigorating experience. It focuses on energy meridians, circulation and pressure points along with traditional Swedish massage (ordinary Western muscle manipulation). It is known as the lazy person's yoga - all of the benefits of yoga, without even standing up, let alone buying a mat!

Bangkok is a truly unique experience, and deserves so much more than the stopover it usually is. Stay in luxury hotels in Bangkok for a fraction of the cost of Western ones, and experience uniquely Asian, yet world-famous experiences.