From Phuket to Hua Hin, boutique hotels in Thailand are the stuff dreams are made of, and the Bangkok scene is full of unique properties. Situated within easy walking distance of countless must-see locations in the Thai capital, SALA Rattanakosin needs to be on your hit list if you’re looking for a luxe stay accompanied by exceptional service.
While this stay was complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Review of SALA Rattanakosin, Bangkok
Hotel snapshot
Hotel: SALA Rattanakosin Bangkok
Address: 39 Maharat Road, Rattanakosin Island, Bangkok 10200, Thailand
Rooms: 15 guestrooms
Style: Contemporary boutique hotel with a minimalist, industrial-inspired aesthetic
Location: Bangkok Old Town, directly opposite Wat Arun on the Chao Phraya River
Best for: Couples, first-time visitors, culture lovers, short city breaks and travellers who want a memorable Bangkok view
Family-friendly: Yes, although the small room inventory makes it better suited to couples and smaller families
Wellness: No dedicated spa or swimming pool
Standout feature: Floor-to-ceiling views of Wat Arun and the Chao Phraya River
Prices starting from: THB 3,500–4,500 per night, depending on room and season.
Location, location, location
Rattanakosin could easily be described as Bangkok’s birthplace. Situated on the western side of the mighty Chao Phraya River, it is home to The Grand Palace, the former royal residence dating back to 1875, which also houses Wat Phra Kaew or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Wat Pho, the first seat of learning in the new capital and host to the country’s largest reclining Buddha, is also found in Rattanakosin.
Immediately across ‘The River of Kings’ from Rattanakosin is Wat Arun or Temple of Dawn, another visitor hot spot. And sitting riverside in the middle of this is the boutique hotel SALA Rattanakosin, admirably demonstrating the maxim of location, location, and location.
The area and the hotel’s vibe
Opened in 2013, SALA Rattanakosin is a repurposed near-century-old row of shophouse buildings in the heart of the bustling Tha Tien sub-district of Old Bangkok.
Renovated with a minimalist décor, it features modern elements deftly overlaid onto surfaces that reveal original construction materials like raw brickwork, wood, and exposed concrete beams. The ground level of the five-storey structure is devoted to the hotel reception. Step through to The Terrace, the hotel’s riverfront breakfast and all-day dining venue, where a compelling first look at Wat Arun is presented.
Night or day, the views from the restaurant are unbeatable
A broad spiral stairway leads to the first floor and the black-and-white-themed signature restaurant, where wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows and clever use of reflective glass within the room keep the Temple of Dawn and river as the centre of attention. The hotel’s top level is devoted to the rooftop bar and lounge and those compelling river views, while the middle floors are home to guest accommodation.
Daytime activity in the lanes and narrow streets immediately neighbouring the hotel sees laden trolleys pulled by workers from the old shophouse warehouses. Boxes upon boxes of supplies make their way to waiting vans and motorcycle carts for delivery elsewhere in the city. On Maharat Road, just 70 metres away, waves of tourists move between the area’s famous attractions.
Tourist boats and river ferries drop off and pick up passengers from the Tha Tien Pier, a short walk from the hotel’s door. The area’s cafes and eateries have an ebb and flow of visitors seeking respite from the heat or replenishment so they may continue their exploration of Rattanakosin and its treasures.
The room
My Wat Arun Riverview Deluxe room (main image), with its king bed encased in soft white linen, creates a clear contrast to the black walls and floor. The floor-to-ceiling picture window adds colour thanks to constant activity and movement on the river below. And the forever present Wat Arun, with its 70-metre-high central stupa and four smaller surrounding spires, makes the window-front daybed a favourite resting place.
The building’s history shows itself in an exposed concrete support pillar while the beaten metal of the wash basin adds another textural element. Glass bottled water, jars of mini-bar snacks, and refillable ceramic dispensers for toiletries demonstrate the hotel’s efforts to eliminate single-use plastics.
The extras
Breakfasting on The Terrace became a must for the river outlook and curated Western, Thai, or Healthy choice menu. Or, if decision-making proves difficult at that time of day, then the breakfast set solves the problem. The lunch and dinner menus are comprehensive, with a great selection of Thai dishes intermingled with Western classics. A ceviche of fish with fresh passionfruit was a happy surprise, while the Chef’s Special of Salmon Three Ways was inspiring.
Expect exquisite cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Sundowners are the best way to finish a day of sightseeing, and SALA Rattanakosin’s open-air rooftop bar and lounge is the must-be setting with craft beers, signature cocktails and mocktails, tropical smoothies, or your favourite mixed drink on offer. Whatever your choice, grab a spot and watch the day end in this memory-making rooftop riverfront location.
As you would expect, the front desk staff are happy to guide you on the best sightseeing options for the local area and greater Bangkok, including personalised private boat rides, market tours, and cooking classes.
Be sure to make an early morning visit to the city’s wholesale flower market, Pak Khlong Talat, for all the colour, scent and activity – less than a kilometre from the hotel. Another must-do is Museum Siam, just 450 metres away with its highly interactive and informative displays delving into the meaning of “Thainess”.
With the pier to access the hop-on-hop-off river boats a two-minute walk and the nearest MRT (underground metro), just 650 metres from the hotel’s front door, accessing all of Bangkok’s other attractions is a cinch. SALA Rattanakosin truly does put you in the centre of things.
Getting there and around
The hotel is around 30km from Suvarnabhumi Airport and a taxi or Grab will take around 45-60 minutes. Be mindful that Bangkok’s rush hours can be hectic and may add to this. If you prefer, SALA Rattanakosin offers a pre-booked private transfer from the airport for THB 1,100 one way.
If you’re using public transport, take the Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi to Phaya Thai, then the MRT network towards Sanam Chai for Bangkok’s Old Town. From there, it’s about a 10-minute walk or a short taxi/tuk-tuk ride to the hotel.
Once you’re staying at SALA Rattanakosin, walking, taxis/Grab and the Chao Phraya River boats are the most practical ways to get around. Wat Pho, the Grand Palace and the riverside are all within walking distance, while the MRT is about a 10-minute walk away.
Frequently asked questions: SALA Rattanakosin
It is on Maharat Road in Rattanakosin, Bangkok’s historic Old Town, on the Chao Phraya River directly opposite Wat Arun. Wat Pho and the Grand Palace are also close by.
Very. Wat Arun is directly across the Chao Phraya River from the hotel and provides the hotel’s signature view. It is particularly spectacular from the riverside restaurant and rooftop at sunset.
Yes, but you should choose your room carefully. The Wat Arun River View Deluxe, Corner River View Deluxe and Wat Arun River View Suite are the options to look at if the view is a priority. The Corner River View Deluxe has floor-to-ceiling glass on two walls and panoramic views towards the temple and river.
Very much so. The intimate scale, riverside location, rooftop bar and spectacular temple views make it particularly suited to romantic city breaks. Sunset drinks overlooking Wat Arun are a highlight.
It can work for families, and the Wat Pho Deluxe and Wat Arun River View rooms can accommodate up to three adults or two adults and one child. However, there are no connecting rooms or rollaway beds, so families requiring multiple rooms may find a larger hotel more practical.
No. This is a boutique city hotel rather than a resort, so there is no swimming pool or dedicated spa.
The hotel is in historic Bangkok rather than beside one of the city’s main BTS Skytrain stations. This means taxis, Grab, river boats and walking are generally more useful for getting around than relying on the BTS.
Two or three nights is ideal for most visitors. This gives you enough time to explore Bangkok’s Old Town, visit the temples, take a boat along the Chao Phraya and enjoy the hotel itself without needing to spend too long commuting across the city.
Final verdict
As someone who lives in Thailand and visits Bangkok frequently, I feel like I know the very best luxury properties it offers. But this is somewhere special. Thanks to its exceptional views, intimate size and exquisite service, a stay at SALA Rattanakosin is sure to live in the memory for years after checkout.
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