Bangkok (BKK)
Bangkok’s new airport, Suvarnabhumi (pronounced, a little surprisingly, “su-wan-na-poom”), has the same limited selection of quality hotel options that its old airport had. This is a shame since Bangkok is the sort of place where staying at a hotel by the airport can be really useful — many long-haul flights leave very early in the morning or arrive late at night, and the distance between the airport and Bangkok’s center is long and notoriously traffic filled. Fortunately, Suvarnabhumi travelers have exactly two great airport hotel options:
Two Best Bangkok Airport Hotels:
This massive 600+ room hotel is the only accommodations option on the airport grounds. Technically it is attached to the airport via an underground walkway, though the distance from the baggage claim to the hotel is a bit of a hike (15 to 20 minutes). Many guests opt for the free shuttle that departs from outside door 4 on the arrivals level. (The Novotel is the only hotel we know of with a free airport shuttle; you have to deal with the airport’s taxi system for the others).
Once at the hotel the first thing you may notice is that it feels more like a vacation resort than your typical airport hotel. Indeed, the hotel is built around a scenic pool and sports an impressive gym. As for the rooms, they are quiet, modern, large and don’t betray any signs that you are in a developing country. We also like the complimentary bottles of water in the rooms and abundance of bathroom toiletries useful to transit passengers (such an a toothbrush and toothpaste). The hotel’s international cuisine is top notch though in comparison to the excellent eats available in the rest of Thailand we found the hotel’s Thai food a little underwhelming. We also wish that the hotel offered free in-room wifi (although there is free wifi at the airport itself).
At around 4,000 baht (US$125, €85) the Novotel Suvarnabhumi is a great value, especially relative to other top-level hotels that are within walking distance of other major international airport. Highly suggested.
The Ibis Huamark is an absolutely stunning value! Book through us and you’ll likely get a rate for around 900 baht (US$25, €17) for a standard room — and we sometimes have rates for as low as 500 baht! That sum procures you a mostly modern airport hotel that’s a relatively painless (by Bangkok standards) 200 baht taxi ride from the airport. The Ibis Huamark has a swimming pool, comically small but a pool nevertheless. There’s a 24-hour cafe and in-room wireless (for a fee, sadly). The rooms themselves have air conditioning, reasonable showers, and comfortable beds (not Westin-luxurious beds, but comfortable). We suggest splurging the extra 200 baht (US$6, €4) for a “superior” room, which essentially gets you a nicer version of everything available in the standard model. For an extra 500 baht you can upgrade a step further to a suite; Ibis Huamark suites are larger than the superior rooms but otherwise the same quality-wise. When making a reservation use our link to ensure you don’t accidentally book one of the other Ibis Bangkok properties. Also, bring the hotel phone number with you (0-3087888) since your taxi driver will likely have to call for specific directions. The Ibis Huamark is not where you want to stay on an extended visit to Bangkok. But for a transit passenger, flying out late or in early, it is perfect.
Other Bangkok Airport Hotels:
There are several mid range hotel options in the Suvarnabhumi area. The Airport Hotel Guru doesn’t see the logic in selecting to stay in any of them. Those mid-rangers that are nicer than the Ibis Huamark are so only incrementally; the bump in quality is not nearly enough to justify paying two, three or even five times as much. And, yes, there are some upper-mid range options that begin to approach the quality of the Novotel, but these are nearly as expensive (especially once your airport taxi fare is figured in) and not nearly as convenient.
Some of those other hotels, in the order we prefer them:
Miracle Hometel
Closest to the airport of any of the hotels reviewed here (except the Novotel, above)
Queen’s Garden Resort
A little more than the Ibis Huamark (above) but has the advantage of being in an area of some traveler interest — there’s a view over a river and a few temples and good restaurants nearby. They also have a reasonably-priced airport transfer service (150 baht).
Sun Pavilion
At 1,300 baht per room the three-star Sun Pavilion is the best value of these “other” hotels.
Sananwan Palace
Not that close to the airport (eg. 30 mins by taxi) but dirt cheap — 200 baht for a fan room. The hotel offers a airport transportation service but it is more than twice as expensive as getting a taxi yourself.
Bangkok Airport Info:
Bangkok International Suvarnabhumi Airport
Suvarnabhumi may have adapted the BKK code from the old airport, Don Muang, but some hotels have not been so quick to follow along. Many Don Muang area properties still bill themselves as being close to “BKK” (or, in some cases, they claim proximity to “the airport” without specifying which one). All hotels listed on this page are in the Suvarnabhumi area.
Upon arrival, ignore anyone who approaches you asking if you’d like a taxi. These people might well actually get you to where you want to go, but always at a higher cost (and with less certainty) than a licensed taxi. The queue for official taxis is directly outside the door of the arrivals level. Alternatively, you can pre-book a ride through the reliable Bangkok Airport Transport Service.
