There is no single best hotel in Bangkok. The city is so varied that a five-star tower can be the wrong choice for a family that wants a garden, quiet and a little room to run. Before we booked anything, we asked ourselves what our children actually needed.

Our answer was simple: somewhere safe and clean where the girls could be themselves, close to the places we wanted to see, with a fridge and a kettle so that not every snack meant sitting still in a restaurant.

We stayed in these places in early 2020 with our two daughters, Zofia and Tamara. None of the hosts knew we wrote a travel blog, and we have no commercial relationship with any of them. We cannot confirm that each place still operates as described.

How we chose family accommodation in Thailand

Location came first. We wanted to be near the main sights but also have a garden, courtyard or pool where the children could play. We avoided places where children are expected to sit quietly all day.

Most of our bookings had free cancellation. That turned out to matter a great deal: at the end of our trip, COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, and we had to cancel the rest of our plans and fly home early. Most of our hosts were understanding and helped us rebook.

A toddler rides a wooden rocking horse in a garden with brick walls and plants in Thailand.
Places where children could simply play mattered to us more than hotel stars.Image: Love travelling family

Bangkok near Khao San Road: Time Sabai 134

For our first days in Bangkok we chose the old town area near Khao San Road, a short ride from the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. Time Sabai 134 was a hostel with family rooms, and ours had its own bathroom and plenty of space.

The best part was the garden, with small ponds and tropical plants where the girls could run while one of us still slept. The staff told us about a local temple festival nearby, where we were the only foreigners, and one of the receptionists brought Zofia fruit from the market and taught her a game with stones. Khao San Road itself felt touristy to us; the surrounding neighbourhood was full of life and well worth exploring on foot.

A small girl walks along a wooden walkway through a green garden at a Bangkok guesthouse.
The garden at Time Sabai 134, where the girls could play safely in the middle of the city.Image: Love travelling family

Ayutthaya: stay longer than a day trip

Ayutthaya, the former capital of the Kingdom of Siam, is listed by UNESCO for its historic city. 1 Many people visit it as a day trip from Bangkok, but we planned two nights, loved it, and stayed longer.

Most of the temple ruins are on the river island, so it makes sense to stay on or close to it. The streets are not pedestrian friendly, with heavy traffic and few pavements, and we did not feel comfortable cycling with children. Tuk-tuks were affordable and became one of the girls’ favourite parts of the visit.

We stayed at Phuttal Residence by the Chao Phraya, in a family apartment with a bedroom, living room, kitchen and a garden facing the river. The owner kept in touch by message, arranged transport and even found us a place nearby when we extended our stay at short notice.

A bright living room with a wooden sofa, colourful cushions and carved furniture in Ayutthaya.
The living room of our family apartment at Phuttal Residence in Ayutthaya.Image: Love travelling family

A last night near Suvarnabhumi Airport

Our plan was to finish the trip with a riverside hotel in Bangkok. Instead, the pandemic changed everything, and we booked one night at At Residence Suvarnabhumi, a few kilometres from the airport, between our flight from Koh Samui and the flight home.

For a single night with tired children it worked well: a small house with a kitchen and an upper sleeping level, a pool with a shallow area, a shuttle to the terminal and toiletry packs, so we barely had to unpack.

A blue outdoor swimming pool surrounded by plants at a hotel near Suvarnabhumi Airport.
The pool at At Residence Suvarnabhumi, our last night before the flight home.Image: Love travelling family

What to look for in your own booking

  • A garden, courtyard or pool where children can move freely.
  • A fridge and kettle in the room for snacks, milk and quiet evenings.
  • Easy access to a river pier, BTS or MRT station in Bangkok.
  • Free cancellation where possible, especially on longer trips.
  • Recent reviews from other families about noise, safety and how staff treat children.

More from our Thailand journey

Read about our first days in Bangkok, our Thailand family travel notes and the full Thailand with kids guide. Check current travel advice before you book. 2

This journal is part of our Thailand with Kids guide, with a suggested route and more stories from the same journey.

Good to know

A couple of useful questions

Where is the best area to stay in Bangkok with kids?

It depends on your plans. For first-time sightseeing we liked the old town near Khao San Road, close to the Grand Palace and Wat Pho. Being near a river pier or train station makes getting around much easier.

Is Ayutthaya worth an overnight stay with children?

For us, yes. We planned two nights and extended. Staying overnight lets you see the ruins in the cooler hours instead of rushing a day trip from Bangkok.

Is it easy to walk around Ayutthaya with kids?

Not really. Traffic is heavy and pavements are poor, so we used tuk-tuks rather than walking or cycling with the children.

Sources and useful links

References for the practical information in this article:

Information checked on 22 October 2026.