The country's beating heart, Thailand's capital city is home to diverse and varied cultures, languages and people. On the surface Bangkok is now a modern Asian mega city with towering steel and glass skyscrapers and a justified reputation for traffic and smog, but scratch through the veneer and a gentler, peaceful and very oriental face is revealed.

Bangkok is not just one of Asia's most exciting cities; it is a great place to discover a unique culture. Where else can you take a canal-boat from your ultra-swanky designer hotel to a floating fruit market around the corner before arriving at a golden Buddhist temple? Shop, spa, eat, drink, party: Bangkok has it all.

Many people rush in and out of Bangkok on their way to beaches or to Chiang Mai or Indochina where they expect to discover the real Asia. Those in the know will tell you that the real Asia is right here in Bangkok. We recommend you to spend at least two and preferably three nights here to get below the surface of our amazing capital city.

Where to stay in Bangkok?

There is a wide spectrum of accommodation choices so let us advise you on the best. First decide if you want to stay by the river or in the city. Then whether you want a big smart address or a boutique residence. We have been getting very good feedback from clients who have booked our interesting independent hotels listed below.

Near the River

If it's your first visit to Bangkok and you are visiting purely for leisure you really should stay on the riverside. There is a wide choice of big name hotels offering various degrees of comfort but for an intimate encounter with Thai hospitality why not try Navalai, a new mid-range property situated close to the Grand Palace and Wat Po. For a step up in luxury, we highly recommend the new Hilton Millennium and the classy The Peninsula. Le Bua, with spacious rooms and super-hip restaurants such as Sirocco and Breeze, is a great place to base yourself while discovering the City of Angels. Also recommended in the old town and not far from the river is the eight-room Old Bangkok Inn. The Marriot Riverside is also a very pleasant low-rise resort on the river offering all the necessary facilities.

City Hotels

In the city center several boutique and modern options can be found. For a unique and eclectic stay at a reasonable price, we recommend The Heritage Baan Silom. A more upscale boutique hotel is The Eugenia, a charming property with loads of character. Families, business travelers, or those seeking a bit more independence will enjoy Bandara Suites which come equipped with kitchenettes and living room areas right in the heart of Bangkok. For modern options with a touch of style, we highly rate The Sukhothai and the smart Metropolitan, sister hotel of the London style-setter. We also like Triple Two on Silom Road while further east is the lesser-known The Davis, which offers excellent rates. If you want to stay in a brand name five-star then Sofitel Silom offers everything you could possible need, including a fabulous wine bar with great city views.

What to see in Bangkok?

To complement the modern travelers' love affair with the unusual and experiential travel, Exotissimo offers a range of new and interesting tours in Thailand that take you off the well-worn tourist trails and focus on the wonders of Thai culture. First time visitors should undoubtedly see The Grand Palace but you should also join one of our many day trips, which involve canal-boats, a walk through the markets or a visit to a little known museum.

If you have enough time in the capital then take a day trip by boat through the canals to Koh Kret island where you can explore the old pottery villages by foot or bike. Try and join at weekends when the island’s market is at its liveliest. Otherwise a great day out is a tour up to Amphawa, visiting the famous floating market area and beyond to the little known villages, orchards and temples that surround Bangkok. More glamorous, and just as rewarding, is a day trip aboard one of the many luxury cruise boats to Thailand's ancient capital city of Ayutthaya. For your first dinner in Bangkok we suggest joining an evening dinner cruise on the Manohra Boat in Bangkok.

Around Bangkok

Looking for nature but don't have the time to fly to the north of Thailand? Kanchanaburi (a couple of hours' drive from Bangkok) offers great jungle accommodation where you have a real wilderness feeling and can do long or short treks and even elephant riding or bamboo rafts. If you need your comforts then stay at the charming River Kwai Resotel, or if you are looking for adventure try the Jungle Rafts or even Hin Tok River Camp, a small, newly built tented resort on the river side that offers luxury tents (including air-conditioning, timber flooring and shower with hot water) and an excellent choice for nature lovers. For a real adventure try going as far as Sanghklaburi. The accommodation is a little basic but the rewards are great scenery, charming towns and a combination of Thai, Burmese, Mon and Karen culture. We have a number of package tour ideas or build a visit to Kanchanaburi into your tailor-made tour of Thailand.

Khao Yai National Park is another excellent place to experience Thailand. You can trek through the jungle to see wild elephants and a wide range of flora and fauna. Alternatively you can spend the day cycling through vineyards and sampling award winning wines at the various different wineries in the area. Our accommodation recommendations include The Village Farm and Winery or the luxurious and beautifully designed Kirimaya Resort, which is complete with an 18-hole golf course designed by Jack Nicalaus.

For those in search of a truly romantic and luxurious experience, a three-day, two-night cruise to Ayuthaya aboard the well appointed Manohra Song teak rice barge is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Enjoy exquisite candlelit dinners, morning temple tours and cruising along the fascinating River of Kings. Or why not take the Mekhala Cruise, another rice barge but a more affordable option, to Ayuthaya and then continue touring through Central Thailand.