Riva Arun
The river is where you will probably stay on your trip to Bangkok. The Chao Praya banks are home to the main sights and sounds of the city. With that said though, most of the hotels are down south, away from where all the action really is. I had a free weekend so I decided I wanted to stay at a hotel and be both on the river and smack in the middle of the action. Once my boss, legendary hotel designer Bill Bensley, recommended the small boutique hotel called Riva Arun, I was sold, and I was there the next night.
Location: A
Yeah, the location is solid. This is the view from the rooftop restaurant. Solid.
This is right where you want to be in the city. You’re walking distance to all the historical sites and beautiful neighborhoods of this part of Bangkok, plus right on the river with direct views of the legendary Wat Arun. In terms of location, I’d go so far as to say this is the best option in the city. It’s also somewhat tucked away, so you get a bit of privacy as well, even whilst being within close walking distance to so many sites. So if you are looking for a hotel to serve as nothing more than comfortable sleeping quarters, Riva Arun would more than do the job.
Rooms: B+
They’re tiny. That’s the issue here. Like puny. A box. BUT, with white finishes and lots of mirrors strategically placed all around the room, along with clever layouts in terms of the outlets, storage, and bathroom, it doesn’t necessarily feel cramped either. It is a super comfortable bed as well, so that’s a big plus. Also, they let me check out their suite with a view of Wat Arun. While the view was spectacular (see: blog thumbnail photo), it was almost double the price, even with a discount for me, and really not that much larger of a room. The only difference was the “full bathroom” but even that was quite small anyway. For me, not entirely worth it, as I could see Wat Arun from the rooftop anyway.
Dining: A-
I only had dinner once on the rooftop, and it was absolutely awesome. We got a seafood platter that was actually so so good in all accounts, to go along with great drinks and an even better view of the river and boats floating in front of Wat Arun. I was not planning on eating here, but I am definitely very glad I did. In terms of breakfast, no comment as I did not try it, but I am sure it was solid (but not as good as the coffee and baguette from Old Town Cafe, just a 10 minute walk away and as worth it as worth it gets).
A nice welcome drink was well-appreciated while I waited to get my room.
Service: B-
Look, I get its COVID. But the staff here felt like they were all in training. Check in lady didn’t know what buttons to press, they were on their phones when I would walk by, no greetings from the cleaning staff, etc. With that said though, everyone was very kind in my direct interactions with them, so I can’t really complain. But yeah, not the best. Maybe its different when times are normal and things are operating at full capacity. Who knows.
At the end of the day, you’re staying at this hotel for its unbeatable location. I didn’t even do an amenities section because, frankly, there are no amenities here and there does not need to be. Rooms are small, sure, but they’re beautifully decorated with a comfy bed and that’s all you need! Add a great rooftop restaurant with stunning views, and you’ve got yourself a solid option in Bangkok’s Old Town.