AVANI+ Riverside Bangkok — 25th-Floor Infinity Pool Over the Chao Phraya, No Photoshop Required
If you want to tell people you stayed on the banks of the Chao Phraya, swam in a rooftop infinity pool with a view of Wat Arun, and didn't pay classic heritage-hotel prices to do it — AVANI+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel is the most direct answer. Minor Hotels' contemporary 5-star opened in 2016 on Charoen Nakhon Road, Thon Buri, with 250 rooms, a 25-metre infinity pool on the 25th floor, the SEEN rooftop bar and restaurant, and a complimentary shuttle boat to Saphan Taksin BTS pier. Rated 8.8/10 from more than 9,000 Agoda reviews. From approx. ฿4,500/night for a standard river-view room.
AVANI+ Riverside Bangkok Hotel opened in 2016 as Minor Hotels' answer to a simple question: can a modern, design-forward property compete on the Chao Phraya without the century of history that Mandarin Oriental or The Peninsula carry? The short answer, backed by thousands of guest reviews, is largely yes. The hotel occupies 257 Charoen Nakhon Road, Thon Buri, on the west bank of the river, directly connected to Riverside Plaza Bangkok — a mall containing a supermarket, pharmacies, cafes and restaurants — so guests never feel marooned on the wrong side of the city.
All 250 rooms are fitted with floor-to-ceiling windows that make river views accessible beyond the most expensive tiers. Core room categories run from Skyline River View Rooms with a queen or king bed up through AVANI River View Junior Suites featuring a freestanding bathtub with a city-skyline view, and one-, two- and three-bedroom suites for groups and families. Standard rooms start from approximately ฿4,500–฿6,000 per night depending on season and lead time, with suites climbing considerably higher.
"The infinity pool on the 25th floor is absolutely stunning — watching the sun set over the Chao Phraya with a cocktail in hand is something you won't forget. Staff were warm and attentive throughout our stay."
The centrepiece is the 25-metre infinity pool on the 25th floor — not a vanity plunge pool but a proper lap-capable stretch with sweeping views of Wat Arun, the Chao Phraya and Bangkok's skyline. At sunset the light on the river turns genuinely golden and the pool deck becomes one of the more photographed spots in Bangkok. For dining and drinks above the waterline, SEEN Restaurant and Bar at the top of the building serves fusion cuisine and creative cocktails with indoor-outdoor seating open to the river breeze — it's also accessible to non-guests who book ahead.
Getting in and out is easier than the Thon Buri address suggests. The hotel's complimentary shuttle boat runs throughout the day between the hotel jetty and Sathorn Pier (BTS Saphan Taksin, Silom Line) — roughly 10–15 minutes on the water. From Saphan Taksin, Siam is five stations north and Asoke is within comfortable BTS range. The shuttle also stops at ICONSIAM, the riverside mega-mall directly across the river, making it possible to go shopping or dining there without ever touching a road. Asiatique The Riverfront is a short boat ride south. For travellers comfortable with boats, the access story is actually better than several city-centre hotels that still require a taxi for the last stretch.
Across more than 9,000 Agoda reviews and 1,800+ on Booking.com, the consistent praise lands on the same points: the river views from floor-to-ceiling windows, the infinity pool, a breakfast buffet that guests describe as genuinely extensive, and staff rated highly for attentiveness and English fluency. The more balanced reviews note that the pool deck gets crowded at sunset, particularly on weekends, that food and beverage prices inside the hotel are firmly 5-star premium, and that a handful of reviews report unpleasant odours in certain bathrooms — a real quality-control note worth knowing before arrival. Check-in queues can also lengthen during peak check-in windows.
Beyond the pool and rooftop, the AvaniFit Gym offers modern equipment, AvaniSpa provides massage and wellness treatments, and guests can also access the spa facilities at the adjacent Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort, which operates under the same ownership group. Free parking with valet service and EV charging stations make the hotel workable for guests arriving by car, which is unusual for riverside Bangkok properties.
To put it plainly: AVANI+ Riverside Bangkok delivers genuine river views, a standout infinity pool and a contemporary energy that punches above its price point relative to Bangkok's heritage riverside properties. It is not the choice for travellers seeking the kind of layered history that Mandarin Oriental or The Peninsula offer — and if walking directly to a BTS station matters, the boat dependency will feel like friction. But for those who want modern luxury, a pool with a view, a rooftop worth dressing up for, and a shuttle boat that takes care of the river crossing — this is one of the most compelling 5-star river options in Bangkok at a price that reflects that clearly.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Immaculate rooms with floor-to-ceiling river views matching the photos
- ✓ Breakfast buffet with an extensive range of Thai and international dishes
- ✓ Free shuttle boat to Sathorn Pier and ICONSIAM is genuinely convenient
- ✓ Friendly, English-speaking staff across all areas of the hotel
- ! Some bathrooms reported to have unpleasant odours by multiple guests
- ! Infinity pool gets crowded at sunset and on weekend afternoons
- ! Check-in can be slow during the busy late-afternoon arrival window
- ✓ Every room has real river views through floor-to-ceiling windows, not just premium categories
- ✓ 25th-floor infinity pool is large enough to actually swim, with spectacular views
- ✓ Riverside Plaza mall attached to the hotel — groceries and affordable restaurants on site
- ✓ Free parking with valet and EV charging for guests arriving by car
- ! Pool bar and poolside service slow down noticeably during peak daytime hours
- ! In-hotel food and beverage prices are firmly 5-star — significantly above Riverside Plaza prices
- ! Thon Buri location means every journey involves the river shuttle or a taxi — no direct BTS walk
- 💡If you need a quiet, uncrowded pool all day — the 25th-floor pool is a busy social spot at sunset and on weekends. Go early morning or after 19:00 for a relaxed swim. If total pool privacy matters, look at villa-style properties instead.
- 💡If walking to the BTS is non-negotiable — the hotel is on the west bank and every trip involves the shuttle boat (10–15 min) or a taxi. The shuttle is free and reliable, but it is still a step. If you want a station within walking distance, consider a hotel on the east bank.
- 💡If bathroom freshness is a priority — a consistent thread in reviews mentions bathroom odour in certain rooms. Report it immediately to the front desk and request a room change if needed; the hotel's overall maintenance scores are high and most stays have no issue.