Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok — 5-Star Chao Phraya with 60 sqm Suites, Infinity Pool & Free River Shuttle
Stand on your private balcony and the Chao Phraya stretches out in both directions, lit gold in the evening sun. Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok is a multi-award-winning five-star hotel at 28 Charoenkrung Soi 70, Bang Kho Laem — one of the last stretches of genuine riverside calm before the city gives way to commercial sprawl. Its 396 rooms and suites start at a generous 60 square metres, every one with a private balcony looking out at river or city. The 35-metre infinity pool hangs over the Chao Phraya; the free shuttle boat runs to BTS Saphan Taksin and ICONSIAM throughout the day. Overall score is 9.3 out of 10 from 1,516 verified Trip.com reviews. Standard rooms start from approximately THB 4,200 per night.
Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok sits at 28 Charoenkrung Soi 70 in the Bang Kho Laem district — south of the main riverside hotel strip, which is exactly why it tends to feel quieter. The hotel opened around 2010 and has been a consistent performer in the upper tier of Bangkok's river hotels: large enough to deliver true resort-style amenities, but not so large that it loses personality. All 396 rooms and suites start at 60 square metres, which places every category — including the entry-level Grand Deluxe — significantly above the standard square footage found at comparable five-star properties elsewhere in Bangkok. Room types run from Grand Deluxe City View and River View (both 60 sq m) through One Bedroom Suite (70 sq m), Two Bedroom Suite (120 sq m), Premier Suites of 125–250 sq m, up to the Presidential Suite at 460 sq m. Every room has a private balcony, floor-to-ceiling windows, a kitchenette, and a full private bathroom.
The 35-metre infinity-edge pool is the facility that guests mention most. It edges out over the Chao Phraya with an unobstructed view of the river, and the Pool Bar alongside it turns the daily sunset into an event rather than a backdrop. Elsewhere, Nemita Spa covers Thai massage, aromatherapy and facial treatments; the gym is well-equipped; there is a sauna; a children's playground keeps families covered; and the executive lounge on the 36th floor offers afternoon tea, evening cocktails and city-river panoramas for guests in Club categories. The overall amenities package is rarely criticised in reviews — the hotel's size makes the spread feel natural rather than forced.
"The pool overlooking the Chao Phraya is the best hotel pool I've seen in Bangkok. Rooms are massive for the price. The free boat to BTS made the location a non-issue."
The location question — and the hotel is honest about it — is that Charoenkrung Soi 70 is not on the doorstep of Silom or the main tourist belt. The hotel's answer is the complimentary shuttle boat, which runs to Saphan Taksin BTS and to ICONSIAM at regular intervals throughout the day. From Saphan Taksin you can reach Siam, Asok or anywhere on the Silom and Sukhumvit lines. From ICONSIAM pier, Asiatique, Chinatown and the riverside temple circuit are all reachable by river. Many guests find that the combination of boat and BTS makes the hotel's position less isolated than a map suggests, and that the 15-minute ride back on the river at dusk more than compensates for any inconvenience.
Dining on site covers several bases. River Barge Restaurant runs breakfast and dinner buffets with live music, praised for breadth and freshness — the breakfast spread draws particular attention in reviews, covering Western options (eggs made to order, pastries, bacon) alongside Asian favourites (congee, dim sum, Thai fruit, satay). Silver Waves on the 36th floor handles Cantonese cuisine with panoramic views. The Lobby Lounge works for casual drinks and lighter meals, while in-room dining runs around the clock. The honest caveat: dinner at the hotel's restaurants can be expensive relative to what you can find outside, and the shuttle boat to Asiatique or an easy taxi ride up Charoenkrung gives access to a wide range of alternatives.
Across 1,516 reviews on Trip.com and more than 4,100 on Booking.com, three themes recur on the positive side: room size, staff responsiveness, and the infinity pool. Guests consistently note that rooms feel larger than expected, that staff handle requests with a professionalism that earns specific names in reviews, and that the pool creates memories that persist beyond the stay. On the concerns side: the TV sets in some rooms are older models without streaming capability — a minor but noticeable gap for a five-star property; a small number of reviews mention insects found in rooms, which should not happen at this level and warrants immediate reporting to the front desk; and elevator waits during busy periods draw occasional complaints from a hotel of this size. None of these are consistent or structural issues, but they are worth knowing.
Set against comparable five-star riverside alternatives — the Mandarin Oriental, the Shangri-La, the Anantara Riverside — Chatrium occupies a practical middle ground: genuine five-star facilities and room sizes, at a price point that sits meaningfully below the top tier. Nightly rates start from approximately THB 4,200–5,500 for Grand Deluxe in mid-season, with River View rooms carrying a 20–30% premium. High season (November to February) pushes rates up sharply, and River View suites fill early. The value proposition is clearest in the suite categories: a 70 sq m One Bedroom Suite at Chatrium costs less than a standard room at some of its direct competitors, while delivering more space, a proper kitchen, and the same river.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Rooms are genuinely large — 60 sq m entry level with a private balcony is exceptional value at the five-star tier
- ✓ Infinity pool overlooking the Chao Phraya is one of the best hotel pool experiences in Bangkok
- ✓ Breakfast buffet is extensive and high quality; both Western and Asian options are strong
- ✓ Free shuttle boat to BTS Saphan Taksin and ICONSIAM makes the riverside location very workable
- ! Location is south of the main hotel district; guests who want to walk everywhere may find it requires planning
- ! Dinner at the hotel's own restaurants is significantly more expensive than options in the surrounding area
- ! Some rooms still have older television sets without smart-streaming capability
- ✓ Chao Phraya river views from upper-floor balconies are impressive by day and spectacular after dark
- ✓ Staff are professional, warm and proactively helpful throughout the stay
- ✓ In-room kitchenettes make this a practical option for families or extended stays
- ✓ Gym, spa, children's playground and executive lounge cover the full range of guest needs
- ! A small number of reviews report insects found in rooms — atypical for a five-star but worth flagging immediately to reception
- ! Elevator waits can be long during peak check-in and check-out periods
- ! Evening dining in the hotel restaurants is priced at a premium relative to nearby alternatives
- 💡If you need to walk out of the hotel and reach the city immediately — the riverside location in Bang Kho Laem is quiet and south of the main tourist belt. You will rely on the shuttle boat or a taxi for every excursion. For guests who want immediate BTS-level walkability, a Silom or Sukhumvit address makes more sense.
- 💡If you are sensitive to insect issues in rooms — a minority of reviews mention cockroach sightings, though it is not a pattern. Inspect the room on arrival and report any issue to reception immediately; the hotel typically resolves this with a room change without delay.
- 💡If streaming TV matters to you — some rooms still carry older television sets without smart connectivity. Mention this during check-in and request a room with an updated set if it is important; not all units have been upgraded yet.