Hotel Once Bangkok — Rooftop River Views and a Private Jacuzzi, Ranked #4 in Bangkok
On the historic Charoenkrung Road at Soi 72/2 in Bang Kho Laem district, a nine-storey boutique hotel has earned a remarkable position — Hotel Once Bangkok is ranked #4 out of 1,384 Bangkok hotels on TripAdvisor, based on 1,112 genuine guest reviews. The combination of a rooftop bar overlooking the Chao Phraya River, Executive Jacuzzi rooms with freestanding baths, and a genuinely attentive team makes it a rare find at this price point. 43 rooms, outdoor pool, 5-minute walk to Asiatique The Riverfront. From approximately THB 1,800/night · Score 9.2/10 (Service 9.4 · Cleanliness 9.4).
Hotel Once Bangkok opened in 2014 on Charoenkrung — Bangkok's first paved road and one of the city's most character-filled streets. The neighbourhood offers a compelling mix of century-old shophouses, independent coffee spots, contemporary art galleries and the busy Asiatique The Riverfront just a five-minute stroll away. The hotel's nine-storey building was conceived in a Modern Classic style: deep green walls, dark timber furnishings with colonial-era references, and a loft sensibility that feels simultaneously nostalgic and contemporary.
Across its 43 rooms, guests choose between Deluxe King, Deluxe Twin, Executive Jacuzzi Room and Executive Twin Studio configurations. The Executive Jacuzzi Room generates the most enthusiasm in reviews — a private jacuzzi or freestanding bathtub becomes the centrepiece of a room roughly 40 sq m, paired with the hotel's dark-wood aesthetic for a genuinely indulgent feel. One important note from real reviews: some Standard-category rooms have obscured windows that limit natural light, creating a slightly enclosed atmosphere. Always specify your room preference — or contact the hotel directly — when booking.
"Very clean and really nice-smelling. Staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. The rooftop view is stunning — great value for the price."
The hotel's most talked-about feature across 1,112 reviews is the Top Knot Rooftop Bar and Restaurant on the ninth floor. At sunset and into the night, views over the Chao Phraya River and Bangkok's skyline are genuinely beautiful — multiple reviewers describe the evening there as the best moment of their entire Bangkok trip. The café and bar offerings extend to Ron Ron Slow Bar for unhurried morning coffee and Bacon Salmon Pizza Caravan for casual dining, giving the property a full day's rhythm without ever needing to step out.
In terms of connectivity, Asiatique The Riverfront is a five-minute walk. From Asiatique, the Chao Phraya Express Boat reaches BTS Saphan Taksin (Taksin Bridge) quickly, connecting to the BTS Silom Line. Upriver, the same boats run to Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Tha Chang pier and the Grand Palace — making day trips to Bangkok's temple belt easy and inexpensive. Charoenkrung itself is a strong slow-travel destination: the street rewards those who walk it unhurriedly, stopping at hidden cafés, murals and local food vendors that have traded here for decades.
Honest notes from the review record: the outdoor pool is modestly sized and, as several guests point out, is not the hotel's headline attraction compared to the rooftop and room quality. Some rooms have noise from air-conditioning units or external machinery, particularly on lower floors. Water pressure in certain bathrooms has also been noted as modest. And since there is no free hotel shuttle, anyone needing to reach Sukhumvit or Silom CBD directly should budget for a Grab ride (approximately THB 60–100 to BTS Saphan Taksin) or plan around the river-boat timetable.
What genuinely distinguishes Hotel Once Bangkok is its service record. A Service score of 9.4/10 across over a thousand reviews reflects consistent, meaningful hospitality — complimentary room upgrades, warm welcome drinks, and staff who answer travel questions knowledgeably. For a stay priced from approximately THB 1,800/night for Deluxe rooms and THB 3,500–4,500 for Executive Jacuzzi rooms, this is a boutique experience that punches above the standard for its category along the riverside.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Spotlessly clean rooms with a distinctive boutique fragrance — the aesthetic is consistently praised
- ✓ Warm, attentive staff; several guests received complimentary room upgrades on arrival
- ✓ Top Knot Rooftop Bar with river views is a genuine highlight, especially at sunset
- ✓ Convenient walk to Asiatique; river boats connect easily to Bangkok's key temple sites
- ! Some rooms have obscured windows with limited natural light — can feel enclosed
- ! No direct BTS access; Grab or river ferry needed to reach central Silom or Sukhumvit
- ! Pool is small and not the main draw; manage expectations if a pool is a priority
- ✓ Jacuzzi rooms offer excellent value compared to similarly equipped hotels elsewhere in Bangkok
- ✓ Breakfast quality praised for taste and variety across multiple reviews
- ✓ Quiet, romantic atmosphere well-suited to couples and solo travellers
- ✓ Free private parking — a genuine rarity in this neighbourhood
- ! Some noise from air-conditioning units or external machinery, especially on lower floors
- ! Water pressure in certain bathrooms reported as modest
- ! Superior-category rooms significantly smaller than Executive; the difference is noticeable
- 💡If natural light in your room matters — specify an Executive-category room or a higher floor when booking. Some Standard rooms have opaque-style windows that limit daylight. Contact the hotel directly to confirm before check-in.
- 💡If you need BTS access every day — there is no free shuttle. Budget THB 60–100 per Grab ride to BTS Saphan Taksin, or use the Chao Phraya Express Boat from near Asiatique. Factor this into your daily transport budget.
- 💡If an Executive Jacuzzi Room is the reason for your stay — these rooms book out weeks in advance during high season (November–February) and on holiday weekends. Book at least two to three weeks ahead and lock in a free-cancellation rate.