Founded in the 14th century, and formerly capital of the Kingdom of Siam, Ayutthaya was a place brimming with temples and monumental palaces. The prangs (reliquary towers) and numerous monasteries still visible in this historic part of Thailand give an idea of the grandiose character of the city in its golden age. Once a powerful political and economic center thanks to its ideal geographical location, it was razed to the ground by the Burmese army at the end of the 18th century. Now a popular destination for visitors, it’s worth asking where to stay in Ayutthaya?
A must-see place to discover the rich historical past of this Siamese city, you’ll be won over if you decide to stay in the center, as you’ll be close to all the main places to discover. If you’re looking for a comfortable stay, then riversidehotels are just what you’re looking for. For travellers looking for affordable accommodation to make the most of their roadtrip, the east of the city offers the cheapest guesthouses and inns in Ayutthaya.
Things you need to know
Before going into detail on each area to help you decide where to stay in Ayutthaya, here are some key things you need to know about the city. This’ll give you a better idea of the city.
Our favorite places to stay
If you’re in a hurry, here are our top places to stay in Ayutthaya:
- $ This Guesthouse in the historic center,
- $$ this accommodation, located on the west side in the heart of nature,
- $$$ this modern hotel is ideally located in the historic center of Ayutthaya.
Map of different areas to stay in Ayutthaya
Here’s a map which includes our picks of hotels and flats. You can also use this map to pinpoint the different areas we’ll cover in this guide.
We’ve used the following colour code: green for budget hotels, blue for mid-range hotels and red for luxury hotels.
Essentials to stay in Ayutthaya
Areas where to stay in Ayutthaya
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Ayutthaya.
Stay in the heart of the city: the historic center
When visiting Ayutthaya, it's natural to head for the historic center to find your accommodation. Indeed, to the east of the large archaeological park that makes this small town near Bangkok so attractive, you'll find a large number of places to stay. The temples in the center and the park, which covers more than 280 hectares, are perfect for a short stay in Ayutthaya, as you'll have the best nearby.
Ayutthaya is an important city in Thailand's history. Founded in the 14th century, it was proclaimed capital of the kingdom of Siam , then partly destroyed centuries later by the Burmese army. Today, the city is still home to some of the finest remains of that era, making it one of Thailand' s top cultural tourism destinations. The must-sees in this historic part of the country, which make it an ideal place to stay, are listed below.
Here's a list of must-see temples if you decide to stay on Ayutthaya Island:
- Wat Maha That: Ruins of an ancient temple with the famous Buddha head stuck in the roots of a tree.
- Wat Phra Si Sanphet: in the heart of the former Royal Palace, a temple with 3 preserved towers, used for religious and royal ceremonies.
- Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit: an ancient temple now rebuilt, home to a giant golden Buddha and an invitation to meditation.
- Chao Sam Phraya National Museum: a national museum displaying Templar relics from various archaeological sites, with a collection of bronze, stone and gold pieces.
In this part of the city, it's easy to find a place to stay, with different price ranges available to suit your budget. Whether you're looking for a youth hostel, a locally-run guesthouse or upmarket service, it's all here in the historic heart of Ayutthaya.
Our tips for staying close to the old town
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A guesthouse in the heart of Ayutthaya, not far from the banks of the Pasak River, offering simple, functional rooms. Very affordable, you'll be able to dine on the furnished terrace and have bicycles at your disposal to explore the city.
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Close to the Buen Phraram Park archeological park, you'll be charmed by this guest house, which can accommodate you in beautiful bungalows in exotic wood with private bathrooms. The common areas are open, with plenty of surrounding vegetation for a pleasant stay.
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Located in the south-east of the city, close to the Pasak River, this modern hotel features a swimming pool and a large furnished terrace. Guests can stay in colorful, comfortable, designer rooms with superb river views. Indoor and outdoorrestaurant.
Choosing to stay near the banks of chao phraya: the west side
Near the banks of the main river, the Chao Phraya, lies another large park to the south-east, which is also home to many small ancient ruined temples, which are also worth a visit. In this eastern sector of Ayutthaya, the atmosphere is more relaxed due to its rural aspect, and there are also a few accommodations where you can stay. It's about a 30-minute walk from the historic park and center to the river banks to the west.
Many of the area's unmissable ancient temples are within easy reach of your accommodation. These are mostly concentrated on the island itself, in the south-western part of Ayutthaya near the southern banks of the river, or in the north-western part near Wat Kassatrathirat temple. Prices in this part of town are a little higher, as the view from these hotels and guesthouses overlooks the river. As a result, you'll be more likely to find mid-range accommodation close to the river, as the east of the city is cheaper overall.
Here are just a few of the temples you can visit in this area:
- Wat Chaiwatthanaram: Ruins and restored tower of the 17th-century Khmer-style royal temple. It was inspired by the Angkor temple in Cambodia from the same artistic period.
- Wat Thammaram : On the north-western side, a small historic Buddhist temple inviting you to rest and meditate.
- Wat Tha Ka Rong: a modern temple with its own floating market.
We've chosen the most beautiful places to stay along the rivers. Fromhotels to elegant guesthouses, you have plenty of choice depending on which river you choose in relation to the sites to explore. If you don't like walking, opt for a hotel close to some of the temples mentioned, so you'll be ideally placed for your stay.
Our selection of places to stay near the banks of the river to the west
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Located on the left bank of the Chao Phraya River, to the south of the park, this pretty guesthouse on stilts welcomes you with its open spaces overlooking the banks. Staying in one of our functional rooms with terrace will provide you with a pleasant stay at good value for money.
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On the west side of the island itself, this magnificent guesthouse in the heart of nature lets you stay in bright, elegantrooms. You'll love the tasteful decor and the exotic wood in the common areas. Bicycles available for hire.
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South of the park to the west lies this magnificent guest house, surrounded by a beautiful garden and overlooking the river. Staying here will guarantee you a perfect stay in chic, traditional or modern rooms of your choice. Excellent breakfast and boat from the pier.
Choose to set down your bags in the east of ayutthaya: near the train station
As is the case for many visitors to southern Thailand, Bangkok offers a nearby airport and a connected train station serving Ayutthaya station. It will be convenient to stay in this part of the city if you choose this mode of transport to reach the region. This station is also connected to Chiang Mai, making it an ideal place to stay.
In this part of Ayutthaya, you'll find very affordable to mid-range accommodation. The quality/price ratio is very good, and you can choose between hotels or guesthouses along the river or in the lush natural surroundings. Near Rochana Road, you'll find a large number of places to stay, as well as a variety of restaurants. The floating markets are located on the northern side. It's a pretty safe place to stay in Ayutthaya if you choose to stay close to the center. It's also easier to get around and visit the island's various archaeological sites.
On the south-east side, you'll find two different large temples: Wat Yai Chai Mongkhon, with its ancient ruins to explore, and Wat Phanan Choeng Worawihan, home to a giant 19-metre golden Buddha in a restored building. On the northeast side of the city, there are two temples to see, though smaller than the more iconic ones in the heart of the city:Wat Kudi Dao and Wat Dusidaram.
It's an ideal part of town if you're on a budget and want to stay close to the train station, so you can travel quickly to Thailand's other top destinations. Less charming but still authentic, the east of Ayutthaya remains to be explored and is more abandoned by tourists. You'll find it quieter, but also more out of the way. This is not what we recommend if you're visiting for the first time, as the historic heart of Ayutthaya is much closer to the places you want to see.
Our selection of places to stay east of Ayutthaya
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Right next to the train station, on the east bank of the river, this affordable former hotel lets you stay in traditionalexotic wood rooms. The decor is simple and vintage, and you can enjoy the waterside terrace and nearby boats.
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In a large hotel complex with a traditional feel, you can stay in spacious rooms tastefully decorated with a predominance of exotic wood. A terrace overlooking the river lets you enjoy the lush garden.
You now have all the information you need to make your stay in Ayutthaya a success! As you’ve already guessed, Ayutthaya is one of Thailand’s major destinations, just 1 hour from Bangkok, making it a first choice for any roadtripper in the country. Also connected to Chiang Mai, Ayutthaya is an easy stopover between these two major cities.
To find the ideal accommodation in this small city, once the capital of the Siamese kingdom during the Khmer period, it’s best to opt for the simplest and most logical solution: stay close to the archaeological sites to be explored. The island that includes the main parks is best, as there are numerous hotels, guesthouses and inns to choose from. You’ll have an infinite choice of options, as well as access to floating markets to discover the local culture.
If, on the other hand, you prefer peace and quiet, then choosing the banks of the two rivers that meet is the best choice. Often nestled in tropical gardens, the guesthouses and resorts offer remarkable comfort and the perfect serenity for a relaxing stay.
To the east, close to the train station, you’ll find less choice, but some of the city’s most affordable establishments – a well-considered choice for the budget-conscious traveler.