Bangkok is something of a rite of passage on most backpackers itineraries through SE Asia, but that does not mean this city has nothing to offer to travelers who are no longer on the backpacker circuit. There are plenty of super cheap hotels in Bangkok, and also several high-end hotels as well. Your money may go a bit further here, where you can afford a slightly higher quality hotel than you normally stay in, which can be a fun splurge when you are traveling.
Bangkok is a big and busy city, but luckily it is well-served by several methods of public transport. This makes getting around easy, and means you do not have to be tied to paying more for a hotel than you want to just because you found one near the main sights you want to see. From things like buses and taxis to more Bangkok-specific transportation modes like the Skytrain, you will be able to get from your hotel to whatever you want to see and do in the city.
Because Bangkok is such a big city, there are a few generalizations you can make about some of the neighborhoods and whether you will find cheap hotels in Bangkok there. The prices that you will find along Khao San Road will be tempting, but that is the main street for the backpacker and hostel crowd. So even if you are staying in a hotel, it is likely to be a more noisy neighborhood at night. You will find some of Bangkok’s most expensive hotels along the river. Sukhumvit Road is a good place to look for budget hotels.
Here are a few budget hotel options in Bangkok you may want to consider for your trip: Royal Asia Lodge Hotel (close to Sukhumvit Road and near a Skytrain station, offers free tuk tuk shuttle service 24 hours a day to and from Sukhumvit Road), Majestic Suites (55 rooms on Sukhumvit Road with a coffee shop/restaurant), Viengtai Hotel (one block from Khao San Road, hotel has a restaurant and swimming pool), and Bhiman Inn (in historic Bangkok within walking distance of both Khao San Road and Emerald Buddha Temple).