You have your own bed, but there are still many reasons to explore the mushrooming world of small and boutique hotels around Bangkok: You might want to find a nice room for your visiting friends, or perhaps you need a place for inspiration, escape or a dirty weekend. Here are four to consider.

Arun Residence

A true boutique hotel with just five rooms, Arun Residence (36-38 Soi Pratoo Nok Yoong, Maharat Rd., 02-221-9158) sits on the edge of (and partly over) the Chao Phraya, directly across from Wat Arun, and it’s set up to take full advantage of the view. Three of the four regular rooms have big windows onto the river, and with double-height ceilings and cozy sleeping lofts, they maintain a balance between airiness and privacy. (The walls are a bit thin, though.) The romantic Arun suite, which occupies the entire third floor, has a good-sized private deck. The décor is earthy and understated, with polished cement walls, lots of wood and all-white bed linens, but there are touches of luxury in all the right places (like beautiful, modern bathrooms, DVD players and free wireless throughout the building). The two-level, mostly alfresco restaurant, The Deck, serves high-end Western and Thai food at reasonable prices (about B100 for most Thai dishes, B650 for foie gras).
Standard room: B2,950
Arun Suite: B4,700 (all prices include taxes and continental breakfast)

Dream

You see Tata Young set the room on fire in her music video, but you’ll be glad to know that the rooms here are still safe and sound, right in the heart of the city. Dream (10 Sukhumvit Soi 15, 02-254-8534, www.dreambkk.com), is sister to Dream New York, and appropriately mixes glossy American and Thai influence in its high-ceiling lobby lounge. All 101 of the rooms are equipped with everything you could wish for, including high speed broadband internet access, Egyptian cotton sheets and blue “therapy light,” which supposedly encourages a deep, restful sleep. Its Flava restaurant is nice and chic, as long as you can afford B600 pad thai. Doesn’t that sound just like the kind of place Tata would love to stay?
Standard room: US$180 (B6,708)
Dream Suite: US$295 (B11,090)

The Eugenia

It’s hard to resist falling in love with The Eugenia (267 Soi Sukhumvit 31, 02-259-9011, www.theeugenia.com) at first sight. Just a glance at the British-Indian decoration and the first thing that comes to mind is that “it’s not a hotel.” Feeling more like the residence of an English gentleman who cherishes the charm of the Orient, The Eugenia will make you feel like a guest invited to join an afternoon tea and spend a night resting in a nice comfortable room specially prepared to welcome an old companion back home. Limited to 12 suites, it ensures your privacy. Although decorated with antique furniture, all rooms are equipped with full facilities. Wifi, mini bar and UBC cable TV are provided. Downstairs, they have a cozy cafe, swim-able pool (if you don’t mind the neighbor construction site) and lounge serving you various cocktails (including its signature, The Eugenia at B280).
Sawasdee Suite: B5,800.
The Eugenia Suite: B6,200.

Shanghai Inn

Like a lost city, the three-star boutique hotel is hidden from those who don’t look for it. With Top’s Supermarket on the first floor and the hotel sign hanging among thousands of others on Yaowarat Road, Shanghai Inn (479-481 Yaowarat Rd., 02-221-2121, www.shotw.com/shanghai-inn) sits on the fourth and fifth floors of the old Yaowarat Square. The designer hotel blends modern amenities with traditional Chinese touches. The 51 superior rooms and four junior suites are small but equipped with top-end facilities like in-room wifi, mini bar, safe deposit box and satellite TV. Only the junior suites have windows that can be opened to the view of Chinatown. The Tea House terrace, open daily 6:30am-10:30pm, serves breakfast in the morning, tea in the afternoon and sinful drinks in the early evening. For real food, guests can head downstairs for Krua Jengor and Tohkai.
Superior Room: B2,300
Junior Suite: B4,000