Nana Area Overview: Bangkok's International Hub
The Nana area in Bangkok refers to the neighborhood centered on Sukhumvit Sois 4 through 11, anchored by BTS Nana Station. It's Bangkok's most international district — developed over decades to serve the city's expatriate community and international tourism market. The result is a neighborhood that functions smoothly for visitors from any country:
- English widely spoken throughout all service businesses
- International food options covering every major cuisine
- 24-hour activity on main streets and Soi 4
- ATMs and currency exchange on every block
- Pharmacies with English-speaking staff
- 7-Eleven convenience stores every 100 meters
- BTS connection to the entire city
This guide covers the Nana area from the perspective of a guest at Royal Ivory Nana Hotel (73 Sukhumvit Soi 4) — the area's top-rated hotel and the best base for exploring everything below.
Everything Within Walking Distance of Royal Ivory Nana Hotel
Under 5 Minutes Walk
- Nana Plaza: 200m — 4-story entertainment complex (6 PM–2 AM)
- BTS Nana Station: 300m — city-wide access via Skytrain
- Soi 4 street food stalls: from 30m — Thai food 50–120 THB
- 7-Eleven stores: multiple within 100m — open 24 hours
- Currency exchange booths: 200m toward BTS station
- Pharmacy (Boots): near BTS Nana, English-speaking staff
- ATMs: multiple banks within 200m radius
5–10 Minutes Walk
- Sukhumvit Soi 11: upscale bars, Indian restaurants, jazz venues
- Arabic restaurant zone (Soi 3): Arabic, Lebanese, Turkish cuisine
- Sukhumvit night market area: street shopping, snacks
- Foodland Supermarket: large supermarket near BTS Nana
- Nana Square: small mall with services
- Multiple exchange booths: competitive rates near BTS
10–15 Minutes Walk
- Sukhumvit Soi 22 area: local Thai restaurants, quieter ambiance
- Asok intersection: Terminal 21 mall, MRT Sukhumvit station
- Soi Cowboy: second famous entertainment street
Where to Eat in the Nana Area: Dining Guide
The Nana area has arguably Bangkok's most diverse dining scene. Within 10 minutes of Royal Ivory Nana Hotel:
Thai Food
- Soi 4 street stalls: Authentic Thai at 50–120 THB per dish — best value in the area
- Royal Ivory Hotel Restaurant: Thai and international in-house dining
- Sukhumvit local restaurants: Restaurant-quality Thai at 150–300 THB
Indian Cuisine
- Sukhumvit Soi 11: Concentrated cluster of excellent Indian restaurants
- Northern Indian, South Indian, and Pakistani options available
- Range: 200–600 THB per person
Arabic & Middle Eastern
- Soi 3 area (Arab Street): Lebanese, Arabic, Turkish restaurants
- Shisha cafes and bakeries also available
- Halal certified options throughout
Japanese
- Multiple Japanese restaurants on Sois 6–8
- Japanese izakayas on Sukhumvit main road
- Range: 300–800 THB per person
Western
- International bar-restaurants throughout Soi 4 and Soi 11
- Sports bars with European pub food
- Burger and pizza options on Sukhumvit main road
Best Budget Eating Strategy
Breakfast: Included at Royal Ivory Nana Hotel — never spend on breakfast.
Lunch: Soi 4 street stalls — 60–120 THB, authentic Thai.
Dinner: Choose cuisine based on the evening's destination. Pre-Nana Plaza dinners work well at the Soi 11 restaurant strip.
Entertainment in the Nana Area
Nana Plaza (Primary)
200 meters from Royal Ivory Nana Hotel — Bangkok's most famous entertainment complex. 4 floors, bars, restaurants, live shows, international atmosphere. Open 6 PM–2 AM daily. Full guide: Nana Plaza Guide.
Soi 4 Bars
Multiple bars directly on Soi 4 between the hotel and Nana Plaza entrance. These are quieter, more relaxed options for those who want a drink without the full Nana Plaza atmosphere. Good for early evening before moving to the complex.
Soi 11 Nightlife
10-minute walk — more sophisticated bar scene with rooftop venues, live music bars, and cocktail lounges. Popular with expats and professionals. Better for those wanting quality cocktails and music over nightclub atmosphere.
Soi Cowboy (via BTS)
15 minutes — 2 BTS stops to Asok, then short walk to Soi Cowboy. Bangkok's second entertainment street, more compact than Nana Plaza and different in atmosphere. Read the comparison: Nana Plaza vs Soi Cowboy.
Essential Services in the Nana Area
Healthcare
- Bumrungrad International Hospital: World-class, English-speaking — 1.5 km from hotel (taxi 5 min)
- Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital: 2 km east of Nana
- Boots Pharmacy: Near BTS Nana — English-speaking pharmacists, international medicines
- 24-hour pharmacy: Multiple options on Sukhumvit Road
Banking & Currency
- ATMs: Bangkok Bank, Kasikorn, SCB within 200m of hotel
- Currency exchange: Super Rich and other exchange booths near BTS Nana — better rates than hotels or airports
- Note: Exchange booths on Sukhumvit near BTS offer best rates in area
Shopping
- 7-Eleven / Family Mart: Every 50–100m — snacks, drinks, toiletries 24 hours
- Foodland Supermarket: Full supermarket near BTS Nana
- Terminal 21 (1 BTS stop): Full mall with international brands, cinemas, excellent food court
- Nana Square: Small mall near the intersection
Laundry
- Multiple laundry services on Soi 4 — 50–80 THB/kg
- Royal Ivory Nana Hotel laundry service also available
- Same-day service available if dropped off in morning
Transport from Nana Area
BTS Nana Station (2 min from hotel)
| Destination | Stops | Time | Cost |
|---|
| Asok / Terminal 21 | 1 | 3 min | 16 THB |
| Phrom Phong | 2 | 6 min | 23 THB |
| Siam | 4 | 12 min | 37 THB |
| Hua Lamphong (Old City) | 8 via transfer | 30 min | 45 THB |
| Mo Chit (Chatuchak) | 9 | 28 min | 59 THB |
Taxi / Grab
- Grab app: Download for transparent metered pricing
- Grand Palace: 150–200 THB by Grab
- Suvarnabhumi Airport: 350–450 THB
- Don Mueang Airport: 250–350 THB
Best Hotel in the Nana Area: Royal Ivory Nana
Located at 73 Sukhumvit Soi 4, Royal Ivory Nana Hotel is the optimal base for experiencing everything this guide covers. 200 meters from Nana Plaza, 2 minutes from BTS Nana, and positioned on the quiet side of Soi 4 for genuine rest between explorations.
- 90 rooms from 32–80 sqm with authentic Thai design
- No joiner charge — for all guests, always
- Outdoor pool, restaurant, free WiFi, breakfast included
- 4.2/5 from 850+ international guest reviews
- Free tuk-tuk shuttle to BTS Nana
- Multi-language staff (English, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, Korean)