A Taste of the Beach Life at Baan Sukhita in Chanthaburi, Thailand
Thailand has a lot of beaches. Some good. And some not so good. Everyone, including yours truly that is planning to stay indefinitely in Thailand is always out in the search of the best beaches as a side trip from Bangkok, either for a day or more. And that’s what we found at Baan Sukhita in Chanthaburi, Thailand.
A few weeks ago for the very first time I visited Chao Lao Beach where I made a review of Maldive Beach Resort. While driving around I came across Ao Yang by chance.
Ao Yang is a bay, so not a beach even if there is a small one. “Ao” in Thai “อ่าว” pronounced àao with a low tone means bay. But theres a small beach lined with restaurants and a parking area for visitors to the beach and restaurant customers.
The view right outside of Baan Sukhita Hotel. Quiet and peaceful bay in Chanthaburi Thailand…
There are several hotels and guesthouses along Ao Yang. But we chose to stay at Baan Sukhita because we had already seen it while driving through when we last visted Chao Lao Beach. And their sea view rooms left a good impression on us which is why my wife and I decided to go back check it out.
Reception desk at Baan Sukhita…
Baan Sukhita is just a simple hotel. But in a good way. It’s not a fancy place for the fancy folks that enjoy high tea in the noon overlooking the bay. It’s ideal for any visitor looking to get away from Bangkok just for a little while to reset and rest. Which is just right up our alley.
Baan Sukhita Chanthaburi – The beachfront rooms on the left are triple deluxe sea view rooms and the ones on the right are normal sea views rooms…
Baan Sukhita has sea view rooms just 50 or so meters from the beach with a picket fence and the road in between.
There’s no fitness center. No Swimming pool. A row of beach chairs, benches and tree trunks shaped into chairs with a lovely view of the bay from the property lawn.
No hotel bar with happy hours. So be sure to stock up on your favorite beers and snacks as there are no full convenience stores in Ao Yang.
Many hours were spent on this hammock… Pure bliss with the gentle breeze blowing in from the bay…
But there is a cool tree hammock! Just a single hammock is slung between two beautiful trees. Now I can imagine this hammock wouldn’t be enough during the weekends with more guests staying at Baan Sukhita.
Since my wife and I stayed during the weekday we were pretty much alone. So I had the hammock all to my self!
Baan Sukhita has 21 Rooms With 3 Room Categories:
Standard Nature View – 20 m² / 2 Adults and 2 Kids 0-11 age
Sea View – 24 m² / 2 Adults and 2 Kids 0-11 age
Triple Deluxe – 32 m² / 3 Adults 2 Kids 0-11 age
Room #106 with a sea view. Our home sweet home, well at least for 4 night…
On this trip I booked a sea view room and stayed in room #106. Per night we paid 1500THB ($55USD). The property was renovated back in 2014 and well maintained. The room still looks new with a nice comfortable queen sized bed, a flat screen television plus some chairs, a mini fridge stocked with 2 bottles of water daily and a small work table.
Sea view rooms lead straight out to the beach…
The bathroom has a shower room and the fixtures looked brand new. Though I believe the bathroom would benefit with a ventilation fan to to keep the air moving out.
First impressions of the room, nice and clean…
I also think the room would really benefit with more light fixtures. At night with all the existing room lights turned on the room was still too dim especially near the area where the work table was placed.
The Wi-Fi was not stable but I could always piggy back off the hotspot from my phone to my laptop computer. Television has a dozen Thai channels and a movie channel with Hollywood hits but of course it’s dubbed in Thai.
Garden view rooms at Baan Sukhita…
The Breakfast
Breakfast which was included with our room rate at Baan Sukhita is served from 7am to 9am. There’s not a lot of breakfast variety but understandably so. It’s a small hotel property which receives most of its guests on weekends.
No sense to cook up a bunch of food which will just go to waste with not enough people to eat it.
Western style breakfast at Baan Sukhita…
It’s not exactly buffet style but if you want to order more food the hotel kitchen staff were more than happy to cook another set. They even offered to make an omelette just to change up the menu a bit as we stayed for 4 nights. Staff were very nice at Baan Sukhita I have to add.
Khao Tom Moo Gung – A Thai style rice soup with minced pork and shrimp normally eaten for breakfast…
What they do serve is sufficiently enough. Sunny side eggs, some boiled ham and chicken sausage with toast is the western option. Khao Tom Moo Gung is the Thai breakfast of choice served with lots of fresh shrimp and minced pork was my favorite and I had it every morning with American style breakfast.
Things to See Near Baan Sukhita
To really explore Chanhtaburi and the area surrounding Baan Sukhita you’ll need to have a car or hire a driver. It’s the only way to get a glimpse of the natural beauty that surrounds Baan Sukhita. The area is mainly popular for beaches and there are a handful to enjoy. But I just want to mention that because these beaches are less traveled or visited you will find trash along the sand.
Lots of signs with English pointing to places of interest. But having Google Maps to get around was helpful…
Beaches near Baan Sukhita Hotel
Ao Krathing – This beach is owned by the army. You have to walk down to the beach, about 150 meters down a man made stone pathway. But coming back up could be tiring. Not a far drive from Baan Sukhita.
Hat Chao Lao – This beach is the nicest with long stretch of sand and not as much rocks in the surf. Great for swimming. Not a lot of resorts on this beach still quiet even on weekends. Drive time to Chao Lao Beach’s eastern tip is about 20 minutes.
Hat Laem Sing – Similar to Hat Chao Lao but a lot more busy during the weekends. Drive time from Baan Sukhita to Laem Sing takes about 10 minutes.
Recommended Area to Visit in Chanthaburi
Chanthaburi Waterfront – I haven’t been all over the city of Chanthaburi but I came across this little section of town near a river. It’s a nice little place to visit, explore and perhaps enjoy a cup of coffee at one of the many cafés by the river. A recommended side trip while staying over in Baan Sukhita.
Chanthaburi Waterfront – Because the area has Chinese and Vietnamese background you’ll see their influences all around…
The Takeaway
I like Baan Sukhita a lot for the ambiance and environment. If you want to travel Thailand, relax at a beach with not ton of people around than this is the type of place you’ll like and enjoy. I certainly did.
But you also have to have some expectations as well. Ao Yang is not a very developed. There’s a row of seafood restaurants along the bay where the locals go to enjoy freshly caught seafood right off the bay. And that’s all there is in the immediate vicinity of Baan Sukhita Hotel.
There’s absolutely nothing to do at night. Matter of fact the area is deserted at night except for the seafood restaurant owners and workers that live nearby. There are many dogs in Ao Yang area too and from my experience they are friendly. Especially when they get to know you. But if you’re afraid best to avoid them.
This is Frank, but in Thai is name is pronounced “Flang”, very friendly when he gets to know you…
During the day you can lounge on the hammock or take a dip in the beach and explore Chanthaburi by car. But this is the kind of rest and the sort of thing I enjoy. And enjoy I did at Baan Sukhita Hotel. I highly recommend staying at this nice little beach hotel in Chanthaburi, Thailand.
A Cozy 3 Star Hotel on Chao Lao Beach in Chanthaburi, Thailand
If you’re looking for a beach getaway side trip from Bangkok, look no further than Chanthaburi(จันทบุรี, pronounced Jantaburee) province. By car you’ll find one of the nicest and cleanest beaches southeast of Bangkok called Chao Lao(หาดเจ้าหลาว), about 250km away, past Pattaya and Rayong.
Chao Lao Beach may not be as famous as the other well known beaches in Thailand, but I really do believe that one day it will be another popular sought after beach destination in Thailand. And to date there are not a lot of hotels and resort on Chao Lao Beach in Chanthaburi.
Finding a quiet spot on Chao Lao Beach wouldn’t be difficult at all.
Here’s the beach right behind Maldive Beach Resort…
But I’ve got just the right place to stay right on the beach in Chanthaburi called Maldive Beach Resort. This 3 star hotel right on Chao Lao beach is just a 3 hours and 30 minute drive from central Bangkok via tollway. Which is not too shabby for some clean water along a nice quiet stretch of beach on the Gulf of Thailand.
Maldive Beach Resort – Nice Side Trip from Bangkok
I highly recommend Maldive Beach Resort for families looking to spend time on a beautiful quiet beach. Because the rooms at this resort are very spacious. So if you’re traveling with an extended family and looking for a nice hotel with spacious rooms around Chanthaburi then Maldive Beach Resort should be considered.
Lobby of Maldive Beach Resort in Chanthaburi, Thailand…
The Maldive Beach Resort has 42 Rooms With 6 Different Room Categories:
Standard: 35 m² / 2 Adults and 2 Kids 0-4 age
Family Standard: 35 m² / 4 Adults and 2 Kids 0-4 age
Superior Sea View with Balcony: 58 m² / 2 Adults and 2 Kids 0-4 age
Family Sea View: 60 m² / 4 Adults and 2 Kids 0-4 age
Garden Villa: 39 m² / 2 Adults and 2 Kids 0-4 age
Beach Front Villa: 39 m² / 2 Adults and 2 Kids 0-4 age
During this trip I booked 2 room types at the Maldive Beach Resort: 1) Standard and 2) Family Standard.
Photos of the room you see above are of the standard rooms and the only difference between standard and the family standard rooms are the extra beds of course for more guests.
The beds in our room were comfortable and the air conditioners looked new and kept our rooms nice and frosty. Don’t expect much television channels. But you have a terrific view of the beach at least.
So all of the rooms we stayed in had a balcony. However, as of writing Maldive Beach Resort is going through some cosmetic renovations. So the balcony view below is not too impressive as of date. I expect that once they are finished there will be some sort of garden view below.
Not much of a view out of the standard and family room balcony but should be better after renovation…
I had a glimpse of the beach front villa and it looked really nice. If I ever plan on staying at Maldive Beach Resort again I’ll probably book the beach front villa.
Chao Lao Beach at Maldive Beach Resort
The main reason why you’d want to stay at Maldive Beach Resort is… well for the beach, right? The beach is called Chao Lao. The waters are far away enough from Bangkok so it’s clean and clear. The sand is white and soft on the feet.
While I was out on a morning swim I saw resort staff clearing the beach of debris. Which is a good sign that they care about their property and environment.
Chao Lao Beach is one of the nicest beaches in Southeast Thailand…
It’s not a private beach but due to the lack of resorts on the beach it certainly seems like it. There are not a lot of people, particularly tourists in the area and that’s probably due to the lack of direct transportation from Bangkok and other cities.
At the beach right on Maldive Beach Resort. My water quality test…
So you’re going to need your own set of wheels either self drive or hired driver. But the beach is worth it plus the fact that Maldive Beach Resort’s room rates are not expensive. Sure, you’re in the middle of nowhere. Which is why you’ll need a car to get around Chanthaburi on your own because the location around the hotel is beautiful like we discovered on our own.
Water quality is seasonal of course. And according to the staff at Maldive Beach Resort, the beach water is at its best from late May through late March.
I went there late January and the water was beautiful and clear with no jellyfish whatsoever.
One of the Most Family and Most Definitely Kid Friendly Hotel in Chanthaburi
I would recommend Maldive Beach Resort if you’re traveling with kids mainly for the kiddie pool. It’s got this awesome spiral pool slide connected. As a fully grown man I can say I probably had more fun sliding down it than kids.
There’s also nice little pool for adults as well with nice chairs to lounge on nearby. But to be honest we spent most of our pool time at the kiddie pool.
There’s no fitness center with cardio and weights but I suppose you can always run on the beach or swim laps for exercise.
An awesome swimming pool for the kids at Maldive Beach Resort…
Breakfast and Dinner at the Maldive Beach Resort
As I mentioned the area around Maldive Beach is a quiet. There are a few other resorts nearby but not much. There’s a 7-Eleven about a kilometer walk away. There’s a little hotel café on premise with a cozy space to hang out.
It seemed like this hotel includes breakfast in every room category. And breakfast is served at Maldive Beach Resort’s fresh and newly renovated restaurant from 7am to 10:30am.
They don’t have a huge variety of choices. But that’s to be expected for a hotel property in the outskirts of Bangkok. You’ll have the usual Thai fare like rice soup, fried rice and some sort of noodle dish. And for Western fare there’s eggs cooked to order, ham and sausage. Plus a choice of breakfast cereal and breads to toast.
If you’re on a beach then you better have seafood. And they do have that on the menu. All of their seafoods are cooked the traditional Thai way. There’s no real Western menu at Maldive Beach Resort except for some steaks. But the seafood dinner we had was tasty and very delicious with reasonable prices.
The Takeaway
I’ve been in Thailand for nearly a decade and as much as I’ve traveled around the country I am still impressed after all these years to find such incredible beaches and beautiful scenery. And, it’s quite fun to come across simple yet nice hotels such as the Maldive Beach Resort.
A nice little area in front of the adult pool to enjoy a cocktail or two…
It’s not a fancy hotel by all means. There are no elevators but the hotel complex is only 3 floors. There’s no concierge but there’s daily room cleaning of course. It’s not easy to get to. You’ll need to hire a driver or just self drive.
Nice size adult pool that is deep enough for a good swim…
But Maldive Beach is the type of place where you can book a room for an entire week and just chill out on site right in front of Chao Lao Beach.
BEST HOTELS IN SEOUL FOR FIRST-TIME VISITORS TO SOUTH KOREA
I know how you feel. I was also super excited when I bought my first plane ticket to South Korea. And it was going to be my first time in Seoul. To start, I didn’t know where the best neighborhoods in Seoul were either. Will it be Myeongdong, Insadong or Hongdae?
Just like you, I wanted my first trip to Seoul to be epic!
After visiting Seoul for so many years, I’ve learned so much about this city that nearly 10,000,000 people call home. So I’ll share with you what I learned about traveling to Seoul for your very own first epic trip!
SEOUL IS A BIG CITY – FOCUS ON HOTELS AROUND TRAIN STATIONS AND POPULAR CITY ATTRACTIONS
The key to exploring any city you’ve never been to is public transportation. And Seoul has a wonderfully efficient bus and train system.
Seoul is a sprawling and spread-out urban city. So it’s important to book a hotel that is convenient to the city’s must-see attractions. And it helps to stay at a hotel in Seoul close to subway stations.
Lucky for you, I’ve come up with a short list of popular affordable hotels in Seoul. That’s perfect for sightseeing and a short distance walk to the subway stations.
I’ve stayed in a lot of hotels all over Seoul and reviewed the ones I’ve been to as well as recommend some with excellent reviews from friends and family.
Night shopping at Myeongdong, Seoul…
MY HAND-PICKED SEOUL HOTELS IN THE BEST LOCATIONS
My handpicked Seoul hotel selections and locations are great for all types of travelers. If you’re a solo traveler, such as myself most of the time, these distinct Seoul neighborhoods are just as perfect for you.
If visiting Seoul with a group of friends, family, or both, I’m going to recommend family-friendly hotels with large rooms that are affordable and of course in the best locations in the city.
I’m also recommending hotels that are run by owners working on-site. These are cozy hotels with personal services and touches that I believe will make an unforgettable first Seoul experience for you. I always believe in supporting small local businesses.
But before we begin, here are some simple tips for your Seoul city hotel research.
The best advice is to book a hotel near the subway stations…
5 QUICK TIPS FOR YOUR SEOUL HOTEL SEARCH
Seoul has a fantastic subway train system. It’s extensive, inexpensive in my opinion, and easy to navigate. Best to pick a hotel in Seoul near Subway Lines #1, #2, and #4. You can use the AREX (Airport Railroad Express) which runs from 05:20 – 11:45 for express trains (8000won) or trains with stops from 05:23 – 23:42 (4150won). 24-hour airport limousine bus makes stops near the 5 best areas to stay in Seoul.
Like hotels in Japan, accommodations in Seoul are clean and well-maintained. Rarely am I concerned about the sanitary conditions of any hotel rooms in the city, regardless of budget.
Seoul Hotels are affordable. For $50USD you can score a decent superior room but requires a short walk to a metro subway train station. Hotels in the $80USD price range will set you up in a busy neighborhood with train stations steps away.
Most budget hotels in Seoul don’t have 24-hour check-in service. If you’re staying at such a hotel you must remember to inform your late arrival ahead of time. This way they’ll have someone wait to greet you.
Don’t be concerned if you can’t find a Seoul hotel that doesn’t include breakfast. It’s the city of Seoul, you will not have a problem finding many kinds of reasonably priced food.
I would look for hotels in the following order: Myeondong, Insadong, Hongdae, Gangnam, and then Itaewon…
5 BEST PLACES TO STAY IN SEOUL FOR THE FIRST TIME:
Myeongdong – Some consider Myeongdong as one huge tourist trap. Who cares. Plenty of Koreans eat, and spend time and money in Myeongdong too. Koreans love to hang out in Myeondong which is why you should look for a hotel in this area. There are many affordable foods to be bought on the streets or enjoyed at sit-in restaurants. It’s perfectly fine etiquette to walk and eat on the streets of Seoul.
Insadong – Lots of souvenir shops mixed in with traditional old-style Korean restaurants tucked into quiet lanes. Easy walking distance to the beautiful palaces of Seoul. Stay here if you want a less hectic atmosphere. Yet want to be close to all the action and take beautiful walks around Seoul.
Hongdae – Cheapest area to stay in Seoul. This area is popular with Seoul’s youngsters and hipsters. Also good for oldsters like me. Lots of good eateries and cafés. I wrote about things to do in Hongdae here. You’ll like it here regardless of age.
Gangnam – Stayed here because of Psy’s Gangnam Style video. Lots of tall shiny office buildings, bars that ooze charm and character, and brand-name stores. The area looks expensive but not much more than other Seoul neighborhoods.
Itaewon – Can’t say this is my favorite area in Seoul but there are a lot of budget hotels in Itaewon. I only stayed in a few hotels in Itaewon previously. Because it was close to the meeting point for a one-day tour of the DMZ that I joined.
“Pick a hotel near wherever locals love to eat, shop and hangout.”
The Wayfaring Soul Travel Tip #402:
Namdaemun is popular. It’s also close to Myeongdong which has better hotel options in my opinion…
1. MYEONGDONG (명동)
Hotel Price Range: $40USD to $150USD Subway Line: #4 Why Stay in Myeongdong: Lots of shops selling Korean beauty products and local fashion clothing. A high concentration of restaurants and dessert shops is another good reason you should stay in Myeongdong for your first visit to Seoul.
Myeongdong (also written as Myeong-dong) has lots of budget to mid-priced hotels. Most budget-minded travelers choose to stay there because most hotels with low rates yet decent quality can be found in Myeongdong.
Many cosmetic shops and an amazing array of cakes, ice creams, and snacks can all be found in Myeongdong at reasonable prices. And don’t forget there are many street food vendors too. So much that you probably wouldn’t need to go eat at a sit-in restaurant
Whichever hotel you choose to stay in Myeongdong I know you will be happy. However, here’s a short list of my favorite Myeongdong hotels that I know you will enjoy for your first epic time in Seoul!
Nine Tree Hotel Myeongdong – Photo Credit: Agoda.com
I usually write full hotel reviews on hotels I think are worthy so I did a write-up on Nine Tree Hotel Myeondong so go check it out. I booked a standard room and paid around $80USD per night including taxes.
I chose Nine Tree because it’s one of the newer hotels in Myeondong and also it’s my wife’s first trip to Seoul. Also, I’m desperately trying to save up some brownie points.
Myeondong subway station is less than 100 meters from the hotel. There are 16 floors and around 140 rooms so Nine Tree Hotel is one of the biggest hotels in Myeongdong. It’s also definitely one of the higher quality hotels in the area so I think it’ll be great for your first time in Seoul as well.
The Wayfaring Soul Travel Tip #5: “Men, earn as many brownie points as you can from your lady. You never know when you’ll need to cash it in.”
Nine Tree Hotel Myeondong Read reviews and check for discounts on Agoda.com Check-in from: 15:00 (3 pm) Check-out until: 12:00 (12 pm) Nearest Train Station: Myeongdong subway station exit #8
This is a very good value hotel for budget travelers looking for comfortable and clean accommodation in Myeondong, Seoul.
I stayed in two types of rooms here, the economy room twin room and standard double room, at separate times and alone. Both rooms have a private shower inside by the way. Funny they call themselves a hostel. But I never noticed a hostel-type set up inside.
Regardless, I suggest booking a standard double room to get a slightly better view of the activity around Myeongdong. The price difference isn’t that much and a standard double room costs roughly $55USD with taxes a night.
Because this is a budget-style hotel in Meongdong, room cleaning is by request for the duration of your stay.
57 Myeondong Hostel Read reviews and check for discounts on Agoda.com Check-in from: 15:00 (3 pm) Check-in is until: 22:00 (9 pm) This means the reception desk closes at 9 pm. Inform the hotel of late arrival. Check-out until: 11:00 (11 am) Nearest Train Station: Myeongdong subway station exit #5
This hotel is situated in an area that is about 5-minute walk to the main hub of Myeondong’s center of activity. And, it’s about a 10-minute walk to Insadong.
I added this hotel because I know some travelers don’t want to stay in the heart of the action. After all, they don’t want to step outside of the hotel into a crowd of people.
Also, I believe the Sieoso Hotel Seoul is the best budget hotel for traveling families. If you’ve got at least 6 adults I highly recommend booking the Korean Style Ondol Room B. It’ll cost about $100USD including taxes and breakfast. Plus 3 kids under age 7 stay for free.
Korean Style Ondol Room B – Photo Credit: Agoda.com
Sieoso Hotel also has other room types designed specifically for traveling families so I highly recommend taking a look at what they’ve got. They have a few other types of family-friendly room configurations that meet your needs.
There are also female-only dormitory-style rooms that cost about $20USD per bed, including taxes and breakfast, so that’s a real bargain.
Seiso Hotel Myeongdong Read reviews and check for discounts on Agoda.com Check-in from: 14:00 (2 pm) Check-out until: 11:00 (11 am) Nearest Train Station: Euljiro (3) san-ga subway station exit #10
Tmark Grande Hotel Myeongdong – Photo Credit: Agoda.com
So you’ve got some extra cash and you prefer to stay at a slightly upscale, yet affordable hotel in Myeongdong, then the full-service Tmark Grand Myeongdong Hotel should be your first choice. There’s a swimming pool and fitness center.
It’s one of the best four-star hotels in Myeongdong with double rooms priced at $80USD per night with taxes.
Breakfasts cost about $10USD more but I would pass. There are plenty of better and cheaper food alternatives outside of the hotel.
The Tmark’s location is closer to Namdemun Market. However, the hotel is surrounded by public transportation, including an airport limousine bus stop right outside of the hotel.
Tmark Grande Hotel Myeongdong Read reviews and check for discounts on Agoda.com Check-in from: 14:00 (2 pm) Check-out until: 11:00 (11 am) Nearest Train Station: Hoehyeon subway station exit #3
Myeongdong is a great area to stay in Seoul and I highly recommend booking a hotel in Myeongdong for your first awesome trip to South Korea.
But what if you’re not into shopping like me? What if you’d rather stay at a hotel near Seoul’s majestic grand palaces?
In that case, you should book a hotel near Insadong!
Walking around Myeongdong at night will be bad for your waistline…
2. INSADONG (인사동)
Hotel Price Ranges: $50USD to $200USD Subway Line: #1 or #3 Why Stay in Insadong: Close to Seoul’s majestic palaces and cultural sights. I like to call this area the heart of Seoul.
Insadong was the first neighborhood I ever stayed in when I first visited Seoul many moons ago. It’s near Sejong-daero, a grand avenue leading to Gyeongbokgung Palace.
I wanted to stay in Insadong because from my research Insadong is close to the major palaces of Seoul like Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeok Palace, and Jongmyo Shrine.
Insadong is the perfect area to start exploring the city’s rich history on foot. While making stops to indulge in many fine South Korean bakeries and coffee shops along the way.
Take a pleasant stroll through Insadong, Seoul, South Korea…
If you’re a Korean history buff or enjoy a romantic walk through the palace grounds with a special someone, Insadong is the reason why you would want to stay in Insadong for your first special trip to Seoul.
Yehahodye Guesthouse Insadong Seoul – Photo Credit: Agoda.com
I don’t know if the owner remembers me but I stayed here a few nights after arriving in Seoul late after a long flight delay. The owner runs a pottery business on the ground level and rents his rooms above his shop
The rooms were not expensive at about $35USD with taxes and breakfast. Because I booked so fast I didn’t realize, that although rooms are private, the bathrooms are shared by other guests. But it’s not as bad as it sounds even for an OCD freak like myself.
Every floor doesn’t have a lot of rooms, and there are 4 floors, so a shared bathroom on each floor and you can use whichever one is available. There are no elevators so for me, I typically pack light. But the staff at the hotel will certainly give you a hand.
Honestly, it’s not that bad. I loved my stay at Yehahodye Guesthouse.
I stayed inside a single room and felt very comfortable. It was a little small but I didn’t feel cramped. The entire property has a nice little layout and even a rooftop area to chill out and enjoy a free simple breakfast in the morning.
I always believe in supporting small local businesses run by folks that care. If you’re reading this and traveling on a budget in Seoul, consider staying at Yehahodye Guesthouse for your very first visit to Seoul.
And go purchase a small souvenir pottery from their ground floor while you’re there.
Yehahodye Guesthouse Insadong Read reviews and check for discounts on Agoda.com Check-in from: 13:00 (1 pm) Check-out until: 11:00 (11 am) Check-in until: 23:59 (11:59 pm) Inform guesthouse about check-in beyond midnight Nearest Train Station: Anguk subway station exit #6
Because there were only two nights at Yehahodye guesthouse I moved over to Mini Hotel Insa and booked a queen bedroom.
If you can’t get a room at Yehahodye Mini Hotel Insa is a good choice in the heart of Insadong.
It’s about a 5-minute walk north so both hotels are very close. However, it might be hard to find because this part of Insadong is like a funny little maze, with winding streets and a back alley. Honestly, it adds to the ambiance of the hotel as it’s quite charming.
Mini Hotel Insa – Photo Credit: Agoda.com
The room is nice with a good mattress with the usual like Wi-Fi and air conditioning working well. There are toiletries available inside the bathroom.
This is more of a full-service budget hotel and very comfortable. I booked a queen-sized room for around $70USD per night with tax and breakfast. This is also another owner on-site hotel so you know service will be better than usual.
Mini Hotel Insa Read reviews and check for discounts on Agoda.com Check-in from: 15:00 (3 pm) Check-out until: 11:00 (11 am) Check-in until: 23:00 (11:00 pm) Inform the hotel about check-in beyond 11 pm Nearest Train Station: Anguk subway station exit #6
Standard Double Room Inside Sunbee Hotel Insadong – Photo Credit: Agoda.com
I wanted to add in some reviews of three-star hotels in Insadong. I picked Sunbee Hotel after a couple of recommendations from friends after they told me it’s not expensive. Considering the rooms are at least 35 square meters they were right.
I only paid $80USD per night with tax but no breakfast. If you want Sunbee Hotel breakfast it’s $7USD extra per night. But no worries, trust me there’s so much delicious food around the Insadong area you won’t even know what to eat.
My favorite place is Anguk Bakery and Cafe and it’s only a 10-minute walk from Sunbee Hotel. Anyhoo… back to the hotel review.
Korean Double Room Sunbee Hotel Insadong – Photo Credit: Agoda.com
While I was there I stayed inside a standard double room with a queen-sized bed with my wife for a few nights. We needed more space because we were purchasing nail salon supplies for our salons in Bangkok. And we stayed for a week so we needed the extra space and especially a hotel where we could do our laundry.
And there are bigger rooms available such as the Korean double room at 42 square meters. I never stayed in those room types before but it cost $10USD to $15USD more. So maybe next time.
Sunbee Hotel Insadong Read reviews and check for discounts on Agoda.com Check-in from: 14:00 (2 pm) Check-out until: 12:00 (12 pm) Nearest Train Station: Anguk subway station exit #6
Here’s the only 4 star rated hotel I recommend for your first trip to Seoul in Insadong. Specifically for traveling families that want a big room space. And even more specifically kids traveling in your group that want a swimming pool.
Orakai Insadong Suites is situated just a few minutes walk from the main Insadong walking street. With one to four-bedroom types available to choose from at affordable prices.
I stayed inside their 2 bedroom deluxe room category with a whopping 74 square meters of space to run around. At least not for me but for the couple I was traveling around with their 4-year-old.
Also, there’s a full kitchen, which we didn’t use because we ate out all the time. But we made good use of the in-room washing machine and dryer.
Orakai Insadong Suites Read reviews and check for discounts on Agoda.com Check-in from: 14:00 (2 pm) Check-out until: 12:00 (12 pm) Nearest Train Station: Anguk subway station exit #5
Those are my top four picks for the best hotels to stay in Insadong for your first visit to Seoul. This is an excellent neighborhood for traveling families who need more space and solo travelers who want to stay near majestic palaces in central Seoul.
Now, what if you’re traveling with teenagers seeking a cool vibe location with plenty of vintage clothing shops and Korean fashion at reasonable prices?
If that describes you perfectly then head over to Hongdae and check out some of the hotels I’ve stayed there!
Entertaining candy makers in Insadong Seoul…
3. HONGDAE (홍대)
Hotel Price Ranges: $50USD to $200USD Subway Line: #2 Why Stay in Hongdae: For the youngsters or at least the young at heart. Many affordable hostels are geared towards young backpackers. As well as chic boutique hotels for older travelers like myself.
Always abuzz with activity, Hongdae is an area I just recently discovered for myself. Since then I’ve been visiting Hongdae more often ever since. Hongdae has such a cool vibe that I stayed there for a week.
I even wrote a blog post on what to do in Hongdae here. That just shows you how much I like this cozy and quaint neighborhood in Seoul.
It reminds me a lot of NYC’s East Village and hanging out with friends during my younger years. There are lots of cool cafés and international eateries to explore and indulge in. That’s because Hongkik University is nearby so lots of businesses in Hongdae attract uni-aged South Koreans.
But Hongdae also attracts lots of young foreign visitors as well because many budget hostels and affordable guesthouses are near Hongkik University. So if you’re of university age or a little younger I highly recommend booking a hotel in Hongdae for your first epic trip because you’ll fit right in.
4. GANGNAM (강남)
Hotel Price Ranges: $60USD $200USD+ Subway Line: #2 Why Stay in Gangnam: Because Korean pop superstar Psy says so.
If you’ve never heard of Gangnam then it’s possible you woke up from a deep coma recently. After Korean pop superstar Psy’s Gangnam Style music video exploded, Seoul’s business, yet fashionable Gangnam district was thrust into the international spotlight.
When I first explored Gangnam district I thought it would be an expensive area. Because there were so many tall shiny office buildings and luxury brand-name goods stores all lined up on a grand avenue.
But it’s not much more expensive than the other Seoul neighborhoods I’ve written about here. I do notice that the hotels in Gangnam, however, are newer and the rooms are larger in configuration.
Gangnam in a way is more orderly while Myeongdong, Insadong, and Hongdae to me are much more chaotic. Which is the way I like it. But Gangnam has plenty of nice hotels recommended for anyone looking for nice mid-priced hotels in Seoul’s posh neighborhood.
5. ITAEWON (이태원)
Hotel Price Ranges: $40USD $200USD+ Subway Line: #6 Why Stay in Itaewon: For me, it was the closest to a DMZ tour pickup location. But Itaewon is still convenient for sightseeing in Seoul by train.
Itaewon is near a US army base so there are lots of businesses catering and familiar to expats and American military personnel. To be honest I haven’t explored Itaewon so much and have stayed in 2 hotels in Itaewon. If you want to stay there be sure to check out the Korean War Memorial Museum in the area. Admission is free for regular exhibits.
Just because I haven’t explored around Itaewon doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do around the area. I’ve read there’s a nice selection of international restaurants behind the Hamilton Hotel Itaewon but at the time I didn’t have a chance to visit. But soon I’ll do a post about things to do in Itaewon probably after my next trip to Seoul.
If you’re staying at a hotel in Itaewon be sure to drop by the War Memorial of Korea Museum. Admission is free except for special exhibitions…
THE TAKEAWAY
There are many hotels, guesthouses, and hostels all over Seoul perfect for sightseeing in one of the most beautiful cities in East Asia. If you can’t find ones that you like on this post you’re not going to have a problem finding one that’s right for your budget and travel needs.
But here are 5 tips to remember before you book your hotel in Seoul based on my personal experiences:
South Korean hotels, guesthouses, and hostels’ typical check-in times range from 2 pm to 3 pm. Check-out times are typically 10 am. From my experience, hotels in Seoul popular with tourists are strict on check-in rules, meaning they rarely allow guests to check in earlier.
Most budget-priced hotels in South Korea don’t provide daily housekeeping until requested.
Seoul budget hotels that include breakfast in their room rates have simple offerings, like cereal, toast, boiled eggs, rice porridge, and boiled sweet potatoes, you get it. It may not be the best but it’s always sufficient.
If you or anyone traveling with you have mobility issues it might be best not to book a hotel near Namsam Park. The area around Namsan Park has hills and inclines that will not be easy to navigate for those with mobility issues.
The worst time to visit South Korea is the month of August because of typhoons. So, if you’re looking for the cheapest rates for Seoul hotels that’s when you want to go. Just have a good sturdy umbrella with you.
I’ve traveled back and forth through Seoul on my way to NYC and Bangkok too many times to count. And I’ve stayed in a lot of different neighborhoods in Seoul. Which means a lot of nights spent inside hotels around Seoul.
I’ve never had one bad hotel experience from the hotels I’ve stayed in for these reviews. Sure there’s going to be normal wear and tear, particularly in popular Seoul hotels here and there. But the air conditioning was good in the summer. And the heating worked well in the winter. Just one of the many reasons why I would travel to Seoul without hesitation.
Now that you know where to stay in Seoul for your first epic visit. Remember to come back to my blog and drop a comment. I’d love to hear about your first epic trip to South Korea!
13 responses to “Where to Stay in Seoul for Your First Epic Trip to South Korea”
Maddie Ho
Thank you so much I love your information about Korea and all the tips. I wish I could travel as much as you can. You have an more Seoul travel advice. I really want to make my first trip to Seoul the best for my family.
Hello Maddie, the biggest tip I can recommend you is to visit Myeongdong area first in Seoul. Subway trains, food, shopping and hotels are all there. Plus I forgot to mention airport limo buses stop in Myeongdong too. Have a great time Maddie!
Thank you soooooo much for sharing about Korea. I am very exciting reading your tips and advice. It is very helpful for a first time goer like me. I love traveling and exploring the palaces
I am planning to visit Korea in September 2nd week with family. Your all blogs says myeongdong area . How can I get other tour packages in South Korea from my a hotel u mentioned in korea . And I heard there is train unlimited use for family members . If it 2 or above. U can purchase that. Do u redo mend me to buy subway unlimited . I might go to busan also for a day . I have four nights and 5 days to stay. Thanks a lot for your thoughts
Hello Yoshua, how are you? Wow, that’s a lot going on. For tour packages you can check online there are many. Try Trazy.com they have many tour packages for South Korea. As for subway trains I recommend planning on where you will be visiting specifically on where you want to visit in Seoul before committing to buying a subway pass. But honestly, if you can walk, I recommend sightseeing Seoul on foot. I’ve don it plenty of times. You can walk to nearly all of the beautiful palaces starting from Insadong area. If you’re time is limited to 4 days in 5 days in Seoul than I recommend just staying in Seoul for the entire week. Or take a day trip to Suwon. There’s lots to see and do close to Seoul. And I don’t think one day in Busan is enough time, honestly.
Hi,
I am planning to visit South Korea in 3rd week of September. I am there for work but I have one day spare to go around Seoul. Which area do you recommend to stay and what are the must see places as I just have one day in hand.
Also I have a morning flight at 9 am so i need to get to the airport early next morning.
Thank you for this crystal clear info so now i have clear understanding where to stay…but the problem now is i would like to divide my 7 night stay into 3 different area you have mentions each place fits me and very interesting. hahaha another question its that easy to move to different hotel to check in and check out yay? hahaha
Hello Joi, how are you? No need to divide into 3. The most maybe two. But even then if it was me I’d just stay in Insadong or Myeongdong. Both those areas are close to each other. Insadong is closest to the palaces while Myeongdong is closer to shopping. I mostly stay in Myeongdong and I can walk to Insadong in about 15 minutes. Probably faster if I don’t stop and take photos =)
I would say as long as you have one luggage should be easy to move around. At least for me =)
Hello, it is our first time travelling to Seoul! I think I would like to stay at the Hongdae cause its more for the youngest! However, I concern about the distance from downtown . What is your opinion?
Hi! So happy I came across your article while researching for my upcoming trip to Seoul in Dec (my first!). I was wondering though, are there a lot of street food stalls in Gangnam? I’m looking for somewhere less chaotic like Myeongdong. Thanks!
Hello Jenny, there’s definitely street food in Gangnam but not in the same scale as Myeongdong. I know it’s crazier and hectic in Myeondong but there’s way more street food in that area compared to Gangnam.
A Popular 3 Star Hotel Along the River Kwai Kanchanaburi
This month my wife and I decided to head over to the province of Kanchanaburi for a week. One of Thailand’s most well known scenic and natural province. Kanchanaburi’s center is approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes drive (143.7 kilometers) from Bangkok proper. Which qualifies it as good as anyplace in Thailand for a quick getaway from the hustle and bustle of the Big Mango.
Most of all we were looking forward to our stay at the (แคว ธารา ริเวอร์ไซด์ วิลลา) Kwai Tara Riverside Villas in the district of Sai Yok. We heard so much about it on various media outlets so we decided to go check it out for ourselves. The Kwai Tara is well known for it’s quiet serene location, right on the meandering Kwai Noi river or River Kwai.
Many hotels and guesthouses along the River Kwai, but we chose to check out the Kwai Tara Riverside Villa…
Even though I’ve been in Thailand for many years I’ve never really traveled around Kanchanaburi. Just through it and never stopped over to check out the area. And I am aware of it’s history and the area’s claim to fame or infamy, the Kanchanaburi Death Railway. Plus the bridge which was the basis of 1950’s action drama movie, “The Bridge over Kwai”.
During this trip I’ve booked two other hotels in Kanchanaburi to do a comparison. And I can confidently say Kwai Tara Riverside Villas is the best hotel in the district of Sai Yok, or at least amongst the three we’ve stayed in.
On the Road to Kwai Tara Riverside Villa
Lots of road construction along the highways leading to Kwai Tara Riverside Villas…
These days it’s just so much easier finding your destination with google maps. We went during the weekday and didn’t expect a lot of traffic. But some areas were still congested due to road construction as of writing. By the time you’re reading this I’m guessing most of the major road constructions are all finished.
Kanchanaburi province is growing thus the need for more roads and wider highway lanes are needed.
Overall, it was a very easy to find the Kwai Tara Riverside villas because highway signs are clearly marked. But I have to admit the last few kilometers to the villas could get a bit tricky so make sure you’ve got plenty of battery on the phone for google maps.
The last few kilometers leading to Kwai Tara could get a little tricky due to less signage…
Now if you’re considering staying at the Kwai Tara it’s best to self drive. It’ll be a whole lot cheaper than hiring a driver with a car. And you are going need your own wheels to get to restaurants and places to explore. Which there are a few and you’ll find out where we went below. Because I can tell you there’s really nothing to do at the Kwai Tara’s resort ground.
Though there is the Mahawangchang Elephant Camp directly next to Kwai Tara’s property. But we’ve had our fair share of elephant rides earlier this year when we went to Koh Chang where I made a review of the Emerald Cove Koh Chang hotel.
For my wife and I we consider this as a road trip just like we did it in Khao Sam Roi Yod. And the Kwai Tara is a good enough place to rest our heads, if not a bit overpriced.
This is the backside of the mountain villa rooms. You do get a good view of the mountains, but not so much of the river in these rooms…
We booked a floating house villa which at the time I paid about $130USD per night including taxes and breakfast. That is pricey considering it’s listed as a 3 star hotel. But there’s no gym and no swimming pool. And those were the weekday rates.
I guess you can consider jumping into the river if you choose to for a dip in which you are more than welcome to. And believe me, walking down and than back up from the floating houses could give anyone a quick workout.
These are the mountain view villa rooms which are the closest to the reception area…
But I got to say, the floating houses are big. It’s about 80 square meters with very high ceilings so you get this really nice spacious feel. There’s a private front with cargo nets you can stretch out on top while the river waters below pass gently underneath. It was quite nice. Though whether it’s worth the +$100USD price tag is up to ones personal bank account.
A Look at Kwai Tara Riverside Villa Floating Houses
These floating house style rooms are 80 square meters and uses two A/C units to cool the room…
The room’s size get’s the winning point plus having the river just footsteps out the sliding doors with a beautiful view of the river is the cherry on top.
It’s a sparsely decorated room with a fridge that is filled daily with complimentary sodas and snacks. Which is pretty much unheard of. There are not a whole lot of channels on the television and the Wi-Fi, if you need it is unreliable.
There was one morning where the electricity was shut off for nearly an hour and a half so the room got warmer. But luckily it kicked on just before afternoon when it gets hotter.
A big bathroom. Be sure to bring your own shower gel as the ones provided by the hotel is not enough…
As I mentioned earlier breakfast was included in the price we paid. Basically, you get two choices, American breakfast which is eggs to order, some bacon and ham. Then there’s the Thai option which is Khao Tom Moo (ข้าวต้มหมูสับ), rice porridge with ground pork. You can order multiple plates and the kitchen staff were more than happy to oblige.
Then there’s a table where guests can serve themselves cereals, toast, salads and juices. And that’s pretty much what we had the entire week for breakfast.
The breakfast area is located right by the hotels reception area…
There’s one thing I have to mention and I can’t really blame the hotel for this problem. And that is the flies.
As soon as the food ordered hits the tables flies seemingly materialize out of nowhere and started dive bombing my sunny side eggs and bacon. There are numerous electric fans set on high located throughout the eating area but even that was not enough to keep the pests away.
Maybe by the time you’re reading this Kwai Tara’s hotel management have figured out a way to solve this problem.
You can enjoy a view of elephants marching by in Mahawangchang Elephant Camp…
The Final Verdict
I really like to like the Kwai Tara Riverside Hotel. It’s great I think for a short visit. But I can’t really say I would go back again. But the reason also is there’s really not much to do overall in Kanchanaburi. And you really do need to drive about an hour just to find some nice place to eat or chill out at a café.
If you’re looking to be pampered then you might want to look elsewhere. They do have staff to help with your bags down the steep steps if you choose the floating houses. But after 8pm there’s no one at the reception desk for assistance until sometime sun up.
Everyday the hotel provides a free raft ride in the early evening and it was very enjoyable…
There are numerous time we’ve stayed at the same hotel property in Hua Hin like the Escape Hotel and La A Natu Bed & Bakery. We usually like to stay at our favorite hotels because we already know we’re going to experience great service and enjoy the going ons around the hotel’s location.
And because there’s nothing of real interest for us at least near the Kwai Tara there’s just not much reason for us to return again.
But here are a few points of interest you might enjoy in Kanchanaburi, but as I mentioned quite a drive from the hotel:
Giant Tree Kanchanaburi or Giant Monkey Pod Tree Kanachanburi (just google it) is about an 1 hour and 30 minutes drive from Kwai Tara Riverside Villa.
Sringarind Dam National Park is about 2 hours drive from Kwai Tara Riverside Villa. It’s a scenic drive with plenty of restaurants and rest stops along the way.
A long drive up mountains and hill afforded us this beautiful view of Srinagarind Dam…
As I mention already during this road trip we stayed in several other 3 star hotels in Sai Yok. And Kwai Tara is hands down the winner in terms of hotel quality and uniqueness. I guess if I could choose one word to describe the Kwai Tara the word would be unique.
There’s sort of a new catch phrase in Thailand and it’s called the “slow life”. Well if you want a taste of the slow life or even just a glimpse of it then go check out the Kwai Tara Riverside Villa.
The Emerald Cove – A Five Star Hotel on Klong Prao Beach Koh Chang
A few weeks ago my wife and I drove down to Koh Chang, a popular island destination located in the gulf of Thailand’s Trat province.
We were excited because we had booked the 5 star rated Emerald Cove Hotel for 4 nights. We heard a lot of good things about it because the hotel earned a good reputation for being secluded with a beautiful beach.
The Emerald Cove is located on Klong Prao Beach, the west side of Koh Chang. So you’ll have a beautiful sunset view…
And we love our quiet, peaceful, privacy. Normally we stay at La A Natu Bed and Bakery for some beach and seclusion.
This time around we really wanted to swim in some clear blue waters like we enjoyed in Koh Samui’s Impiana Resort on Chaweng Beach. Without having to fly out.
Koh Chang’s Emerald Cove Hotel was the perfect compromise for us.
This photo was taken right on the edge of Emerald Cove Hotel’s beach. The water is so clean and clear.
Koh Chang is an ideal destination for some clear and clean waters because it’s far enough and away from Bangkok. And the Emerald Cove Koh Chang is right on Klong Prao beach which has a long stretch of clean sand to have a nice stroll on.
I always say, the further you get away from Bangkok, the cleaner and clearer beach water you will find.
Entrance of the Emerald Cove Koh Chang Hotel
Emerald Cove Koh Chang Info
The Emerald Cove used to be a part of the Amari group of hotel chains. It was built in 2004. Which is quite old when it comes to hotels. But of course the Emerald went through a series of renovations since then. There are 165 rooms and 3 floors.
For me the hotel is fresh and modern with Thai style designs throughout the property. Only problem is there were intermittent power outages. But that is not the fault of the hotel. The island of Koh Chang has it’s own power plant.
The hotel’s reception is in a large open air room…
I think most people will be pleasantly surprised about how big the rooms are. Even the superior rooms are a minimum of 50 square meters. That’s the thing about older hotels. Many of them were built with more guests space.
You’re not on an island if you’re not surrounded by palm trees…
The hotel ground is spacious with several swimming pools in the center for guests to enjoy. But the property’s highlight is the centrally located 50 meter beachfront swimming pool.
A view from our premium deluxe ocean facing room. This is a 50 meter swimming pool. There is another small swimming pool suitable for children nearby…
There are several restaurants highlighting Thai and Italian cuisine. But during our stay the busiest restaurant was the Cove Terrace where a large buffet breakfast spread is ready for hungry guests every morning.
A view from the guest reception area…
Our Room
We booked a corner room called “Premium Deluxe Ocean Facing Room”. It is 56 square meters in size which was more than enough room for just my wife and I alone.
There is a work desk and a couple of sofas and chairs around to lounge in. Plus a large balcony with outdoor seating to take in the view.
We paid about 5000THB (approx. $150USD) per night with all taxes and a buffet breakfast fixed in the price. Which is not a bad price at all.
All of Emerald Cove’s rooms are at least 50 square meters.
As I mentioned before even the basic superior rooms at Emerald Cove are 50 square meters big yet cost between 1800THB to 3000THB per night with breakfast included.
At this point rooms at the Emerald Cove are priced according to location. The better the beach view or swimming pool view the more the room will cost.
A view from the main swimming pool. Our room was located on the building to the right, second floor…
Our premium ocean facing room had a spectacular view of the swimming pool. Because we had a corner room we had a decent beach view too.
So if you’re looking for big comfortable rooms with affordable prices in Koh Chang you should definitely check out Emerald Cove.
Everything that you’d need for a comfortable stay are provided in room. You’ve got a few bottles of complimentary drinking water provided daily in the refrigerator. A kettle to make hot tea and coffee. A room safe, slippers, robes and even a carry bag for visits to the beach.
Big bathroom complete with a full bath tub and walk in shower…
My only grip is I wish there was a larger television provided in the room.
Food at the Emerald Cove Koh Chang
The breakfast was perfectly fine and we ate at the Terrace Cove every morning. There were all the usual suspects. Eggs cooked to order, home fries, sausage and bacon with a good selection of breads.
There’s a large selection of fruit and salad options too for healthy eaters.
Then there’s a section of Thai breakfast options like noodles and ข้าวต้มหมูสับ Khao Tom Moo Sap which is a Thai styled rice porridge with ground pork
There was a planned buffet dinner by the beach but because of rain was cancelled…
On a Thursday there was an awesome dinner buffet that was supposed to take place by the beach where all the guests can enjoy the beautiful view and cool weather. But too bad the outdoor dining was cancelled as rain was in the forecast.
But the dinner buffet was very good and worth the 600THB price tag.
Breakfast was served daily at the hotel’s Terrace Cove restaurant…
While on our first night at the Emerald Cove we had dinner there because we were a little tired after the long 6 hour drive from Bangkok.
We ordered some pastas, a classic margherita pizza and crab cakes as pictured below. The pizza was good and the crust was thin which isn’t’ really what I like but the mozzarella cheese to tomato sauce ration was good.
Our first night dinner was at Emerald Cove’s Terrace Cove restaurant…
The pasta I ordered was a Beef Bolognese. For me the sauce was too watery. My wife ordered a chili and oil pasta which she said didn’t have much taste. This was the only let down on our meal.
The real winner was the crab cakes with sriracha mayo sauce. I could eat that all day long with a nice cold glass of Singha.
Be sure to look out for meal specials at Terrace Cove, one of Emerald Cove’s in house restaurants…
You can walk outside the hotel property to search out other restaurants. There is a decent Thai seafood restaurant not far from the hotel which I will write about on another post. But outside you can find a few small restaurants with western and Thai foods too.
There’s even a 7 Eleven about a 100 meters from the hotel entrance so you can easily pick up snacks to take back to your hotel room.
Overall Experience…
My wife and I really enjoyed our stay at the Emerald Cove Hotel. No surprise at all. Koh Chang is not a big island and other 5 star hotels on the island have got to be on their top game to win customers.
It’s a great hotel property with good service and even though we brought our car with us we didn’t need to drive around because everything we needed was in walking distance.
Their on site spa and massage was fully booked and the prices looked very reasonable…
We tried to make an appointment for an Emerald Spa Package but it was fully booked for that day. They had a couples’ spa for 3900THB which includes a 15 minute foot spa, 45 minute body scrub and a 60 minute relaxing massage which I assume is a body massage. That’s an excellent deal in my book.
Since we couldn’t get in we opted for another massage and spa shop which was just a 3 minute walk from the hotel’s driveway called Hatta Thai Spa and Wellness. Try out their foot scrub, I highly recommend it if you’ve got a load of dead skin like I did on my feet.
Just a few steps down from the hotel and you’re right on the beach. The water was low enough you can actually walk out 100 meters…
The Emerald Cove Hotel Koh Chang is well worth the money. It’s priced just right and very affordable for a 5 star rated hotel.
How We Got There
We drove in our car from central Bangkok all the way down through Chonburi,then Rayong and ended up at Ferry Koh Chang. The total time took about 6 hours on a weekday. Be sure to use google maps for GPS because it will come in very hand although the directions to get there is fairly simple.
The ferry boat takes about 30 minutes to cross from the mainland to Koh Chang…
You can drive your car right on to the boat and the fare for the car 120THB and the fare per person is 80THB.
Ferry boats leave depart every 30 to 45 minutes from 06:30 to 17:00. But there really is no set schedule. When the boats fill up, it leaves.
280THB to get a car across plus 2 persons one way is not a bad price at all…
If you’re not self driving you can easily catch minibus services all around Bangkok. Even Suvarnabhumi International Airport have minibus services that will take you down to Koh Chang. I believe the cost is 600THB one way.
Watching a sunset during Emerald Cove’s Happy Hour…
One big tip is to be sure you use the toilet before you get on the boat. Believe me you will thank me for this advice. It’s not a fancy ferry boat but it’ll get you to the beautiful island that is Koh Chang.
Nice Little Hotel in Seoul – Not Expensive but Not Cheap Either
The Nine Tree Hotel is located in Myeongdong. One of my favorite fun neighborhoods in Seoul. Not only can I find great Korean restaurants, but also the nicest affordable hotels in South Korea’s capital city of Seoul.
I found Nine Tree Hotel while doing a search for hotels in Myeongdong/Dongdaemun areas via Agoda.com. Seoul’s a big city with a lot of budget and mid range hotels so don’t worry you can easily find a place to stay within your price range. It certainly did for me.
The Nine Tree Hotel lobby is on the 3rd floor…
What I like about Nine Tree Hotel Myeongdong
The hotel is very close to a subway station. It is near Subway Line 4 and the closest entrance/exit is #8.
The hotel location is right in Myeongdong near a lot of good Korean restaurants, hip cafés and trendy Korean dessert shops.
For me it’s the perfect location for a walking tour of Seoul on your own. You can easily explore most of Seoul’s amazing palaces without spending money on train fare.
Nine Tree Hotel is located right next to Myeondong Station (Line 4), just a few minutes walk from Exit #8…
Standard Double Rooms are Small but Clean
I stayed in room 502, a standard double room…
On my most recent stay in Seoul at Nine Tree Hotel I booked a standard double room. It cost about $80USD a night with taxes included. Breakfast was not though.
Standard double rooms are around 16 square meters…
For me the important thing about any hotel I choose the rooms have to be clean. Nine Tree Hotel’s rooms, particularly room 502 which I stayed in was clean enough. Which was no surprise to me whatsoever. Korean hotels particularly in this price range are well maintained.
Clean toilet, shower and sink. Can’t ask for anything else…
The bathroom was not tight at all and had ample sink and shower space. I like the Japanese styled toilets, it was a nice touch.
Nice spacious shower…
Not Much to Complain About
The Nine Tree Hotel Myeondong quality wise is decent. But for $80USD a night some might consider the price a bit high. Because there’s no pool or fitness room. Every hotel I review I write up I try and choose some thing to really nit pick at.
Though essentially if you’re deciding to stay at the Nine Tree you’re pretty much really paying for a comfortable bed in one of Seoul’s most popular tourist areas.
One last tip while checking in make sure you ask for a room with a view on a high floor if one is available. Room 502 was facing an adjacent building. So ask for a street view if possible I believe a room high up will have a good view of Myeondong and beyond.
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