If you’ve read my day trip to Suwon post you’ll know I have a soft spot for quick getaways from popular city destinations. In this instance, my wife and I were searching for a day trip from Osaka where we were based for this recent visit to Japan’s Kansai region.
Except for this post, it’ll be a lot shorter. This is why I titled this post “A Short Day Trip to Wakayama City in Japan” and here’s the reason why.
Because in early December, the sun goes down around 4 pm in southern Japan. With dusk rolling in so early it’s not too easy to take those spiffy and awesome super helpful photos you typically see on my travel posts.
But Seriously…
Wakayama City is the capital of Wakayama prefecture. There are about 350,000 inhabitants, so yeah it’s going to be a quiet place. It’s a coastal city with the Kino River running across central Wakayama. I read there’s a nice little seaside town on the coast but will have to visit that the next time around.
On this visit, I was south of the Kino River because I only had enough time to visit Wakayama Castle. What can I say I’ve got a thing for castles because I used to play Dungeons and Dragons a lot when I was younger.
I arrived at JR Wakayama station around 1:30 pm. I had planned to take my wife to a special ramen restaurant in the city.
The sky was overcast already and looked a bit gloomy. This was a bit of foreshadowing as you’ll see why later.
My wife and I were determined to seek out a popular ramen restaurant I read about in this CNN article. She’s an absolute Japanese ramen fanatic. And I’m out to earn some serious brownie points to impress her. It’s one of the why reasons you should visit Wakayama City if you truly love to search out popular ramen restaurants in Japan.
The Build Up
Ide Shoten is what I’m talking about. Apparently Ide Shoten became a super popular ramen joint after getting showcased on a Japanese TV show. Check out the video below.
Looks amazing right!? I mean look at those delish ramen noodles. And the big portions. Look at the juicy succulent sliced pork!
I’d earn myself enough brownie points from my wife to screw up for an entire whole year!
The “Bone Headed” Traveler
That should be the title of my blog. Did you know Ide Shoten closes on Thursdays? You might’ve noticed when you took a look at that CNN article. But I didn’t. And guess what day I showed up?
On a f***in’ Thursday!
But it’s alright my wife was cool about it. It’s not like it’s the last time we’ll ever visit Japan. And it’s certainly not the last time I’ll ever make stupid mistakes. Ide Shoten, I’ll be back.
“Wayfaring Soul Travel Tip #103: If you want to impress your better half with a nice restaurant be damned sure it’s open the day you plan to go”
Sarashina Honten – A Gem of a Find in Wakayama
Sarashina Honten is located about a 10-minute walk from the main entrance of JR Wakayama Station on Keyaki Odori Street…
We were getting hungry and after 30 minutes but what seemed like an eternity of indecision and wandering around looking for a decent restaurant near JR Wakayama station we stumbled upon Sarashina Honten.
Now I can’t pinpoint exactly what Sarashina means. So if any of you fine readers out there that can tell me what it means I’d greatly appreciate it. But I found that “honten” 本店 means main restaurant.
Fake plastic food displays are truly unique to Japan…
There’s no other info on this restaurant save for what I found during a google map area search. It’s one of those utility Japanese restaurants with plastic fake food (Shokuhin Sampuru/食品サンプル) displayed outside of the window. But there are no order ticketing machines where you’d put money in and punch out a ticket with your order on it.
Every self respecting eatery in Japan will have these uniquely Japanese styled displays…
The restaurant from the outside looked old and worn. Even the fake food samples looked faded and discolored. And no ticket menu vending machines in sight, my instincts told me one thing. Sarashina Honten is an old styled Japanese restaurant with old style charm. And my instincts were correct. Because to me, all the above are good signs.
Going in we were greeted and seated by a very nice lady. She could tell we were not locals. Being a small city this is definitely the kind of restaurant where you’d see regular faces frequently at the same hours during the same days.
She gave us our menus in between servicing a few other tables of what looked like the late lunch crowd. Of course, there are no English menus but there are picture menus and those were helpful enough. And if needed you can always lead the waitress outside and point to the display of fake foods outside.
While waiting for our lunch I could see into the open kitchen and saw what is most likely a family-run operation. There were a couple of older aunties chopping and slicing ingredients. An older gentleman on the opposite side frying something delicious. And a younger gentleman stirring some pots and plating orders.
These are the types of restaurants I love and get excited about. If I lived in Wakayama I would be one of those familiar faces that showed up the same hour during the same days.
Isn’t that the biggest pork tonkatsu you’ve ever seen?…
My wife picked out Oyakodon (chicken and egg bowl) 親子丼 for 600¥ from the menu. I ordered the 900¥ Tonkatsu (fried pork cutlet) 豚カツ which came with a bowl of rice, miso soup, and a small dish of pickled vegetables.
My wife’s food came first and I got my tonkatsu a few minutes later. My eyes nearly popped out when I saw the size of it. This tonkatsu could feed two but no way was I going to share. Good thing all the walking made me work up an appetite.
“Wayfaring Soul Travel Tip #219: In Japan, photos on food menus may look larger than they appear.”
The actual pork was flattened so the meat was really tender. And the brown sauce on top was tangy and heavenly. The rice, the miso soup, the faced-sized tonkatsu for 900¥, and the friendly hard-working family. I simply fell in love with this restaurant.
If you’re reading this I highly recommend having a meal at Sarashina Honten. But I have to add, like many restaurants in Japan that smoking is allowed in Sarashina Honten. Just wanted to put that out there.
Cross this river on Keyaki Odori Street and you’re halfway between JR Wakayama Station and Wakayama Castle…
After saying goodbye to our friendly waitress and the entire family in the kitchen my wife and I headed off in search of Wakayama Castle. It was about 2:30 pm and with the overcast clouds there wasn’t much light and we were worried a little about rain.
How to Get to Wakayama Castle from JR Wakayama Station
This is the main entrance of JR Wakayama Station. The bus stop is outside of the main entrance…
On Foot – The good old-fashioned way of walking from JR Wakayama Station to Wakayama Castle is a short 1.6km leisure walk. We did the walk to Wakayama Castle from the train station after stopping over to have lunch at Sarashina Honten.
On Bus – Like any other city in Japan, Wakayama has a good public bus system. You’ll find a bus stop right in front of the main entrance of JR Wakayama Station. The adult bus fare is 230¥. You can get coin change on the bus but best to carry exact change. The bus ride takes 5 minutes and stops right in front of the castle.
Wakayama Castle -This was taken outside of the castle grounds. There will be an incline to get up…
I’ve read reviews about Wakayama Castle elsewhere and some comments says it’s too small and perhaps not worth the trip. That it’s not as impressive or breathtaking as Himeji Castle or Osaka Castle and so on.
To me that’s like saying every car is the same cause it’s got an engine and because it gets you from point A to point B.
Every castle has its own personality, its own spirit, and perhaps even a soul. Even if Wakayama Castle was completely rebuilt in the 1950s after being destroyed in WWII the grounds itself are historic.
Inside Wakayama Castel keep…
Here’s What’s Unique About Wakayama Castle
The entrance fee is 410¥ for adults and 200¥ for elementary and middle school students. Cheaper than Himeji Castle and Osaka Castle.
There’s a Ninja near the ticket booth. Really there is. You can ask to take photos with him but I couldn’t at the time as he was busy with another tour group.
There are no huge tour groups! I mean there are visitors here and there but it’s not the same quantity as Osaka and Himeji. It’s like having an entire medieval Japanese castle to yourself.
Outside the castle grounds is a small zoo with a free entrance. It’s not a large zoo but hey, it’s free!
Okay, you got me. Maybe I’m stretching this a bit. Just go to Wakayama Castle. I think you’ll like it. There’s a nice little garden with a pond in the back that’s super popular during cherry blossom season. Inside the castle grounds are 600 cherry trees and from late March to early April they all bloom. I’ll mark my calendar for that next year.
The castle is a museum so of course it’s going to have medieval armor and weapons on display. There’s also info about the city as well and how it grew and prospered through time. But, it’s all in Japanese.
And a few things worth mentioning. A lot of the museum displays and information are only in Japanese. After checking around I found out there are no guided tours. I guess because it’s a smaller castle there was no need to fund guided castle and grounds tours for visitors.
You get a 360 degree view of Wakayama City on top of the castle…
One thing I missed out on in Wakayama Castle is a bridge that connects two key areas. This bridge is special because it has wooden walls to conceal the lords and ladies as they move around. I’ve seen photos of it after doing some research for this post.
A signboard map of Wakayama Castle near the entrance…
I missed it because it was getting dark already around 4pm. So the next time, I’ll be sure to arrive at the castle earlier.
I’ve always said I’m a piss poor planner. But I don’t mind missing out on points of interest. Because it gives me an excuse to go back. And that’s part of the reason why I don’t pre-plan my trips. I can tell you I get lost a lot. Even for me, that’s fun.
Because there are lots of reasons why you should visit Wakayama City I’ll go back and discover more reasons to.
The Fastest and Cheapest Way to Kobe from Kansai International Airport and Back
If you’re planning on visiting Kobe after landing at Kansai International Airport there’s a super deal for the high speed ferry that will zip you to Kobe in no time. Hopping on these fast bay shuttle boats is cheaper than taking a bus or a train from KIX to Kobe and back.
As of writing until March 31st, 2024 an adult one-way fare cost 500¥. The bay shuttle ferry takes you from Kansai International Airport to Kobe Airport in about 30 minutes.
The normal fare for adults cost 1880¥. Children’s one-way fare cost 200¥ down from 940¥. That’s a savings of 75%.
Discount price for foreigners…
This special discount is only available for foreign tourists. So you’ll have to present your passports. And this deal is valid until March 31st, 2024. And they have been extending these discounts because I remember this special fare for tourists since 2020.
I came across this discount while I was searching for the cheapest train option to KIX from Kobe. There are no direct trains so I would have to transfer to one of the trains at one of Osaka’s stations. Plus my flight departs at 10am which meant I would have to get up early and try to drag my butt to the airport a few hours before.
Which meant that I’d have to check out of my hotel at 5am. Which means I would be groggy, grouchy and possibly bitchy until I find some decent coffee. All in all, it wouldn’t be pretty.
So when I found out this better and cheaper way of getting from Kobe to KIX in about an hour I was all psyched.
credit: https://www.kobe-access.jp
Since I wanted to stay in Kobe for my last leg of the trip, using the bay shuttle makes more sense. I already stayed quite awhile in Osaka already recently. So I really wanted to spend more time in Kobe.
Kobe – Kansai High Speed Shuttle ferry service is hands down better than taking a bus or a train back to Kansai airport. Because the ferry ride takes about 30 minutes. Total travel time for me was only about 1 hour.
Boarding start 5 minutes before departure. There are about 50 seats inside. I would make a reservation on their website to lock in a seat…
This high speed ferry boat service going from Kobe to KIX runs every hour starting at 5:30am with the last departure at 10:45pm. The ferry boats run once every hour but check out their timetable to make sure in case there are changes. And of course it also runs from KIX to Kobe also which is great if you are planning to head to Kobe first.
Even though early in the morning there were plenty of seats available I still highly recommend you reserve a seat, especially if you’re traveling in a larger group. The boat has about 50 seat passenger capacity with designated spaces allocated for luggage.
I can imagine during peak hours it might be hard to get a seat. It’s a high speed boat after all and for safety reasons there’s no standing room permitted. When passengers are seated they are required to use the seatbelts.
How to Get from Kobe City to Kansai International Airport in Roughly 1 Hour
I was staying at b Kobe Hotel which is about a 5 minute walk to Port Liner Sannomiya Station (PLSS). The PLSS is directly connected to JR Sannomiya Station which is important to know because there are other train stations nearby with the Sannomiya name. And trust me you don’t want to get into the wrong station. Otherwise you’d never find PLSS.
So when you located JR Sannomiya station, start looking for signs directing you to PLSS. There were many signs and hard to miss.
Port liner station is on the second floor of Jr Sannomiya station…
There’s only one entrance to Port Liner Sannomiya station and it’s on the second floor. If you have a lot of luggage there is an elevator on the ground level. You’ll see the ticket vending machines like the one the picture below. Just like other ticketing machines you’ve come across while traveling on Japanese trains, you first must indicate how many fares you are purchasing and then you’ll get the total you have to pay.
It’s 330 Yen for 1 adult. I was buying tickets for myself and my wife and thus the 660 Yen total…
My flight was departing at 10am so I checked out of the hotel at 5am. The walk from b Kobe hotel where I was staying to Port Liner Sannomiya Station took about 5 minutes.
I actually went a few days ahead to find the entrance of the Port Liner station so I wouldn’t have to run around like a headless chicken at the last minute in the early cold morning of Japan’s winter. To me alone that would probably be fun. But I was traveling with my wife so I had to be a bit wiser. So that’s why I found the station quicker.
“Wayfaring Soul Travel Tip #86: Locating the exact location of your next transport hub beforehand will ensure smooth travels.”
There are only two platforms so be sure to read the digital display which points to the right platform. You’re looking for the train heading to Kobe Airport…
The first train at Port Liner Sannomiya Station arrives 5:40am sharp. The trip to Kobe Airport where the ferry terminal is located is 18 minutes long and the final stop. Remember to take the train heading for Kobe Airport. If I recall correctly the train waited for about 3 minutes before it left the station.
Inside a port line train. The ride is 18 minutes long, making 8 stops before terminating at Kobe Airport…
Because we were in so early the train was not crowded at all. The train makes 8 stops along the way and even stops at a station with an IKEA. I was so tempted to go buy some Lingonberry jam and some wall shelves. But we had a plane to catch.
Credit: https://www.kobe-access.jp – On this map you have to head to Kobe Airport Kaijyo Access Terminal. I don’t know why they just don’t call it the Kobe to KIX Ferry Access Terminal…
Almost There
Kobe Airport is the last stop. After you exit the ticket gate you should see some signs pointing the way to the port entrance right in front of you. There’s no need to go inside Kobe airport. When you go downstairs outside you’ll see the first large sign leading to the ferry terminal.
You’ll be walking past a parking lot and at the end of the parking lot is another sign directing you to go left. Then more signs leading you directly to the Kobe Airport Kaijyo Access Terminal.
There should be a bus that will take you to the pier but we didn’t see one I guess because it was still early in the morning. But for me and my wife the walk took about 5 minutes. So the pier is not far away.
The Kobe airport Kaijyo access terminal is the short white building in the distance…
I reserved 2 seats a few days ago before departure. Matter of fact according to their website reservations are available 3 months to 48 hours before departure. The ticket counter was easy to spot because the ferry terminal is not all too big. You can pay with credit card and I even saw a currency exchange booth.
Just a single ticket counter to purchase your fare…
So I informed them of my reservation and was asked to show my passports and then I got two tickets on the ferry to KIX at 500¥ a piece with 15 minutes to spare. I even had enough time to buy a hot coffee at a vending machine.
Besides vending machines selling hot and cold drinks I even saw ice cream too. Also some work tables with charging ports. Quite the cozy ferry terminal if I may say so.
Kobe – Kansai Bay Shuttle ferry boat…
At KIX Airport
Once passengers disembark at KIX ferry terminal a few buses are waiting. The first bus heads to Terminal 1 which is where all airlines are located except for Peach Airline which is located in Terminal 2. Don’t worry, all the buses have digital displays indicating which bus goes to which terminal.
Check the bus’s digital display. Some of the Terminal 2 buses will make stops at Terminal 1 first, during off peak hours…
Final Thoughts
It’s probably a wise idea to check the weather to make sure there are no typhoons or hurricanes forecasted. The end of August and early September is Japan’s typhoon season. You can imagine weather could really play a part in delaying your trip to catch your flight from Kobe to KIX.
Really, the whole trip process was so smooth and in a way, so clock work Japanese. As I looked out my window when the boat departed you could see a porter waving good bye. Everything went so smoothly. Usually I get nervous about trying out a mode of transport for the very first time. Especially when I have to catch a flight home. But this first time going on this high speed ferry boat from Kobe to KIX was a flawless experience.
From Where to Book Your Phuket Tours to the All Important Travel Insurance in Thailand
Is it cheaper to book tours when I set foot on Phuket Island? Should I book Phuket tours in advance?
If you’ve asked both questions then you are essentially wondering what’s the best way to book daily tours in Phuket, Thailand.
By the time you’re finished reading this blog post, you’re going to have clear answers to booking a tour before or after you arrive on Phuket Island. Plus everything else in between, including tour travel insurance why you should not book tours with local Thai tour agencies using your debit cards.
Unless you’ve got yourself a fancy yacht courtesy of a generous trust fund or a Bond villain-style speed boat parked somewhere along Thailand’s Andaman Sea, you’re going to have to join a tour group to explore the beautiful islands and beaches of Phuket (ภูเก็ต pronounced Poo-ket).
Smaller wooden motor boats are made for private tours. But private tours cost more…
Don’t Own a Boat? No Problem.
You will learn where to go find the best prices for tours on Phuket Island. Also, the best online travel agencies to reserve island hopping tours in advance. Whether you’re traveling solo or with a group of best friends and family, my Phuket travel guide will ensure you’ll find the best tour prices.
Phuket is the largest island in Thailand. With 32 smaller islands which requires hiring a boat or joining a tour group for island excursions. You can’t do it alone. So you will need local Thai guides and hired transportation.
Also in this post, I’m going to point out the benefits of booking tours online versus booking tours on Phuket island. I’m sure you’re eager to find out which is better.
Safety is Important These Days for Touring the Islands of Phuket
No one wants to get into accidents let alone think about it. I’ll cover what’s included in Phuket’s tour operators’ insurance coverage. This is important to know when you’re frolicking on the beach and cross paths with monkeys in a bad mood. And sometimes the causes of accidents aren’t entirely the fault of tourists alone.
Thai tour operators can be accident-prone as well. I’ll touch base on insurance coverage provided by Thai tour agencies and what to expect below.
Tourists waiting to board their boats on Khao Ping Kan (James Bond Island)…
Benefits of Joining a Phuket Island Tour
A visit to Thailand’s famous Phuket island is on most tourists’ must-do list. Joining an island and beach hopping tour is the best and most convenient way to explore Phuket and all of its beautiful surroundings.
There are plenty of perks for joining tours:
A driver picks you up from your hotel and drops you back off when the tour is over.
Knowledgeable English-speaking guides are on hand.
Lunch and refreshments are included in the price. Beers are extra.
Admission fees to islands are included as they are considered national parks. However, you should double-check trip descriptions to be sure.
Snorkel gear and life jackets are loaned out.
Better to bring your own snorkel gear. Because the equipments provided are reused repeatedly. Gross!
Tour agency inside a hotel on Phuket island
Like most things in life you get what you pay for. There are private yachts to the Phi Phi Islands you can hire outright for the day with champagne and caviar served. But you’ll be paying out of your butt hole for that privilege.
I’m like most folks. I’m looking for the best valued tour in Phuket. I don’t want a tour that is too cheap yet provides an amazing value and experience. Which is a polite way to say I want a lot. But I want to pay a little. And that’s okay.
Because in this little Phuket tour guide, I’ll show you where to book that dream tour to the Phi Phi Islands and where you shouldn’t be booking your overall Phuket tours to save money.
You’ll specifically know which areas are best to book tours on Phuket island after arriving.
But first, here’s a little nifty tip from your buddy the Wayfaring Soul:
Wayfaring Soul Tip #1901 for Booking Phuket Tours
“The bigger the boat, the cheaper the tour price. The smaller with less people and faster the boat, the more it’ll cost.”
Speed boats are better… but it’ll cost more
Smaller speed boats provide specialized tour services. It can carry approximately 15 passengers, not including crew. But they cost more. Speed boats are nimble enough to navigate to certain parts of the islands that are quieter and less frequented. Less people the better and that’s the way I like it. So I typically book Phuket speed boat island hopping tours. The cost is worthwhile.
Larger ferry boats are okay… and it’s cheaper
Ferry boats fit more passengers but don’t have much flexibility because they can’t pass through shallow waters. And also certain secluded locations due to the size of the boat.
However, because more people are sharing the boat the cost per passenger is lower. There are just too many people on these boats, approximately fifty onboard. I’ve only been on once and never again.
My friends have been on larger tour boats though and they tell me it’s not that bad though. So it all comes down to personal preference.
And now, let’s get to the big question you’ve been asking.
The wooden boats with single engines are used for short island hops and small tourist groups…
“Booking a Tour in Phuket After Arriving VS. Booking Phuket Tours Online” – Which is Better?
This is a question I’m asked often. Who wants to arrive in Phuket only to find out that the tour you wish to join is completely sold out?
Everyone wants the best tour for the best price. No one wants to overpay. More importantly, who wants a crappy Phuket tour experience?
This will happen if you book tours in all the wrong places. Booking day trips in Phuket within your own home country’s travel agency is a classic mistake. There are only two things to think about:
How Much Time You’ve Got Before Arriving in Phuket?
How Many Persons Are Traveling Within Your Group?
Here are your answers. Plus also my best tips on where you should book your tours and more examples of where you shouldn’t.
Time – You’ll Have Plenty of it to Join a Tour in Phuket
If you’re like me, a serial procrastinator, you’ll be happy to know there are plenty of opportunities to purchase jungle trekking, snorkeling, or scuba activities and island hopping packages right on the main island of Phuket.
There are as many tour sellers as there are 7-Elevens in Phuket. If you don’t know what I’m talking about you’ll see when you get there.
So it’s not necessary to purchase day trip tours outside of Thailand. Nor book Phuket tours online in advance.
But there is an exception as to why you should book Phuket tours onlinebefore arriving.
I’ll get into that exception later. But if you can’t wait, click here.
Here’s a speed boat commonly used by Phuket tour operators. It has an approx. 15-person capacity excluding crew and is used for fast travel to cover more beaches and island stops…. I always book a speed boat tour.
Believe me, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to buy tour packages if you haven’t done so yet. The island is full of tour agencies, tour agents, tour kiosks, and tour touts.
The nice Thai lady running a laundry shop could also hook you up with a phone call.
Whether you want it or not airport taxi drivers will try to sign you up for a jungle trekking tour. Even though you are deathly scared of large hairy spiders like yours truly.
Unscrupulous locals train monkeys to shake tourists down if they don’t buy tours from them. Stray dogs are tattooed with tour advertisements. You can even buy tours from elderly Thai fruit vendors. Okay, so I’m kidding about the last three. But you get my point.
Here’s another scenario. Say you arrived in the cities of Bangkok or Chiang Mai first.
And it’s the high season (November to April). You’re concerned that all the island tour operators are fully booked. So you decide to book a tour through the hotel’s on-site tour agency.
Tour agencies in Phuket offer boat trips all around Phuket Island, possibly dropping you off certain beaches for a little while…
Never Book Phuket Tours Inside Hotels
That action will end up costing you at least 20% to 35% more compared to reserving that same tour on Phuket island. Hotel tour agencies in Bangkok don’t do it for free. And they shouldn’t as it’s a service they are providing. All hotels in Bangkok or any other tour vendors in Thailand outside of Phuket will charge extra.
I don’t even recommend purchasing day trip tours inside Phuket International Airport. Because renting a location inside an airport is expensive. In turn, tour operators pass some of the cost to you.
But we are savvy travelers, right? Don’t fret, book your tours on Phuket because you’ve got plenty of time to save yourself some money for a frosty piná colada.
Now that you know where not to book tours in Phuket, I’m going to show you where you should go for the best Phuket tour rates…
For the Best Tour Prices in Phuket, Head to Patong Beach
So I’ve already established that it’s best to purchase your tours right on the island of Phuket. To be specific, head to the Patong Beach area because there are so many tour operators all selling the same tours. But at slightly different prices. Chances are you’re probably staying at a hotel in the Patong Beach area anyway. Or at least be visiting Patong Beach for its nightlife.
The reason why you can get better prices from tour operators on Patong Beach is because that’s the area where most tourists are wandering around. And tour agencies in that area try to be as price competitive as possible to get your Baht into their grubby hands.
Patong Beach Road – Walk along this to find the best Phuket tour prices…
Where is Patong Beach?
Patong Beach is a seaside resort on the western coast of Phuket. The area is abuzz with Phuket’s nightlife including a smallish red light district.
Even then, Patong is family-friendly. With many restaurants serving Western food and seafood restaurants. Chances are, you’re going to visit Patong Beach at least once on your Phuket vacation. I guarantee it.
Patong Beach is the single best location in Phuket to find tours on arrival.
A tour agency desk right by Patong Beach, Phuket…
Here’s What to Look for at a Phuket Tour Agency.
Look for a Phuket tour agency with a business name clearly marked, with phone numbers.
I recommend dealing with a dedicatedtour agency only. I typically stay clear of tour agencies that double as a laundry shop or other businesses unrelated to tourism.
Make sure a Thailand Tourism License (TAT) is displayed. It looks like the image below but with a license number.
Here’s how a TAT license looks. A licensed tour agency will also have a license number displayed…
Check Around for the Best Tour Prices
I recommend speaking with tour agencies on the street level of Patong Beach. I also recommend checking prices with at least 3 different tour agencies. You’re more than welcome to check more than that if you have the time.
Me, I prefer to spend it under a beach umbrella with soft warm sand caressing my feet. While cradling a nice frosty boozy piná colada. I just love those cute little drink umbrellas.
Price comparisons from three different travel agencies along Patong Beach will give you a general idea of prices for tour activities during your visit.
How much can you save from checking around?
It’s possible that you can save a few hundred Baht or more, depending on the season, time of day, or whether or not a particular tour agency has reached a quota. The discounts can add up if you’re traveling in a group. It’s possible to ask for group discounts.
Matter of fact, ask for discounts. But be polite about it. Do not expect a deep discount. If they can’t sell to you, trust me, they’ll find somebody else to purchase a tour.
Patong Beach Road is crammed with tour agencies…
Use Your Common Sense
Whatever you do, do not book a Phuket tour from a local tour agency offering an incredible itinerary at a too-good-to-be-true price.
While doing your price research along Patong Beach you will eventually figure out the average cost. Finding anything unrealistically cheaper than the rest should set off alarms in your brain.
If you see a Phuket tour more than half off of what everyone else is charging you’re at a dodgy unlicensed business. No questions about it. They probably don’t have your safety in mind nor care whether or not you have a good experience.
Remember what your mother told you about talking to strangers…
Also not a good idea to have a tour tout approach you out of the middle of nowhere. These guys, girls, or ladyboys may not work directly with the tour agency. But rather as middlemen so they get a commission when you book which you end up paying for their lunch. Simply put, don’t speak to strangers who approach you with a fist full of tour pamphlets.
Bangla Road is also a good area to look for Phuket Tours
Aside from Patong Beach, I also recommend searching for Phuket island hopping tours along Bangla Road where you’ll find lots of tour agencies.
Bangla Road is a major street on Phuket Island that runs parallel to Patong Beach. You’ll find it with no problems.
Tour agencies in Phuket’s Patong Beach can speak English…
Here’s When to Book Tours in Advance Online
Now let’s talk about booking Phuket tours online. It’s not more expensive than booking on the island itself. In some instances, during low travel season, it’s about the same price. How that happened I have no clue.
If you’re traveling with just a few people go ahead and book the tour upon arriving on the island.
However, I highly recommend booking tours in advance online for bigger groups.
Book that Phuket Tour Online When You’re Traveling with a Bunch of Friends
Viator.com is a reliable online tour company where you can book your Phuket tours ahead of time…
So here’s the exception I mentioned before. If you’ve got a bunch of friends traveling with you to Phuket then I advise booking Phuket tours online in advance.
Like anything these days on the inter-web you can purchase Phuket day trips at home in the comforts of your underwear. Fuzzy pink bunny slippers are optional.
Online Phuket tour prices are priced slightly higher. I’ve never found them to be cheaper than booking a tour on-site at Patong Beach and Bangla Road. However, as I mentioned prices could be the same in some instances.
The biggest benefitof booking a tour online in advance is that there’s enough space for you and all your friends to chill out on the same boat. Because nothing drags down a vacation mood more than getting separated from your BFFs.
For me, I normally book tours ahead of time when I’m with at least five friends. If you’re popular and have even more friends you might even get your own boat.
Some tours are more popular than others. Obviously, the best tours get picked up and run out of space the quickest.
This is another reason why it’s a good idea to reserve that tour online ahead of time.
In most instances, you can reserve now and pay later, or cancel within 24 hours’ notice, just like the popular tours around Phuket I listed below.
Book Tours Ahead of Time for These Best of Phuket Island Beach Tours
One-Day Tour to Phi Phi, Maya and Bamboo Island – This trip is designed to pack in the Phuket travel experience of your dreams. As I recommended you’ll travel via speedboat to Koh Phi Phi where you can relax, swim along coral reefs, and possibly fend off monkeys trying to steal from you as you snap selfies. You’ll be visiting four islands on this tour package. Check the price and read reviews for this tour on Viator.com
Similian Islands – If you want to spend more time in the water snorkeling instead of fighting off monkeys on a beautiful picturesque island then a tour of the Similian Islands you will enjoy. Similan Islands has some of the best coral reefs and diverse marine life in the Andaman Sea. Check the price and read reviews for this tour on Viator.com
Raya Island – Imagine a long stretch of soft white sandy beach with crystal blue waters. And no pesky monkeys. That’s what you’ll find on Raya Noi. You’ll definitely enjoy a stop at Banana Bay for snorkeling. Check the price and read reviews for this tour on Viator.com.
Here’s Another Reason to Book Online Ahead of Time
Best to book shows ahead of time, especially if you’ve got a big group…
Every time my friends come to visit Phuket for their very first trip, I always recommend checking out Simon Cabaret Phuket for a fun night out. But if you want the good VIP seats you need to book in advance. This all ladyboy cast cabaret is very famous in Phuket and a super popular tourist attraction.
Oh, and another reason why you want to book ahead of time for Phuket Simon Cabaret Show is you won’t get separated from your friends and have a table to sit together.
Trazy.com and Viator.com Are Some of the Best Online Travel Agencies for Phuket Tours
There are many reputable online travel tour operators selling all kinds of tours in Phuket from, island hopping, snorkeling, sunrise tours, jungle trekking and yes even tickets to Phuket Simon Cabaret Show.
I like online tour operators like Viator.com, you check out an example of their James Bond Island tour itinerary.
These tour boats are designed for shorter distance trips around Phuket…
Another online travel agency I recommend is Trazy.com which has a highly reviewed tour of Phuket’s 1 Day Similan Island Tour.
Both are reputable online tour operators in Phuket and the major reason why I recommend them is if there’s a problem you know how to find them. For instance if you’re back home and you want to complain about something you can write to them, leave a review or a feedback. Plus, they speak English.
Versus booking a tour through a local tour operator you may not want to pay for international calls or have some sort of communication problem.
Not that I’m saying local Thai tour operators across the scale are bad. Just saying things happen and if it did, don’t you want to be able to speak to someone you can easily communicate with?
I mean what if you want to cancel a tour and get some money back?
Cancellation policy from a tour on Viator.com, please check all tour cancellation policies as each may be different…
However a recent Tragedy in Phuket Has Swayed Me to Recommend Booking Tours Online
Due to a recent tragedy in July 2018 which resulted in the deaths of 41 Chinese citizens returning from an island tour in Phuket, I can’t stress enough to be careful about how you choose your tours in Phuket.
I believe that companies like Viator.com and Trazy.com are highly reputable online travel agencies that are more responsible for the safety of their customers.
Cancellations and Refunds – Pay Tours With Credit Cards (Not Debit Cards)
There are a lot of reasons why tour agencies cancel an outing. And reasons why you need to cancel a tour too. Rough weather is a big reason why operators will cancel a day’s worth of tours for safety precautions.
Your husband had some bad sushi a few days before arriving in Phuket. And don’t want him to blow chunks on the speed boat. That would be one reason why you as a customer need to cancel and request a refund.
For obvious safety reasons tour operators cancel trips due to inclement bad weather…
Why should you pay with a credit card? There are several reasons but one example is if there’s a cancellation due to weather. If you paid in cash but have no time to pick up the refund afterwards then it’s easier to get the money refunded back to your credit card.
However, a local Thai tour operator in Phuket might add a 3% surcharge for paying with a credit card. Which is not a big deal.
Though is another reason why I recommend booking a tour online with the web travel agencies I mentioned.
Also, if there’s a problem, say if you think you’ve dealt with a shifty tour operator you can always contact the credit card issuer to put a hold on the charge. And have the credit card company investigate and sort things out.
Never pay for tours with a debit card. I don’t want to get off topic so if you want to know the reasons why check this article here.
Lunch on the Tour
If you’re booking a full-day tour package it will include lunch. Maybe even a light breakfast in the morning. Most half-day tours include lunch also.
Try and stay away from tours where for lunch they stick you inside a large shared restaurant.
Here’s an example of why from my last Phuket island tour:
Recently, a large restaurant was made somewhere off the island near Phuket where all the surrounding tour agencies shuffle in hungry tourists and serve lunch.
There are restrooms and snack shops as well, which is all good.
This restaurant was built a while ago to handle the influx of hungry tourists in Phuket…
There were 10 to 12 tour mates at a table. Everyone was quiet as we stared at the dishes that were presented to us. Awkwardly silent I must add. Like everyone was thinking the same thing in unison.
Where’s the nearest McDonalds? We’ll swim through shark-infested waters if we must for some McNuggets and fries!
We were served cold french fries. Some tepid water with root vegetables and chicken (me thinks) that’s supposed to be soup de jour.
Did we have sweet and sour pork? Or was it chicken? There were a few other Thai dishes but let’s not get into that.
Was there a chance our tour group’s lunch was made by a cadre of less experienced cooks?
While the real chef was out on the back pier enjoying his afternoon siesta with an icy cold beer. Possibly…
Andaman Seafood restaurant, is packed and crowded because most tour agencies stop off here so tourists can have their lunch which is included in the tour package…
So what’s the lesson here kids? Ask your tour operator if they provide tours where lunch is served on the beach. Search around until you find an itinerary somewhere specifically stating where you’ll be having lunch.
Remember, all tours are usually priced about the same as advertised by other Phuket tour operators. So why would you want to pay for a crappy lunch and location when you can get something better? For roughly around the same price.
Because I have joined tours where you can enjoy a lunch buffet on a nice sandy beach with a view. Believe me, it’s a whole lot better than eating at a packed restaurant and looking at the faces of disappointed tour mates.
The Ultimate Goal is to have the Best Phuket Island Tour Experience
For example, here’s an itinerary from Viator.com showing their list of pit stops along with other helpful info about their Phi Phi Island Adventure Tour.
Too lazy to check the link? Here’s an excerpt from that tour itinerary:
“Then, cruise to the white beaches of Bamboo Island. Go ashore for a delicious buffet lunch at an island hotel, and enjoy free time to relax on the beach and swim.” – From Viator, Phi Phi Island Tour
Phang Na Bay, located in Khao Phing Kan, is also called James Bond Island. This limestone landmark is the island’s claim to fame…
Insurance on Phuket Tours – Bad Things Can Happen
Sure, we don’t want bad things to happen. But it’s still a good idea to have some accident insurance coverage. Especially if you’re planning on zip lining up in the air and short trekking through jungles filled with rabid monkeys in heat.
All licensed tour operators in Thailand are required to carry insurance for tourists under their charge. Keep in mind, that some tour agencies may charge a little bit extra for insurance to cover children.
Accidents can happen so be sure to book with tour operators that have insurance clearly listed…
Here’s a look at one of Trazy.com’s Zipline experiences in Phuket. It clearly states what’s included in the price, including insurance.
By Law, Local Thai Tour Operators Must Provide Insurance Coverage
As indicated in this Bangkok Post article, in case of an accident involving tourists, local tour operators are required to cover up to 500,000THB ($16,500USD) for injury.
In the instance of death, a tourist’s estate receives 1,000,000THB ($33,000USD) per tourist. All licensed tour operators in Thailand must have insurance as dictated by the Tourists Authority Thailand (TAT).
Phuket Island Tour Operators with Insurance
Nutticha Marine Co., LTD – They have a good selection of on and off-island itineraries. Their full-day Phi Phi, Maya, and Khai Island tour provides a good experience and is recommended.
Flying Hanuman – If zip-lining through the air while screaming like a maniac does it for you then check out this tour operator. And yes they have insurance.
Trazy.com – This online travel tour agency provides tours in many countries but has a good selection of Phuket tours at reasonable rates.
Trazy is a web travel agency offering insurance on their tours…
When searching for local tour operators in Phuket, if you see one that you are interested in but don’t see them listing insurance you can always email them and ask if they provide any for peace of mind. Because if they are licensed tour agencies on the island they are required to provide it.
Because information changes from time to time, and if travel insurance is your concern on any tour excursions in Phuket please contact the tour operator and inquire about their company tour insurance policy.
Final Thoughts on Booking a Phuket Tour…
Booking tours in Phuket is usually smooth sailing (pun intended) as most tour operators on the island are doing their best to provide the best experience for their customers.
The locals depend on tourism because it’s very important to the island’s micro-economy.
A few of the crew members working on a tour boat in Phuket…
I’ve been to plenty of island tours in Phuket booking online and on the island and I have to say all were good fun. Local tour guides spoke English or one other language.
Most have a great sense of humor and fun conversations were had. The crews look out for the welfare of the passengers under their care and want everyone to have a good time.
6 Tips for Booking Tours in Phuket, Thailand
April through October is the monsoon season. Tours during these periods are cheaper. But be sure to have plenty of time in Phuket so you can rebook the next day in case of cancellations.
Patong Beach is the best area in Phuket to find the lowest rates on day trips in and around the island. Check and compare with at least 3 different tour agencies on Patong Beach for the best tour rates. Not far from Patong Beach is Bangla Road which is also a good alternative to find tour packages.
Never purchase Phuket tours inside a hotel lobby travel agency.
For a better experience book tours from well-established online travel agencies with reviews of itineraries.
Be sure to read up on tour itineraries, pit stops, what’s included, and what to expect during a tour. Some tour agencies include admission fees to islands and some don’t
Pay tours with your credit card to get refunds conveniently or dispute charges.
Now that you’ve learned that Patong Beach and Bangla Road on Phuket Island are the best areas to look for tours. As well as the importance of having insurance included are you ready for your awesome tour experience in Phuket?
Being near Phuket and able to travel around the islands is one of the reasons why I love living in Thailand…
I hope so!
If you have any questions regarding booking tours in Phuket drop a comment below and I’ll reply as soon as I can. Until then, happy travels in beautiful Phuket!
The Best Eats in Kuala Lumpur Are Served on Plastic Bowls and Metal Trays…
Being based in Bangkok, Thailand with so many countries and cities I can choose to visit frequently, here are some reasons why I chose Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia as the place I go time and time again.
Many murals located all around KL…
Because Kuala Lumpur always has a special place in my heart. The history, the culture and the food combined together creating one of the most fascinating cities in Southeast Asia.
Where else in the world can a guy like me with a big appetite get authentic Chinese, Indian, Arabic and of course Malay cuisine in one location. And sure, inevitably foods will get crossed and the result is simply magic.
I haven’t been to the country of India yet. I haven’t even really had the chance to explore China yet either. Coming to Malaysia gives me a taste of both. The best of both worlds.
A good photographer friend and I came across this wedding at an Hindu temple…
Chinese, Malays and Indians generally get along living together and praying together not far off from each other. And it all began in the 1800’s when the tin mining industry boomed and hordes of workers were needed to work the mines and then some for sustaining the booming population.
It is common to find Hindu Temples within short walking distance to Chinese Temples. Where ever there are devout worshippers their are hungry stomachs.
This Chinese temple is just right across the street from a Hindu temple near Jalan Petaling Street…
The Food – It’s What Pulls Me Back To Kuala Lumpur Every Year
I know this is going to sound really crazy. Okay maybe not. If you ask me why I travel to KL every year multiple times my answer is for the food.
It’s that simple. When I tell the local Malays that I love their food their eyes light up. Because they know first hand what I’m talking about. Like a secret hand shake into a secret club. They too share the sentiment, that the food of Malaysia is a national treasure.
Delicious options at a Nasi Kandar style restaurant in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur…
But there’s one particular food that I enjoy. And one style of restaurants that I enjoy very much serving what I love. And that’s Nasi Kandar.
Intro to Nasi Kandar
This style of restaurant has its origins from South India which is why you will find a heavy Indian influence which is what I like and enjoy so much. Curries are what I love so much! More about Nasi Kandar below.
These types of eateries remind me of the local pizzerias back in the old days of New York City. It’s where you go to grab some quick bites and chill with friends.
Nasi Kandars are open 24 hours, 7 days a week. The young, the old and everyone aged between can be seen sitting around, having their meals and conversing with friends. Smoking in Nasi Kandars is allowed but because there are no windows and plenty of oscillating fans I’ve never been inundated with second hand cancer smoke.
Now if you want me to put a finger on what I like to eat the most at my favorite Nasi Kandar joint I’ll let you know. It’s something that I can’t get enough of and something I eat every single morning and dream about every night before I go to bed in KL.
Roti Canai and Chicken Curry
My breakfast in KL, every morning. The quintessential roti canai (2 pieces) with a bit of curry chicken and hot teh halia (hot ginger tea with milk)…
I pride myself to be a simple man with simple tastes with a huge appetite.
Some times I stay in KL up to a full week. For my entire stay for breakfast I eat roti canai, curry chicken and hot ginger tea with milk. Even the waiter recognizes me. As soon as I park my ass on a chair all I have to say is “the usual please” and a nod from the waiter is the confirmation I needed to know that in a few minutes something yummy is coming to fill my tummy.
Roti is a simple unleavened flat bread and popular for breakfast choice for the locals that typically eat it with lentil curry called dahl.
What’s the secret ingredient in Roti? It’s the copious amounts of ghee, an Indian clarified butter and lots of it is used to make roti. And I prefer my order of roti canai with delicious curry chicken.
The combination is amazing. The roti when freshly made is so soft, fluffy and chewy at the same time. The ghee is the real key. Chicken for some protein and curry spice combined with the warm roti is a dream combination.
Been eating at this restaurant in Bukit Bintang since the first day I visited KL ages ago…
You can find roti canai and curry chicken all over Malaysia but I always go to Restoran Arraaziq located in the heart of Bukit Bintang for breakfast.
The Basics of Nasi Kandar Restaurants in Malaysia
Nasi Kandars are all over KL open 24 hours serving food and tea to the hungry masses…
Nasi Kandars are the greasy spoon dives where you’ll find construction and office workers eating together at any time of the day since they open 24 hours.
Rice dishes at Nasi Kandars cost about 10RM to 15RM depending on how much foods on your plate. Rotis with some curry chicken and a tea beverage will set you back about 10RM.
I’m going to safely assume that Nasi Kandars are cheaper as you head further out of KL central.
So as you can see, if you want cheap but oh so good eats go to a Nasi Kandar. The portions are generous and the price is very affordable. Like I mentioned already these restaurants are built for the working class.
Nasi means rice and Kandar means balance. Back in the days street hawkers used poles balanced on their shoulders with buckets of rice on one end and on the other end an assortment of meats and curry sauces. They served the local population of the time that helped build the city if not Malaysia.
Rice biryani with fried chicken, sautéed vegetables and some curry sauce…
Dining at a Nasi Kandar might be intimidating at first. But down to its basic core it is simply a fast food restaurant. There might not be menu boards with prices but most of the restaurants I’ve been to have menus with English.
Cleanliness could be a concern while dining at these greasy spoons. Most of the foods are cooked ahead of time and not heated throughout the day. Because of the Malaysian weather food won’t get too cold and stays room temp for most of the day.
However, most Nasi Kandar restaurants have microwaves. I’ve eaten at a lot of Nasi Kandar restaurants all around the KL area and I’ve never been sick once.
Nasi Kandar restaurants are great for fast foods 24 hours a day…
Never seen rodents or roaches at a Nasi Kandar. Oddly enough not even flies. I’m in KL mostly around August, November and February. I’m sure there are pests like most major cities around the world have but perhaps these restaurants are really good at keeping them at bay.
But if cleanliness is really your concern you can head over to Pavillion Mall’s food court in the basement level. Look for Food Republic. Food will cost more but it’s a clean place to enjoy this type of food.
I’ve never been sick eating at a Nasi Kandar but if you’re worried about the squirts, then try the food court at Pavillion Mall for a safer setting…
Ordering and Paying for Your Food at a Nasi Kandar
In essence when it comes to dining at Nasi Kandar, if you’re going for the rice dishes you either order it at counter where you pick what you want and a server scoops it up for you.
Or you scoop up your own food typically starting with the rice first. Confused? I thought so. But it’s not complicated. See the photo below.
If you see an open area like this at a Nasi Kandar this means self service…
If it’s an open area like the photo pictured above then you can go and scoop up your own portions. It’s all self serve. Notice the microwave on the top left corner. Make use of it if you’re scared of getting sick and squirting out from both ends, while huddling on the floor in the fetus position of your hotel room.
There are waiters who will gladly assist in case you don’t know what’s what. But usually, it’s chicken, beef, mutton and fish on the bottom shelves. There’s no pork as these restaurants have Muslim roots. The servers will also help you chop up fried chicken for easy eating.
Vegetables are all on the top shelf. Just in case some strict vegetarian will complain that the meats are fouling the veggies. You all know who you are.
At Arraaziq rice dishes is not self service but they usually give a lot on a plate…
Once you get the hang of self serve you’ll be fine like you’re at a buffet. How much to scoop? That’s up to you but I can honestly tell you be generous to yourself because from what I see the locals seem to pile stuff on their plates like there’s no tomorrow.
It goes with out saying don’t be a jack ass and fill your plate with so much food you can’t finish. And it’s obvious the waiters will charge more per plate if they see you piling up a storm of food on your plate.
Once you sit down with your plate of food a server will ask if you want anything to drink. Sodas, teas, water, smoothies you name it they’ve got it. Once your drink is brought to you a waiter usually writes down the price of your food on a receipt and tucks it under your drink cup or plate.
Now there’s more foods served in Nasi Kandars then simply rice, curries and roti. They also have a mix of Malay and Chinese foods also that are cooked to order so you can order it from their menus.
Most Nasi Kandar restaurants give out hand written checks. Some give out magnetized cards with the amount you owe. This is a bill for buttered naan, tandoori chicken and hot ginger tea with milk…
You can eat with your hands like the locals mainly do. Or you can eat with the forks and spoons provided on the table. For the rice dishes and also the roti canai I use fork and spoons. If you want to go native, all Nasi Kandars have wash basins to clean your hands.
Nasi Kandars are also great restaurants to indulge in naan and tandoori chicken. They serve buttered, garlic, cheese and of course plain naan. And the tandoori chickens are heated right up to order.
Chewy buttered naan with tandoori style chicken…
Okay so I could be considered one sick individual. Just like I eat roti canai with chicken curry every morning I eat buttered naan with tandoori chicken just about every night. And don’t forget the hot ginger tea with milk to wash it all down. Can you blame me? It’s so good. But so bad for my waistline.
The cost, 11.80RM for all 3 items or about $3US bucks. Here’s another dirty little secret. Although the portions are quite generous, if one night I am particularly hungry I’ll head to another Nasi Kandar just a short distance from this one and order another set of naan and tandoori chicken.
Just take your bill up to the cash register to pay, it’s as simple as that. No need to tip the servers…
So, pretty much all Nasi Kandar serve the same stuff but for myself some very good naan and tandoori chicken can be found at Restoran Mohamed Nazar Curry House in Bukit Bintang.
The Other Options…
And there are so many. I just touched on the tip of the iceberg on Malaysia’s food culture. But to keep this post short I recommend trying out Chilli Pan Mee which I wrote about here.
If you’re short on time and you don’t want to run around like a headless chicken in search of some good eats in Kuala Lumpur than might I suggest heading over to the Lot 10 in Bukit Bintang.
The Lot 10 Malls Hutong Food Court is a must visit for all the best KL has to offer in one clean eating area…
I’ve eaten in some fancy restaurants in my life time. And I can tell you if I played the “Last Meal Game” I wouldn’t say it would be had at a fine wine and dine restaurant with expensive porcelain plates and silver ware.
I would choose to have my last meal where the food is served on cheap plastic bowls and large prison issued aluminum trays.
Eating at a Nasi Kandar – To Sum it All Up
Nasi Kandar meny prices range from very cheap to cheap. Rice dishes cost about 10RM with a meat and vegetable side. The most I spend is about 15RM and I’m a big eater.
Because this is Malaysia English is spoken. Not all wait staff can speak it but some one working inside will be able to communicate with you.
For Nasi (rice dishes) go choose your own selection. Find an empty chair and sit.
Forks, spoons and tissue are provided especially when they know you’re a tourist.
A waiter will come for drink order. Once drink is delivered to you a total will be written down and handed to you. If it’s a magnetic card your total is stored in the card. Don’t lose the hand written bill or the card.
To pay, go straight for the cashier, you’ll usually see a sign or simply a cash register. It’s typically cash only.
There’s no need to tip at Nasi Kandar restaurants. Unless you really really want to.
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!
14 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.
Thanks very much, this article was very helpful to me, a person who never been to South Korea and will only stay there for 2 nights as a layover for my other trip. I was able to book the hotels you recommended. It’s unfortunate to see that some of the hotels are now closed though.
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 State of Qatar gave me my first taste of the middle east. It’s a territory I have never been to. But always wanted to visit. While searching for things to do in Qatar here on the internet, I was surprised to see that there’s… well not much to do, particularly in Doha, the capital city.
And if you’ve followed me here you’ll know I’m not the best planner when it comes to making travel plans. But sometimes, that’s just the way I like it.
With just a little bit of research there were only 2 places worth visiting in Doha’s Old City:
Souq Waqif
Musueum of Islamic Art and nearby Doha Corniche
And that’s pretty much it. Regardless I booked my annual return flight from Bangkok to NYC with a 4 day stopover in Doha, flying Qatar Airways (a review of the airline soon).
I felt really excited to visit Doha. However, there’s one thought that must’ve crossed a lot of peoples’ minds before thinking about heading over to the middle east. Especially if one haven’t been there before like yours truly.
Is it safe to Travel to Qatar?
I was concerned about my impending visit to Qatar, especially as an American citizen. I wondered whether or not Qatar is safe. I mean geographically, it’s not far off from all the craziness that is radical Islamic terrorism.
But out of all the countries in the middle east, Qatar is directly bordered by Saudi Arabia to the west and the UAE on the Southeast. The Persian Gulf separates Qatar from Iran on the east side. So in a way, Qatar has a good ring of protection.
A large open plaza near Souq Waqif…
I wasn’t too concerned about crimes against tourists because I haven’t heard much about it. But I am sure that petty crime does exist in Doha. I know Qatar is a developed country as is most oil and natural gas producing countries in the middle east. But it’s always a good idea to keep your wits with you, where ever you go.
Doha’s Old City
In Doha I explored parts of the city on foot, day and night. I stayed all my days at a hotel located in the old city. When they call it the Old City they weren’t kidding. I mean there are a lot of construction sites all over the place to spruce up the city.
But if you stray off the roads you’ll find a lot of very old residential apartment buildings. Many of them occupied by the working class that keep Qatar running.
Construction sites are a common sight in Doha’s Old City…
Currently there are malls in construction now as well as planned sites for what looks to be subway train stations in the future. I really have to admit, the Old City of Doha is not really pedestrian friendly like it is in Seoul, South Korea.
The side walks are narrow and cracked. And good luck if you have to pass by some major construction sites. Because there are literally holes in the pavement that you have to watch out for.
Off the beaten path in Doha’s Old City. This is a residential area with many restaurants for locals…
Taxis in Doha
Taxis are plenty and cheap in Doha. I stuck with Karwa taxis which are sky blue in color. The initial charge is 4QR about $1USD within the city. There on it’s about 1.20QR per kilometer. However there is a minimum charge of 10QR. All the final fares are announced from an automated message and you can get a receipt from the driver.
From Hamada International Airport the meter starts at 25QR about $7USD. Overall I paid about 40QR or $11USD from the airport to my hotel in Old City Doha called Letoile Hotel.
On my 4 day trip in Doha I must’ve taken the taxi at least 4 or 5 times and I’ve never had any problems at all with communication or drivers acting shifty.
There are other taxi companies but I believe those are unmetered and you just strike up a deal with the driver for the price to take you to your destination. There’s also Uber.
An interesting landmark on C Ring Road, Old City…
I did walk around a lot as I mentioned before. It’s my preferred method of travel to really get to know the lay of the land and explore.
But if you go off the main streets like I did on Qatar’s C Road, you’ll come across a lot of old low level tenant buildings. There are also what seemed like high end residential buildings too but many more were apartment dwellings for I assume most of the people working as manual laborers.
60% of the population live and work in Doha. So not surprising to see so many residential buildings all around the Old City.
Souq Waqif is where locals and tourists go to shop…
1. Doha’s Souq Waqif
Souq Waqif is one of the few must see tourists attractions in Doha’s Old City. If you need souvenirs, that’s the place you want to hit up. Restaurants are plenty there too with many outdoor seating. It has a wonderful family atmosphere, if not the only one in the old city quarters.
Souq Waqif is a shopping bazaar with many locals and tourists…
Because this is the only area that I’ve been to in Doha where I saw children and women together. In other parts of Doha I only see men hanging out with… more men. I rarely see women and children walking around the streets. Except in Souq Waqif.
You’ll find lots of things here. Need a pet bird or a rabbit? Yeah, they’ll set you up with one too at Souq Waqif. Need a hunting falcon? That’s right, head on over to Souq Waqif.
Lots of canaries and parrots for sale at Souq Waqif…
Kidding aside (though I’m not kidding about the sales of live Falcons), this market was founded a century ago. It wasn’t until 2006 that it was renovated to the family friendly atmosphere today. And you can get a good sense of the history and nostalgia by walking though the labyrinth and maze of shops carrying spices and perfumes.
Long ago traders would bring goods from all over Europe and mostly Asia to the nearby port and transport them a short distance to Souq Waqif.
A shop selling spices and sweets…
2. The Museum of Islamic Art
The Museum of Islamic Art is not a big museum. Matter of fact you can just about spend 2 or 3 hours there at the most. But you will find many beautiful works of art from all over the middle east, housed in one of the most beautiful space I have ever been in.
The museum itself was designed by the well known Chinese American architect I.M. Pei. There are exhibits located on 3 floors with wide open space in the middle with a café directly facing the Persian Gulf. Café prices for food and drink is on the pricey side. If you are hungry I recommend heading to nearby park located outside of the museum. There are local vendors selling food and drink at much more reasonable prices there. But I’m not sure if you’ll only see the markets on weekends.
Inside the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar…
I particularly enjoyed their collection of ancient compasses and measurement tools. I even saw an ancient protractor on display. That certainly brought back some memories of using one in school.
Even their hand crafted jeweled animal figurines impressed the hell out of a non artistic guy such as myself.
Entrance to the Musueum of Islamic Art is free. Check out the museum’s opening and closing hours here on their official website. Though they are closed every Tuesdays. And the museum has free internet Wi-Fi too.
It’s definitely a must visit spot while visiting Doha. The museum is located just a short 10 minute walk from Souq Waqif. Look for the underground pedestrian passage which cuts right through the highway above ground, leading to Doha Corniche.
You can hire a boat for a small trip out on the Bay of Doha from Doha Corniche…
Doha Corniche
Out side of the museum is a big park which leads right to Doha Corniche, a walkway with a great view of the Persian Gulf. You’ll also see families taking a stroll along the walkway as well as joggers taking advantage of the long stretch of the promenade extending several kilometers.
You’ll get a great view of the Bay of Doha while strolling down Doha Corniche…
Final Thoughts on Doha
Since I only stayed around the Old City with a limited amount of time, I did not have the chance to explore the much more developed City Center. That’s where all the modern skyscrapers and huge mega malls are located. Which is clearly visible from Doha Corniche. I actually prefer the old more than the new which was why I decided to stay in the Old City for my first visit to Doha.
A family friendly environment at Souq Waqif…
That said, from what I’ve seen, the Old City probably won’t look so old in the near future. There’s just so much construction going on that you get the feeling the country is trying to transform the city on fast track.
Doha was fun for me. It was nice to see something different than what I would normally see elsewhere on my normal stopover routes. I love the food. There’s a variety of Arab and Indian food all over. I certainly had my fill of authentic falafels at Doha.
But next time I’m passing through Doha again I’ll be sure to explore the newer City Center.
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.
Starting a Café Business Could Be One Way You Can Enjoy Living in Thailand…
I know a lot of foreigners who plan on opening a business in Thailand don’t know what to start at first. Coffee shops or cafés are a good choice because of its perceived simplicity.
And who doesn’t know what coffee is? Starting a small café in any of Thailand’s major cities like Bangkok, Chiang Mai and even Hua Hin won’t require a huge start-up budget compared to the West.
There’s a lot of information to unpack in this post. And the café business in Thailand, particularly in a big city like Bangkok is extremely competitive.
The business environment is very different today. It all comes down to how cool your brand is. And how well you treat people.
Minimal cafés are popular in Bangkok
Is it Cheap to Start and Run a Cafe Business in Thailand?
I originally published this post 10 years ago. Since then I’ve been updating this post as time went by.
Everyone wants to know if it is cheap to start a coffee business.
It never was cheap. I understand cheap is a subjective term, however.
I rather say it’s affordable when you compare it to your home country. For instance, I’m from New York City where everything is overpriced.
So in Thailand, opening a café business is indeed affordable. And as of writing it still is at least to a certain degree.
But for me, the bigger question is can it generate income? I’ll talk more about that below.
What About Registering a Coffee Business in Thailand
However, registering a business under your Thai spouse, girlfriend, or boyfriend by this method means you are not legally attached café business.
I am sure most of you reading this most likely have a good relationship with a Thai partner. Am I right?
I went into more detail in this post Small Business Ideas in Thailand including a couple of business ideas I think work great in larger cities of Thailand.
Starting any business requires thorough planning…
If you want your name legally attached to a coffee business or any business in Thailand you need to register a company.
Which would involve these 3 key details:
2 million Baht running capital
51% Thai ownership
Minimum 4 Thai employees
There’s more to it but those are the primary details. To keep this post from getting too long you should seek the advice of law firms or even accountants in Thailand. A quick search on Google will yield a list of Thai firms providing Thai company registration.
Now let’s get to the bottom of the beans!
What is The MOST Important Aspect of a Coffee Business in Thailand – It’s Not What You Think
I highly recommend getting the best quality espresso machine and coffee bean grinder that you can afford. Even if it is secondhand. It makes all the difference.
A fine selection of coffee beans from Thailand and around the world provides an amazing experience to your prospective coffee addicts.
BUT what if I told you high-quality equipment and amazing-tasting coffee beans are not the most important factors?
Even though I have not owned a café business for nearly a decade I still follow Thailand’s coffee culture. And I have close local friends within the coffee industry.
And I learned that the secret sauce today is not just great coffee.
You might think I’m crazy. But hear me out.
A barista with latté art skills will up your cafe level…
Pictures and (Videos) are Worth a Thousand Words
The old saying is the best form of advertisement comes from word of mouth. Whether you have a small or big cafe advertisement is important. This is especially true during the first 3 months of opening.
Because you want to build up as much cash flow as possible to sustain and grow your business from the get-go.
Today advertising is easy and affordable through Social Media and Google Maps. But if your paid advertisements aren’t enough to motivate customers to your doors it could end up costly. I know from first-hand experience. Many times the ads I paid for did not get the results I wanted.
Word of Mouth from Customers is THE Single Best FREE Advertisement
Build a trendy café
Out of everything you will learn from this blog, what you will read next will shock you.
Excellent, amazing-tasting coffee is NOT the number one priority. Of course, your coffee should taste good. I am not at all suggesting you stock cheap coffee.
Having great coffee alone is not enough to get customers to spread the news about your café.
You need to create a beautiful café space and have people snapping selfies left and right holding your coffee.
A trendy Instagram-worthy comfortable space, great coffee, and friendly service are crucial to success.
The Power of Social Influencers
Having a nice-looking café space will attract social media influencers. You don’t have to pay them a penny. If you build a trendy place for them to take selfies or post videos to their followers they will come. That’s what they do after all.
Today there are so many social media influencers, especially in Thailand. It’s a whole new job sector for young Thais as well as foreign tourists. Let them spread the news about your café.
You usually do not need to ask for people to share your café through Tik Tok they’ll do it if your space is nice enough. So plenty of natural lighting, and aesthetic pleasing to the eye ambiance like warm undertones with a minimalistic look works well.
Or you can just go all out quirky living room feel. One example of that is Sunny Bear Café. I like to use them as an example because are not in a particularly heavy foot traffic location. But they are located in a residential area and people walk there because it’s a cute coffee shop. Most importantly their coffee is good.
I’m not a social media influencer, but I am an active Google business reviewer and millions of people do the same. Make your café business stand out in all aspects and the 5-star reviews drives in more customers
They make do with a tight spaceLots of natural lighting make great photosA coffee shop is a good business to start in Bangkok or anywhere else in Thailand with a decent local population…
Location is everything, no doubt about it. But 90% of it is all about perception. Design your café to look as cool as possible.
Café Business was Tougher Back Then
I had a little café business in Bangkok for more than a few years. That time I didn’t take advantage of the burgeoning social media exposure.
Nor did I understand the importance of a beautiful café space. I was focused solely on providing the best coffee for my customers. I would bring roasted coffee beans back from Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
I didn’t even register for Google Maps!
Take advantage of social media platforms. Make posts as often as possible. There’s no excuse to.
It’s Not Going to Be Easy – There’s Always a Learning Curve
Starting a coffee shop in Bangkok was not easy when I first opened. There were problems with the construction company we hired. I couldn’t find reliable workers.
When all was said and done, profits were okay at the end of the day.
Of course, it could’ve been a lot better. Otherwise, I’d still be in the café business.
My major hurdle was that the location was not that great. But it wasn’t bad either. The price of my coffee drinks was not fairly expensive by Thai standards. I charged 55B for a 16oz. iced latté and this was back in 2014.
I honestly believe that if you’re opening a shop in Bangkok you better charge a bit higher. For example, if I had a shop today in a fairly good location with foot traffic, and plenty of space for customers to lounge around all day, I’d charge at least 100 B for 12 oz. Iced Americano minimum.
You must take a good look at your target demographics. Are they able to afford your coffee? One way to do that is to check out how much your nearby competitors charge. And do not charge too low thinking that’s what it takes to get them to spend money at your café instead.
Because at the end of the day, the most important thing is you want to turn a profit.
Only cafés like Starbucks or other international coffee house chains could get away with charging a cup of coffee for a premium price.
Spending over 150 Baht for coffee is an amazing feat. They’ve still got customers lined up through the door. Starbucks is easily one of the most popular cafés in Thailand. If they can convince locals to spend that amount on their coffee then you’ve got stiff competition.
See, I told you it won’t be easy.
Coffee Fruit – Traveling outside of Thailand searching for coffee beans was what I loved doing…
I Learned a Lot About the Café Business in Bangkok…
I learned a lot about starting a café business in Bangkok including baking. So I know having a coffee shop in Bangkok has the potential to do very well. I know where to buy coffee machines and necessities like cups, coffee beans, and straws at good prices.
Also through a long and arduous search, I finally found a reliable contractor to build a business from the ground up.
This is one of the reasons why I feel qualified to write this post on how to start a café business in Thailand
In a nutshell, I’d start another café in Bangkok as soon as I can find a good location with heavy foot traffic.
DO NOT rent a space just because the location is very affordable. What’s the point if there are no people walking by? I know many people make this mistake and have lost their hard-earned money.
Marin Coffee in Koh Chang – Tasty bakery and good coffee go hand in hand…
Knowing how to bake as well will be an advantage to you. Cakes, pies, cookies, brownies you name it are integral for a healthy café business. Both product offerings go hand in hand and up your profits easily. And possibly one way to sway die-hard Starbucks customers to walk through your doors instead of theirs.
But for now, I’ll share with you some of the lessons I’ve learned. The mistakes I’ve made and where you can go buy the necessary equipment and supplies, particularly in Bangkok.
Also, I’ll share what I learned about opening a business in Thailand.
A small café we visited on the island of Koh Chang…
Below is a primer about coffee in Thailand. If you know the difference already, please feel free to skip it. Otherwise, get ready to learn something new.
Which is always a good thing.
Espresso-Based Coffee Drinks in Thailand
If you’ve got latté art on your coffee then it’s an espresso-based coffee…
Thais are starting to enjoy coffee as a daily beverage. And Thailand is no stranger to drinks with caffeinated jolts. Red Bull was invented in Thailand.
It’s a good way to take in some much-needed caffeine to get through the day. And they are starting to get savvy about the different varieties of coffee beans.
For traditional Thai Coffee style if you’ve ever bought coffee off the side of a street then you’ll know it’s very different from Western espresso-based coffee.
I’m sure you’ve seen a Café Amazon and Mezzo coffee chain in Thailand. Both are Thai-operated coffee shops that use Thai-grown coffee beans, never imported.
Both of these Thai coffee chains use espresso machines too. But the major difference is they add a combination of evaporated milk and condensed milk as a substitute for real dairy milk.
Western espresso-based coffee drinks use whole-fat dairy milk exclusively.
Thai coffee uses a mixture of evaporated sweet and condensed milk…
Thai coffee is typically added to a mixture of evaporatedand condensed milk for that creamy texture and cloying sweetness. It’s either spooned in or pumped from a bottle right to coffee.
Thai cafés like Amazon Café, Black Canyon Coffee, and Mezzo will use whole fresh milk to create foam for lattes and cappuccinos. Because evaporated milk and condensed milk will not foam when steamed.
Every 7-Eleven in Bangkok sells espresso-based drinks also mixed in a combination of evaporated and condensed milk. That’s the main reason why they can sell their coffee cheaper.
Traditional Thai coffee is sweet due to the addition of sweet condensed milk…
The Invasion of Western Coffee Chain
Starbucks is the best example of a café serving traditional Western espresso-based beverages. Today many foreign espresso-based cafés are joining the ranks like Korea’s Holly’s Coffee, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, and Au Bon Pain. Every single one of those shops uses 100% whole milk, following the Western formula.
Plus there are many independent Thai cafés that roast and blend their coffee beans opening up all over the country. These Thai specialty cafés do not use evaporated and condensed milk at all and follow the Western espresso guidelines.
Consider carrying organic coffee beans for the sophisticated customer base…
The bottom line is that most of the coffee beverages sold in Thailand still use the evaporated and condensed milk mixture and are thus able to be sold cheaper.
Most small Thai cafés sell 16oz. iced lattes for 45B, which they can get away with because they’re using dairy substitutes from cans.
While espresso-based beverages served in western-based cafés use whole milk and typically charge more money per cup. 100% whole dairy milk is not cheap in Thailand. It’s about 90B for 1 liter of fresh milk.
With Bangkok’s growing coffee consumers many upscale coffee companies are appearing all over the city…
Now that you know what the difference is between both coffee variations, I’ll point out a few places where you can buy the necessary supplies and equipment to power your coffee shop.
Where to Buy Café Equipment and Coffee Shop Supplies in Bangkok
Because I am still based in Bangkok where I had a café once, I’ve already researched a bunch of places to purchase café equipment and supplies to run a coffee shop.
If you’re planning to open a café in Hua Hin, Pattaya, or Chiang Mai you will be able to find coffee equipment suppliers near those cities. Just make sure they have someone who can service your equipment while under warranty. More about that later.
This is especially true when you’re searching for a good commercial espresso machine and other necessary equipment such as a commercial coffee bean grinder.
You can find many commercial espresso machine sellers inside JJ Mall in Bangkok…
In Bangkok, I’ve learned that the best place to buy café equipment is inside JJ Mall, which is next to Chatuchak Weekend Market.
Inside JJ Mall you’ll find about 3 or 4 café supply shops with everything you’ll ever need to stock and supply your café business. From Thai coffee beans to coffee cups, lids and straws.
You can find many commercial espresso machine seller inside JJ Mall in Bangkok…A two group espresso machine is suitable for most small to medium cafes
Here are the names of 2 shops inside JJ Mall for purchasing commercial espresso and coffee grinders and many other products you’ll need to run a proper café in Thailand:
Commercial espresso machines and commercial coffee bean grinders are a little bit more expensive due to the country’s high import tax. But it is still relatively affordable. I highly recommend purchasing from a reputable dealer because they can provide warranty service for repairs.
First, you have to understand, that Thai coffee is different than espresso-based coffee…
Also, they will train you or your employees on how to use and maintain the equipment. No matter where you end up buying your commercial equipment be sure they include training on usage and instructions on daily maintenance.
A good commercial 2-group espresso machine could cost 200,000THB. A good commercial coffee grinder could cost 25,000THB. Get the best equipment you can afford. You’ll be glad you did in the long run.
Second-hand espresso machines and coffee grinders are also an option to save some money.
Maintenance, Repairs, and Warranty Service for Coffee Equipment
Wherever you choose to buy your equipment, be sure to ask the vendor what type of warranty is available. Because if you buy from Bangkok, but you’re opening a café in Rayong then you will need to find an equipment supplier near Rayong for repairs.
That way, the shop that sold you your equipment can provide service easier and quicker.
I know cities like Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and Phuket shouldn’t have any problems locating a reliable provider of coffee equipment.
But if you’re out in the boonies of Thailand you might want to check out your nearest Makro. There could be coffee shop suppliers on the premises or outside. The lesson here is to never buy anything you can’t get repaired.
What if the Warranty is Over But You Need to Find Someone Who Can Repair it Cheaper
Eventually, your equipment’s warranty will expire. Usually a year or two. Afterward, there’s a chance you’ll get charged a higher price for repairs from the place you purchased from. Usually, a good quality espresso machine lasts for years and years. But if you’re super busy it is inevitable that you will need maintenance and repairs.
Which can be expensive.
The 7-Eleven Hack
This is what I would do. Go to a 7-Eleven. Hey, it’s Thailand, don’t worry, you’ll find one. Inside they might have a commercial espresso machine.
Ask the employees if they can give you the phone number of the repairmen’s phone number. Make sure it’s the personal cell number and not the repair company.
Espresso machine repairs should only be done by professionals…
Do you get the idea? You might have to slip a 100THB note, just a little bit of cash or you might not.
Every 7-Eleven is contracted with a company to repair their espresso machines. When my espresso machine needed some maintenance this was what I did exactly. I went next door to my 7-Eleven, got the phone number of a repairman, and gave him a call. And the repair guy charged way cheaper.
Now, I’ll get to the soul of the coffee business. The fuel (literally) billions of people consume cups of daily. And that is the coffee beans.
Purchasing the Beans
Coffee beans are the lifeblood of your café business. If you’re starting in Bangkok, Coffee Boulevard in my opinion has a better offering of Thai-grown coffee beans. You will have to do your research on where to purchase other varieties of espresso beans.
But it is easier today than it was 5 years ago to find a good supplier of coffee beans.
Many Thai coffee bean wholesalers have websites so do a Google search and you’ll find a bunch of wholesalers ready to sell and ship to your location.
Also, I highly recommend attending the World of Coffee & Tea Expo which shows up yearly at Bangkok’s IMPACT convention center. You’ll find lots of coffee bean and tea wholesalers who are more than happy to let you taste their espresso lineup.
This little shop has been there forever. They have a decent variety of robusta and arabica beans from all over…
JJ Mall does have a shop selling whole beans from around the world and is located right across from Double Shot Coffee on the ground floor. This shop is called Bona and it’s more of a retail shop. However, you can speak to the owner and see if they can hook you up with wholesale prices.
I never purchased imported coffee beans from Bona for my café. Thailand is surrounded by several countries with the finest coffee beans in the world. And I can get there with a short flight in a few hours.
A Real Good Reason to Travel – Buying Coffee Beans Around Southeast Asia
When I travel around Vietnam and Indonesia I always bring back loads of roasted whole espresso beans. Because both countries have the right climate and environment for optimum coffee growth. Which yields their farms some of the best coffee known all around the world.
Purchasing coffee beans from countries neighboring Thailand is a great reason to travel…
Buying your coffee from these countries gives you a good reason to travel around and explore. And when you get back you can let your café customers enjoy that same coffee. Without having to leave Thailand.
Building Your Café (Finding a Reliable Construction Company)
Designing your coffee shop from the ground up is exhilarating. It can reflect your style, quirks, and taste. It only gets harrowing when everything that was designed on a computer comes to fruition. I’ve had my fair share of disappointing experiences with build contractors.
The key to attracting customers is a well-designed café space. Minimal designs work well for large spaces. A quirky design for a smaller café would probably work better.
Besides a café business, my wife and I also have three nail salon shops. The first two shops and the contractors we hired were horrible. It was only at our third salon we found a professional construction company that works well for small businesses like mine in Bangkok.
Your contractor will be able to design a 2D and 3D plan of your café
Shopping Around for the Right Contractor
Normally you find at least three contractors and have them bid for your business. Your initial reflex is to hire a contractor with the lowest bid.
Well, sometimes the lowest bidder isn’t your best option.
It could mean you’re getting cheaper material. Or worse yet unskilled laborers that only do shoddy work. Manual labor in Thailand is absurdly cheap. With unscrupulous contractors that don’t care about their workmanship experience.
Focus in the Middle
From my own experience and the experiences of other business owners I’ve spoken to in Thailand, it’s best to go for the construction contractor in the middle.
Meaning when you get three contractor quotations, you may want to consider checking further into the company that didn’t charge the most expensive nor the cheapest.
It’s not that simple of course. There are many other factors to consider, like how far and different the price quotes are.
Three Most Important Tips and Advice While Dealing with Thai Contractors
Do not hire a design and construction company separately. I recommend looking for contractors with in-house designers. This limits the chances of miscommunication which can end up costly and waste time.
Request a detailed list of construction materials used. With breakdowns of costs and labor. This will be written in Thai of course. Unless your contractor has an English speaker which could be rare. So make sure you have someone to help translate.
**Set a penalty fee if construction passes the date of business opening.
Designing an eye-catching café is essential
If you hire a design and construction company separately you might be shooting yourself in the foot. If both are not used to working with each other there could be major miscommunication.
Always check the materials contractors use. One time I got a list of materials for windows with aluminum framing. However, during construction, cheaper wood was used instead of aluminum to frame the windows. It was changed eventually but a headache nonetheless.
We’re not sure if the contractor just wanted to sneak one past us with cheaper materials or perhaps a major miscommunication with our designer, who was hired separately.
**Setting a penalty fee if a contractor doesn’t finish in the time promised could be an issue. Because almost all, in most of my experiences, are late.
As a result, they may not take on your job. But I’m putting this out there in case you have a deadline to open on time.
Construction quotation, contractors ask for three payments to be paid in three phases of construction…
Paying the Contractors
For small businesses when starting a construction project contractors request payments in three phases:
First payment for initial construction start: 50%
Second payment when half of the construction is done: 40%
Final after completion payment: 10%
I must warn you, that some contractors may ask for more money in between the first and second phases of construction.
This could be because they’ve underestimated the cost of materials and don’t have any money to purchase what is needed.
In any case, this is a sign of unprofessionalism. A common practice in Thailand among small contracting companies. Could also be just an honest mistake in price calculations too. In any case, it’s a hassle and headache for you.
It’s happened to me numerous times. Normally I just pay what is asked for the sake of finishing my shop to open in time.
If you’re planning to open a business in Bangkok and in search of a reliable contractor to build or renovate space, drop me a message on my contact page.
I’ll be more than happy to recommend a good contractor in Bangkok. They can do everything from design to finished construction.
Because designing a trendy coffee shop is essential today for attracting customers.
Now that you’re all set to build your shop, it’s time you start looking for baristas and service staff.
Finding Reliable Staff to Run Your Café Business in Thailand
Finding competent and reliable baristas and servers will be a big challenge. You’ll need at least one extra person to help you even if it’s a small shop. Don’t plan on working alone. It’s not feasible.
As of writing the city with the highest daily minimum wage in Thailand is Bangkok at 400THB for 8 to 10 hours per day. For a café style business, 1 day off a week is typical. And you will have to factor in overtime wages also.
Like any business searching for a reliable workforce, you can start by asking around Thai friends and family. Sticking a help wanted sign on your storefront is helpful too.
It will be very difficult to find experienced baristas. Most if not all of the best professionals either have their own cafés or work for a corporate coffee chain with a high salary. It is common for new independent cafés to train novice baristas on location.
Sorting Out the Go-Getters
You are not going to find experienced baristas. You will have to find one to train your staff. Usually, the shop that sold you the espresso machine will teach you.
That said, get ready to put on your learning cap. As a café owner, you can’t just rely on your staff. You must learn the craft as well.
Interviewing your new Thai staff is important. Please don’t choose anyone just because you’re desperate for somebody to work. Remember, if you’re not inside your café, you want your employees to manage and care for the shop and customers as well as you can.
One way for me to find out if someone is a go-getter is by checking how much their salary request is. On my job application forms, I ask one simple question, “How much salary per month?”
A lot ask for a minimum between 9500THB to 10000THB. But I get a handful of prospective baristas and wait staff asking for 12000THB to 13000THB.
Which would you pick?
When you drill down the application you’ll find those that finished high school and university are usually the ones with higher salary requests. That alone doesn’t mean they’ll make the best workers.
It’s a start. But if they know their self-worth and believe they’re worth that amount in salary then I rather hire someone who knows how much they are worth.
Teach by Setting Examples
Customer interaction is super important. Remembering frequent customer names creates a bond. While training your staff it’s super important for you to ask them to watch how you deal and interact with customers. On how you clean your shop to how you prepare fresh espresso beverages along with the recipe training.
Setting an employer and employee boundary is important too because if you become too friendly it might make it difficult for you to tell them to clean the toilet or a mess a customer made. The bottom line is don’t make it too comfortable or else things won’t get done the way it’s needed to be done.
Training Your Staff to Be Nice
I know this sounds crazy but you have to teach your staff to be nice. Hey, big companies do the same thing. Everyone is not born adept at customer service. It will have to be taught. How you teach it is up to you.
But telling your staff to be nice, yes nice to people, sounds harder than you’d think. Be polite to the customer. Make friends with the customer. If a customer complains, just say you’ll consider their complaints. Even when you think they are wrong. The point is to avoid unnecessary confrontation.
To be nice, yet charge them full price is my motto. Just kidding…
My Biggest Advice on Opening a Coffee Shop in Thailand
This café was set up beautifully…But the location was not ideal…
As I already mentioned I once operated a café in Bangkok for a while. The reason why it didn’t do well was because the location was not ideal. Luckily I had an amazing and understanding landlord.
In the end, I learned a lot and so have plenty of advice to share about getting into the coffee shop business.
Location is key. Choosing a spot with a good decent amount of foot traffic will get you a big advantage. But getting a location at a high foot traffic will most likely come with a big rental agreement. That’s the trade-off. Having a top location is the difference between success and flopping.
As of writing, Bangkok is a growing city that is aggressively expanding its BTS Sky Train and MRT subway lines.
In essence, now is the best time to start scouting for that perfect location for a café business. I recommend looking for spaces that are near new BTS Sky Train stations. With lots of condos and apartments nearby, you increase your range of customer potential.
Make sure you have enough space for you and your staff behind the counters…
That is what I am personally doing. But I am willing to go one step further and look into purchasing a small 3-story building. Perhaps a townhouse. Where I can operate a café and bakery on the ground floor, rent out the second floor to café staff, and perhaps live on the third floor.
The ambiance of your café is important. Ideally, it should have plenty of space. A high ceiling helps make a small café look twice its size.
My last café space was very limited. Which limited what I could offer to my customers. So do not choose a location with too little space. Unless you are planning on serving takeaway customers only.
You will also need kitchen space. You should incorporate a variety of food and desserts. It does not have to be a vast menu. I recommend specializing in a few special items like cheesecakes or brownies. If you’ve got plenty of space go for the full kitchen so you can cover casual customers looking for a caffeine fix to customers looking for a meal.
Invest in Learning the Art of Latté Art
When you show your coffee customers you can make cute animals and flowers with foamed milk they will go crazy. But seriously if you or your barista can make latté art it just pushes your café up another level or two.
Even though in Thailand people prefer iced coffees because it’s hot in Thailand you should still learn how to do it. You can learn for free on YouTube especially if you have your espresso machine. But you will be wasting a lot of milk. However, you can practice on hot cocoa instead of wasting pricier coffee beans.
But if you want a hands-on learning experience there are schools in Bangkok but it’s not cheap.
If you can afford it I highly recommend learning latté art. Once you master it your coffee customers will recognize you as a professional barista.
Plus you can create a YouTube channel and just make latté art videos. Those video types rack up a lot of views.
Learn latté art your customers will be wowed by it…
To Sum it All Up – Advice for a Successful Café Business in Thailand:
Take full advantage of social media. Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, YouTube etc.
Get a location in a high-traffic area. I know this is a no-brainer. But trust me on this.
Have the best café design you can afford.
Have plenty of space. As big as you can afford.
In the coffee business, food is a must on the menu.
Carry organic coffee. It costs more but people are willing to pay.
Offer a wide variety of coffee beans to your customers.
Do not buy coffee franchises. No matter how cheap or enticing their business structure looks.
Hire the best people you can afford. Nice people, polite people.
I Do Not Recommend Buying Thai Coffee Franchises… Unless…
Amazon is well-known café based only in Thailand.
That’s just me. I would not buy a Thai coffee franchise because I would not have control over my business. When I mean no control I mean I won’t have the freedom, nor the option, to make the style of espresso-based drinks that I like. Or serve the desserts I like and so on.
Let’s take Café Amazon as an example. You have to follow Amazon’s coffee recipes. There’s no deviation from their standard recipes at all. And as I already mentioned Amazon uses a mixture of sweetened condensed and evaporated milk. Which I’m not a fan of.
You also have to buy their cups, and espresso beans, purchase their proprietary furniture, and follow their corporate design structure. On top of that, you have to pay a fee to operate under their name. And last my wife checked the cost of buying an Amazon franchise in Thailand was 2,000,000THB.
There are cheaper Thai coffee franchises that can get you from the ground up to running for around 150,000THB for a small café. They’ll equip you with the espresso machines, not the best one, but one that will run for a small business.
You’ll get roasted beans, hot and cold cups, straws, etc. again, it won’t be the best quality. A franchise includes logos and branding.
Small coffee franchises are the best option if you truly want a business-in-a-box model. A good small Thai coffee franchise grows its beans and has its batch roast raw beans to perfection. While also providing the know-how from coffee recipes to espresso machine repair and coffee supplies.
Instead of paying hefty franchise fees, it’s better to start a business on your own and use the capital to make your café stand out…
If you want a business in a box and not think too much about how to set up your café. And have an ample supply of capital then by all means go ahead and buy a Thai coffee franchise.
But I believe, as an entrepreneurial businessman, that it’s best to go out on my own. Because I can say for certain that in the café business, you have the same chance of success and failure between opening up a café business on your own or buying a Thai coffee franchise.
Good luck with your coffee business venture! If you have any questions please leave a comment below.
It all comes down to how cool your brand is. And how you treat people.
112 responses to “Opening a Coffee Shop in Thailand”
Min Kühne
Hi Warren
Thanks for your informative post!
I’m a student from Switzerland and I’m writing a paper about opening a coffee shop in Thailand. For my paper, I have to interview some experts and ask for their feedback for my café concept / business plan.
I wanted to ask you if you could give me some feedback about my coffee shop ideas and if it would be ok to ask you some more questions about opening a coffee shop?
Hi Warren! Thank u for the delightful insights. I’ve been running a mini café myself here in TH but it’s very unpolished. Wish I could also get some infos about contractors that would suit my budget considering the uncertainties. Hope to hear from u!
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Admission is free for all attendees. Inside the show, you’ll find four zones spanning over 10,000 square meters: Roaster Street, Tea Street, Sweet Zone, and Champion Village.
There will be plenty of exciting activities, including the Thailand National Roasting Competition, a barista workshop, gelato and bakery demonstrations, and more.
Explore thousands of products from around the world, including equipment, tools, ingredients, and ready-to-eat/drink coffee, tea, bakery items, and ice cream, all at special prices.
The show is the perfect place to discover new products, stay updated on industry trends, and network with like-minded professionals. Don’t miss out!”
Warren
You gave me a deep understand of Opening a Coffee Shop in Thailand. Your articles are practical and realistic. Hope we can meet one day and have a cuppa,
Cheer with coffee
Hi Warren Very informstive article. I m from Singapore Hope to open a mini cafe at Bangna or Hua Hin. Looking for partners to start. Hope to meet you up one day Cheers Seah
Hi Edvard, it depends on the quantity. If you want a few bags for your home use then JJ Mall could better option. If you need coffee bean supply for cafe business you can reply to this comment and I’ll send info to your gmail account.
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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