Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada Review

Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada Review

Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada Hotel Exterior

Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada Review, Thailand

I know a lot of first-time visitors to Bangkok want to experience staying at 5-star hotels. Because they know hotels in Thailand have a stellar reputation for affordability with excellent quality and service.

And they are right. The Swissotel Bangkok, located on Ratchada Road (Ratchadapisek Road) is a perfect example of a high-quality hotel in Bangkok with excellent guest facilities and genuinely friendly and caring service-minded hotel staff.

And for around USD 100 to USD 150, you can stay in a very comfortable 40 square meter room. Those are off-season rates but even in high season you can book a room for around USD 180.

Main entrance to Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada
Grand entrance to Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada

My friends, that is not a bad price at all for a 5-star international hotel near central Bangkok.

To find low rates for Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada I recommend Agoda.com it’s what I use to find discounts for hotels throughout Asia.

Once I paid USD 100 to stay 1 night in a shitty room at a filthy motel near Laguardia Airport in NYC because I didn’t make it to a standby flight. That is a story for another day.

Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada Reception
Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada Reception

Where is Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada?

Swissotel is located in Huai Khwang district right by the main Ratchadapisek road intersection. About 1 hour and 15 minute drive to Suvarnabhumi International Airport by tollway. Don Muang International Airport is about a 45-minute taxi ride by tollway.

MRT subway Station Huai Khwang Entry/Exit 4 is about a 300-meter walk to Swissotel. So you do have the option to take the Airport Rail Link by riding the subway to MRT Phetchburi station and then walking a short distance to Makkasan Airport Rail Link station.

Huai Khwang MRT station

Directly south, just 4.5 kilometers lies the Asoke/Sukhumvit junction where you’ll find Terminal 21 Mall with the BTS Sky Train Asok station. You can reach this area by taking the subway to Sukhumvit MRT station, only 4 stops from Huai Khwang MRT station.

So if you want to check out a couple of Bangkok’s famous red-light districts such as Soi Cowboy and Nana you can use the subway station near the hotel. Or just hail a metered taxi, there are many driving past.

However keep in mind Bangkok’s subway and train systems close from 11;30pm to midnight.

Ratchadapisek Road Bangkok
Ratchadapisek Road Bangkok (Swissotel on the right side)

To the northwest of Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada is the city’s largest famous open-air market in the world, Chatuchak Weekend Market. You can travel to this popular Bangkok attraction again with the Huai Khwang MRT train to Kampheang Phet MRT station, which will take you to the southwest corner of Chatuchak Weekend Market.

There are many 2-star to 4-star hotels in Huai Khwang which I also reviewed on this blog post, on where to stay in Huai Khwang.

I can say with total confidence Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada is hands down the best 5-star hotel in Huai Khwang. Matter of fact it is the only true 5-star hotel in the area.

Huai Khwang is a Terrific Bangkok Neighborhood

The immediate area surrounding Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada is what I like to call a locals’ local area. Meaning it’s where many local Thais live. As you will see from the apartments and high-rise condominiums all over.

So there are plenty of local Thai restaurants. But you will also find Western and Asian restaurants, particularly Chinese Mala Hot Pot restaurants.

Right after the pandemic, many Chinese moved to Huai Khwang, setting up a second albeit smaller Chinatown that runs through a 600-meter section of Pracharatbamphen Road.

There is a red light district aspect in Huai Khwang, particularly with massive massage parlors with prostitutes. But I can tell you for certain the stuff that happens inside doesn’t spill out. You won’t see or notice it.

But it won’t hurt to keep an eye on your husband when he says he is going out to buy milk in the middle of the night.

My Experience at Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada

I lived in Huai Khwang for a while so I am aware of Swissotel’s reputation. I’ve eaten inside the hotel’s restaurants often. And the food is always good.

Why not try staying there for a night I thought. It would be a nice family treat.

Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada Lobby
Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada Lobby

I booked one of their Premier rooms with a king-sized bed. Premier rooms are pretty much Swissotel’s standard rooms. It’s still a big room at 40 square meters.

At the time I paid around USD 125 plus taxes and breakfast for 2 and my daughter being just a kid ate for free. It was entirely worth it.

Big Room, Clean, Comfortable and Modern

40 square meters is certainly big for a standard room today in Bangkok’s hotel industry. All of the newer hotels built after the 2000s have smaller standard rooms.

Again we booked a premier room with king sized bed. There was plenty of space for my daughter to run around. With an armchair in one corner and a good-sized work desk opposite. I wish the flat-screen television was a little bigger but we didn’t hang out in the room all day.

King sized bed was comfortable. The pillows were soft and the comforter helped as we love blasting the air conditioning so it gets chilly in the room.

The view we had was perfect. We were on the 17th floor with a southwest view. The swimming pool was below and we could see the cityscape outside.

There are USB charge ports added to the bedside fixtures and also by the work desk. The provided free internet Wi-Fi was stable and should be fast enough for general web surfing.

The bathroom is spacious as well with a shower stall and full-sized bathtub. No need to buy soap and shampoo everything is there.

Slippers, check. Bathrobe, check. Hot water maker with powdered coffee and tea bags, check.

Plus a mini fridge to keep things cold and chilly, you got it.

Big Fitness Center and Swimming Pool

If you are a fitness fanatic you will love Swissotel’s gym. It is amazing!

It’s full of modern equipment. From weights to machines. Very clean inside too. And there is so much space inside you won’t bump elbows.

Outside there is a swimming pool, one side for adults and another for the kiddies.

I enjoyed these facilities so much that I decided to buy a monthly fitness membership. It is worth it especially the staff working inside. They are some of the nicest and friendliest people.

My Only Gripes…

As of writing, I think the in-room safe tucked inside the built-in closet is tiny. You can’t put a small laptop in it or even a full-size tablet. I’m sure Swissotel security is reliable and all. But a more up-to-date room safe wouldn’t hurt.

Swissotel is large, with plenty of space. It would be nice if they could add a playroom for children and young teens. As I mentioned I go to Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada frequently. And I can tell you there are many families with children staying as guests.

Surely Swissotel can find the space to put together a room filled with toys for young children and a gaming system for young teens.

Conclusion…

Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada is a fantastic 5-star hotel in Bangkok that I highly recommend. It’s in a great neighborhood. You can easily walk to the subway station. Plenty of metered taxis pass by because the hotel is near a major road.

I highly recommend staying at this hotel even if it’s just for a few nights and you want a 5-star hotel experience in Bangkok. It’s a terrific hotel near central Bangkok. And easy to get around the city to explore.

Read more reviews and find discounts for Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada on Agoda.com

More Bangkok Hotel Reviews

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Where to Stay Near Bangkok’s MBK Centre

Where to Stay Near Bangkok’s MBK Centre

These Are the Best Hotels Around MBK Shopping Centre

MBK Centre Bangkok

I’ve been living in Bangkok for 20 years. So my friends always ask me where they should stay around Mahbunkhrong Centre (MBK Centre) because they want to find tasty food and shops conveniently. Most importantly they want to stay at a hotel in the center of Bangkok.

So I noticed a lot of hotel booking websites promote hotels that are not even near MBK.

I have no idea why and it bothers me too.

If you are looking for a good hotel around MBK, I am here to help.

In this post, you’ll find Bangkok hotels so close to MBK Centre that you don’t need to take a taxi or sky train to get there. You can simply walk to MBK in a couple of minutes. Or even skip across the street. One of the nice hotels I recommend below you can even just walk down to the lobby.

That’s how easy and close to MBK Centre you will be by staying at any of the hotels reviewed below.

Where Exactly is MBK Centre?

MBK shopping center is located in the Pathumwan District. You can consider this area as central Bangkok. I mean just looking at the sheer volume of high-end shopping centers and small to medium-sized malls one can easily see that the area of Siam Square is one large chic shopping complex.

Also, two Sky Train Stations meet at Siam Square Station, the Light Green Sukhumvit Line, and the Dark Green Silom Line.

One more station nearby is called National Stadium Station, which is a part of the dark green Silom line. This station is directly linked to MBK Centre, as well as close to most hotels reviewed below.

National Stadium BTS Station
National Stadium BTS Station

In a way, the area around MBK Centre is made for the younger Thai generation. Particularly Siam Square, an area filled with Thai boutiques beauty shops with dental and skin clinics.

Also, especially all the themed cafes which are widely popular and shared on social media.

Sort of reminds me of Harajuku in Tokyo or Hongdae in Seoul. You will feel that vibe, especially during weekends when the streets are filled with Thai locals shopping, eating, and hanging out with friends.

Reasons to Stay Around MBK Centre

  • You will be near two BTS Sky Train platforms, National Stadium station, and Siam Square station
  • Walking distance to Siam Discovery Mall, Siam Paragon Mall, and Siam Square One
  • Many types of Western and Asian restaurants. Also, MBK has a good food court and so does every mall in the vicinity.
  • There’s something for everyone. Whether you are traveling with the young or old and everyone in between this is a top location for couples and families.
  • With a short taxi ride, you can quickly travel to Bangkok’s Chinatown and riverside.
  • You can take the BTS train at National Stadium station, transfer at Siam station, and take another train to Chatuchak Weekend Market in 30 minutes.
  • You can take the BTS train at National Stadium station, transfer at Siam station, and take another train to Phaya Thai station for the Airport Rail Link to Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

Around MBK are two immediate tourist attractions.

First is the Bangkok Art and Culture Center which showcases the works of local artists through galleries and special exhibits. Worth dropping by to walk around and support local talents.

Second, is Jim Thompson House; this is the first tourist attraction I visited during my first visit to Bangkok. The house else completely built with teak wood and to me, it’s an interesting visit especially if you’ve never seen a teak house before.

Siam Squre Bangkok
Ibis and Mercure hotels in the background

My Bangkok Hotel Booking Tips

There are many hotels in Bangkok, which is a good thing. Because they all try to keep prices as competitively low as possible. Though the area around MBK shopping center and Siam Square is considered a prime location, hotel prices will reflect as such.

In general Bangkok hotel prices are higher from November through late April. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find hotel deals during that period.

Thailand is still one of the best countries in Southeast Asia with affordable hotel rates and amazing quality.

Every hotel reviewed below provides guests with free Wi-Fi internet, and complimentary bottles of water refilled daily during room cleaning.

Hotels around MBK Centre
Hotels near MBK Centre are popular with foreign tourists

Thai hotel check-in times are usually 2 pm. However if you arrive a few hours earlier, and there are rooms available you may be able to check in earlier.

Typical check-out times are around noon.

And hotels usually ask for a room security deposit so be sure to have some Thai Baht on hand. These room security deposits are usually around 1000THB to 2000THB depending on individual hotel policy and duration of stay.

You will be given a receipt for the security deposit so be sure not to lose it. You will need the receipt to get your cashback.

I do not recommend using a credit or debit card for a security deposit unless you don’t mind waiting 3 days or more for a refund.

Outside of MBK Centre

Now that you know what’s around MBK Centre and why it’s a great area for your first visit to Bangkok here’s my short list of hotels that are super close to MBK Centre and near Siam Square.

The Best Hotels Near MBK

Pathumwan Princess Hotel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Out of all the hotels on this list, the Pathumwan Princess Hotel is directly attached to MBK Centre. It can’t get any more convenient than that. All you have to do is walk downstairs and boom. You’re on the first floor inside MBK Centre.

The Pathumwan Princess with its 5-star rating is also the priciest. But it is not crazy expensive when you compare hotel rates against Western and East Asian hotels.

This is an excellent quality hotel with comfortable beds and guest rooms are decent sized too. A standard guest room is around 36 square meters and has a shower stall and bathtub. Standard guest rooms cost around USD 250 a night with taxes included.

Though if you can afford to pay USD 100 more you can stay in a corner room for a terrific city view.

I would actively check room rates for Pathumwan Princess because if the timing is right you can book a standard room 30% cheaper.

Of course, when you pay that amount of money, you’ll find some awesome guest facilities like a swimming pool, fitness room, and outdoor garden. Even a tennis court if you fancy smacking around a fuzzy green ball.

Pathumwan Princess Hotel Bangkok
Outside of Pathumwan Princess Hotel Bangkok

Check reviews and discounts for Pathumwan Princess Hotel on Agoda.com

Novotel on Bangkok Siam Square Hotel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½

This branch of Novotel has been in the area of Siam Square like forever. And I stayed here more than a few times when I was a tourist in Bangkok, many moons ago.

Novotel Siam Square is located right behind the Siam Square One shopping complex. MBK Centre is directly across, about 400 meter walk.

Just north of the hotel, about a 300-meter walk is BTS Station Siam and Siam Paragon Mall. So yes, this hotel is in a good location.

And I’ve been recommending Novotel to friends since. If you’re unfamiliar with the Novotel name it’s a popular European chain of hotels.

It’s a large hotel with swimming pools and a fitness center plus a game room for kids. Making this hotel a popular family-friendly hotel.

Standard rooms here are 30 square meters in size. And pricey in my opinion. One of those rooms costs about USD 130. It’s certainly one of the higher-quality hotels in the Siam Square location.

Novotel Bangkok Siam Square
Novotel Bangkok Siam Square Entrance

Read reviews and check prices for Novotel Bangkok Siam Square on Agoda.com

Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Siam ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This always popular Holiday Inn is located right across MBK Centre. It’s listed as a 4-star hotel. But to me, it’s a 3-star. Not that it’s a bad thing for the hotel.

Standard rooms are 23 square meters, which is a bit tight even for 2 guests. And it costs around USD 90 per night with taxes. But the rooms are modern and well maintained due to international standards.

There are 28 square meter rooms available and cost USD 15 to USD 20 more.

There’s no swimming pool but there is a small fitness room.

So you might be asking is this Holiday Inn Express worth it?

For one thing, the location is excellent. And if you prefer staying at a hotel with international standards, then I think so.

Read reviews and check prices for Holiday Inn Express Bangkok Siam on Agoda.com

Mercure Bangkok Siam ⭐️⭐️⭐️

As one of the newer hotels in the Siam Square area, Mercure Bangkok has smaller standard guest rooms which are around 25 square meters. It’s a bit pricey at USD 110 per night including taxes. But if you can find below USD 100 then I think it is a good deal.

The Mercure has a small swimming pool and a small fitness center. Overall this Mercure property is considered compact but it has 29 floors. I recommend staying in a room as high as possible for an amazing view of the city.

If you want to stay in a larger room you have to book a deluxe suite and those cost around USD 220. Not worth it. But of course, it’s entirely up to you.

Overall this is a neat and clean hotel with international standards which I know you will enjoy.

Mercure Siam Bangkok
Mercure Siam Bangkok

Read reviews and check prices for Mercure Bangkok Siam on Agoda.com

Ibis Bangkok Siam ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This Ibis property is located right below the Mercure Bangkok Siam. Because both are run by the same international hotel chain.

Though standard rooms at Ibis are cheaper, around USD 75 per night. Which is a decent price considering it’s close to BTS National Stadium train station. And directly opposite MBK Centre like all the hotels mentioned here.

Not to mention the amazing neighborhood.

It’s a no-frills hotel but rooms are clean and modern, which many travelers prefer.

Ibis Bangkok Siam Hotel
Ibis Bangkok Siam Hotel

Read reviews and check prices for Ibis Bangkok Siam on Agoda.com

Reno Hotel Bangkok ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is a Thai-owned hotel in the Siam Square area since the 1960s. Of course, the property has been updated and renovated to today’s boutique-style look and feel. Like all the hotels in the blog post everything, food, shopping, and transportation is right outside the door with just a short walking distance.

Reno Hotel has an outdoor swimming pool and a small gym. This is a smallish hotel with about 50 rooms so I think if you want a nice little quiet oasis this is a good choice

Standard rooms here cost about USD 70 and room size is about 24 square meters.

I think many will enjoy the chic zen-like vibe of Reno Hotel. And be sure to check out the cafe by the front entrance. The coffee is really good and reasonably priced.

I highly recommend Reno Hotel Bangkok.

Reno Hotel Bangkok
Reno Hotel Bangkok Entrance

Read reviews and check prices for Reno Hotel Bangkok on Agoda.com

Muangphol Mansion ⭐️⭐️

Whenever I can I like recommending Thai-owned hotels. This is an average ordinary hotel with standard rooms that cost around USD 35. With standard room sizes of about 22 square meters.

This is a Thai apartment or serviced apartment and one of the oldest in the area. The rooms and hotel haven’t been updated but if you want to stay in the heart of Siam Square on a budget this is a good option.

It’s a small and quiet hotel, off the main road directly opposite MBK Centre. If you just need a clean room with no bells and whistles, Muangphol Mansion is all you need.

Muangphol Hotel Siam Square Bangkok
Muangphol Hotel Siam Square Bangkok

Read reviews and check prices for Muangphol Mansion on Agoda.com

Lub D Bangkok Siam Hostel ⭐️⭐️

Standard rooms here cost only USD 40 per night. Which is a fantastic deal! The only thing is the room size is 10 square meters. And gotta share a bathroom. It is a hostel after all.

If you choose rooms with shared bathrooms there are female and male separate bathrooms.

However, a slightly larger room with a private bathroom can be had for an extra USD 10 to USD 15. Which is still very good.

It’s another no-frills hotel, but it’s a good option for staying in a great neighborhood. And you don’t want to pay too much.

Read reviews and check prices for Lub D Bangkok Siam Hostel on Agoda.com

Lub D Hostel Siam Square Exterior
Lub D Hostel Siam Square Exterior

Conclusion

These hotels listed here are perfect for traveling couples to traveling families. The location simply has everything. Transportation, food, shopping, and entertainment are all within easy walking distance to MBK Centre and for exploring Siam Square and the rest of Bangkok.

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Where to Stay in Pratunam Bangkok

Where to Stay in Pratunam Bangkok

Where to Stay in Pratunam, Bangkok

With Pratunam Hotel Reviews

Whether you are a honeymoon couple in Bangkok or especially a traveling family, Pratunam is a good area because a lot is going on around the area. It is well-developed with many restaurants and cafes. Many low to high-end shopping options as well as peculiar attractions like temples and shrines throughout.

And because it is in what’s considered a prime Bangkok neighborhood hotel room prices in Pratunam are slightly higher compared to hotel rates in the outer districts of the city like nearby Huai Khwang and Bangkok’s Chinatown.

That said, hotel rates in Pratunam are very affordable, especially for hotels in the 4 to 5 star range.

Ratchathewi BTS Station on Phaya Thai Road
Ratchathewi BTS Station on Phaya Thai Road

If you’re traveling with family I highly recommend staying around Pratunam, This area has the most hotels with spacious rooms, big enough for 3 adults and a child. There are just so many family-friendly hotels in Pratunam. The fact is most of the hotels I reviewed below were built before 2000.

Most hotels built before that period have large rooms. While more recently built Bangkok hotels have smaller rooms. Even though most of the hotels mentioned below are older, they are updated to modern standards.

The hotels I reviewed here are located around the 1-kilometer stretch of Phetchaburi Road. Between Ratchadamri Road and Phaya Thai Road. This is one of the particular areas I recommend staying in Bangkok for your first visit to Thailand.

Choosing a hotel in Pratunam is one of the best ways to explore and experience that hectic chaotic side of Bangkok. And it is one of the super busiest areas in the city.

Why Stay in Pratunam, Bangkok

  • Pratunam has the most affordable 4 to 5-star hotels with rooms that fit a family of four comfortably.
  • Many affordable Thai and international brand hotels in Pratunam.
  • It is located in the city center.
  • Lots of Western, Asian, and especially Thai food options.
  • If you love to shop, Pratunam won’t disappoint.
  • It’s sort of close to Ratchathewi BTS station.
  • Close to Airport Rail Link station at Phaya Thai BTS station.
  • You can walk to many places of interest.
  • Many popular Southeast Asian shrines for true believers around Pratunam.

Pratunam is one of the busiest areas in Bangkok, 7 days a week because it is one of central Bangkok’s most important commercial business hubs. A popular Thai wholesale clothing industry located within Pratunam Market attracts clothing retail shop owners from all over Thailand.

As well as foreign visitors looking to bring items to sell back to their home country. In many ways, it is the same as Sampeng Market near Yaowarat Road in Bangkok’s Chinatown.

5.9 kilometers to the north of Pratunam is the famous Chatuchak Weekend Market. The nearby Ratchathewi BTS Sky Train station will take you to Bangkok’s largest open-air market in 15 minutes.

To the south, on foot, you can take a leisure stroll down to Bangkok’s mega-mall Central World for shopping therapy. A large popular budget supermarket called Big C. An Apple store and other buildings filled with luxury goods like Gaysorn.

Siam Square another popular section of Bangkok full of shopping centers can be reached on foot, but will be a bit of a hike to malls like MBK Centre. But you can reach these shopping centers via Skywalk, an elevated, shaded walkway that is connected to major shopping centers.

Bangkok's Erawan Shrine
Bangkok’s Erawan Shrine

The Erawaran Shrine is also in the vicinity and you can visit all on foot.

So your feet never touch the street pavement. You can pop in and out of a shopping center to cool down with air-con while sipping bubble tea.

Booking a hotel room in Pratunam makes it easy to explore this exciting, fast-paced center of Bangkok.

Quick Bangkok Hotels Booking Tips & Advice

Bangkok’s high season is typically from November through late April. But because there are so many hotels in Bangkok many hotels keep room rates competitive. This means that even through the high travel season you can find hotel deals and discounts from various hotels throughout Pratunam.

Thai hotel check-in times are usually 2 pm. However from my experience, if you arrive a few hours earlier, and the room type you reserved is available, they will allow early check-in for guests.

Thai hotel check-out times are noon. And of course, it never hurts to ask for a late check-out if needed.

  • All hotels and hostels listed provide Wi-Fi internet access at no cost.
  • Complimentary water, tea, and coffee with hot water kettle in rooms.
  • Be sure to reserve 1000THB to 2000THB on hand as most Thai hotels require security deposit during check-in.

If it is in your budget I recommend staying at a 4 to 5-star hotel around Pratunam. Because you can get a really good deal for around USD 100 per night and that’s an excellent price.

To find discounts and reviews of hotels in Thailand I recommend Agoda.com. It is a website I use to find hotel deals around Asia.

We’ll start with some of the best 4 to 5-star hotels I Pratunam below. While one of the most well-known 4-star hotels in this area is the Baiyoke Sky Hotel, billed as the tallest hotel in Thailand with 83 floors, I think there are much better alternatives.

Best 4 to 5 Star Hotels in Pratunam Bangkok

Amari Bangkok Hotel
Amari Bangkok Hotel

Amari Bangkok ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is the top hotel in Pratunam right on the Petchaburi Road and Ratchadamri Road intersection. The Amari is a Thai brand hotel and well-known in Southeast Asia. It’s the perfect hotel for travelers looking for high-quality rooms, guest facilities like a swimming pool and gym, and top-notch service.

This hotel was built in early 1990 which means the rooms are larger than today’s newly built hotels in Bangkok. But of course, the rooms have been updated with a modern feel and environment.

As the only true 5-star hotel in Pratunam, you think you could expect a crazy 5-star price.

When the standard 40 square meter room at Amari Bangkok will set you back around USD 130.

Read reviews and find discounts on Agoda.com

Novotel Hotel Pratunam
Novotel Hotel Pratunam

Novotel Bangkok Platinum Pratunam ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½

This Novotel is one of the newest hotel properties in Pratunam district even though it was built in 2011. And the poshness certainly shows in the price even though standard rooms are in the 20 square meter range. So out of all the Pratunam hotels on this list, because Novotel is the newest the rooms are the smallest.

Though without a doubt this hotel location is perfect for exploring the surrounding area. Such as the Platinum Malls, Pratunam Market as well as the local night market next to the Berkeley Hotel across the road.

This hotel is connected to the Ratchaprasong Skywalk. So you can easily walk down to Central World Mall, Big C Supermarket, Chidlom shopping district, and even down to Siam Square.

Novotel Bangkok Platinum Pratunam is also one of the taller hotels so you can get an amazing view of the city. It’s got the usual facilities you’d expect at a top-notch hotel.

The standard guest rooms cost around USD 150. But it is possible to find rooms for around USD 80 if the timing is right.

Read reviews and find discounts on Agoda.com

Centre Point Pratunam Hotel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I don’t know about you but I prefer large rooms with a balcony. When I first stayed at Centre Point Pratunam Hotel many years ago I liked it instantly. Back then it was also a serviced apartment so I stayed there for 6 months.

It’s tucked a short distance down Petchaburi Soi 15 so you get this little bit of an oasis feeling, while outside there’s a lot of car traffic. It gave off a cozy feeling. And I stayed on the 17th floor facing the main Petchaburi Road so I had a terrific view from the balcony.

Though today of course the hotel has gone through a renovation and updated. I think it’s an even better value today.

For around, USD 85 two guests can stay in a decent spacious 47 square meter room. There’s a nice little swimming pool and a small gym for guests to use. Young kids will certainly enjoy the playroom.

Read reviews and find discounts on Agoda.com

Grande deluxe room at Centre Point Pratunam
Grande Centre Point 47 square meter room

The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

With over 750 rooms the Berkeley Hotel Pratunam is easily the largest hotel on the block. Of all the 4 to 5 star hotels in this review, this is another recommended hotel if you want to stay in a spacious room for families.

They have these 58 square meter family rooms with two large beds, separate showers, and a bathtub. For USD 170 per night for 3 adults and 1 kid occupancy. That’s a fantastic deal considering the size of the room.

Plus the great location, and the amount of food options in and outside the hotel. There is a small and sort of popular street bazaar called Palladium Night Market outside. This is a hotel you should consider staying with family.

Read reviews and find discounts on Agoda.com

The Berkeley Hotel Pratunam Family Premier Room
Berkeley Hotel Pratunam – 58 square meter family premier room

Grand Diamond Suites Hotel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I think this hotel has the most affordable large guest rooms in Pratunam. For around USD 160, you can stay in a 120 square meter 2 bedroom executive suite! I think most traveling families with four adults and one child will appreciate all that space.

The hotel is directly connected to a popular Thai shopping complex called the Grand Diamond Plaza. Inside you will find many Thai and Asian styles of clothing plus accessories, shoes, and nail and hair salons. Directly below there’s a Burger King and Starbucks close by.

Even though the rooms are a little dated I think it’s still clean and well maintained. Highly recommended for those traveling in groups and who want to stay inside the same room.

Read reviews and find discounts on Agoda.com

Grande Diamond Suites Pratunam Hotel
Grande Diamond Suites Pratunam Hotel

Vela Dhi Glow Pratunam ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

One of the newly renovated hotels in Pratunam, this comfortable, cool, and fashionable hotel is recommended for couples. Who is looking for clean and modern rooms that are most importantly not overpriced.

The size of standard rooms at Vela is 29 square meters. Which is fine for 2 people. And one night cost around USD 70. Usually, it costs more but if the timing is right I think it’s a really good deal!

The tiny drawback is the tiny fitness room and swimming pool.

Read reviews and find discounts on Agoda.com

Phetchburi Road Bangkok
Phetchburi Road Bangkok

In Conclusion

Of all the areas I reviewed in Bangkok for hotels, Pratunam, without a doubt has the most family-friendly hotels. Large spacious rooms, playrooms for kids, and swimming pools.

And as you can see the hotel rates are not crazy high.

So if you’re traveling with a lot of people and want to stay together, consider any one of these fantastic Pratunam hotels!

More Bangkok Hotel Reviews

Where to stay in Bangkok for the First Time

Where to Stay in Huai Khwang Bangkok

Where to Stay in Bangkok’s Chinatown

Reviews of Hotels in Bangkok’s Chinatown

Reviews of Hotels in Bangkok’s Chinatown

A street vendor in Bangkok's Chinatown selling trinkets.
Street Vendor Bangkok Chinatown

The Best Boutique Hotels and Hostels in Bangkok’s Chinatown

Bangkok has one of the largest Chinatowns in the world. And if you stay there you’ll experience a vibrant neighborhood morning through night. In this post, you’re going to find the best hotels in Chinatown. From very affordable hostels to affordable classy heritage boutique hotels.

After Wat Mangkorn MRT subway station was built in Chinatown, hotels and hostels seemingly sprung up overnight. Where you can find many really good quality Thai heritage hotels for around USD 30 to USD 50 per night.

There are plenty of restaurants and hawker stands for delicious seafood, especially Thai and Chinese traditional cuisine. Many 7-Eleven convenience stores too to curb your 24-hour appetite.

Like I always say if you want to save cash on hotels in Bangkok it is better to book further away from the city center.

I didn’t always think that way. About 10 to 15 years ago I would always recommend people stay within central Bangkok. But today hotel prices in those areas went up. Not saying that Thai hotels in general are expensive when compared to Western countries or East Asian country hotels.

But will you save a lot more money? And how’s the quality of hotels in Bangkok’s Chinatown?

Bangkok Chinatown Map
Chinatown map inside Wat Mangkorn MRT subway station.

Where is Bangkok’s Chinatown?

Why Stay There?

I know many travelers are looking to stay in heritage-style boutique hotels. They want to enjoy the history of a neighborhood and feel like they’ve gone back in time. Yet not so far back that there’s no air conditioning and toilets inside their room. I hear you.

  • Bangkok’s Chinatown is located in the older yet charming Samphanthawong District of Bangkok.
  • This is a foodies’ paradise. Especially at night on Yaowarat Road when the sidestreets are closed off so street food vendors can operate.
  • Many good quality Thai hotels with affordable prices. Thrifty backpackers can find decent accommodations there too.
  • Much closer to the Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Khao San Road, and the Chao Praya River.
  • It is generally less hectic and slower than the fast pace in central Bangkok.
  • Subway Blue Line on Wat Mangkorn MRT station.
  • Travel up and down or across the Chao Praya River at the nearby Ratchawongse Pier.

West of Bangkok’s Chinatown lies the Chao Praya River. Northeast about 1.5km is the Grand Palace with Wat Praew Kaow and the impressive Wat Pho with its reclining Buddha. Far to the east is the hustle and bustle of central Bangkok. You can easily travel with the Blue Subway line with a station close to the center of Chinatown.

I like to visit this area because of its slow urban pace. There are many fingers of alleyways to explore and wander around. When my feet get tired there are so many cafes to sit down and rest for a bit.

Souvenir shop on Yaowarat Road

And I know many soulful travelers want to experience old historic charms in a city. Bangkok’s Chinatown has many old temples tucked away into corners between buildings. With quaint little shops around for many generations selling food and drink to things you’ve never seen before.

It’s a Chinatown so you will find many restaurants selling Chinese dim sum, noodles, and rice dishes.

When you feel like reversing gears and checking out the shopping centers and nightlife Bangkok is famous for, just take the subway train. It’ll get you there in no time.

So if that’s your travel style and you want to save some money on hotel stays, Bangkok’s Chinatown is right for you.

Grand China Hotel Bangkok
Grand China Hotel Bangkok

My Top Bangkok Chinatown Hotels

To start I’d like to recommend a couple of hotels along the main vein of Bangkok’s Chinatown called Yaowarat Road. These hotels put you in the heart of everything the neighborhood has to offer, food, shopping, and proximity to the subway station and access to the riverboat pier.

All hotels listed below have free internet Wi-Fi access, daily bottled water refills, and refrigerators. Plus water kettle, tea and coffee packets. Some hotels provide bathrobes and umbrellas for guest use. And yes every room has an air conditioner. I wouldn’t recommend staying at a hotel without one.

Yaowarat Road Hotels (The Heart of Chinatown)

If you want to stay at a hotel right in the heart of Chinatown and the great food and street scene, Yaowarat Road is where you want to be. There are three hotels listed directly below for you to consider.

Hotel Royal Bangkok ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is one of the most well-rounded hotels you’ll find in Chinatown because it’s one of the largest. Guests staying at Hotel Royal Bangkok have pool and fitness room access.

Rooms with no windows are cheaper here and cost around USD 60 per night. In contrast, rooms with city views cost around USD 10 to USD 15 more. Certainly one of the most modern hotels along Yaowarat Road.

If you’re traveling with a large family and prefer a larger room you’ll find it here.

A perfect hotel for foodies because around 6 pm the street vendors and restaurants start spilling out onto the streets.

Read reviews and find discounts for Hotel Royal Bangkok.

Grand China Princess ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is another one of the largest and perhaps oldest hotels in Chinatown. But it has been updated of course to compete with the newer hotels nearby. That said the rooms are still a little dated. The building also has a mini-mall in the lobby and a Starbucks in front.

As an older building the rooms inside Grand China Princess are larger than average. Standard rooms are around 26 sq. meters and cost about USD 70.

The Grand China Princes has many room types though so of course the larger the room or the better view it has the price goes up a bit. For example, a room with a river view will set you back USD 100.

All guests at the Grand China Princes also have access to the swimming pool and fitness center. Though be sure to check out the rooftop bar for an amazing view of Chinatown below.

Read reviews and find discounts for Grand China Princess.

Shanghai Mansion Bangkok ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I mentioned earlier that Chinatown has many heritage-style hotels. If you want to stay at a hotel with an old-world ambiance but with contemporary facilities then I highly recommend Shanghai Mansion right on Yaowarat Road.

Now the standard rooms here average in size about 27 sq. meters, which is good. I know this sounds crazy but I like the blackout curtains as it helps with the soundproofing from the outside noise. You’ll see that the interior design of the rooms is high quality and they pay attention to detail.

This stylish boutique hotel will wow you as you enter the hotel’s lobby. I like this hotel because it’s clean, and the hotel staff are friendly and professional.

So this hotel has no swimming pool or fitness center. And the price is kind of high compared to other hotels in the area. A standard superior room at Shanghai Mansion costs around USD 80 per night.

Read reviews and find discounts for Shanghai Mansion Bangkok.

Best Hotels “A Little” Outside Bangkok’s Chinatown

No doubt Chinatown can get quite busy and with all that busyness there’s noise. You want someplace more quiet, yet don’t mind a short walk to Chinatown. I hear you.

Here’s a small selection of Thai-Chinese-style boutique hotels for you to consider. They’ve got great reviews. And believe it or not most are priced around USD 50 for 2 guests! Though rooms will be small.

W22 by Burisari Hotel ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This terrific little-budget hotel gives off those days of old speakeasy vibe. Standard rooms are on the small side, about 20 sq. meters, and cost around USD 40 per night.

The beds here are quite comfortable for the price, clean room, and a clean bathroom with a modern feel. You can’t ask for more for such an affordable hotel near Bangkok’s Chinatown.

But the hotel is well managed, the rooms are clean and the hotel staff are professional and friendly. I highly recommend this little hotel and I think you guys will like it.

Read reviews and find discounts for W22 by Burisari.

Lhong Yaowarat Hostel ⭐️⭐️½

Here’s a cute little hostel near Bangkok’s Chinatown with an owner on the premises. I’ve been recommending this to folks traveling on a budget for a while and it never disappoints.

This charismatic property provides guests with that long ago feeling of Thai Chinese charm. There are so many details and furniture inside that’ll make you feel you’ve gone back in time.

There are a total of only 5 rooms so if you wish to stay here I highly recommend booking far in advance. The standard rooms cost about USD 40 a night. Even though there’s no swimming pool and fitness center you’ve got the ambiance.

Read reviews and find discounts for Lhong Yaowarat Hostel.

Outside of Luk Hostel
Luk Hostel Bangkok

Luk Hostel ⭐️½

I know many solo travelers are looking for a no-frills, yet clean and cool affordable hostel. And the location of Luk Hostel can’t be beaten. Located parallel to Yaowarat Road, tucked away in a lane filled with wholesale goods.

Luk Hostel has many types of room types. From female and male-only dormitories. To small 9 sq. meter single standard rooms. All for USD 15 a night.

Around the hostel are many places to grab traditional Thai foods like noodles and stir-fries.

Just a perfect all-around hostel to stretch out a long stay in Bangkok.

Read reviews and find discounts for Luk Hostel.

I hope you have a chance to visit Bangkok’s Chinatown even if you don’t plan to stay around there. It’s an incredible place to experience Thai Chinese culture.

Affiliate disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a hotel booking via links we may receive a small commission, at absolutely NO EXTRA cost to you. Any commission received helps keep this blog alive and our cats fed.

Where to Stay in Huai Khwang, Bangkok

Where to Stay in Huai Khwang, Bangkok

Huai Khwang Bangkok Intersection

Best Hotels in Huai Khwang, Bangkok

Recently a good friend of mine asked for hotel recommendations for his first trip to Bangkok, Thailand. He wanted a decent-quality hotel. Doesn’t want to spend a lot of money. A nice buffet breakfast included in the room rate would be nice, but not important.

I had good news and bad news for him.

The bad news is it would’ve been an easier request 15 to 20 years ago. Today Thai hotel prices in central Bangkok went up. And you have to pay extra for a buffet breakfast.

The good news is even though prices are higher, Bangkok hotel prices are still more affordable compared to Western and East Asian hotels. However, if you want decent quality Bangkok hotels without spending a lot of money, there is a way.

And the way to do that is to book hotels outside of central Bangkok.

But not so far out that you will be too far away from places that make the city so interesting and fun.

There’s this neighborhood called Huai Khwang that is by the edge of central Bangkok that I recommend. Whether this will be your first time in Bangkok or you’ve been here a few times. I think Huai Khwang is perfect mainly because it is not touristy. Hotels are more affordable and restaurants in this area are priced for locals.

Ratchadapisek Road Bangkok
Ratchadapisek Road is a major roadway connecting Central Bangkok to Huai Khwang

Where is Huai Khwang and Why Stay There?

  • Decent hotels from $35USD to 5 star$100USD+ price range
  • Huai Khwang MRT Subway Station
  • Great local street food and restaurants priced for locals
  • Close to shopping centers
  • Affordable traditional massage shops everywhere
  • Experience local life in Bangkok

Huai Khwang is a district sitting right above central Bangkok. Sandwiched between Chatuchack Weekend Market to the northwest and the central Sukhukumvit/Asoke junction directly south. It is what I refer to as a locals’ local area where the working class live, eat, and hang out with friends and family.

On the main Huai Khwang intersection there are MRT subway entry/exits where many locals use to get to and from work. And to travel to other parts of the city as well.

Huai Khwang MRT Subway Entry/Exit #1

If it is convenient for you I highly recommend traveling to central Bangkok via subway. The Huai Khwang station is the subway’s Blue Line which means you can easily travel to Terminal 21 Mall and Chatuchak Weekend Market in around 15 minutes. Both are also transit points for the Sky Train.

The area around Huai Khwang is comprised of residential apartment blocks and tall condominiums. And that means there are many restaurants and shops nearby to feed and entertain local Thais.

A brand new Chinatown is also in the area where a new generation of Chinese immigrants moved in and set up many restaurants, particularly Mala Hotpot restaurants.

There is a seedy aspect to the Huai Khwang neighborhood in the form of brothels. You wouldn’t know it is there unless you look for it. But whatever happens inside never spills outside.

Huai Khwang is indeed a family-friendly neighborhood. Though it wouldn’t hurt to keep a close eye on your husband when he says he’s going out to buy a carton of milk.

Huai Khwang is Almost Active 24 Hours at Night

One of the many things I like about this neighborhood is the amount of restaurants that open late through the night. Some Chinese restaurants are open 24 hours for hotpot and dim sum. And there’s also a cafe I like that opens 24 hours called Oasis Coffee.

My Top Huai Khwang Hotel Picks

So there are a handful of 3 star to 5 star hotels in central Huai Khwang, located along Ratchadapisek Road (Ratchada Road for short). Then you can find most 2 star to 3 star hotels on Pracharatbamphen Road and this is where you find hotels going for USD 30 per night, not including taxes and breakfast.

This road has many Chinese restaurants and 24-hour eateries

I’ll start with the two biggest popular hotels in Huai Khwang. Hotels along Ratchadapisek Road are more expensive but not overpriced in my opinion. While hotels along Pracharatbumphen Road are more on the budget level.

Best 5 Star Hotel in Huai Khwang

Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada

Okay, this is the only true 5-star hotel in Huai Khwang.

Once you walk through the front doors of Swissotel Bangkok Ratchada and enter the massive lobby you will certainly know you’re inside a classy hotel. It’s one of the oldest hotels in the area. But it has gone through several upgrades and renovations throughout the years.

Because it is an older property it also means the rooms are larger than today’s newly built hotels. Updated rooms mean flat-screen televisions and USB power ports. Most importantly a super comfortable mattress and pillows.

And since this is a Thai hotel in the 5-star category guests can enjoy working out in the massive fitness center and outdoor swimming pool. If you can book a room that fits your budget with a buffet breakfast included, I would take the offer. Because the food choices offered are worth it.

Standard rooms here cost around USD90 per night without taxes and a buffet breakfast. However, if the timing is right you can find room rates that do include breakfast.

Read reviews and find discounts on Agoda.com

5-Star Hotel Honorable Mention

The Emerald Hotel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Emerald Hotel Bangkok

The Emerald Hotel is also on the main road of Ratchadapisek across from Swissotel Bangkok. Just like its rival 5-star hotel, the Emerald Hotel was built around the early 1990s. This means that rooms are larger than most newer hotels built recently.

There are also swimming pools and a fitness center for hotel guests. Even a billiard room which is not often something you would find inside a Thai hotel.

One of the reasons why I’m writing about Emerald Hotel is because it’s affordable. But some would argue it’s not a true 5-star hotel. Mainly because the rooms are not modern and spiffy. And there are signs of wear and tear.

I just searched now and found a room for USD70 not including taxes and breakfast. So if you want to stay in a hotel with a large room and numerous guest amenities you might want to consider Emerald Hotel.

This is the main reason why Emerald Hotel gets an honorable mention. Just be sure to read the reviews before deciding to book.

Read reviews and find discounts on Agoda.com

Best 4 Star Hotel in Huai Khwang

Amaranta Hotel Bangkok ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Amaranta Hotel Bangkok Huai Khwang

This popular hotel in Huai Khwang is located 250 meters walk from Huai Khwang intersection and Huai Khwang MRT subway station entry/exit #1. It might be hard to find since it’s a short distance on a side street, just off Pracharatbumphen Soi 5.

When you see a 7-Eleven convenience store on the corner just make a left turn and walk about 50 meters and you will see the Amaranta Hotel on the right-hand side.

Again this hotel was built about 20 years ago. So there are larger rooms at very affordable prices. The rooms have been updated not recently, but there are tablets to control room lights.

There is a rooftop pool and bar with a good view over Huai Khwang. Plus fitness center is complete with a sauna and steam room. These are not something found in most newer hotels along central Sukhumvit unless you’re willing to pay more money. Standard rooms at Amaranta Hotel cost around USD70.

Read reviews and find discounts on Agoda.com

Palazzo Hotel ⭐️⭐️⭐️½

Palazzo Hotel Huai Khwang Bangkok

The Palazzo Hotel is another one of the larger hotels along Ratchapidsek Road. Located just right across a small street from the Emerald Hotel. A standard room costs around USD50, which is around 30 sq. meters.

This hotel does have an outdated design but I think most would agree the most important thing is cleanliness. As a larger hotel, it is well maintained. Though surprisingly there is no swimming pool or fitness center.

The only real thing going for this hotel is its location. It’s certainly worth checking out though if there are no other options in the area.

Read reviews and find discounts on Agoda.com

Best 3 Star Hotel in Huai Khwang

Hip Hotel Bangkok ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Hip Bangkok Hotel

This hotel is located same street as the Palazzo Hotel and about 300 meters from the main Ratchadapisek Road. Also in the USD50 price range. Though standard rooms are slightly larger and since it is newer than Palazzo Hotel rooms are more updated.

Also, there is no swimming pool or fitness room as well. No frills but again if you want to find a clean cheapish room to stay in Huai Khwang this is a good option.

Read reviews and find discounts on Agoda.com

Ibis Styles Ratchada Hotel ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ibis Styles Bangkok Ratchada Hotel

Built in 2019 the Ibis Styles Ratchada Hotel is the newest and most popular budget hotel in Huai Khwang. And it’s in a super location, about a 150-meter walk to Huai Khwang MRT subway station entry/exit #3.

The lobby is spacious and quite modern. There’s a small play area for children which is a good touch.

As a newer hotel, it means rooms are compact, about 25 sq. meters. But there are 29 and 30 sq. meter room options that don’t cost much extra. There’s no swimming pool but there is a small fitness center.

Read reviews and find discounts on Agoda.com

MeStyle Garage Hotel Bangkok ⭐️⭐️⭐️

MeStyle Garage Hotel Bangkok

This hotel is slightly further away but not by much. It’s in the part of Huai Khwang just right where the new Chinatown begins along Pracharatbumphen Road.

MeStyle Garage Hotel is certainly unique as it has a car theme. I’ve stayed in the standard rooms before and I have to admit the room design is too much. And a bit too dark for my taste. Mind you I’ve only stayed one time. So other rooms could be brighter or less cluttered.

There is no swimming pool or fitness center. But if you love hanging outside along rooftops it’s got a nice space to chill out and relax with a beer.

Standard rooms at MeStyle Garage Hotel are around USD50 without taxes and breakfast.

Read reviews and find discounts on Agoda.com

Best Budget Hotels in Huai Khwang

This is where we get into the USD40 price range. Which means rooms are smaller. There are no swimming pools. And in certain instances further away from Huai Khwang MRT subway stations.

CMYK Hotel ⭐️⭐️

CMYK Hotel Bangkok

This is an example of a super affordable hotel just 250 meters from Huai Khwang subway station. It’s also directly opposite the 4-star Amaranta Hotel.

CMYK was recently renovated in 2023 and kept prices the same pre-renovation. Rooms are of course small, about 20 sq. meters. 30 square meter rooms cost slightly more and in my opinion if you can find one for the right price get the bigger room.

Currently one of the best budget hotels in the area.

Read reviews and find discounts on Agoda.com

So there you have it, a selection of recommended hotels in Bangkok’s Huai Khwang district. As you can see the room rates are not overpriced. Like I always say to people planning to visit Bangkok. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on hotels to have an amazing holiday in Thailand.

Affiliate disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a hotel booking via links we may receive a small commission, at absolutely NO EXTRA cost to you. Any commission received helps keep this blog alive and our cats fed.

Centara Q Rayong Resort Review

Centara Q Rayong Resort Review

Centara Q Rayong Resort – Small Quiet Semi-Private Beach at an Affordable Price in Thailand

Lobby of Centara Q Resort Rayong

One of the best things about living in Bangkok is that you can take a road trip to some of the best beach resorts. Which is one of the main reasons why I decided to settle down in Thailand.

Case in point, the Centara Q Rayong Resort my wife researched and found while searching for reviews on four star beach hotels in Rayong. This Centara property is located on Laem Mae Phim Beach which is not exactly a well known beach in Thailand.

We’ve talked about staying over in a Rayong for a few nights many times. Because usually we pass over Rayong on our way to to Koh Samet or further to Koh Chang in Trat province. We just think the water is cleaner out on the islands and further away from the mainland.

But it was a good time as any to check out Rayong as the current smog situation in Bangkok is ridiculous.

Laem Mae Phim Beach at Centara Q Resort Rayong

Laem Mae Phim Beach at Centara Q Resort Rayong…

HOW MUCH?

The Centara Q Resort is a 4 star rated hotel with only 41 guest rooms. Guest staying here will feel a lot of privacy. We booked our stay during a weekday in January inside a Double Deluxe Seaview room type for several nights.

These rooms cost more and are located closer to the swimming pool and short walking distance to the beach.

Centara Q Resort Rayong Deluxe Seaview Rooms

Deluxe sea view rooms can only be accessed through a single stairway…

The price for a single night came out to about 4000B or $130USD including taxes and breakfast for 2 adults and 2 children under 1 years old.

IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WALKING YOU MIGHT WANT TO SKIP THE DELUXE ROOMS

Deluxe rooms are not recommended for anyone with mobility issues or for elderly travelers. There’s only one set of stairs leading down to deluxe rooms and could be an issue for anyone with walking impairments.

If there’s someone traveling in your group with a physical disability, I highly recommend booking a superior room instead, as it’s the only building with an elevator.

Not sure why I don’t see a mention of this on Centara Q Resort Rayong’s website or even on Agoda.com where we booked our room.

BEST TIME TO BOOK A ROOM FOR THE BEST RATES

Centara Q Resort Rayong is very popular with Thais. The Centara name is a Thai owned hotel chain with properties all over the major cities of Thailand.

My wife read on a Thai travel forum that this resort is often fully booked during major long holidays in Thailand. During those periods expect to pay 20% to 40% more.

Centara Q Resort Rayong Deluxe Seaview Room

The bright colors give this room a nice beach feel…

For us the price is a decent bargain. But there are smaller superior rooms back only a little further away from sea view rooms that cost around 800B less. Or if you want to save even more you can leave out the breakfast option which will save you another 800B or so.

I never got a chance to see Centara Q Resort Rayong’s superior room. But judging from the building where the superior rooms are located it looked newer.

Exterior of superior rooms at Centara Q Resort Rayong

This is the main building with superior rooms…

HOW WE GOT THERE

Self drive is the easiest way to get there. Besides, you’ll need your own car to get around Rayong. There are no metered taxis. Expect to pay around 2500B to 3000B for private car service from central Bangkok to the steps of Centara Q Resort.

As of writing the highways leading to Centara Q is a mess due to construction of new roadways. Despite a few U-turns and taking local roads we managed to reach the resort in just under 3 hours. From central Bangkok, Centara Q Resort is 210 kilometers away, past the city of Chonburi.

Centara Q Resort Rayong Complimentary Shuttle Bus Schedule

If you’re staying here during certain days you can make use of Centara’s complimentary shuttle service to local markets…

Centara Q Resort Rayong provides their guests a complimentary shuttle bus service to a couple of local markets during certain days. It’s a nice added touch if you’re staying at this resort longer.

CHECK IN TIME IS 3PM

We arrived a little after 3pm which is the standard check in time at Centara Q Resort Rayong. That’s kind of late. But from our experience most Thai owned hotels allow guests to check in a little earlier. As long as there’s a clean room available.

Check in and check out time at Centara Q Resort Rayong

From my experience, usually Thai hotels allow guests to check in earlier as long as there’s a room available…

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF OUR ROOM

We were handed our key cards to room #106 our deluxe sea view room. As mentioned already we had to walk down some steep stairs to the second floor. Porters are available to help with your bags if necessary.

The hotel design is quite interesting and it seems the property was carved out of a small hill which is where all the deluxe rooms are situated.

Deluxe sea view rooms at Centara Q Resort Rayong

Room #106 is on the right side of second floor…

Room #106 is a deluxe sea view room that measures around 55 square meters. That’s a lot of space for just the two of us. It has one of the biggest bathrooms I’ve ever seen inside a Thai resort.

The size of the bathroom is typical size of most Thai hotel rooms itself. Yes, that’s one of the things that really impressed me the most about this room.

PRISON SHOWER SCENE ANYONE?

My camera is not wide enough to do this bathroom any justice. The shower stall is on one entire side of the wall. It’s large enough to shoot a prison shower scene for a movie. Okay, that might be exaggerating a bit.

Kidding aside, I wouldn’t mind having a large bathroom space at my home either.

But the setup between the bathroom and main room is a bit odd. There’s a sliding door on the wall separating both spaces. I guess the sliding door was installed so guests can quickly wash their hands without going inside the bathroom.

Deluxe Ocean View Bathroom Centara Q Resort Rayong

There’s a sliding door between the main room and the bathroom…

There’s a large bed in the main space. The mattress to me is a little too firm but the pillows are just fine. My wife complained that the air conditioning inside the room was a little too noisy. To me it was just fine.

It’s a simple designed room with one side of the wall painted in a cool turquoise color while the rest of the room is white.

A LITTLE WORN BUT I’M NOT COMPLAINING

But our room required some touch-ups. This isn’t a big complaint. I can understand that maintaining a property by the beach requires extra attention. Sea air and high humidity can seriously affect coastal properties.

Wear and tear inside a room at Centara Q Resort Rayong

Some tender loving care is needed inside room #106…

However, I think if Centara used better quality materials the room could hold up better through time. Almost the entire table pictured below had a lot of wear and tear. The door concealing the mini-fridge was off hinge.

The construction inside the bathroom was in much better shape as everything inside seemed to have better materials.

Non-complimentary snacks inside

Prices for snacks were reasonable…

The main bedroom was quite spacious and I think if they shaved down the bathroom area they could fit in a small sofa and still have plenty of space.

Maybe a small work table and chair would be a nice addition. Especially for a digital nomad such as myself.

SO MUCH POTENTIAL

The balcony was just as large. And there’s a small sofa, but there’s so much space for more. They could fit larger and more comfortable deck chairs. I think if Centara Q Resort Rayong placed a jacuzzi and sun beds inside the balcony area like we found in Veranada Resort Hua Hin would make good use of the available open space.

IN ROOM SWAG

There’s free internet Wi-Fi throughout the hotel property. My iPhone had a connectivity issue at first, but when I logged in with my Macbook I connected. So maybe it was just a small glitch in the afternoon. Overall it worked fine and I had a good connection.

There’s an in room electronic safe, beach bag and bathrobes. Centara also provides slippers to roam around the resort, which you can purchase if you wish.

In room safe, beach bag, bathrobe

In room safe, beach bag, bathrobe and umbrella…

THE BREAKFAST

Breakfast is served from 6:30am to 10am. Our room rate included breakfast. I was really looking forward to see what was available. But to be honest I wasn’t expecting much because it was a small hotel. And it was a weekday so there were not a lot of guests.

But I was surprised by the variety on offer when we showed up for breakfast. There’s the usual cereal, salads, fruits, eggs to order and Thai breakfast options.

Breakfast at Centara Q Resort Rayong

A well rounded breakfast for me…

Real pork sausages at Centara Q Resort Rayong

Real pork sausages, I’m so happy…

What I’m about to say next might sound a bit nutty. But I was surprised to find they have real pork sausages. Even some of the best hotels don’t serve real high quality pork sausages. Big bonus points for Centara Q Resort Rayong in my book for that.

The room serving breakfast is not spacious but adequate. There are also outdoor seating to enjoy breakfast as well near the egg and Thai noodle station.

Breakfast was nice here, there’s no large crowds or wait lines. The choices were varied and satisfying. Especially the real pork sausages. I know I should get over the sausages but seriously this not a breakfast item I see often even in the best 4 star hotels.

The Wayfaring Soul Tip #4 – If you find real pork sausages inside a hotel, cherish it…”

THE SWIMMING POOL

After a very satisfying breakfast it was time to take a dip in the pool. During my short stay here I didn’t see a lot of people by the pool.

It’s a small resort so no doubt the swimming pool is expected to be small. But it was adequate for what it is. There are sun beds and large bean bags for resort guests to spread out on. I went in for a quick dip a few times myself and I like to look out at the sea on the edge of the pool.

I think most people that hang out at the pool also alternate hanging out by the beach where there are many sun chairs to relax and stare out into the sea.

The stairs I mentioned about leading down to the deluxe rooms are the same stairs you’ll need to walk down to get to the the resort’s swimming pool and beach. So to access the swimming pool and beach you can request a shuttle ride down.

Swimming pool at Centara Q Resort Rayong

Small swimming pool but adequate for the resort size…

FITNESS ROOM

These days I’ve been too lazy to hit the gym. The fitness room is open to guests 24 hours. And I know there are gym rats out there reading this and like to know about Centara Q Resort Rayong’s fitness room situation. I didn’t have a chance to go inside the room because a hotel room key card is needed to access the small gym.

It was my last day and check out is 12pm. By the time I got to the resort’s gym my room key card expired. So, I only got a chance to take a picture from the outside.

From the looks of things the equipment looks new with plenty of weights and what looks like a high quality universal machine.

Centara Q Resort Rayong Fitness Room

Looks like a well stocked gym…

CONCLUSION

Centara Q Resort Rayong isn’t the easiest beach resort to travel to for foreign tourists. But there are benefits to that if you can rent a car and make your way out there. It’s a small property which means you’re not going to be crowded out by other guests at the swimming pool or competing for sun beds while getting a tan on Laem Mae Phim beach.

Look at the price point value too. You won’t end up paying a whole lot of money to stay at 4 star resort with a semi-private beach. So you can stay at the resort and enjoy spending your holiday longer in Rayong.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Address: 215/3 Moo.3, Laem Mae Phim, Klaeng, Rayong, Thailand, 21190

IF YOU HAVE A CAR

Self driving is the best way to reach Centara Q Resort Rayong. The resort is 220km from central Bangkok, about 3 hours drive by car. Punch in the name on Google maps and it’ll lead you there without a problem along major highways with tolls.

Having your own set of wheels has it’s advantages as you can check out places around Rayong.

IF YOU DON’T HAVE A CAR

The cheapest option from Bangkok is to take the bus to Rayong at Ekkamai Eastern Terminal Bus Station or Mo Chit Bus Terminal and fares start about 100B.

I can’t make any direct recommendations for private car service to Centara Q Resort Rayong but there are many companies that can get you there for around 2000B one way.

WHERE TO FIND HOTEL DISCOUNTS AND READ MORE REVIEWS:

Was my Centara Q Resort Rayong review helpful to you? These are affiliate links which means if you make a booking with either company I make a small commission. With no extra cost to you. You will be supporting this blog and also help care for soi dogs (and cats) we come across in Thailand.