Many first-time visitors to Thailand simply find a nice-looking hotel either through a travel agent or via the web without taking the time to really find out what else is available. It can sometimes be a shock to them when they get there to find out how much better they could have done for the same money. All it takes is a little investigation before booking and a good place to start is to get a broad picture of what types of accommodation are available in your price range.
Due to the relatively low cost of living in Thailand hotel rates are, on average, a lot cheaper than the equivalent standard at many other popular holiday destinations. This in no way reflects on the overall quality which, thanks to the natural charm of the thai people, is often quite exceptional even at the lower end of the market. The following is a rough guide as to what can be expected within four broad price ranges.
Luxury Thailand Hotels
Thailand is well known within the travel industry to have some of the finest hotels in the world such as the famous Mandarin Oriental in Bangkok or the superb Royal Yacht Club on Koh Phuket. This type of accommodation is not aimed at the budget conscious traveller but, although expensive by many people’s standards, it still compares very favourably price-wise with similar establishments in Europe and the U.S.
One area in which Thailand often exceeds the standard of other countries is hospitality. With their famous cuisine, easy smiles and exceptional politeness no-one is better at making a visitor feel special than the thais. The combination of price, superb service and the sometimes breathtakingly-beautiful locations of these hotels have made thailand holidays one of the most popular choices for honeymooning couples from all over the world which is a good indicator as to how good these resorts really are.
Some of the best Luxury Hotels according to customer ratings are -
| Bangkok : The Mandarin Oriental Bangkok | Koh Samui : Santiburi Golf Resort & Spa |
| Krabi / Ao Nang : Amari Vogue Resort Krabi | Pattaya : Marriott Resort And Spa |
| Phuket : JW Marriott Spa & Resort Phuket | Chiang mai : The Chedi Chiang Mai |
PremiumThailand Hotels
A big drop in price but not necessarily in comfort are the often Thai-owned up-market hotels. Expect very nice rooms in beautiful or at least convenient settings for a lot less than you’d pay for the same standard in most countries. You can find some stunning hotels in this class and the good ones can often rival the luxury hotels especially in the area of hospitality. However, it really pays to read customer reviews as there are also quite a few over-priced hotels in this range.
Some of the best Premium Hotels according to customer ratings are -
| Bangkok : Grand Millennium Sukhumvit | Koh Samui : Nora Beach Spa And Resort |
| Krabi / Ao Nang : Centara Grand Beach Resort | Pattaya : Siam Bayview Hotel |
| Phuket : Indigo Pearl Hotel | Chiang mai : Bodhi Serene Chiang Mai |
Medium Price Range Thailand hotels
You can get some fantastic bargains in this price range. These mostly small independent hotels often have everything you need such as aircon, satellite TV, wi-fi, nice gardens, pools etc. There are a large number to choose from in this category and many are very well appointed with wonderfully friendly staff but once again, be sure to read customer reviews as some are cheap for a very good reason.
Some of the best Medium-Priced Hotels according to customer ratings are -
| Bangkok : Narai Hotel Bangkok | Koh Samui : Cliff View Resort |
| Krabi / Ao Nang : Vogue Resort and Spa | Pattaya : Sunshine Vista Serviced Aparments |
| Phuket : Duangjitt Resort Phuket | Chiang mai : Raming Lodge Hotel Chiang Mai |
Budget Thailand Accommodation
If you just want a place to sleep you can get a clean room with a ceiling fan or air-conditioning in one of many small guest houses for just a few dollars a night. This type of accommodation is usually not bookable over the internet but if you stroll around the quieter roads of the tourist areas you will see plenty of "Room for Rent" signs. More often than not they will quote even cheaper "long-stay" monthly rates which can be a great saving even if you stay less than a month.
Their prices beat the major hotels hands-down and some even have rooms renovated to a very high standard though the building itself might look run-down. A good way to get an idea of what the rooms are like without actually going inside is stand across the street and look at the quality of the windows and air-con units.
If you are on a tight budget these establishments are great value for money but be very careful with your valuables if you choose to stay at one. The staff are likely to be honest but the often poor room locks and lack of CCTV can be attractive to professional criminals who check in as guests. Chiang Mai, Pattaya and Bangkok are particularly well-blessed with this type of accommodation.
When to Book Hotels in Thailand
If you are heading to Thailand anytime during the high season it is best to book well in advance. For the well-rated hotels, particularly in the upper price range, its possible for them to be fully booked several months ahead. The busiest time for occupancy is from January to March but watch out for April as its the month of the Songkran water festivals which attract large numbers of overseas tourists and create a very busy two week period. Note : Songkran festival celebrations occur in different weeks so check the exact dates for your destination before booking.
If you do leave it to the last minute you will still be able to find accommodation but it could be difficult to find something ideal and the best value for money hotels will very likely be full.
Outside of the high months its unusual for the large hotels to fill up but if you decide not to book or wish to travel around with no fixed itinerary it would pay to find out if any of the many thai public holidays fall during your visit.
The Cheapest and Most Expensive Thailand Cities
Because Thailand has such a diverse range of attractions it appeals to an equally diverse range of overseas visitors from the fabulously wealthy to the young backpackers travelling on a shoestring. All of the tourist hotspots therefore have accommodation to cater for every budget but some destinations do tend to be more expensive than others.
Of the main tourist centres the very popular beach resorts Phuket, Koh Samui and Ao Nang Beach are most expensive. Chiang Mai in the far north of the country has a lot of mid-range and backpacker accommodation and tends to be quite a bit cheaper overall. Bangkok has so much available that even its world-class luxury hotels offer tremendous deals making it possible to stay there for a lot less especially in the high season. The other major seaside town, Pattaya, is by far the cheapest of the main resorts. This may be due to most visitors being attracted by the outrageous nightlife and being more interested in simply a nice room rather than a "resort experience".