The name Villa Mahabhirom translates as 'Villa of Great Pleasure' and it’s a fitting description for this elegant luxury resort discretely tucked away in a walled garden in a quiet Chiang Mai neighbourhood. Although Villa Mahabhirom is a hotel, it … [Read more...]
12 of the Best Places to Stay in Bangkok’s Old City
The historic heart of Bangkok is sometimes referred to as 'Bangkok Old Town' or simply, the 'Old City'. This is where you will find many of Bangkok's most popular tourist attractions including the Grand Palace and Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and … [Read more...]
Hotel Review: Anurak Community Lodge, Khao Sok
A sublime setting, a homely atmosphere and a business with a focus on sustainability all combine to make Anurak Community Lodge an excellent choice for visitors looking to explore Khao Sok National Park in comfort. With stunning views of the jungle … [Read more...]
Hotel Review: The Monttra Pattaya
Surrounded by a canopy of trees overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, there is little to disturb the tranquility at The Monttra Pattaya apart from the idle chatter of birdsong and the sound of waves gently lapping up to the private beach. Enjoying a … [Read more...]
Hotel Review: OZO Pattaya
Compact, comfortable and chic. Three words that neatly sum up OZO Pattaya, a stylish new hotel which opened in the seaside resort on September 15. With a location close enough to main attractions, but far enough away from some of the brasher … [Read more...]
X2 River Kwai Resort, Kanchanaburi
Located on a scenic stretch of the Kwai Noi River in Kanchanaburi province, the X2 River Kwai resort opened for business in July 2014. With just 8 rooms, this is a boutique hotel with a difference. The concept of the resort is 'industrial chic' and … [Read more...]
Hotel Review: Hua Chang Heritage Hotel, Bangkok
With a great location, comfortable rooms and excellent service, the Hua Chang Heritage Hotel ticks most of the boxes I look for in a hotel. Located a short stroll away from the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, this is chic and contemporary … [Read more...]
Hotel Review: Royal Tha Tien Village, Bangkok
With just 5 guest rooms, staying at the Royal Tha Tien Village is more akin to staying at somebody's home than a hotel. The polished wooden floors and cleanliness of the hotel (guests must take off their shoes before going upstairs) give the … [Read more...]
Hotel Review: Jansome House, Chiang Rai
With rooms around the 400-500 Baht mark, Jasmine House is very much a budget option for visitors to Chiang Rai. But with a convenient central location and clean, albeit basic rooms, it's a hotel which provides very good value for money. Breakfast is … [Read more...]
Hotel Review: Top North Hotel, Mae Sai
For many non-Thai visitors, the reason for a trip to the northern border town of Mae Sai is usually a visa run. Travelling to Mae Sai from Chiang Mai or Chiang Rai can easily be done as a day trip, but if you are travelling on to the Golden Triangle … [Read more...]
Hotel Review: Wendy Guest House, Bangkok
Wendy Guest House is a budget hotel located in central Bangkok a few minutes' walk from the Skytrain (National Stadium station). It's also very convenient for a number of other Bangkok transport options and with rooms starting at around 1,000 Baht … [Read more...]
Review: At Home Sukhothai Guest House
On a recent visit to Sukhothai and Si Satchanalai I opted to stay at the small guest-house, At Home Sukhothai which has received lots of good reviews on various online sites, but is it worthy of the positive recommendations? Here's my personal review … [Read more...]
Hotel Review: Thong Ta Resort, Bangkok Airport
Thong Ta Resort and Spa is a budget hotel located close to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi international airport. This makes it a good choice for passengers with a long wait between connecting flights or who just want the convenience of a hotel close to Bangkok … [Read more...]
Hotel Review: Heart Inn, Ko Lanta
On a recent visit to Ko Lanta I wanted to stay for a few nights in Sala Dan, the main town on the island and the location of the port where most boats arrive and depart Ko Lanta. The Heart Inn is a budget hotel, but it's pleasant enough and has a … [Read more...]
Hotel Review: Bella Villa Hotel & Serviced Apartments, Pattaya
I stayed at the Bella Villa Hotel on Third Road, Pattaya during a three-day visit to the seaside resort last last month. This hotel is part of a chain and this particular location on Third Road (not far from North Pattaya bus station) is the oldest … [Read more...]
Hotel Review: The Great Residence, Bangkok Airport
Staying at a hotel close to Bangkok airport can be a convenient option for travellers transiting via the Thai capital. I've previously stayed a number of times at the Queens Garden Resort, but over the weekend I opted for a one night stay at The … [Read more...]
Hotel Review: Harmony Bed & Bakery, Ko Lipe
This small hotel only opened at the end of 2011 but has already earned good reviews across the web. On the basis of those reviews I decided to stay here for 3 nights on a trip to Ko Lipe last month. Rooms Harmony Bed and Bakery is a compact low-rise … [Read more...]
Hotel Review: Lub Sbuy Guest House, Phuket Town
Earlier this week I stayed at the Lub Sbuy Guest House in Phuket Town. I only stayed for one night, but was impressed with the accommodation which is more akin to a boutique hotel. Lub Sbuy (which is pronounced more like 'lap sabai') is the Thai … [Read more...]
Hotel Review: Sandalay Resort, Pattaya
I spent 3 days in Pattaya last week catching up with some friends from the UK who were staying in the seaside resort. I stayed at the Sandalay Resort on Beach Road adjacent to Soi 2 in North Pattaya. Rooms The Sandalay Resort has a choice of rooms … [Read more...]
Where to Stay in Chiang Mai
When booking hotels and guest-houses in Chiang Mai, a number of first-time visitors automatically assume the accommodation will be in the central part of the city. Whilst that may be true in many cases, it's also important to note that Chiang Mai is … [Read more...]
Where to Stay on Ko Samui
I've been asked a number of times what is the best place to stay on Ko Samui. As always, the answer depends on what you are looking for because the ideal location for a honeymooning couple probably won't be right for a single backpacker. Over the … [Read more...]
Chaweng Beach, Ko Samui
Chaweng Beach on Ko Samui is one of the most scenic beaches on the island and fits the stereotypical travel brochure descriptions of 'soft white sand, azure sea and palm trees'. Chaweng stretches for 6kms from north to south and it really is very … [Read more...]
Baiyoke Tower and Sky Hotel, Bangkok
The Baiyoke Tower (Baiyoke 2) in Bangkok is a great place to go for panoramic views of the Thai capital. Thailand's tallest building* is 85 storeys high and stands at an impressive 304 metres tall (328m including the communications antenna). … [Read more...]
Where to Stay in Phuket
When visitors begin to research the best place to stay in Phuket they can be left with a bewildering array of opinions and conflicting advice. In the descriptions below I offer my own personal opinions on various beaches in Phuket and some of the … [Read more...]
Khao Takiab Beach, Hua Hin
With its long shoreline on the Gulf of Thailand, the seaside resort of Hua Hin is home to a number of different beaches. Khao Takiab Beach is located approximately 7kms south of central Hua Hin. The distinguishing feature of this particular beach is … [Read more...]
Hotel Review: Bossotel Hotel, Bangkok
My family visited me in Thailand last month and we spent two nights in Bangkok at the end of their trip. I decided to book a stay at the Bossotel Hotel because the location was convenient for everything we had planned including a dinner cruise on the … [Read more...]
Hotel Review: The Village, Coconut Island, Phuket
Last month I spent 3 days with my family at the luxurious hideaway, The Village on Coconut Island just off the east coast of Phuket. Without doubt, this is the most exclusive accommodation I have ever stayed in and here is my review of the … [Read more...]
Hotel Review: The Palms, Kamala Beach, Phuket
Last week I stayed for 3 days with my family at The Palms on Kamala Beach, Phuket. The hotel is located towards the southern end of Kamala and is only a 2-minute walk to the beach. The Palms isn't a typical hotel because it is more like an apartment … [Read more...]
Historic Budget Hotel – The Atlanta, Bangkok
Located in the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok, The Atlanta hotel is one of the more atmospheric places you can choose to stay in the Thai capital if you are on a budget. The hotel is unashamedly old-fashioned which will appeal to some and deter … [Read more...]
Accommodation Review: The Countryside, Pai
Most of the accommodation choices in Pai are budget and mid-range guest-houses with just a few more expensive hotel options. I was last in Pai back in February and was looking to stay somewhere for one night that wasn't expensive, but had a bit of … [Read more...]
Hotel Review: Queen’s Garden Resort, near Bangkok Airport
Last weekend I had a late evening flight from Chiang Mai to Bangkok and an early flight out the following day, so I took the opportunity to stay at one of the hotels located close to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport rather than travel into the centre … [Read more...]
Hotels Near Bangkok International Airport (Suvarnabhumi)
I often get asked to recommend hotels near Bangkok International Airport (Suvarnabhumi). The answer I usually give is that people shouldn't rule out staying in other areas of Bangkok, such as Sukhumvit, which can usually be reached in less than an … [Read more...]
Where to Stay in Bangkok
Best price guarantee for Bangkok hotels & guest-houses » Many people on a 2 or 3 week vacation in Thailand only spend a few days in Bangkok before heading to the beaches of the south or the sights of the north like Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. You … [Read more...]
Hotel Review: BJ Holiday Lodge, Pattaya
I travelled to Pattaya at the end of April to meet up with friends who were over here on holiday. One of my friends was staying at the BJ Holiday Lodge with his wife and recommended this hotel. The BJ Holiday Lodge is situated in Soi 3 just off … [Read more...]
Hotel Review: Ayatana Hamlet & Spa, Chiang Mai
I recently stayed for just one night at the Ayatana Hamlet and Spa (now renamed as B2 Ayatana Premier Resort), but I wish it could have been longer. This is certainly one of the most beautiful hotels I have ever stayed in. I'd originally booked to … [Read more...]
Review: Wiang Inn Hotel, Chiang Rai
I recently visited Chiang Rai and stayed at the Wiang Inn Hotel for 2 nights. Travelling by bus from Chiang Mai, I hadn't pre-booked any accommodation but was looking for somewhere fairly central. The Wiang Inn is located on the main Phaholyothin … [Read more...]
Accommodation in Thailand
Thailand offers a host of accommodation options from beach huts right through to 6-star hotels. Naturally, the requirements of a backpacker will be different to that of a couple on their honeymoon. I will provide links to online booking sites to … [Read more...]
