Your stay — Big Tree Bungalow
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The Property — Big Tree Bungalow
Big Tree Bungalow is a no-frills 3-star set on the edge of Ranong’s mangroves, a short walk from the hot springs and Raksa Warin Park. Its USP is simplicity and proximity to nature: raised wooden bungalows, open-air common areas, and a small pool that overlooks the estuary. The lobby is basically a shaded patio with plastic chairs and a ceiling fan, where the owner hands you a key and points to the best noodle shop down the road. It suits backpackers and budget-conscious travellers who want clean, basic lodging near Ranong’s thermal baths and don’t mind a few mosquitoes.
Cronache di Ranong
Ranong was founded in the 19th century as a tin-mining boomtown, attracting Chinese and Burmese traders who built the shophouses that still line Ruangrat Road. Its fortune shifted when King Rama V visited the hot springs in 1887, prompting the construction of Raksa Warin Park and the first proper spa facilities. The town’s architecture is a mix of Chinese-British colonial shophouses and Thai-style wooden stilt homes, reflecting its multicultural mining heritage. Today, Ranong is a quiet border hub, known for its hot springs, seafood, and as the jumping-off point for the Andaman islands of Ko Phayam and Ko Chang. Its identity remains tied to water — both the thermal waters that draw Thai tourists and the rain that drenches the province eight months a year.
Best Time to Visit
Guida completa di Ranong →Best months
December to February: dry, cooler days (25–30°C), minimal rain, and pleasant evenings for soaking in the hot springs. Crowds are moderate — mostly Thai tourists on long weekends — but the town never feels overrun.
Peak / festival surge
January and Songkran (mid-April) are peak months: January for the cool, dry weather; Songkran for the Thai New Year water festival, which fills hotels with domestic visitors. Prices at Big Tree Bungalow can double, but standard rooms stay under £20. No major international festival drives demand — it’s all local travel.
Budget shoulder season
March and November offer the best discounts: March is hot but low-rain (until mid-month); November sees the tail end of the monsoon but fewer visitors and room rates 30–40% lower than peak. Both months have decent hot-spring weather without the crowds.
Weather & packing
Ranong is one of Thailand’s wettest provinces — the southwest monsoon slams it from May to October, often with rain every afternoon. Pack a quick-dry rain jacket and waterproof sandals; leave the umbrella behind (they’re cheap and easy to buy locally).
Live City Briefing — Ranong
- The new Ranong Bus Terminal opened in early 2026 on Petchkasem Road, 2 km south of the old station — get your driver to drop you there if coming from Surat Thani or Bangkok.
- Ranong’s hot springs have completed a renovation as of June 2026, with new changing rooms and a larger public soaking pool — entry remains 50 baht for Thais, 100 for foreigners.
- July is deep in monsoon season: expect daily downpours around 3–5pm, and check with your hotel if the Ranong–Ko Phayam ferry is running (it occasionally suspends service in heavy weather).
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Big Tree Bungalow, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
For a quieter stay, request rooms on the upper floors (4th or 5th) as they tend to be farther away from the street noise. However, keep in mind that the hotel has a lift, so you might hear some mechanical noise from the lift. If you can, opt for a room on the south-facing side to get some natural light and a view of the surrounding area.
Rooms to avoid
As the hotel is located in Ranong, a city with a relatively busy main road, rooms on the lower floors (1st-3rd) may be noisier due to street traffic. Additionally, rooms near the lift or service entrance might experience more noise from the constant comings and goings.
Best views
South-facing rooms on the upper floors (4th or 5th) for a view of the surrounding area.
Quietest floors
4th-5th floor
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from the main road is a consideration, as well as potential noise from the lift and service entrance. As a 3-star hotel, it's likely to have a more basic building design, which may not provide much soundproofing.
Insider tips
Request a room with a balcony to get some fresh air and a view of the surrounding area. If you're arriving by car, be aware that parking might be limited, so it's a good idea to arrive early to secure a spot.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Big Tree Bungalow
free, 100 Mbps speed, no login constraints
serves all floors, but there's a single stairs-only floor in the historic section
complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader) and daily physical papers in lobby; no building heritage quirks
14:00-23:00; early bag-drop available from 08:00; late check-out until 12:00 for 200 THB
available 24/7, 50 THB per bag per day
step-free access, wheelchair entries via main entrance and side entrance
on-site parking available, 50 THB per night; nearest public car park is 1 km away, 20 THB per hour; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 10 THB per person per night
Deposit & card hold: 200 THB advance deposit + 500 THB incidental card hold at check-in
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Clinic & Drug Store — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
You can exchange money at local banks, with better rates at Tesco Lotus or Big C supermarkets. Be cautious of poor rates at airports or tourist information offices.
Most ATMs accept foreign cards, and contactless payments are accepted at many shops and restaurants. Mobile payment options like Grab Pay and WeChat Pay are also widely accepted.
Tipping is not expected but rounding up the bill or leaving 20-50 THB is considered polite for good service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of coffee can cost around 30-50 THB from a street vendor or a local café.
Street food stalls and markets offer affordable options like pad thai or noodle dishes for 100-150 THB.
A meal at a local restaurant can cost around 150-250 THB for a main dish.
The night market on Thanon Mitrapap and the morning market on Thanon Thaksin are popular street food areas.
Tesco Lotus and Big C supermarkets are common in the area.
Markets like Talat Nam and weekend markets like the Ranong Night Market offer affordable shopping options.
A 1-day bus pass costs around 100 THB and can be used on public buses within the province. From the airport, a taxi fare to the city centre is around 150 THB.
Avoid exchanging money at airports or tourist information offices, use a local SIM card to save on data roaming, and try local street food for affordable meals.
Good to know — Ranong
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.65 · THB
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Ranong, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Big Tree Bungalow
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: pharmacy · Clinic & Drug Store — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Ranong Airport → Koh Payam Resort (Pier area)
💡 Shared minivans run from airport arrivals to the main pier (Tha Chalom). Tell the driver 'Tha Chalom Pier'. Buy your ferry ticket first at the pier counter; the resort is a 10-minute walk from the pier.
Tha Chalom Pier → Koh Payam Pier (near resort)
💡 The resort is a 5-minute walk from Koh Payam Pier. Catch the morning ferry to avoid afternoon chop. Bring motion sickness tablets if you're prone — the crossing is open sea.
Ranong Town Bus Terminal → Tha Chalom Pier
💡 Flag down a blue songthaew on Ruangrat Road. They go to the pier when full; wait time varies. Ask locals for the right truck — some run to other piers. Exact change helps.
Ranong Airport → Koh Payam Resort (Pier area)
💡 Book a Grab or local taxi via your hotel. Drivers often overcharge outside the airport; confirm the fare before getting in. Avoid unmetered taxis at the rank.
Informazioni su Ranong
Wikipedia ↗Ranong (Thai: ระนอง) is a town (thesaban mueang) in southern Thailand, capital of the Ranong Province and the Mueang Ranong District. The town covers completely the area of the tambon Khao Niwet (เขานิเวศน์). As of 2024, it had a population of 16,909. Ranong lies 586 kilometres (364 mi) south-southw...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Big Tree Bungalow?
For a quieter stay, request rooms on the upper floors (4th or 5th) as they tend to be farther away from the street noise. However, keep in mind that the hotel has a lift, so you might hear some mechanical noise from the lift. If you can, opt for a room on the south-facing side to get some natural light and a view of the surrounding area.
Which rooms should I avoid at Big Tree Bungalow?
As the hotel is located in Ranong, a city with a relatively busy main road, rooms on the lower floors (1st-3rd) may be noisier due to street traffic. Additionally, rooms near the lift or service entrance might experience more noise from the constant comings and goings.
Is Big Tree Bungalow noisy?
Street noise from the main road is a consideration, as well as potential noise from the lift and service entrance. As a 3-star hotel, it's likely to have a more basic building design, which may not provide much soundproofing.
Which rooms have the best views at Big Tree Bungalow?
South-facing rooms on the upper floors (4th or 5th) for a view of the surrounding area.
What are insider tips for staying at Big Tree Bungalow?
Request a room with a balcony to get some fresh air and a view of the surrounding area. If you're arriving by car, be aware that parking might be limited, so it's a good idea to arrive early to secure a spot.
What time is check-in at Big Tree Bungalow?
Check-in at Big Tree Bungalow is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Big Tree Bungalow have Wi-Fi?
free, 100 Mbps speed, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at Big Tree Bungalow?
10 THB per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Big Tree Bungalow?
Street food stalls and markets offer affordable options like pad thai or noodle dishes for 100-150 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Big Tree Bungalow?
A 1-day bus pass costs around 100 THB and can be used on public buses within the province. From the airport, a taxi fare to the city centre is around 150 THB.
When is the best time to visit Ranong?
December to February: dry, cooler days (25–30°C), minimal rain, and pleasant evenings for soaking in the hot springs. Crowds are moderate — mostly Thai tourists on long weekends — but the town never feels overrun.
Principali attrazioni a Ranong
💡 Try the fresh roti from the stall at the south entrance. Come before 9am for the best selection.
💡 Check the opening hours before visiting—they sometimes close for maintenance. The English labels are brief but adequate.
💡 Go early (before 7am) for the clearest water and fewer people. Bring a towel and flip-flops; the concrete edges get slippery.
💡 Bring a good torch or headlamp—the cave is unlit. Wear shoes that can get wet if it's been raining. Entrance is free but donations welcome at the temple.
💡 Bring water and sun protection. The nearest shop is 2km back on the main road. Best visited at low tide when the sand is firmer.