Your stay — DARA
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The Property — DARA
DARA is a functional, no-frills 3-star hotel in central Phuket Town, with clean, compact rooms and a small pool. The lobby feels like a quiet afterthought between reception and a breakfast area, with tile floors and a rotating rack of tourist leaflets. It suits budget travellers and transit passengers who need a reliable bed near the bus terminal rather than beach resort amenities.
Chronicles of Phuket
Phuket Town grew rich on 19th-century tin mining and rubber, attracting Chinese and European merchants who built the Sino-Portuguese shophouses and mansions still seen along Thalang Road. The mining boom faded by the mid-20th century, and the island pivoted to tourism in the 1970s with the opening of Patong Beach. Today, the old town retains a Peranakan character, with street art, museums and weekend walking markets. The wider city is a mix of concrete sprawl, Buddhist temples and mangroves, far from the resort strips.
Best Time to Visit
Full Phuket guide →Best months
December, January, February: dry, sunny, low humidity, the prime window for beach days and exploring the island. Crowds are high but not extreme.
Peak / festival surge
February (Chinese New Year) and late December (Christmas/New Year): hotels often sell out or double in price. The Phuket King's Cup Regatta (yacht racing) and Laguna Phuket Triathlon draw event visitors in late November/early December.
Budget shoulder season
March and April: still largely dry but heating up before the monsoon; hotel rates drop 20–40%. September: end of the wet season, cheap rooms, fewer tourists, but expect short afternoon downpours.
Weather & packing
Phuket has a tropical monsoon climate, so rain can fall any day even in 'dry' season. Pack a light rain jacket or compact umbrella and quick-dry sandals; leave jeans at home.
Live City Briefing — Phuket
- Phuket Smart Bus now runs an express route between Phuket Town bus terminal and Rawai Beach, reducing travel time by 20 minutes.
- New pedestrian-friendly zone on Soi Rommanee (off Thalang Road) opened late 2025, with extended hours for evening street food stalls.
- Ongoing construction at Saphan Hin junction has caused traffic delays; check local radio for alternate routes if heading to Phuket Airport.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to DARA, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on a higher floor, ideally 4th or above, as these tend to be further away from the street noise. Given the hotel's 3-star rating, it's likely that the rooms on lower floors may be noisier due to the proximity to the street. Additionally, considering the hotel's address in Phuket, you may also want to request a room facing the interior or a side street to minimize the impact of potential street noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor or first floor, as these may be more prone to noise from the street and potential foot traffic. It's also a good idea to steer clear of rooms near the service entrance, as these may experience noise from staff and delivery vehicles.
Best views
Given the hotel's address in Phuket, rooms with a west or south-facing view may offer a better view of the surrounding area, but this is not guaranteed without specific information on room orientations.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and above are likely to be the quietest, given their distance from the street and potential noise sources.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise, staff noise, and potential delivery noise are the primary noise concerns at this hotel.
Insider tips
Request a room with a balcony to take advantage of the outdoor space and potentially better views. Consider arriving early for check-in to secure a room on a higher floor, as these tend to be in higher demand.
- 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 — DARA
free, 100 Mbps speed, no login constraints
serves all floors, no stairs-only historic sections
complimentary digital newsstand (PressReader), physical papers available in lobby
14:00, 24-hour early bag-drop, late check-out until 15:00 (50 THB fee after 12:00)
available 24/7, 100 THB per bag per day
step-free access, wheelchair entries, limited accessibility in historic building wing
on-site parking available (200 THB per night), nearest public car park (200 THB per night) 1 km away, no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 100 THB per night (city tax)
Deposit & card hold: 500 THB deposit per room, incidentals card hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Wat Nakaram (866 m · ~11 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: ที่พักสงฆ์เขารังนอก (1.9 km · ~23 min walk)
- Place of worship: ศาลเจ้าพระโพธิสัตว์กวนอิมเขารัง (ซำเซ้จูฮูด) (1.9 km · ~23 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Central Phuket Floresta — 428 m · ~5 min walk
The Pawket — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
บ้านชินประชา — 2.3 km · ~28 min walk
Aphrodite Cabaret Show — 2.3 km · ~29 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 965 m · ~12 min walk
Super Cheap Pharmacy Naka — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
7-Eleven — 685 m · ~9 min walk
Lomprayah Bus Terminal — 518 m · ~6 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht (THB)
Baht can be exchanged at banks, currency exchange counters at the airport, or at local money changers. Be cautious of poor rates at tourist-oriented airport bureaux.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Phuket, with most establishments accepting Visa, Mastercard, and JCB. Contactless payments are also common, but some older vendors may not accept mobile payments.
Tipping is not expected but is appreciated for good service. 20-50 THB is sufficient for restaurant staff, 10-20 THB for taxi drivers, and 50-100 THB for hotel staff for exceptional service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A typical 7-Eleven or local coffee shop will cost around 30-50 THB for a cup of coffee.
A plate of street food or a meal at a local eatery will cost around 100-150 THB.
A meal at a mid-range restaurant will cost around 200-300 THB for a main dish.
Cheap eats can be found at the night markets, such as Patong Night Market or Phuket Walking Street, or at street food stalls along the beach.
Tesco Lotus and Big C are common supermarket chains in Phuket.
Affordable shopping can be found at the Patong Night Market or at local night bazaars.
The cheapest way to get around is by using the songthaews (red trucks) or baht buses, which cost around 20-50 THB per ride. A day pass for the bus system costs around 100 THB.
Avoid exchanging money at the airport or tourist-oriented currency exchange counters, as they often have poor rates.Use local transportation instead of taxis, which can be more expensive.Eat at local night markets or street food stalls for affordable and delicious meals.
Good to know — Phuket
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.34 · THB
Emergency Contacts
PhuketWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Phuket, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at DARA
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 965 m · ~12 min walk — pharmacy · Super Cheap Pharmacy Naka — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Phuket International Airport (HKT) → Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach
💡 Download Grab app; fixed pricing upfront. Safer and more transparent than street taxis. Pool option available for savings.
Central Phuket Town → Merlin Beach/Kamala area
💡 Red songthaews are local shared taxis; negotiate fare beforehand. Best for day trips; avoid late night travel.
Phuket International Airport (HKT) → Phuket Marriott Resort & Spa, Merlin Beach
💡 Use official airport taxi counter; avoid unmarked taxis. Negotiate fixed rate before departure or ensure meter is running.
Phuket International Airport (HKT) → Central Phuket/Patong Beach area
💡 Most economical option; requires additional local transport to hotel. Buy tickets at ground floor departure hall.
About Phuket
Wikipedia ↗
Phuket ( poo-KET; Thai: ภูเก็ต, [pʰūː.kèt] , Malay: Bukit or Tongkah) is one of the southern provinces (changwat) of Thailand. It consists of the island of Phuket, the country's largest island, and another 32 smaller islands off its coast. Phuket lies off the west coast of mainland Thailand in the A...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at DARA?
Request a room on a higher floor, ideally 4th or above, as these tend to be further away from the street noise. Given the hotel's 3-star rating, it's likely that the rooms on lower floors may be noisier due to the proximity to the street. Additionally, considering the hotel's address in Phuket, you may also want to request a room facing the interior or a side street to minimize the impact of potential street noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at DARA?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor or first floor, as these may be more prone to noise from the street and potential foot traffic. It's also a good idea to steer clear of rooms near the service entrance, as these may experience noise from staff and delivery vehicles.
Is DARA noisy?
Street noise, staff noise, and potential delivery noise are the primary noise concerns at this hotel.
Which rooms have the best views at DARA?
Given the hotel's address in Phuket, rooms with a west or south-facing view may offer a better view of the surrounding area, but this is not guaranteed without specific information on room orientations.
What are insider tips for staying at DARA?
Request a room with a balcony to take advantage of the outdoor space and potentially better views. Consider arriving early for check-in to secure a room on a higher floor, as these tend to be in higher demand.
What time is check-in at DARA?
Check-in at DARA is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does DARA have Wi-Fi?
free, 100 Mbps speed, no login constraints
Is there a city or tourist tax at DARA?
100 THB per night (city tax)
Where can I eat cheaply near DARA?
A plate of street food or a meal at a local eatery will cost around 100-150 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from DARA?
The cheapest way to get around is by using the songthaews (red trucks) or baht buses, which cost around 20-50 THB per ride. A day pass for the bus system costs around 100 THB.
When is the best time to visit Phuket?
December, January, February: dry, sunny, low humidity, the prime window for beach days and exploring the island. Crowds are high but not extreme.
Top Attractions in Phuket
💡 Bring small bills; the grilled pork skewers and mango sticky rice are worth queueing for.
💡 Dress modestly (free sarongs available); go early morning for the best light and fewest visitors — midday crowds and heat are both intense
💡 Go early morning (before 9am) to avoid heat and crowds; the walk up is steep if you skip the taxi.
💡 Dress modestly (cover knees and shoulders); climb the pagoda for good views of the grounds.
💡 Rent a deckchair for 100 baht from the southern end; there's free public parking near the temple.
💡 Entry is 200 baht (about £4), but it’s worth it for the air-con and the quiet courtyard garden; free guided tours in English at 10am.