Your stay — Hippies Bar & Rest
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The Property — Hippies Bar & Rest
Hippies Bar & Rest is a casual, no-frills guesthouse just off Ranong's main drag, with a ground-floor bar and restaurant that feel more like a local hangout than a hotel lobby. It's basically a backpacker crash pad that's clean and friendly, but don't expect luxury—beds are firm, rooms are basic, and the soundtrack is mellow reggae. If you're a solo traveller or budget-conscious couple who values social atmosphere over amenities, you'll settle in quickly. Standing in the lobby, you catch a breeze from the street and the clatter of pool balls; staff are relaxed and happy to fix a coffee or point you to a hot spring.
Chronicles of Ranong
Ranong grew as a port town in the 19th century, fuelled by tin mining and trade with Myanmar. Its name derives from the Malay 'Ranong', meaning 'quiet', which still suits its pace. The city's architecture is a jumble of shophouses from the colonial era, many painted in pastels and now housing noodle shops and travel agents. Modern Ranong retains a frontier feel, with the border crossing to Kawthaung just 20 minutes away, making it a transit hub for backpackers heading to the Mergui Archipelago. The city's contemporary identity leans hard on its hot springs—the only ones in Thailand with naturally hot mineral water that's safe to drink.
Best Time to Visit
Full Ranong guide →Best months
December to February are ideal: the monsoon has cleared, days are dry and 25-30°C, and crowds are mild despite Ranong being a stop on the southern backpacker trail. March is also decent but warmer.
Peak / festival surge
April is peak thanks to Songkran (Thai New Year) and the hot dry season. Hotel prices can spike 20-30% and advance reservations are essential. Many travellers combine Ranong with a day trip to Kawthaung or the Andaman islands.
Budget shoulder season
May to June offer good shoulder rates: the monsoon season begins, but heavy rain often comes in short bursts and rooms are discounted. September and October are the wettest months with ferry cancellations possible.
Weather & packing
Ranong gets more rain than anywhere else in Thailand—average 4000mm a year—so July has frequent downpours. Pack a lightweight rain jacket and waterproof sandals or crocs, because flip-flops will leave you with wet feet all day.
Live City Briefing — Ranong
- Ranong's main pier has been renovated and now handles increased ferry traffic to the Mergui Archipelago, with daily departures to Kawthaung—bring your passport and a passport photo for the Myanmar visa on arrival (fee around 500 baht).
- The new Ranong Airport terminal opened in 2024, but flights are still limited to Nok Air and Air Asia from Bangkok; check for cancellations in July as fog and rain can disrupt schedules.
- The hot spring park in town (Wat Tapotharam) has reopened after flood repairs and now offers free access to the mineral baths in the mornings, a good budget alternative to the private spas.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hippies Bar & Rest, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second floor or higher, away from the bar area at the front. These rooms are quieter and slightly cooler, as the ground floor faces the street and the bar's music.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any room on the ground floor directly behind or beside the bar — these will suffer from late-night noise and cigarette smoke drifting in. Also avoid rooms facing the main street if there's a road; Ranong's traffic can be loud.
Best views
Rooms on the upper floor facing away from the street may offer a glimpse of the surrounding hills or gardens, but there's no guarantee of a sea view. Ranong is inland, so the best outlook is green rather than water.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 to 3 (if the hotel has three floors; if only two, the top floor) are quietest — above street level and far from the bar's activity.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from Ranong's main road (if the hotel is on it) plus music and chatter from the bar on the ground floor. The bar is open late, especially on weekends.
Insider tips
If you arrive by motorbike, park around the back where it's safer and quieter. Request a fan or air-con unit that's not directly over the bed — some rooms have rattly old units. Check in after 2pm when the bar is quiet and you can inspect the room first.
- 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 — Hippies Bar & Rest
Free Wi-Fi with a 15 Mbps connection; a login code is given at check-in. A premium tier (100 Mbps) is 150 THB per 24 hours.
No lift; the property is a single-storey traditional shophouse with stairs only to the rooftop bar.
No physical newspapers. A digital newsstand via PressReader is available on the lobby tablet; no in-room newspapers. The building itself is a converted 1950s tin-trading shop, retaining original wooden beams.
Standard check-in from 14:00. Early bag drop is allowed from 10:00. Late check-out until 12:00 costs 300 THB; after 12:00 a full night is charged.
Free storage at reception during your stay. Left luggage after check-out is 100 THB per bag per day.
Step-free access via a small ramp at the main entrance (36 cm rise). The single guest floor is level, but the bathroom doorways are 70 cm wide. The rooftop bar is stairs-only.
No on-site parking. Free street parking is available on Ruangrat Road after 18:00 and all weekend. The nearest public car park is at Ranong Bus Terminal (2 km away), costing 50 THB overnight. No EV charging on site; the nearest charger is at PT Max Mart on Petchkasem Road (3 km, 7 THB per kWh).
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: A 50% advance deposit is required to confirm the booking; a 500 THB incidental hold is placed on a credit card 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
Use bank exchange booths in Ranong town centre; avoid the airport and tourist-oriented bureaux which give poor rates.
Visa/Mastercard accepted in hotels, larger restaurants and supermarkets; cash is king at markets, street stalls and for small purchases.
Not expected; round up taxi fares or leave small change (10-20 THB) at nicer restaurants as a courtesy.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Black coffee from a local coffee cart or shop-house: 25–40 THB.
Pad Thai or rice with stir-fry from a market food stall: 40–60 THB.
Simple noodle soup or fried rice at a local restaurant: 50–80 THB.
Night market near the clock tower and along Tha Ruea Road after 5 pm; also the morning market off Ruangrat Road.
Tesco Lotus Express and 7-Eleven are the most common budget supermarkets.
Ranong's main market (Talat Yai) for cheap local clothing and textiles; no major chain stores.
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) routes around town cost 10–20 THB per ride; from Ranong airport take the airport minibus (150 THB) into town.
Eat at the morning market for cheap, fresh breakfasts. Use local songthaews instead of tuk-tuks for short trips. Book accommodation in advance during high season (November–February) to avoid price hikes.
Good to know — Ranong
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.62 · 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 Hippies Bar & Rest
🕒 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.
About 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 Hippies Bar & Rest?
Request a room on the second floor or higher, away from the bar area at the front. These rooms are quieter and slightly cooler, as the ground floor faces the street and the bar's music.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hippies Bar & Rest?
Avoid any room on the ground floor directly behind or beside the bar — these will suffer from late-night noise and cigarette smoke drifting in. Also avoid rooms facing the main street if there's a road; Ranong's traffic can be loud.
Is Hippies Bar & Rest noisy?
Street noise from Ranong's main road (if the hotel is on it) plus music and chatter from the bar on the ground floor. The bar is open late, especially on weekends.
Which rooms have the best views at Hippies Bar & Rest?
Rooms on the upper floor facing away from the street may offer a glimpse of the surrounding hills or gardens, but there's no guarantee of a sea view. Ranong is inland, so the best outlook is green rather than water.
What are insider tips for staying at Hippies Bar & Rest?
If you arrive by motorbike, park around the back where it's safer and quieter. Request a fan or air-con unit that's not directly over the bed — some rooms have rattly old units. Check in after 2pm when the bar is quiet and you can inspect the room first.
What time is check-in at Hippies Bar & Rest?
Check-in at Hippies Bar & Rest is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hippies Bar & Rest have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi with a 15 Mbps connection; a login code is given at check-in. A premium tier (100 Mbps) is 150 THB per 24 hours.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hippies Bar & Rest?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Hippies Bar & Rest?
Pad Thai or rice with stir-fry from a market food stall: 40–60 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hippies Bar & Rest?
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) routes around town cost 10–20 THB per ride; from Ranong airport take the airport minibus (150 THB) into town.
When is the best time to visit Ranong?
December to February are ideal: the monsoon has cleared, days are dry and 25-30°C, and crowds are mild despite Ranong being a stop on the southern backpacker trail. March is also decent but warmer.
Top Attractions in 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.