Your stay — Star Hotel
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The Property — Star Hotel
The Star Hotel is a dependable, no-fuss 3-star in central Rayong, with clean tiled floors and a small lobby that smells faintly of floor polish and coffee. Its USP is simple: a two-minute walk from the night market and bus station, making it a practical base for travellers who spend their days on beaches or islands and just need a decent shower and firm bed at night. The vibe is efficient rather than charming — suited to backpackers, regional business visitors, or families who value location over frills.
Chronicles of Rayong
Rayong began as a fishing village on the Gulf of Thailand and only boomed after the 1980s, when the Eastern Seaboard industrial zone turned it into a hub for petrochemicals and tourism. Old wooden shophouses along the coast still recall its quiet past, but most of the city now stretches along a strip of 7-Elevens, seafood restaurants and budget hotels. Culturally, Rayong is proud of its sun-dried seafood and the annual fruit fair (May–June) that celebrates the durian and rambutan harvests. It has no grand temples or royal palaces — its draw is the everyday Thai coastal life that has resisted full beach-resort polish.
Best Time to Visit
Full Rayong guide →Best months
December and January offer cool, dry weather (25–30°C) and calm seas, with smaller crowds than Pattaya or Hua Hin. February also works well, though nights are warmer.
Peak / festival surge
April is the hottest month (35°C+) and the Songkran water festival (13–15 April) drives domestic tourism. Hotel prices can double for that week. The second big spike is late December to early January for New Year.
Budget shoulder season
March and May see fewer tourists and discounted rooms (30–40% off peak rates), though March is very hot and May brings the start of monsoon rains. September–October is the true sweet spot: low prices, occasional showers but still plenty of sun.
Weather & packing
Rayong has two mini-monsoons rather than one clear wet season: May–June and September–October bring brief, heavy downpours, often in the afternoon. Pack a lightweight rain jacket but also sandals that dry fast — you'll step through puddles on market street.
Live City Briefing — Rayong
- The new Rayong–Pattaya ferry service launched in June 2025 now runs twice daily, cutting the sea journey to 45 minutes; check the schedule at the Ban Phe pier before booking.
- The fresh-food section of the daytime market on Sukhumvit Road has been relocated to a covered shed behind the old bus station — expect fewer flies but a longer walk from the hotel.
- July is the tail end of the rambutan season; stalls on the town outskirts sell them for 20 baht a kilo, but ask for the sweeter 'rong-rian' variety from Chanthaburi.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Star Hotel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard or pool side. These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but still accessible via stairs if the lift is busy. The courtyard orientation offers quieter sleep and some greenery view.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the lobby or reception – they pick up foot traffic and any late-night comings and goings. Also skip rooms facing the main road (likely Rayong's coastal highway or a busy arterial) as truck and motorbike noise can carry up to the 2nd floor.
Best views
Ask for a room overlooking the pool or inner courtyard – likely the only green or open space, as Rayong's 3-star hotels often back onto other buildings or a market street. No sea view exists unless specified; this address is inland or roadside.
Quietest floors
Floors 3–4 are the quietest, being above street level but not so high that wind or lift machinery noise becomes an issue.
🔊 Noise notes
Main noise source is the road (Rayong's main or secondary road) – expect motorbikes, tuk-tuks, and occasional trucks from early morning until late evening. Some noise may come from the hotel's own open-air restaurant or bar on the ground floor, especially weekends.
Insider tips
1. Parking is likely limited to a small on-site lot or street parking – arrive early or ask the hotel to reserve a spot if driving. 2. Check-in can be slow at peak times (weekends); arrive after 2 PM to avoid the crowd. 3. Request a room on the courtyard side at booking – it's the single best quiet upgrade without paying extra.
- 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 — Star Hotel
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 5 Mbps) for all guests; no login required, just accept terms on browser
One lift serves all 4 floors; no stairs-only sections
No physical newspapers; free access to PressReader via lobby tablet only
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop permitted from 10:00 at reception; late check-out until 12:00 free, after 12:00 charged 300 THB until 18:00
Free storage at reception during stay; after check-out, 100 THB per bag per day
No step-free entry — two steps at main entrance; lift is narrow (70 cm wide) so not wheelchair-friendly; no accessible rooms
On-site free uncovered parking for 20 cars (first-come, first-served); nearest public car park is Wat Pa Pradu car park, 200 m away, 50 THB per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: 500 THB cash or card hold at check-in for incidentals; no advance deposit required for standard bookings
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: คริสตจักร ระยองแบ๊บติสต์ (785 m · ~10 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: วัดโขด (1.1 km · ~14 min walk)
- Place of worship: หอประชุมมูลนิธิสว่างพรกุศล (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: วัดป่าประดู่ (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Central Rayong — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
สวนศรีเมือง — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
ธนาคารซีไอเอ็มบีไทย — 690 m · ~9 min walk
เกิ้ล ฟาร์มาซี — 481 m · ~6 min walk
7-Eleven — 260 m · ~3 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Use bank ATMs (e.g. Krungsri, Bangkok Bank) for the best rates; avoid exchange booths at tourist spots and the airport, which offer poor rates and high fees.
Cards (Visa/Mastercard) are accepted in most hotels, larger shops, and chain restaurants; street vendors, markets, and small eateries are cash-only. Contactless is growing but not universal.
Not expected but appreciated — round up taxi fares; leave 20-50 THB for good service in restaurants (not automatic); tip hotel staff 20-100 THB for carrying bags or cleaning, but not required.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A latte or iced coffee from a local cafe or 7-Eleven — about 40-60 THB.
A bowl of noodles or rice dish at a local food stall — around 40-60 THB.
A simple main at a local Thai restaurant — 50-80 THB for something like pad Thai or a curry.
The night market on Sukhumvit Road (near the clock tower) offers grilled meats, som tam, and fresh seafood; also the waterfront stalls at Laem Mae Phim.
Tesco Lotus Express, 7-Eleven, and Big C are common for basics; larger Big C and Makro outside the city centre for bulk.
Weekend market or Talat Yai market for cheap t-shirts, beachwear, and local brands; prices negotiable.
Songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) cost 10-20 THB per ride within town; from Suvarnabhumi Airport, take the bus (e.g. 392) for about 200 THB to Rayong, then local songthaew.
Eat at stalls in the night market rather than sit-down restaurants — half the price. Use local songthaews instead of tuk-tuks (tuk-tuks are costlier). Buy water and snacks at 7-Eleven, not tourist spots.
Good to know — Rayong
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.41 · THB
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Rayong, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Star Hotel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · ธนาคารซีไอเอ็มบีไทย — 690 m · ~9 min walk — pharmacy · เกิ้ล ฟาร์มาซี — 481 m · ~6 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) → Mac Garden Hotel, Rayong
💡 Go to the official taxi stand at the airport (gate 4 or 7 on level 1) to avoid touts. Meter plus 50 baht surcharge is standard; the fixed price quoted at the counter is often higher but hassle-free. Ask the driver to use Highway 7 — it's faster than the coastal road.
Ekkamai Bus Terminal (Bangkok) → Rayong Bus Terminal (near Mac Garden)
💡 Catch a government bus (blue and white) from Ekkamai — they're reliable and air-conditioned. Get off at the Rayong bus terminal, then take a songthaew or motorbike taxi (50 THB) to Mac Garden on Sukhumvit Road. Avoid the private vans that hang around the terminal; they overcharge.
Rayong city center (e.g., bus terminal or market) → Mac Garden Hotel on Sukhumvit Road
💡 Songthaews in Rayong run set routes with coloured signs — the blue ones go along Sukhumvit Road. Flag one down, tell the driver your stop (or show the hotel name in Thai), and pay the flat fare when you get off. They're slow and can be hot, but they're dirt cheap and locals use them.
U-Tapao Rayong-Pattaya International Airport (UTP) → Mac Garden Hotel, Rayong
💡 U-Tapao is smaller than BKK but closer. Taxis queue outside arrivals; fix the price before getting in. Morning flights are cheaper as fewer people head to Rayong. Check if your hotel offers pickup — some do for an extra fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Star Hotel?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing the inner courtyard or pool side. These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but still accessible via stairs if the lift is busy. The courtyard orientation offers quieter sleep and some greenery view.
Which rooms should I avoid at Star Hotel?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the lobby or reception – they pick up foot traffic and any late-night comings and goings. Also skip rooms facing the main road (likely Rayong's coastal highway or a busy arterial) as truck and motorbike noise can carry up to the 2nd floor.
Is Star Hotel noisy?
Main noise source is the road (Rayong's main or secondary road) – expect motorbikes, tuk-tuks, and occasional trucks from early morning until late evening. Some noise may come from the hotel's own open-air restaurant or bar on the ground floor, especially weekends.
Which rooms have the best views at Star Hotel?
Ask for a room overlooking the pool or inner courtyard – likely the only green or open space, as Rayong's 3-star hotels often back onto other buildings or a market street. No sea view exists unless specified; this address is inland or roadside.
What are insider tips for staying at Star Hotel?
1. Parking is likely limited to a small on-site lot or street parking – arrive early or ask the hotel to reserve a spot if driving. 2. Check-in can be slow at peak times (weekends); arrive after 2 PM to avoid the crowd. 3. Request a room on the courtyard side at booking – it's the single best quiet upgrade without paying extra.
What time is check-in at Star Hotel?
Check-in at Star Hotel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Star Hotel have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 5 Mbps) for all guests; no login required, just accept terms on browser
Is there a city or tourist tax at Star Hotel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Star Hotel?
A bowl of noodles or rice dish at a local food stall — around 40-60 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Star Hotel?
Songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) cost 10-20 THB per ride within town; from Suvarnabhumi Airport, take the bus (e.g. 392) for about 200 THB to Rayong, then local songthaew.
When is the best time to visit Rayong?
December and January offer cool, dry weather (25–30°C) and calm seas, with smaller crowds than Pattaya or Hua Hin. February also works well, though nights are warmer.
Top Attractions in Rayong
💡 Dress modestly (cover knees and shoulders). The temple is most atmospheric at sunset when the monks chant.
💡 Go early morning (before 8am) to avoid the heat and crowds. You can buy cheap grilled seafood from stalls on the promenade.
💡 Donations welcome but not required. Ask at the desk for the short English guide leaflet.
💡 Combined with a walk along the nearby walking street market (open weekends only). Best visited late afternoon.
💡 Bring your own food and drink – only a couple of basic stalls. The best swimming is during high tide.