Your stay — Amari Palm Reef
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The Property — Amari Palm Reef
The Amari Palm Reef is a solid three-star resort on Phang Nga Bay, about 15 minutes from Surat Thani town. Standing in the lobby, you feel the sea breeze coming off the pool area, and the vibe is functional but pleasant — clean rooms, a decent restaurant, and direct beach access. It suits budget-conscious families or groups who want straightforward seaside accommodation without frills.
Chronicles of Surat Thani
Surat Thani grew from a small 18th-century settlement on the Tapi River into the commercial hub of southern Thailand. Its name, granted by King Vajiravudh in 1915, means 'city of good people', reflecting its role as an administrative and transport centre. The old town still has shophouses and a Chinese shrine from the early 1900s, but modern life revolves around the clock tower, ferry piers and the sprawling fresh market. Today, most visitors use it as a transit point for the islands, though a growing foodie scene and the nearby Phaeng Yakha floating market give it a distinct local character.
Best Time to Visit
Full Surat Thani guide →Best months
December to February offer the driest, sunniest days with average highs around 30°C and lower humidity. March and April are hotter but still good for beach time before the rains arrive.
Peak / festival surge
Peak runs from mid-December through January, when European holidays and the cool season coincide. Hotel prices can double, and rooms at Amari Palm Reef often book out by November. The Surat Thani H.M. King's Cup yacht races and the local Chinese New Year festivities add to the crowds.
Budget shoulder season
May and early June bring the cheapest rates as the southwest monsoon starts. You get occasional heavy showers, but usually sunny mornings, and the island-hopping routes are far quieter.
Weather & packing
Surat Thani sits on the Gulf coast, so it can rain even in the 'dry' season, and the humidity stays high year-round. Pack quick-dry clothing and a lightweight rain jacket — umbrellas are less useful in the sudden downpours.
Live City Briefing — Surat Thani
- The new Surat Thani city bus service, launched in late 2025, now runs from the night market to the main pier, making it easier to reach the hotel without a taxi.
- A major upgrade to the city's flood drainage system along the Tapi River is nearing completion — expect some road closures near the clock tower until September.
- The weekly Sunday Walking Street market on Na Muang Road has expanded into a food-and-craft market every Friday evening, good for local eats and souvenirs.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Amari Palm Reef, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3 or 4 facing away from the main road. These mid-level floors get more natural light and are above street-level bustle, but still far enough from the roof or any rooftop bar noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground or first floor, especially those near the lift lobby or service entrance—this is a 3-star hotel so guest traffic and staff movement can be noisy at breakfast times. Also skip rooms directly above the main entrance, which can pick up taxi and motorbike pickup noise.
Best views
The hotel overlooks a fairly urban section of Surat Thani, so a high-floor room facing away from the main road may give you a view over the city rooftops or a quieter side street. There’s no river or ocean view—this is an inland 3-star property.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 to 4 tend to be quietest because they’re above the street but below any mechanical rooms or rooftop equipment.
🔊 Noise notes
Main street noise (cars, motorbikes, tuk-tuks) from Surat Thani’s central roads. Occasional early-morning rubbish collection or market delivery trucks. The lift can be audible on floors 2-3 if your room is next to the shaft.
Insider tips
If you’re arriving by car, ask for ground-floor parking instructions at check-in—surat Thani traffic can be messy and the hotel car park is small. I’d also request a room on the side away from the lift to guarantee quietest stay.
- 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 — Amari Palm Reef
Free for all guests; speed ~10 Mbps download, login via room number only.
Single lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections.
No physical papers; free digital press via Hotel WiFi app (limited English titles).
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop allowed. Late check-out until 18:00 costs half the nightly rate; after 18:00 full night.
Free for day-of check-in/check-out; longer-term not available.
Wheelchair-accessible lobby and restaurant; room access via lift only to first floor; no accessible bathroom grab bars.
Free on-site parking for about 40 cars; no valet. No EV charging. Nearest public car park: Tesco Lotus Chaweng (THB 50/hour).
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required at booking; THB 2,000 incidental hold on arrival by card or cash.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Place of worship: Статуя Шивы (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: เจดีย์วัดเขาหัวจุก (2.0 km · ~24 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Thanachart Bank — 272 m · ~3 min walk
SP Pharma — 233 m · ~3 min walk
7-Eleven — 246 m · ~3 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Use bank ATMs or exchange counters at large shopping malls for the best rates; avoid the airport and tourist bureaux where rates are poor.
Visa/Mastercard accepted in major shops and restaurants, but cash is king at markets and street stalls; contactless is common in chain stores.
Not expected but appreciated: leave small change at restaurants (10-20 THB), round up taxi fares, and tip hotel staff 20-50 THB for good service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Iced coffee from a street vendor or 7-Eleven costs around 25-35 THB.
A dish of khao pad (fried rice) or pad thai from a local food stall costs about 40-60 THB.
Grilled meat or fish with sticky rice at an evening market sets you back 60-80 THB.
Head to Talat Mai (the night market) near Surat Thani city centre for a wide range of cheap eats and grilled seafood.
Budget chains like Big C, Tesco Lotus, and Macro are common in Surat Thani.
Shop at the Surat Thani night market or Talad Kaset 2 for affordable casual wear and local textiles.
Songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) cost 10-20 THB per ride within town; from the airport, take a bus to the city for 50-100 THB.
Eat at markets or street stalls for budget meals that outclass restaurant options; buy bottled water and snacks at 7-Eleven rather than tourist areas; use songthaews instead of tuk-tuks.
Good to know — Surat Thani
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.34 · THB
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Surat Thani, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Amari Palm Reef
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Thanachart Bank — 272 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · SP Pharma — 233 m · ~3 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Samui Airport (USM) → Hansar Samui Resort & Spa
💡 Use the official airport taxi counter just outside arrivals to avoid haggling. The resort is only 8km away, so it’s quick.
Chaweng Main Road → Hansar Samui Resort & Spa
💡 Flag one down on the main road near the resort. Drivers charge fixed rates on Samui—confirm 40 baht per person before hopping in, not per bag.
N/A → N/A
💡 Samui has no rail or tram. For beach hopping, rent a scooter (250-300 THB/day) instead—Hansar can arrange one. Wear a helmet.
N/A → N/A
💡 A private car transfer from the resort to Chaweng’s nightlife costs about 200 THB with a local taxi. Book through Hansar’s front desk—they use fixed rates, no surge.
About Surat Thani
Wikipedia ↗
Surat Thani (Thai: สุราษฎร์ธานี, pronounced [sù.râːt tʰāː.nīː]) is a city in Amphoe Mueang Surat Thani, Surat Thani Province, southern Thailand. It lies 651 km (405 mi) south of Bangkok. It is the capital of Surat Thani Province. The city has a population of 132,040 (2019), and an area of 68.97 km2 ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Amari Palm Reef?
Request a room on floors 3 or 4 facing away from the main road. These mid-level floors get more natural light and are above street-level bustle, but still far enough from the roof or any rooftop bar noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Amari Palm Reef?
Avoid rooms on the ground or first floor, especially those near the lift lobby or service entrance—this is a 3-star hotel so guest traffic and staff movement can be noisy at breakfast times. Also skip rooms directly above the main entrance, which can pick up taxi and motorbike pickup noise.
Is Amari Palm Reef noisy?
Main street noise (cars, motorbikes, tuk-tuks) from Surat Thani’s central roads. Occasional early-morning rubbish collection or market delivery trucks. The lift can be audible on floors 2-3 if your room is next to the shaft.
Which rooms have the best views at Amari Palm Reef?
The hotel overlooks a fairly urban section of Surat Thani, so a high-floor room facing away from the main road may give you a view over the city rooftops or a quieter side street. There’s no river or ocean view—this is an inland 3-star property.
What are insider tips for staying at Amari Palm Reef?
If you’re arriving by car, ask for ground-floor parking instructions at check-in—surat Thani traffic can be messy and the hotel car park is small. I’d also request a room on the side away from the lift to guarantee quietest stay.
What time is check-in at Amari Palm Reef?
Check-in at Amari Palm Reef is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Amari Palm Reef have Wi-Fi?
Free for all guests; speed ~10 Mbps download, login via room number only.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Amari Palm Reef?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Amari Palm Reef?
A dish of khao pad (fried rice) or pad thai from a local food stall costs about 40-60 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Amari Palm Reef?
Songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) cost 10-20 THB per ride within town; from the airport, take a bus to the city for 50-100 THB.
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani?
December to February offer the driest, sunniest days with average highs around 30°C and lower humidity. March and April are hotter but still good for beach time before the rains arrive.
Top Attractions in Surat Thani
💡 Buy a bag of fresh rambutan or mangosteen for pocket change. Watch your step – floors get slippery from melted ice. Best visited before 10am.
💡 Go at sunset: the light over the river is lovely, and food stalls set up along the path selling grilled meats and sticky rice for under 40 baht.
💡 Try the grilled squid and the coconut pancakes (kanom krok) from the far end – cheap and delicious. Cash only, bring small notes.
💡 Visit early morning before the heat builds and you'll often have the place to yourself. Bring a small donation of incense if you want to make a wish.
💡 The museum is free but closes at 16:00 – get there earlier. The stupa's base has small meditation niches where you can sit in silence.