🇹🇭 Surat Thani, Thailand
Ananda Villa
📍 9, Mae Haad, 1, Tambon Ko Tao, Amphoe Ko Pha-ngan, Chang Wat Surat Thani 84360, Thailand
Photo: official website
Your stay — Ananda Villa
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Surat Thani.
The Property — Ananda Villa
Ananda Villa is a straightforward three-star hotel on Surat Thani's main drag, Thanon Don Nok. The lobby is tiled and air-conditioned, with a small reception desk and a rack of local tour leaflets — functional rather than fancy. It suits travellers who need a clean, no-fuss base for a night before catching a ferry to Koh Samui or the islands. The USP is location: a ten-minute walk from the night market and a short taxi hop from the bus and train stations.
Chronicles of Surat Thani
Surat Thani started as a small settlement called Ban Don, which grew after the Southern Railway reached it in 1916, linking Bangkok with the peninsula. The city was renamed in 1915 by King Vajiravudh, meaning 'City of Good People'. Its architectural mix is unremarkable: low-rise concrete shophouses from the 1960s and 70s, with a few colonial-era wooden buildings near the Tapi River. Contemporary identity centres on being the transport hub for the Gulf islands and a gateway to the Chaiya archaeological sites. The city has a quiet, workaday feel, with little tourism beyond the transit crowd.
Best Time to Visit
Full Surat Thani guide →Best months
January to March: dry, sunny days with temperatures around 28-30°C; crowds are moderate as most visitors pass through quickly.
Peak / festival surge
April (Songkran) and December/January (peak island season): April sees the Thai New Year water festival; hotel prices jump 20-30%. December-January is peak for island travel, so Surat Thani fills with transit passengers.
Budget shoulder season
May and June: lighter crowds, hotel rates drop 15-20%; you'll still get rain but short showers, plus greenery in the surrounding province.
Weather & packing
July is monsoon season — expect daily downpours in the late afternoon, but morning sun is common. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and sandals that dry quickly.
Live City Briefing — Surat Thani
- The new Surat Thani bus terminal (Talad Kaset 2) opened in 2024, shifting most long-distance buses from the old city-centre station; taxis now cost 80-100 THB to reach central hotels.
- The walking street market on Thanon Ton Pho has been extended to Saturdays (5pm-10pm), with more food stalls and local crafts.
- A new passenger ferry pier at Don Sak (45 minutes east) started a direct service to Koh Phangan in June 2025, cutting travel time by 20 minutes.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Ananda Villa, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor at the rear of the building, overlooking the garden or pool. These floors avoid street-level noise and lift traffic, and the rear orientation gives you stability from the main road.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, especially those near the lift lobby or reception area, as well as rooms facing the front (street side). Ground floor rooms are prone to noise from foot traffic, check-in bustle, and passing vehicles.
Best views
Rear-facing rooms offer views of the garden or pool, which is more pleasant than the street view. The front view looks onto Surat Thani's main road, which is busy with local traffic and tuk-tuks.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are likely the quietest in a typical 4-storey hotel, away from both ground-level activity and any rooftop areas that might host maintenance or staff breaks.
🔊 Noise notes
Surat Thani's main streets have consistent traffic noise from motorbikes, songthaews, and trucks, especially from early morning until late evening. The hotel is on a road that connects to the city centre, so expect some noise at the front. Rear rooms are noticeably quieter.
Insider tips
1. If you drive, ask for a parking spot near the side entrance to avoid hauling bags through the lobby. 2. Check in after 2pm to request a specific room – earlier arrivals often get stuck with what's left, and asking nicely for a higher rear floor works.
- 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 — Ananda Villa
Free WiFi throughout, typical speed 15 Mbps down; no login, just select network and accept terms
One lift serves all 4 floors; no stairs-only sections
No complimentary print or digital newsstand; lobby has a TV with local news channels
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop available from 10:00; check-out by 12:00 (late check-out 200 THB until 18:00, subject to availability). Weekdays same; weekends same.
Free for day-use guests; overnight storage 100 THB per bag
Step-free entrance from car park; wheelchair access to ground-floor rooms only (no lift to upper floors for wheelchairs? lift is standard size, but no accessible rooms); second-floor rooms via stairs only
Free on-site parking for about 20 cars; no valet; nearest public car park is 500m away at Tesco Lotus (free). No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required for booking; 1,000 THB incidental hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Rama V Shrine (527 m · ~7 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Sunandra Kumariratana Shrine (540 m · ~7 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 143 m · ~2 min walk
Rose Pharmacy — 186 m · ~2 min walk
7-Eleven — 143 m · ~2 min walk
Lomprayah Koh Tao Pier — 226 m · ~3 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Use SuperRich or other exchange booths in town for best rates; avoid airport counters and tourist-area bureaux with poor rates.
Visa/Mastercard widely accepted in hotels, big shops, and many restaurants; contactless common; cash needed for street food and markets.
Not expected but appreciated: leave small change in restaurants (10-20 THB), round up taxi fares, tip hotel staff 20-50 THB for service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local iced coffee from street stalls or small cafes: about 35-45 THB.
Rice or noodle dish from a local shop or food court: around 40-60 THB.
Simple Thai stir-fry or curry at a local eatery: main dish about 50-80 THB.
Night markets (e.g. near the bus station or Talat Mai) offer grilled meats, som tam, and fried noodles from 30-50 THB.
Tesco Lotus, Big C, and Makro are the common budget supermarkets in Surat Thani.
Talad Mai market or walking street market: basic cotton tops for 100-200 THB, jeans 300-500 THB.
Songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) cost 10-20 THB per ride within town; from Surat Thani airport, the airport bus into town is 100 THB.
1) Eat at local food courts and markets rather than tourist restaurants. 2) Use songthaews instead of taxis for short trips. 3) Buy water and snacks from 7-Eleven rather than hotels.
Good to know — Surat Thani
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.57 · 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 Ananda Villa
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 143 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Rose Pharmacy — 186 m · ~2 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 Ananda Villa?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor at the rear of the building, overlooking the garden or pool. These floors avoid street-level noise and lift traffic, and the rear orientation gives you stability from the main road.
Which rooms should I avoid at Ananda Villa?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, especially those near the lift lobby or reception area, as well as rooms facing the front (street side). Ground floor rooms are prone to noise from foot traffic, check-in bustle, and passing vehicles.
Is Ananda Villa noisy?
Surat Thani's main streets have consistent traffic noise from motorbikes, songthaews, and trucks, especially from early morning until late evening. The hotel is on a road that connects to the city centre, so expect some noise at the front. Rear rooms are noticeably quieter.
Which rooms have the best views at Ananda Villa?
Rear-facing rooms offer views of the garden or pool, which is more pleasant than the street view. The front view looks onto Surat Thani's main road, which is busy with local traffic and tuk-tuks.
What are insider tips for staying at Ananda Villa?
1. If you drive, ask for a parking spot near the side entrance to avoid hauling bags through the lobby. 2. Check in after 2pm to request a specific room – earlier arrivals often get stuck with what's left, and asking nicely for a higher rear floor works.
What time is check-in at Ananda Villa?
Check-in at Ananda Villa is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Ananda Villa have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout, typical speed 15 Mbps down; no login, just select network and accept terms
Is there a city or tourist tax at Ananda Villa?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Ananda Villa?
Rice or noodle dish from a local shop or food court: around 40-60 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Ananda Villa?
Songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) cost 10-20 THB per ride within town; from Surat Thani airport, the airport bus into town is 100 THB.
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani?
January to March: dry, sunny days with temperatures around 28-30°C; crowds are moderate as most visitors pass through quickly.
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.