🇹🇭 Surat Thani, Thailand
Baan Chillout
📍 45/19 moo 3, Soi 5 Maenam, Surat Thani, 84330
Your stay — Baan Chillout
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 — Baan Chillout
Baan Chillout is a straightforward 3-star guesthouse a short walk from Surat Thani’s train station. The lobby feels like a clean, air-conditioned living room with pale wood furniture and a few potted plants – calm but functional. It suits budget-conscious travellers or those overnighting before catching a ferry to the islands: nothing fancy, but reliable, with a small pool in the back that offers real relief from the heat. The USP is location and value: you get a decent bed and cold water within easy reach of the bus and rail terminals.
Chronicles of Surat Thani
Surat Thani grew from a small trading post on the Tapi River into the main transport and administrative hub of southern Thailand. In the early 20th century the railway arrived, spurring a grid of concrete shophouses. The 1980s saw a boom in ferry traffic to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, and the city expanded quickly with bus terminals and budget hotels. Today it remains a workaday provincial capital, with a modest Chinatown and a riverside night market, but its real identity is as the gateway to the Gulf islands – most visitors pass through rather than linger.
Best Time to Visit
Full Surat Thani guide →Best months
December to February – cooler, dry weather with daytime highs around 30°C and little rain; tourist numbers are moderate outside the Christmas/NY surge.
Peak / festival surge
July and August – the summer holiday period for European and Thai families, plus the start of the southwest monsoon; hotel prices in Surat Thani rise by 10-20% and the city fills with ferry-bound crowds. No single festival drives it, just bulk travel demand.
Budget shoulder season
March and April – the hot season (35°C+) deters many visitors, so room rates drop and crowds thin; you get dry days but need to plan for intense heat.
Weather & packing
Surat Thani has a monsoon climate with a rainy season from June to November; rainfall is frequent but rarely constant all day. Pack a compact rain jacket and a dry bag for electronics, and treat quick-dry clothing as essential – not an afterthought.
Live City Briefing — Surat Thani
- The new 160-metre Phunphin bypass bridge opened in late 2025, easing traffic on the main route between the city centre and the ferry piers at Don Sak.
- Several budget hotels near Talat Mai (the new market) have closed for renovation ahead of the 2026 high season, so check availability early if staying around that area.
- The Tapi River flood wall construction is ongoing near Wat Phra Borommathat; some riverside walking routes are partially closed until October 2026.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Baan Chillout, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd floor (out of 3) facing away from Soi 5. Upper floor reduces street noise, and the rear side avoids the soi's motorbike traffic.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those near the front of the building. Motorcycles and cars on Soi 5 can echo, and ground-level rooms pick up foot traffic and lobby noise.
Best views
Rooms at the rear or side of the 3rd floor may overlook the neighbourhood and garden areas, avoiding the soi. No guaranteed view, but that's your best bet for a peaceful outlook.
Quietest floors
3rd floor is quietest. 2nd floor is acceptable but slightly more exposed to street sound.
🔊 Noise notes
Soi 5 Maenam is a narrow road with occasional motorcycles and local traffic. No bar or late-night venue immediately adjacent, so noise is mostly daytime/evening. Lift may create faint hum on upper floors if adjacent to a room.
Insider tips
1) If arriving by car, park away from the entrance to avoid being blocked in — the soi can get tight. 2) Request a west-facing room on the 3rd floor for late afternoon shade and cooler temps; the building likely gets direct sun in the east.
- 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 — Baan Chillout
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and common areas, speed around 10 Mbps download, with a daily login pop-up.
No lift; all rooms accessible via stairs only.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand.
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed subject to availability; late check-out until 12:00 costs 500 THB, after 12:00 charges a full night.
Free baggage storage on arrival and after check-out until 18:00.
No step-free access; the entrance has 3 steps and all rooms are on upper floors with stairs only.
Free on-site parking for 8 cars on a first-come, first-served basis; nearest public car park is 200 metres away at Soi 5 Maenam junction, 50 THB per night; no EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: A deposit of 1 night's stay is required at booking; a 1,000 THB card hold for incidentals at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Wat Phu Khao Thong (Gukauthong) (1.9 km · ~24 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Winnie Garden — 1.7 km · ~21 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Use ATMs from banks like Krungthai or Kasikorn for the best rates; avoid currency exchange counters at Surat Thani airport or bus station as they offer poor rates. Notify your bank before travelling.
Visa/Mastercard accepted at hotels, supermarkets, and larger restaurants; local shops and street food cash-only. Contactless is common but mobile pay is rare outside major chains.
Not expected or required. Round up taxi fares or leave small change (10-20 baht) for hotel staff; restaurants usually include a service charge.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Black iced coffee from a street stall or local café: 25-40 THB.
Rice with stir-fried meat or a bowl of noodle soup from a market stall: 40-60 THB.
Simple stir-fry or grilled meat with rice at a local restaurant: 60-80 THB for a main dish.
The night market near the main bus station or Talat Mai market area has grilled meats, som tam, and fried noodles for 30-50 THB per item.
Big C and Lotus's (formerly Tesco Lotus) are the common budget supermarket chains in this area.
Visit the Talat Mai market or the small shopping arcade near the clock tower for cheap casual wear and local brands.
Local songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) cost 10-20 THB per ride. The cheapest way from Surat Thani airport is the airport bus to town for 90 THB.
Eat at markets or street stalls for the best value meals. Use local buses or songthaews instead of tuk-tuks for short trips. Purchase bottled water and snacks from 7-Eleven or Big C rather than tourist spots.
Good to know — Surat Thani
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.7 · 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 Baan Chillout
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 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 Baan Chillout?
Request a room on the 3rd floor (out of 3) facing away from Soi 5. Upper floor reduces street noise, and the rear side avoids the soi's motorbike traffic.
Which rooms should I avoid at Baan Chillout?
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those near the front of the building. Motorcycles and cars on Soi 5 can echo, and ground-level rooms pick up foot traffic and lobby noise.
Is Baan Chillout noisy?
Soi 5 Maenam is a narrow road with occasional motorcycles and local traffic. No bar or late-night venue immediately adjacent, so noise is mostly daytime/evening. Lift may create faint hum on upper floors if adjacent to a room.
Which rooms have the best views at Baan Chillout?
Rooms at the rear or side of the 3rd floor may overlook the neighbourhood and garden areas, avoiding the soi. No guaranteed view, but that's your best bet for a peaceful outlook.
What are insider tips for staying at Baan Chillout?
1) If arriving by car, park away from the entrance to avoid being blocked in — the soi can get tight. 2) Request a west-facing room on the 3rd floor for late afternoon shade and cooler temps; the building likely gets direct sun in the east.
What time is check-in at Baan Chillout?
Check-in at Baan Chillout is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Baan Chillout have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi in all rooms and common areas, speed around 10 Mbps download, with a daily login pop-up.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Baan Chillout?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Baan Chillout?
Rice with stir-fried meat or a bowl of noodle soup from a market stall: 40-60 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Baan Chillout?
Local songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) cost 10-20 THB per ride. The cheapest way from Surat Thani airport is the airport bus to town for 90 THB.
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani?
December to February – cooler, dry weather with daytime highs around 30°C and little rain; tourist numbers are moderate outside the Christmas/NY surge.
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.