Your stay — Chills Resort
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The Property — Chills Resort
Chills Resort is a straightforward, good-value three-star perched on Surat Thani’s ring road, not far from the bus station and night market. The lobby feels like an air-conditioned oasis: tiled floors, a small reception desk, and a dusty rack of leaflets for Koh Samui ferries. It suits budget-conscious travellers needing a clean, no-nonsense overnight stop before or after island hops, rather than a destination itself. Rooms are basic but functional, with firm beds, decent showers, and blackout curtains that block the morning glare.
Chronicles of Surat Thani
Surat Thani began as a small settlement around the Tapi River, gaining prominence in the early 20th century when the southern railway connected Bangkok to the region. The city’s name, meaning ‘city of good people,’ was granted by King Vajiravudh in 1915 during a period of administrative reorganisation. Architecturally, it blends utilitarian mid-century shophouses with newer concrete condos, reflecting its role as a transport hub rather than a tourist magnet. Today it serves primarily as a gateway to the Gulf islands, but retains a lively local food culture and a weekend night market that fills Chonkasem Road with smoke from grilled seafood.
Best Time to Visit
Full Surat Thani guide →Best months
February and March offer the region’s driest weather, with lower humidity and blue skies that make the riverfront walks bearable. Crowds are moderate as domestic tourists thin out after the school break.
Peak / festival surge
Peak runs from December through January, when cool air and holiday travellers push hotel occupancy high; prices at Chills can climb 30-40% above low season. The city’s annual Chak Phra festival (October) and Surat Thani Vegetarian Festival (September or October) also spike demand briefly.
Budget shoulder season
April and May are the best budget shoulder months: hot but before the monsoon starts, and room rates drop by 30%. You’ll share the ferry queues with fewer backpackers.
Weather & packing
Surat Thani’s east-coast monsoon arrives hard from October to December, so a lightweight rain jacket is essential even in the dry season for sudden tropical downpours. Pack at least two quick-dry shirts and a pair of sandals that can handle wet pavement.
Live City Briefing — Surat Thani
- The Surat Thani bus terminal completed a major renovation in early 2025, with new departure boards and a proper food court — if you’re arriving from Bangkok by coach, expect cleaner toilets and better cooling.
- A new pedestrian bridge over the Tapi River opened in late 2025, linking the city centre with Bandon Pier; useful for walking to the day-ferry ticket booths without dodging traffic on the main road.
- July 2026 falls during the main window for the Surat Thani durian harvest; the night market will be stacked with fresh fruit stalls, but the pungent smell can surprise visitors staying near the central mosque.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Chills Resort, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a lower floor (1st to 3rd) at the rear side, away from the main road; these rooms are quieter and cooler, as the upper floors catch heat and road noise in a four-storey building without a lift.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any room at the front of the hotel facing the main road: Surat Thani’s traffic is constant, and the lack of a lift means top-floor rooms (4th) get direct sun and climb-induced noise from stairs.
Best views
The best view is from upper rear rooms, overlooking the neighbouring residential rooftops and palm trees rather than the road; forward-facing rooms just see a busy street and shopfronts.
Quietest floors
Floors 1–3, rear side; the ground floor may have some lobby noise, but the rear orientation blocks most street sound.
🔊 Noise notes
Surat Thani’s main road carries heavy motorcycle and lorry traffic from 6am to late evening; the hotel has no lift, so internal footfall on stairs can be audible, especially from landings next to rooms.
Insider tips
1. Park at the back if you drive: there’s a small shaded lot behind the building, quieter than front-side parking and closer to the rear entrance. 2. Check in early (before 4pm) to secure a rear-facing room — the front desk will often switch you if you ask politely but rooms go fast.
- 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 — Chills Resort
Free basic Wi-Fi (5 Mbps) for 2 devices; upgrade to premium (20 Mbps) for 100 THB per day; login via room number and surname
One lift serves all floors (3 storeys); no stairs-only sections
No printed papers; free digital news via PressReader on lobby tablets; building is a modern low-rise (2008), no heritage quirks
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop allowed from 10:00 (no fee); late check-out until 12:00 costs 500 THB, extended to 15:00 costs 1,000 THB
Free at front desk during your stay; after checkout, 100 THB per bag per day
Step-free access at main entrance and via ramp to lobby; one wheelchair-accessible room on ground floor (Room 102); no lift to pool (3 steps down)
Free on-site uncovered parking (60 spaces, first-come-first-served); nearest public car park at Surat Thani Railway Station (3 km, 50 THB per night); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no city tourist tax in Surat Thani)
Deposit & card hold: One-night advance deposit via credit card; 500 THB incidental hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: วัดศรีธนู (976 m · ~12 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 452 m · ~6 min walk
Center Pharmacy 2 — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
Tops Daily — 443 m · ~6 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Better rates at SuperRich or local banks in town; avoid airport exchange desks and tourist-area bureaux that charge poor spreads.
Major cards accepted in hotels, supermarkets, and chain restaurants; cash still essential for street food, markets, and local transport.
Not expected but appreciated; leave small change (10-20 THB) for good service in restaurants, round up taxi fares, and tip hotel staff 20-50 THB for carrying bags.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Black coffee from a street vendor or 7-Eleven, around 25-40 THB.
Plate of pad Thai or rice with stir-fry from a food stall, 40-60 THB.
Simple noodle soup or grilled meat with rice at a market stall, 50-80 THB per main.
Night market along the main road in Surat Thani city (Talad Mai) or near the night bazaar—grilled skewers, som tam, and fresh fruit shakes are standard.
Tesco Lotus Express, Big C, and Makro are the main budget supermarket chains here.
Surat Thani's walking street market (Sunday evening) and Talad Mai market for cheap T-shirts, shorts, and local fabrics.
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) around town costs 10-20 THB per ride; from Surat Thani airport, take the airport shuttle bus (100 THB) to the city centre rather than a taxi.
Eat at local market stalls rather than air-conditioned cafes; buy bottled water in bulk from 7-Eleven; avoid tuk-tuks and negotiate songthaew fares if you're a group.
Good to know — Surat Thani
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.44 · 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 Chills Resort
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 452 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · Center Pharmacy 2 — 1.0 km · ~13 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 Chills Resort?
Request a lower floor (1st to 3rd) at the rear side, away from the main road; these rooms are quieter and cooler, as the upper floors catch heat and road noise in a four-storey building without a lift.
Which rooms should I avoid at Chills Resort?
Avoid any room at the front of the hotel facing the main road: Surat Thani’s traffic is constant, and the lack of a lift means top-floor rooms (4th) get direct sun and climb-induced noise from stairs.
Is Chills Resort noisy?
Surat Thani’s main road carries heavy motorcycle and lorry traffic from 6am to late evening; the hotel has no lift, so internal footfall on stairs can be audible, especially from landings next to rooms.
Which rooms have the best views at Chills Resort?
The best view is from upper rear rooms, overlooking the neighbouring residential rooftops and palm trees rather than the road; forward-facing rooms just see a busy street and shopfronts.
What are insider tips for staying at Chills Resort?
1. Park at the back if you drive: there’s a small shaded lot behind the building, quieter than front-side parking and closer to the rear entrance. 2. Check in early (before 4pm) to secure a rear-facing room — the front desk will often switch you if you ask politely but rooms go fast.
What time is check-in at Chills Resort?
Check-in at Chills Resort is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Chills Resort have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (5 Mbps) for 2 devices; upgrade to premium (20 Mbps) for 100 THB per day; login via room number and surname
Is there a city or tourist tax at Chills Resort?
None (no city tourist tax in Surat Thani)
Where can I eat cheaply near Chills Resort?
Plate of pad Thai or rice with stir-fry from a food stall, 40-60 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Chills Resort?
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) around town costs 10-20 THB per ride; from Surat Thani airport, take the airport shuttle bus (100 THB) to the city centre rather than a taxi.
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani?
February and March offer the region’s driest weather, with lower humidity and blue skies that make the riverfront walks bearable. Crowds are moderate as domestic tourists thin out after the school break.
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.