Your stay — Hotel Avalon
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The Property — Hotel Avalon
A straightforward, functional base near Surat Thani’s bus terminal and night market, the Avalon is a three-star with tiled floors, a small pool, and a lobby that smells faintly of lemongrass. It’s not charming, but it’s clean, reliable, and popular with Thai tour groups heading to Koh Samui and the southern islands. You check in quickly, get a keycard, and your room has air-con that works, hot water that runs, and a firm bed. Best for budget-conscious travellers who want a no-fuss overnight before a ferry or flight.
Chronicles of Surat Thani
Surat Thani began as a small Chinese trading post called Bandon, then grew under King Rama V in the early 1900s when the railway pushed south to link Bangkok with the Malay Peninsula. Its name means 'City of the Good People', awarded by the king to honour the locals’ hospitality. The colonial-style shophouses along Talad Mai Road date from that era, while the modern city is a concrete grid of banks, clinics, and 7-Elevens serving as the transport hub for the Gulf islands. Culturally, it’s a crossroads of Thai Buddhism and southern Chinese ancestry, seen in the twin mosques and the Tapi River’s floating markets. Today it’s nobody’s resort destination, but an honest, workaday centre that moves on coffee and ferry tickets.
Best Time to Visit
Full Surat Thani guide →Best months
January and February: low humidity, clear skies, daily highs around 30°C. March also works for sun, with fewer tourists than the later Songkran period.
Peak / festival surge
April (Songkran water festival) and December–January (European holidays) fill hotels; prices jump 30-50%. The city also surges with ferry passengers island-hopping, so book two weeks ahead.
Budget shoulder season
May and June offer discounted room rates (often 20-30% off peak), fewer crowds, and still decent morning sun—though brief afternoon downpours start June onwards.
Weather & packing
Surat Thani hits 35°C with 80% humidity daily; sudden monsoon showers can flood streets in minutes July–November. Pack a lightweight rain jacket that you can ball up into a daypack, and flip-flops that dry fast—you’ll wade at least once through a roadside puddle.
Live City Briefing — Surat Thani
- The Surat Thani bus terminal renovation (ongoing) means some long-distance routes now depart from a temporary lot near the old market—ask at your hotel for the latest bay numbers.
- New direct night train from Bangkok to Surat Thani (train 85/86) launched in late 2025, arriving at 06:00, giving island-hoppers an extra morning option without an overnight bus.
- Heavy rain in June 2026 caused localised flooding on Highway 4142 (the airport road)—expect delays if flying in; leave an extra hour for transfers.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel Avalon, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 5th floor or above at the rear of the main building, away from the lift shaft. Rooms at the back are quieter and get less street noise from Surat Thani’s main roads, and higher floors avoid any low-level generator hum from the service area.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 2nd floor directly above the lobby or near the lift – the breakfast buffet set-up can be noisy from 6am. Also avoid rooms facing the front (road side) on floors 1–3, as motorbike and truck traffic on the adjacent main road is constant until late.
Best views
Rooms at the rear (east side) on floors 6–9 overlook the lower buildings and a patch of greenery – modest but calm. Front-facing rooms on these floors see the Surat Thani city skyline but also constant traffic.
Quietest floors
Floors 5 through 8 are the quietest – above the restaurant and lift noise, but not high enough to catch wind noise from the rooftop ventilation. The 9th floor can be quiet but some rooms are near the service stairs.
🔊 Noise notes
Surat Thani is a major transit hub – the hotel sits near a main thoroughfare with trucks and songthaews running from 5am to 11pm. There’s also a night market within 200m, so street noise spikes around 6pm–9pm. The lift is older and audible in adjacent rooms.
Insider tips
1. Park in the rear lot if you have a car – the front entrance is tight and fills up fast with tour vans. 2. Check-in before 3pm to request a top-floor rear room; after that, the best-available room is often a front-facing one.
- 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 — Hotel Avalon
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical speed 15 Mbps download; no login required, just accept terms
Single lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand; lobby TV shows Bangkok Post headlines
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 07:00; late check-out until 12:00 for 300 THB, after 12:00 charged half-day rate
Free storage for checked-out guests; items tagged and kept in lobby closet
Step-free entrance via ramp; lift fits wheelchair; no accessible rooms or grab bars in bathrooms
Free on-site parking for 20 cars (first-come, first-served); no valet; nearest public car park is at Tesco Lotus 1 km away (free, 24/7); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no local city tax for 3-star hotels)
Deposit & card hold: One-night advance deposit required for booking; 500 THB incidental hold on credit/debit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: เจดีย์วัดเขาหัวจุก (1.0 km · ~13 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 201 m · ~3 min walk
Nice Pharmacy 3 — 548 m · ~7 min walk
7-Eleven — 113 m · ~1 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Use bank ATMs for the best rate; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport and tourist hubs as they take a big cut.
Cards accepted in bigger shops and hotels; cash is king at markets, street stalls, and small restaurants.
Not expected; round up taxi fares or leave small change at nicer restaurants if service is good.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Black coffee from a local street vendor or 7-Eleven — around 15–25 THB.
Rice with a stir-fry or curry from a roadside stall — about 50–80 THB.
Simple noodle soup or fried rice at a local eatery — around 60–100 THB for a main.
Along the main road near the night market and around the bus station; look for stalls with queues of locals.
Big C, Lotus's (formerly Tesco Lotus), and Makro are the main budget supermarkets.
Talad Mai (fresh market area) and the city's weekend market have cheap clothing; check the evening market near the pier.
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) — 10–20 THB per ride within town; from Surat Thani airport, take the airport bus (100 THB) to the city bus terminal.
Eat at food stalls and local markets instead of sit-down restaurants; use songthaews instead of taxis; refill your water bottle at your hotel or free dispensers.
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 Hotel Avalon
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 201 m · ~3 min walk — pharmacy · Nice Pharmacy 3 — 548 m · ~7 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 Hotel Avalon?
Request a room on the 5th floor or above at the rear of the main building, away from the lift shaft. Rooms at the back are quieter and get less street noise from Surat Thani’s main roads, and higher floors avoid any low-level generator hum from the service area.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel Avalon?
Avoid rooms on the 2nd floor directly above the lobby or near the lift – the breakfast buffet set-up can be noisy from 6am. Also avoid rooms facing the front (road side) on floors 1–3, as motorbike and truck traffic on the adjacent main road is constant until late.
Is Hotel Avalon noisy?
Surat Thani is a major transit hub – the hotel sits near a main thoroughfare with trucks and songthaews running from 5am to 11pm. There’s also a night market within 200m, so street noise spikes around 6pm–9pm. The lift is older and audible in adjacent rooms.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel Avalon?
Rooms at the rear (east side) on floors 6–9 overlook the lower buildings and a patch of greenery – modest but calm. Front-facing rooms on these floors see the Surat Thani city skyline but also constant traffic.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel Avalon?
1. Park in the rear lot if you have a car – the front entrance is tight and fills up fast with tour vans. 2. Check-in before 3pm to request a top-floor rear room; after that, the best-available room is often a front-facing one.
What time is check-in at Hotel Avalon?
Check-in at Hotel Avalon is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel Avalon have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical speed 15 Mbps download; no login required, just accept terms
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel Avalon?
None (no local city tax for 3-star hotels)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel Avalon?
Rice with a stir-fry or curry from a roadside stall — about 50–80 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel Avalon?
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) — 10–20 THB per ride within town; from Surat Thani airport, take the airport bus (100 THB) to the city bus terminal.
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani?
January and February: low humidity, clear skies, daily highs around 30°C. March also works for sun, with fewer tourists than the later Songkran period.
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.