Your stay — Mint Guesthouse
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The Property — Mint Guesthouse
The Mint Guesthouse is a basic but clean three-storey walk-up on a side street near Surat Thani's train station. Its lobby is a small, tiled room with a reception desk, a rack of tourist leaflets, and a fan turning overhead – no airs, no frills. The vibe is pure functional: a place to sleep and shower before catching an early ferry to Koh Samui or a night train to Bangkok. It suits budget backpackers and transit travellers who care more about location and price than charm.
Chronicles of Surat Thani
Surat Thani grew from a colonial-era trading post on the Tapi River into the commercial hub of southern Thailand. The city's centre was largely rebuilt after a devastating fire in the 1970s, so most buildings are concrete shop-houses and mid-rise blocks rather than historic temples. Its contemporary identity is shaped by the daily ferry and bus traffic funnelling tourists to the Gulf islands, and by the provincial government offices that keep the weekday streets busy. The nearby old town of Bandon, across the river, retains some wooden shophouses and a quieter, more traditional feel.
Best Time to Visit
Full Surat Thani guide →Best months
January to March: dry, sunny days with temperatures around 28–32°C, and the lowest chance of rain. Crowds are moderate because the peak island rush has eased but the weather is still reliable.
Peak / festival surge
April (Songkran festival) and December: April sees the Thai New Year water festival, with city-wide celebrations and higher hotel rates; December is peak island transit season, pushing guesthouse prices up 20–30%.
Budget shoulder season
May to June: the start of the rainy season brings lower room rates (often 30% off peak), fewer tourists, and still plenty of decent mornings before afternoon downpours.
Weather & packing
Surat Thani's climate is monsoon tropical: even in the dry months sudden afternoon showers are common. Pack a lightweight rain jacket or compact umbrella, and always keep a dry bag for electronics when moving between bus/train and ferry.
Live City Briefing — Surat Thani
- The new Surat Thani City Bus Terminal (Terminal 2) opened in early 2024 on the bypass road, replacing the old chaotic terminal near the market – check which terminal your bus uses.
- The ferry pier at Don Sak, 30km east of the city, has introduced a pre-booking system for passenger ferries to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan; walk-ups may face sold-out departures during July weekends.
- Several new street-food stalls have opened along Talad Mai Road near the night market, but the central market (Talad Lang) remains closed for renovation until late 2026 – plan your food hunt accordingly.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Mint Guesthouse, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing away from the main road. These floors sit above street-level noise without being too high, and the rear orientation avoids the worst of Surat Thani's traffic rumble from the local access road.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms (street-level racket from passing scooters and late-night pedestrians) and any room directly above the lobby or reception area — the 1st floor can pick up check-in chatter and door slams.
Best views
Rear-facing rooms (ask for a 'city courtyard view') look over a quieter soi and a few low-rise shophouses, giving a bit of green and local life rather than the main road's tarmac and wires.
Quietest floors
3rd to 5th floors are the quietest; they're high enough to mute street noise and low enough to avoid any rooftop equipment hum.
🔊 Noise notes
Main road noise is constant from 7am to 9pm with mopeds and trucks; the hotel's off-street location on a soi helps, but rooms side-on to the street still get a low hum. No bar or club nearby, but the local temple has the occasional dawn chanting.
Insider tips
1) Ask for a room on the 4th floor, rear side, when you book — it's not always marked but they'll note it. 2) If you arrive late, use the side gate off the soi for easier luggage access; the front steps are narrow and the street can be tight for parking.
- 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 — Mint Guesthouse
Free Wi-Fi throughout. Speed adequate for browsing and streaming (approx. 20 Mbps). No login required; password posted in rooms.
No lift. Two-storey building with exterior stairs; all rooms accessible via staircase. No historic sections.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand. Property has no notable heritage quirks.
Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 12:00. Early bag drop allowed from 08:00 at front desk. Late check-out until 14:00 costs 300 THB; after 14:00 charged half of room rate.
Free luggage storage at front desk for early arrivals or late departures, no limit on hours.
No step-free access. Entrance has two steps; no ramp. Not suitable for wheelchair users. Ground-floor rooms available but still require step to enter.
Free on-site parking for up to 10 cars, first-come first-served. No valet. Nearest public car park is 500 metres away at Surat Thani City Park, 50 THB per day. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment via booking. 500 THB incidental hold on credit card at check-in, refundable upon checkout if no damage.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Pagoda (1.9 km · ~24 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 679 m · ~8 min walk
Red Pharmacy — 692 m · ~9 min walk
7-Eleven — 683 m · ~9 min walk
Lomprayah Koh Tao Pier — 2.9 km · ~36 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Banks and exchange booths in town give better rates than at Surat Thani Airport or tourist bureaux; avoid the airport counters and use SuperRich or similar in the city.
Visa and Mastercard accepted in hotels, larger restaurants and shops, but small stalls, local eateries and some taxis require cash; contactless is rare outside international chains.
Not expected; round up taxi fares or leave small change at restaurants if service is good (10-20 THB is fine).
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Black coffee from local stalls or 7-Eleven (around 20-40 THB).
Rice with stir-fry or noodle soup from a street stall (40-60 THB).
Pad Thai or green curry with rice at a simple local restaurant (50-80 THB per main).
Night market near Talad Mai or along Don Nai Muang Road — stalls with grilled meats, som tam and curries from 30-60 THB.
Big C or Lotus's Express budget minimarts; 7-Eleven for basics.
Surat Thani's main market (Talad Mai) for cheap T-shirts, flip-flops and local cotton clothes; prices negotiable.
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) costs 10-30 THB per ride around town; from the airport, the cheapest option is the airport bus to the city centre (around 90 THB).
Eat at street stalls or local markets rather than tourist-facing restaurants; buy bottled water at 7-Eleven (around 7-10 THB) not from hotels; negotiate songthaew fares before getting on for short trips.
Good to know — Surat Thani
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.62 · 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 Mint Guesthouse
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 679 m · ~8 min walk — pharmacy · Red Pharmacy — 692 m · ~9 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 Mint Guesthouse?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing away from the main road. These floors sit above street-level noise without being too high, and the rear orientation avoids the worst of Surat Thani's traffic rumble from the local access road.
Which rooms should I avoid at Mint Guesthouse?
Avoid ground-floor rooms (street-level racket from passing scooters and late-night pedestrians) and any room directly above the lobby or reception area — the 1st floor can pick up check-in chatter and door slams.
Is Mint Guesthouse noisy?
Main road noise is constant from 7am to 9pm with mopeds and trucks; the hotel's off-street location on a soi helps, but rooms side-on to the street still get a low hum. No bar or club nearby, but the local temple has the occasional dawn chanting.
Which rooms have the best views at Mint Guesthouse?
Rear-facing rooms (ask for a 'city courtyard view') look over a quieter soi and a few low-rise shophouses, giving a bit of green and local life rather than the main road's tarmac and wires.
What are insider tips for staying at Mint Guesthouse?
1) Ask for a room on the 4th floor, rear side, when you book — it's not always marked but they'll note it. 2) If you arrive late, use the side gate off the soi for easier luggage access; the front steps are narrow and the street can be tight for parking.
What time is check-in at Mint Guesthouse?
Check-in at Mint Guesthouse is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Mint Guesthouse have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout. Speed adequate for browsing and streaming (approx. 20 Mbps). No login required; password posted in rooms.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Mint Guesthouse?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Mint Guesthouse?
Rice with stir-fry or noodle soup from a street stall (40-60 THB).
What is the cheapest way to get around from Mint Guesthouse?
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) costs 10-30 THB per ride around town; from the airport, the cheapest option is the airport bus to the city centre (around 90 THB).
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani?
January to March: dry, sunny days with temperatures around 28–32°C, and the lowest chance of rain. Crowds are moderate because the peak island rush has eased but the weather is still reliable.
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.