Your stay — Monkeyland Resort
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The Property — Monkeyland Resort
Monkeyland Resort feels like a mid-range pit stop rather than a destination: a clean, functional complex of low-rise blocks around a central pool, set back from the highway on the outskirts of Surat Thani. The lobby is tiled and air-conditioned with a few rattan sofas, a desk that smells faintly of insect repellent, and a polite but minimal check-in. It suits travellers who need a one-night layover before or after ferries to the islands, not anyone looking for charm, beach, or local atmosphere.
Chronicles of Surat Thani
Surat Thani started as a small 19th-century settlement around the Tapi River, then grew rapidly after the southern railway line reached it in 1916, turning it into a transport hub for rubber, coconuts and tin. The city’s name, meaning 'city of good people', was granted by King Vajiravudh in 1915. Its architecture is a practical jumble: concrete shop-houses from the 1950s, a few surviving Sino-Portuguese shophouses in the old quarter, and modern glass-and-steel banks. Today it’s primarily a transit city, with a mix of Chinese-Thai, Malay and local Southern Thai influences visible in its street food and markets.
Best Time to Visit
Full Surat Thani guide →Best months
December to February: coolest and driest period, with daytime highs around 30°C and lower humidity. Good for exploring the mainland without the heavy rain that plagues other months.
Peak / festival surge
April (Songkran, Thai New Year) and July–August (European school holidays). April sees water fights city-wide and fierce heat (35°C+). Hotel prices in Surat Thani jump 20–30% as families head to/from the islands, but the resort itself rarely fills completely.
Budget shoulder season
March and November. March is hot but dry and quiet; November is still wet but accommodation rates drop 15–25% and crowds are thin. Good for budget travellers willing to risk afternoon downpours.
Weather & packing
Surat Thani’s climate has a two-monsoon pattern: the northeast monsoon (October–January) brings heavy daily rain, while the southwest monsoon (May–September) gives shorter, fiercer storms. Pack a lightweight, quick-dry rain jacket and a small umbrella even in July — rain can appear without warning.
Live City Briefing — Surat Thani
- The new Surat Thani bus station (Terminal 2) opened in early 2025 on the bypass road, replacing the old city-centre terminal; taxis from the resort now cost about 200 baht.
- Overnight ferry services from Surat Thani (Don Sak pier) to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan have been reduced in frequency due to late 2025 engine maintenance; travellers should pre-book day departures in July 2026.
- The city’s main walking street market (Khao Niu Road) has relocated to the area around Ban Don Pier from June 2026, with new food stalls and a craft section.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Monkeyland Resort, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the 4th or 5th floor facing the garden side (opposite the street). These rooms are higher up and away from the limited road frontage, reducing street noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor or 1st floor; they sit closest to the car park and reception, which can be busy with foot traffic and check-in activity. Also skip any room directly overlooking the main road (likely the front side).
Best views
Garden-facing rooms (likely towards the back or side of the property) offer greenery and a quieter outlook. The main road view shows a typical Surat Thani street with traffic and local shops.
Quietest floors
4th and 5th floors are the quietest, being farthest from ground-level noise and above the restaurant area if present.
🔊 Noise notes
As a 3-star hotel on Surat Thani’s main road, expect traffic noise during daytime and early evening. There may also be noise from the car park entrance and occasional service vehicle movements at the back.
Insider tips
1) Ask for a room on the garden side when booking – it’s not guaranteed but often available at a 3-star property. 2) If you’re arriving by car, request parking right near the lift entrance to avoid hauling luggage across the car park.
- 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 — Monkeyland Resort
Free basic WiFi throughout (5 Mbps). Premium tier (20 Mbps) available at 150 THB per 24h; login via voucher given at check-in.
One lift covers all three floors. No stairs-only sections.
Complimentary digital access to The Bangkok Post and Phuket News via QR code in lobby. No physical papers.
Standard check-in 14:00-22:00. Early bag-drop from 08:00. Late check-out until 12:00 incurs 500 THB; after 12:00 charged half a night's rate.
Free storage for guests at reception. Non-guests charged 100 THB per bag per day.
Step-free access at main entrance and to ground-floor rooms. Lift wide enough for a wheelchair. No ramps to pool or restaurant terrace.
Free on-site parking for 20 cars (first-come, first-served). Nearest public car park at Surat Thani City Pier, 2 km away, costs 50 THB overnight. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: First night advance deposit required at booking; on arrival a 1,000 THB per room incidental hold on card.
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
Use SuperRich or similar exchange booths in town for decent rates; avoid airport counters and hotel desks.
Cards are accepted in most hotels, mid-range restaurants, and larger shops; street stalls and small eateries are cash only.
Not expected but appreciated: round up taxi fares, leave small change at restaurants (10–20 baht), and tip hotel staff 20–50 baht for good service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Iced or hot coffee from street stalls or local coffee shops: 25–40 baht.
Rice with a simple curry or stir-fry from a food stall or local eatery: 40–60 baht.
Noodle soup or fried rice from a night market stall: 40–60 baht per main.
Night markets in town (e.g. near the clock tower or along Talad Mai) have cheap eats and grilled meats.
Big C and Tesco Lotus are the standard budget supermarkets in Surat Thani.
Local markets (like Talad Mai) sell affordable T-shirts, shorts, and sandals; also check Big C for basics.
Songthaews (shared pickup trucks) run fixed routes within town for about 10–20 baht per ride; from the airport, take a shared minivan to the bus station for 50–80 baht.
Eat at night markets or local food stalls rather than sit-down restaurants; use songthaews instead of taxis; buy water and snacks at 7-Eleven rather than tourist shops.
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 Monkeyland 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 Monkeyland Resort?
Request rooms on the 4th or 5th floor facing the garden side (opposite the street). These rooms are higher up and away from the limited road frontage, reducing street noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Monkeyland Resort?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor or 1st floor; they sit closest to the car park and reception, which can be busy with foot traffic and check-in activity. Also skip any room directly overlooking the main road (likely the front side).
Is Monkeyland Resort noisy?
As a 3-star hotel on Surat Thani’s main road, expect traffic noise during daytime and early evening. There may also be noise from the car park entrance and occasional service vehicle movements at the back.
Which rooms have the best views at Monkeyland Resort?
Garden-facing rooms (likely towards the back or side of the property) offer greenery and a quieter outlook. The main road view shows a typical Surat Thani street with traffic and local shops.
What are insider tips for staying at Monkeyland Resort?
1) Ask for a room on the garden side when booking – it’s not guaranteed but often available at a 3-star property. 2) If you’re arriving by car, request parking right near the lift entrance to avoid hauling luggage across the car park.
What time is check-in at Monkeyland Resort?
Check-in at Monkeyland Resort is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Monkeyland Resort have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi throughout (5 Mbps). Premium tier (20 Mbps) available at 150 THB per 24h; login via voucher given at check-in.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Monkeyland Resort?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Monkeyland Resort?
Rice with a simple curry or stir-fry from a food stall or local eatery: 40–60 baht.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Monkeyland Resort?
Songthaews (shared pickup trucks) run fixed routes within town for about 10–20 baht per ride; from the airport, take a shared minivan to the bus station for 50–80 baht.
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani?
December to February: coolest and driest period, with daytime highs around 30°C and lower humidity. Good for exploring the mainland without the heavy rain that plagues other months.
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.