Your stay — Nathawan Resort
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The Property — Nathawan Resort
Nathawan Resort is a tidy three-star compound set back from Surat Thani’s main drag, offering a quiet, low-rise alternative to the city’s budget chains. The lobby feels like a provincial guesthouse: polished tile floors, a few rattan chairs, and a receptionist who knows the local bus times. The USP is its pool – a decent lap pool that’s rare for this price bracket in town – and its location near the bus station and night market. It suits independent travellers or small families who need a reliable sleep before catching a ferry to the islands.
Chronicles of Surat Thani
Surat Thani, founded in the early 19th century as a trading post on the Tapi River, was originally called Bandon before King Vajiravudh renamed it in 1915. The city expanded as a railway hub in the 1920s, linking Bangkok to the south, and later became the jump-off point for Koh Samui and the archipelago. Post-war concrete shop-houses and modern government buildings line the river, but the old town near Ban Don retains wooden Chinese shophouses and a quiet, lived-in character. Today it’s a low-key provincial capital, known for its sprawling market, durian orchards, and as a transit node rather than a destination itself.
Best Time to Visit
Full Surat Thani guide →Best months
February and March: reliably hot but dry, with clear skies and very few tourists. November: after the monsoon breaks, the city is lush and the ferry crowds haven’t peaked yet.
Peak / festival surge
December and January are the busiest months – cool weather and school holidays drive domestic and international travellers to the coast. Hotel prices in Surat Thani double, and the city’s ferry terminals are chaotic. The Surat Thani Vegetarian Festival in October also spikes hotel demand.
Budget shoulder season
May and June are the best budget months: low hotel rates often below £15, fewer crowds, and while it’s hot and occasionally rainy, the showers are short and the atmosphere is relaxed.
Weather & packing
Surat Thani has a tropical monsoon climate with a heavy rainy season from October to December. Pack a compact umbrella and quick-dry clothing – even in a ‘dry’ month you can get a sudden downpour that floods streets within minutes.
Live City Briefing — Surat Thani
- Construction on the new Surat Thani railway station (Phru Thong) is set to finish in 2026; currently the old station remains open but expect delays and limited amenities at the temporary platform.
- In July 2026, the city’s night market on Talad Mai Road has expanded into a second lane, adding more food stalls and live music on weekends – worth a wander after dark.
- The annual Durian Festival in Surat Thani runs from mid-June to early July, so the hotel’s neighbourhood may have road closures and slightly higher traffic; check the schedule for the fruit market at the city sports field.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Nathawan Resort, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 2 or 3 facing away from the main road. These floors avoid ground-level street noise but are still low enough for quick stair access if the lift is busy.
Rooms to avoid
Steer clear of rooms on the ground floor: they’re closest to street noise and foot traffic, plus any service vehicles. Avoid rooms directly next to the lift shaft on any floor — constant clatter and corridor noise.
Best views
Rooms on the upper floor (3) with a rear courtyard or garden orientation give a green view rather than the main road. No river or landmark view here — it’s a budget resort in a city grid.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are the quietest at this 3-storey property. Less street rumble than floor 1, less roof-top equipment hum than floor 3.
🔊 Noise notes
Surat Thani’s roads carry motorbikes and songthaews from early morning until late evening. Any room facing the main street will get that thrum. Also check if the resort has a karaoke bar nearby — common in this part of Thailand.
Insider tips
1. If you’re driving, request a ground-floor room for easy luggage hauling (no lift hassle) — but only if you’re a heavy sleeper. Otherwise aim for floor 2. 2. Check in after 2pm to avoid the school tour groups that sometimes fill this budget chain; ask for a room not connecting to an adjoining door (less noise transference).
- 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 — Nathawan Resort
Free Wi-Fi throughout, speed variable (approx. 10–15 Mbps download). No login password required; connect to 'Nathawan_Guest' network.
A single passenger lift serves all three floors of the main building. Two garden-wing blocks have stairs only (2 storeys).
No physical newspapers provided. Guests can access a basic digital news page via hotel tablet in the lobby, but no PressReader or FT subscription. No notable heritage quirks (modern low-rise resort).
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop from 10:00 without charge if room ready. Late check-out until 16:00 subject to availability and charged 300 THB.
Free of charge at reception for same-day arrivals and departures. No long-term storage available.
No step-free entry at main building (two shallow steps); side ramp available for wheelchairs. Garden-wing rooms have a single step at entrance. Lift serves only main building. No adapted bathrooms.
Free on-site open parking for approximately 30 cars (first come, first served). No valet. Nearest public car park is at Surat Thani City Plaza, 2 km away, costing 20 THB per hour / 100 THB overnight. No EV charging points on-site.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no separate city or tourist tax levied at this property)
Deposit & card hold: Full advance payment required at booking. A 500 THB cash or card hold is taken at check-in for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: กุฏิสงฆ์วัดฉโหลกหล่ำ (923 m · ~12 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 447 m · ~6 min walk
PX Pharmacy — 560 m · ~7 min walk
7-Eleven — 543 m · ~7 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Use bank ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport and tourist areas as they give poor rates and often charge fees.
Visa and Mastercard accepted at most hotels, larger shops, and restaurants; contactless is common in branded outlets but smaller stalls and transport are cash-only.
Not expected but appreciated; round up taxi fares and leave small change (10–20 Baht) for hotel staff; restaurants often include service charge.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Standing coffee at a local market stall or 7-Eleven cup — about 25–35 Baht.
Rice with a stir-fry or a soup from a street vendor or simple eatery — 40–60 Baht.
A single dish like pad Thai or fried rice from a food stall or basic restaurant — 50–80 Baht.
Night markets around the city centre and along the riverfront offer grilled meats, noodle bowls, and fresh fruit at 30–60 Baht per item.
Big C, Lotus’s, and Makro are the main budget supermarkets.
Walk through the Surat Thani day market (Talat Mai) for cheap t-shirts, shorts, and sandals.
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) rides cost 10–20 Baht per trip within the city; from the airport, take the airport bus (100 Baht) or a songthaew to the bus terminal.
Always negotiate songthaew fares before getting in; buy food from markets rather than tourist-oriented restaurants; drink from refillable water stations rather than buying bottled water.
Good to know — Surat Thani
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.65 · 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 Nathawan Resort
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 447 m · ~6 min walk — pharmacy · PX Pharmacy — 560 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 Nathawan Resort?
Request a room on floors 2 or 3 facing away from the main road. These floors avoid ground-level street noise but are still low enough for quick stair access if the lift is busy.
Which rooms should I avoid at Nathawan Resort?
Steer clear of rooms on the ground floor: they’re closest to street noise and foot traffic, plus any service vehicles. Avoid rooms directly next to the lift shaft on any floor — constant clatter and corridor noise.
Is Nathawan Resort noisy?
Surat Thani’s roads carry motorbikes and songthaews from early morning until late evening. Any room facing the main street will get that thrum. Also check if the resort has a karaoke bar nearby — common in this part of Thailand.
Which rooms have the best views at Nathawan Resort?
Rooms on the upper floor (3) with a rear courtyard or garden orientation give a green view rather than the main road. No river or landmark view here — it’s a budget resort in a city grid.
What are insider tips for staying at Nathawan Resort?
1. If you’re driving, request a ground-floor room for easy luggage hauling (no lift hassle) — but only if you’re a heavy sleeper. Otherwise aim for floor 2. 2. Check in after 2pm to avoid the school tour groups that sometimes fill this budget chain; ask for a room not connecting to an adjoining door (less noise transference).
What time is check-in at Nathawan Resort?
Check-in at Nathawan Resort is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Nathawan Resort have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, speed variable (approx. 10–15 Mbps download). No login password required; connect to 'Nathawan_Guest' network.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Nathawan Resort?
None (no separate city or tourist tax levied at this property)
Where can I eat cheaply near Nathawan Resort?
Rice with a stir-fry or a soup from a street vendor or simple eatery — 40–60 Baht.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Nathawan Resort?
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) rides cost 10–20 Baht per trip within the city; from the airport, take the airport bus (100 Baht) or a songthaew to the bus terminal.
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani?
February and March: reliably hot but dry, with clear skies and very few tourists. November: after the monsoon breaks, the city is lush and the ferry crowds haven’t peaked yet.
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.