Your stay — New Star
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The Property — New Star
The New Star is a no-frills 3-star hotel aimed squarely at budget travellers and those catching an early ferry to the islands. The lobby is small, tiled and functional, with a desk clerk who can book your bus or boat tickets. Rooms are clean and air-conditioned but basic – think firm beds, hot water and a TV with a few Thai channels. It suits the pragmatist who wants a safe, cheap sleep near Surat Thani’s train station, not a holiday destination.
Chronicles of Surat Thani
Surat Thani began as a small trading post on the Tapi River and grew rapidly after the southern railway reached it in the early 20th century. The city was heavily bombed during World War II and later rebuilt with concrete shophouses and government blocks that give the centre a functional, mid-century feel. It became the main transport hub for the Gulf islands – Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao – and remains a gateway city rather than a tourist draw in its own right. The provincial capital’s contemporary identity is defined by its port, bus terminals and the massive 84-metre-tall Phra Borommathat Chaiya chedi in nearby Chaiya.
Best Time to Visit
Full Surat Thani guide →Best months
January to March: low humidity, blue skies, and calm seas for island ferries. Daytime highs around 32°C, evenings cool enough to sleep without AC.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak season for European summer holidays and domestic Thai school break. Hotels can be 30-50% above low-season rates. The main driver is ferry demand to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan – Surat Thani itself stays quiet.
Budget shoulder season
September and October: start of the wet season, but rains are often short bursts. Prices drop sharply, room availability is wide, and ferry schedules still run. November can also offer discounts if the monsoon hasn’t fully set in.
Weather & packing
Surat Thani’s climate is monsoonal but the city sits inland so heavy rain can flood streets for a few hours. Pack a lightweight rain jacket and sandals that can handle puddles – not cotton shoes.
Live City Briefing — Surat Thani
- The new Surat Thani bus terminal (Sawang Chinda) opened in late 2025 about 5 km west of the old town, with direct minibuses to the New Star area – check your transfer options.
- The Tapi River walking path extension near the city pillar shrine completed in early 2026, giving a 2 km riverside stroll away from traffic.
- July 2026 falls in the Thai school holidays, so expect more domestic families at local attractions like the city pillar shrine and the night market – but no major civic festivals in Surat Thani itself during this period.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to New Star, 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. The wing at the back (courtyard side) tends to be quieter and cooler.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms on the 1st floor near the reception or lift lobby can hear hallway chatter and early breakfast prep. Also avoid anything labelled 'family room' if you want privacy — they're often near the play area.
Best views
Back-facing rooms on floors 3–4 overlook the small garden/courtyard and a low-rise temple rooftop. Front-facing rooms just see the main road and 7-Eleven opposite — not worth it.
Quietest floors
3rd and 4th floors are your best bet. They're high enough to avoid street-level noise but low enough for quick lift access.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel is on a busy urban strip in Surat Thani city. Motorbikes and songthaews start from 6am, and there's a bar across the road that sometimes plays music until 11pm. Ask for a back room and close the double-glazed windows for a quieter night.
Insider tips
Parking is tight — arrive before 4pm to get one of the 10 under-cover spots. At check-in, ask for a room key for the rooftop; the tiny drying area there is great for washing clothes after a ferry trip.
- 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 — New Star
Free WiFi throughout, speeds around 10 Mbps down, no login required.
One lift serves all 5 floors; no stairs-only sections.
No digital newsstand; a few Thai-language newspapers available in the lobby. The building is a modern low-rise (2000s), no heritage quirks.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop allowed from 10:00. Check-out by 12:00; late check-out costs 200 THB per hour until 18:00, then full night rate.
Free storage available at reception for early arrivals or after check-out.
Step-free entry from the car park; lifts serve all floors; no wheelchair-accessible rooms or adapted bathrooms.
Free on-site parking for about 30 cars, first-come first-served. Nearest public car park is at Surat Thani Railway Station, 2 km away, 50 THB per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: 500 THB refundable deposit at check-in for incidentals; no advance deposit required for standard bookings.
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Koh Samui Nature Reserve — 8.6 km · ~108 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nice Pharmacy — 1.8 km · ~22 min walk
FamilyMart — 835 m · ~10 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange counters at the airport and tourist bureaux as they offer poor rates.
Cards accepted in hotels, larger shops and restaurants; cash essential for street food, markets and local transport. Contactless is rare.
Not expected but small change left in restaurants is appreciated; taxis round up; hotel staff do not need tips.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Thai iced coffee from street stalls or local cafés, around 40-60 THB.
Rice or noodle dish from a street stall or local eatery, 40-80 THB.
Stir-fry or curry with rice at a local restaurant, 60-100 THB for a main.
The night market along Talad Mai Road and the area around the pier offer a good range of cheap eats.
Tesco Lotus and Makro are common budget supermarket chains in the area.
The Talad Mai Market (fresh market) area and small independent stalls in town sell affordable clothing.
Songthaews (shared pickup trucks) cost 10-20 THB per ride; from Surat Thani airport take the airport bus (100 THB) to town.
Eat at local food stalls rather than tourist restaurants; use songthaews instead of taxis; buy snacks and water at 7-Eleven not hotel minibars.
Good to know — Surat Thani
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.34 · 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 New Star
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: pharmacy · Nice Pharmacy — 1.8 km · ~22 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 New Star?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing away from the main road. The wing at the back (courtyard side) tends to be quieter and cooler.
Which rooms should I avoid at New Star?
Rooms on the 1st floor near the reception or lift lobby can hear hallway chatter and early breakfast prep. Also avoid anything labelled 'family room' if you want privacy — they're often near the play area.
Is New Star noisy?
The hotel is on a busy urban strip in Surat Thani city. Motorbikes and songthaews start from 6am, and there's a bar across the road that sometimes plays music until 11pm. Ask for a back room and close the double-glazed windows for a quieter night.
Which rooms have the best views at New Star?
Back-facing rooms on floors 3–4 overlook the small garden/courtyard and a low-rise temple rooftop. Front-facing rooms just see the main road and 7-Eleven opposite — not worth it.
What are insider tips for staying at New Star?
Parking is tight — arrive before 4pm to get one of the 10 under-cover spots. At check-in, ask for a room key for the rooftop; the tiny drying area there is great for washing clothes after a ferry trip.
What time is check-in at New Star?
Check-in at New Star is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does New Star have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout, speeds around 10 Mbps down, no login required.
Is there a city or tourist tax at New Star?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near New Star?
Rice or noodle dish from a street stall or local eatery, 40-80 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from New Star?
Songthaews (shared pickup trucks) cost 10-20 THB per ride; from Surat Thani airport take the airport bus (100 THB) to town.
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani?
January to March: low humidity, blue skies, and calm seas for island ferries. Daytime highs around 32°C, evenings cool enough to sleep without AC.
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.