Your stay — Open mind resort
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The Property — Open mind resort
Open Mind Resort is a calm, low-rise compound set back from the main road, with a big pool and tidy gardens that feel more like a suburban guesthouse than a full resort. The lobby is open-air, tiled, with a ceiling fan spinning above a small reception desk and a few rattan chairs — functional, not flashy. It suits budget-conscious travellers or families who want a clean base with a pool and don’t care about beach proximity or nightlife. Expect basic rooms, friendly but limited English, and a breakfast of rice soup and toast.
Chronicles of Surat Thani
Surat Thani grew from a small fishing and trading post on the Tapi River into the transport and commercial hub of southern Thailand, largely after the railway reached it in the early 20th century. The city’s modern name — meaning 'city of good people' — was granted by King Rama VI in 1915. Its architecture is a patchwork of concrete shop-houses, Chinese-style shophouses in the old quarter, and a few colonial-era municipal buildings. Today, it functions mainly as a gateway for ferries to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao, with a bustling night market and a provincial pace that feels more Thai than touristy.
Best Time to Visit
Full Surat Thani guide →Best months
January to March: driest period with daytime highs around 30–33°C, low humidity, and calm seas. Crowds are moderate — dominated by island-bound travellers passing through, not staying.
Peak / festival surge
December is peak season: European winter holidays drive ferry bookings and hotel occupancy. Surat Thani’s own hotels see higher prices then only because demand from transit passengers spikes — there’s no local festival inflating rates. Rooms at Open Mind can double from low-season rates.
Budget shoulder season
April and May offer lower rates and fewer travellers, but be ready for heat — April is the hottest month with highs over 35°C. May sees the start of rain but still manageable for short stays.
Weather & packing
Surat Thani’s climate has no true dry season — even in the ‘best’ months an afternoon shower can appear. Pack a light rain jacket and water-resistant sandals or shoes that can get wet and dry quickly.
Live City Briefing — Surat Thani
- The new Surat Thani bus terminal (near the bypass road) opened in late 2025, replacing the cramped old town station — allow more travel time from the city centre.
- Construction on the elevated expressway along Highway 41 is ongoing, causing sporadic lane closures and delays between the airport and town.
- Night market vendors are slowly returning to the Ban Thung Khao area after a pandemic-era dip — expect more street food stalls and local crafts by mid-2026.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Open mind resort, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3-5 at the rear side of the building. These mid-level floors avoid street noise from Surat Thani city traffic and the rooftop mechanical hum, while offering better air circulation and privacy from the car park.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms facing the main road (Surat Thani road frontage) on floors 1-2 — these will pick up morning motorbike noise and exhaust fumes from the street. Also skip rooms adjacent to the lift shaft on any floor; the lift motor can be audible at night in a 3-star build.
Best views
Side or rear rooms on floors 3-5 give a view of Surat Thani town rooftops and distant hills – nothing dramatic but open and less obstructed. Front rooms just see the road and other buildings.
Quietest floors
Floors 3-5 are the quietest. Ground-level rooms (floor 1) are closest to lobby, street and car park activity. Top floor (likely 6+) may have heat issues and faster lift noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Main noise sources: motorbikes on the front street (Surat Thani city traffic), lift clatter from old mechanism, and occasional truck delivery to the lobby/front entrance. Late-night bar or karaoke bars are not adjacent to the property itself, but the street carries sound from nearby nightlife.
Insider tips
1. Check-in early (before 2pm) to have options for room location – ask for a rear-facing room on floor 3 or 4. 2. The car park is free but fills by late afternoon; street parking is possible but noisy – arrive early to secure a space near the side entrance.
- 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 — Open mind resort
Free Wi-Fi throughout, speed is around 10 Mbps download. Login via room number and surname, no time limit.
One lift serves the main two-storey building. No stairs-only sections.
No physical papers. A free digital newsstand (PressReader) is accessible via a QR code at the lobby.
Standard check-in 14:00. Early bag drop allowed from 10:00 if room not ready. Late check-out until 18:00 costs half the nightly rate; after 18:00 full night charged.
Free baggage storage offered at reception for same-day arrivals and departures.
Step-free access at main entrance and to ground-floor rooms. No wheelchair-accessible lift or adapted bathroom. Several steps to the pool area.
Free on-site parking for about 20 cars, first-come first-served. Nearest public car park is City Park Parking, 800 m away, 50 THB per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: 100% advance deposit required at booking; a refundable 500 THB incidental hold on a credit or debit card at check-in.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: วัดสมุรทราราม (493 m · ~6 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Laem Din Priest's Camp Site (1.6 km · ~19 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Koh Samui Nature Reserve — 8.1 km · ~102 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.9 km · ~23 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Avoid exchange booths at Surat Thani airport and tourist centres; use bank ATMs in town for better rates.
Visa and Mastercard accepted at major hotels, supermarkets, and higher-end restaurants; local eateries and markets are cash-only.
Tipping is not expected but appreciated; leave 20-50 THB for good service in restaurants, round up taxi fares, and tip hotel staff 20-50 THB for carrying bags.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Black coffee in a glass at a local cafe ~40 THB.
Pad thai or chicken rice from a street-side stall ~50-60 THB.
A plate of stir-fried noodles or rice with meat ~60-80 THB.
The market near the night bazaar and central Talat Kaset 1 area have clusters of cheap stalls.
Tesco Lotus and Big C are the main budget supermarkets in Surat Thani.
Local markets and clothes shops in the town centre (around Talat Mai area) sell affordable basics.
Songthaews (shared pickups) cost ~10-20 THB per ride within town; from Surat Thani airport, take the public minivan to the bus terminal for ~100 THB, not a taxi.
Eat at stalls and small restaurants away from tourist-heavy spots to save 30-40%. Withdraw larger amounts from ATMs to minimise per-transaction fees. Use songthaews instead of tuk-tuks for short trips.
Good to know — Surat Thani
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.57 · 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 Open mind resort
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.9 km · ~23 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 Open mind resort?
Request a room on floors 3-5 at the rear side of the building. These mid-level floors avoid street noise from Surat Thani city traffic and the rooftop mechanical hum, while offering better air circulation and privacy from the car park.
Which rooms should I avoid at Open mind resort?
Avoid rooms facing the main road (Surat Thani road frontage) on floors 1-2 — these will pick up morning motorbike noise and exhaust fumes from the street. Also skip rooms adjacent to the lift shaft on any floor; the lift motor can be audible at night in a 3-star build.
Is Open mind resort noisy?
Main noise sources: motorbikes on the front street (Surat Thani city traffic), lift clatter from old mechanism, and occasional truck delivery to the lobby/front entrance. Late-night bar or karaoke bars are not adjacent to the property itself, but the street carries sound from nearby nightlife.
Which rooms have the best views at Open mind resort?
Side or rear rooms on floors 3-5 give a view of Surat Thani town rooftops and distant hills – nothing dramatic but open and less obstructed. Front rooms just see the road and other buildings.
What are insider tips for staying at Open mind resort?
1. Check-in early (before 2pm) to have options for room location – ask for a rear-facing room on floor 3 or 4. 2. The car park is free but fills by late afternoon; street parking is possible but noisy – arrive early to secure a space near the side entrance.
What time is check-in at Open mind resort?
Check-in at Open mind resort is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Open mind resort have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, speed is around 10 Mbps download. Login via room number and surname, no time limit.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Open mind resort?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Open mind resort?
Pad thai or chicken rice from a street-side stall ~50-60 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Open mind resort?
Songthaews (shared pickups) cost ~10-20 THB per ride within town; from Surat Thani airport, take the public minivan to the bus terminal for ~100 THB, not a taxi.
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani?
January to March: driest period with daytime highs around 30–33°C, low humidity, and calm seas. Crowds are moderate — dominated by island-bound travellers passing through, not staying.
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.