Your stay — Royal Resort
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The Property — Royal Resort
The Royal Resort is a no-frills 3-star property about 15 minutes from Surat Thani's town centre, with a faded tropical aesthetic and a small pool that does the job. The lobby feels like a provincial business hotel from the 1990s: tiled floors, a lone receptionist, and a faint scent of lemongrass. It works best for budget-conscious travellers who just need a clean bed and air conditioning before catching a bus or ferry to the islands.
Chronicles of Surat Thani
Surat Thani grew from a small settlement on the Tapi River into a trading hub during the Ayutthaya period, later formalised as a town in 1915 under King Vajiravudh. Its architectural backbone is a mix of Chinese shophouses, Siamese temple spires, and 1970s concrete blocks that replaced many older structures during rapid expansion. Today it serves as the mainland gateway to Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao, with a distinctly workaday vibe compared to tourist-heavy coastal spots. The city leans on rubber, palm oil, and ferry logistics, giving it a grittier, more authentic Thai character than resort towns.
Best Time to Visit
Full Surat Thani guide →Best months
December to February offer the most reliable dry weather and lower humidity, with daytime highs around 30°C and cooler evenings; crowds are moderate as this is peak season on the islands but Surat Thani remains less busy.
Peak / festival surge
July and August see a spike in domestic tourism and European summer travellers transiting to the islands; hotel prices at the Royal Resort can rise 20-30% above low-season rates. The Surat Thani Vegetarian Festival in October also draws visitors but is less chaotic than Phuket's.
Budget shoulder season
March and April are the best shoulder months: still warm and mostly dry, but with thinner crowds and rates often 10-20% lower than in peak season. May brings the onset of monsoon rains but also the deepest discounts.
Weather & packing
Surat Thani's climate is defined by a monsoon in May-October that dumps sudden, heavy downpours often lasting only an hour. Pack a compact umbrella or lightweight rain jacket and sandals that can get wet; leave heavy hiking boots at home.
Live City Briefing — Surat Thani
- The new Surat Thani Bus Terminal 2 opened in early 2025, consolidating long-distance services to Bangkok, Phuket, and Hat Yai; the old terminal on Talad Mai Road is now closed.
- Ferry companies running to Koh Samui from Don Sak Pier have introduced mandatory online booking for vehicles starting 2026; foot passengers can still buy walk-up tickets.
- City authorities have begun a three-year renovation of the main market area around Talad Mai, with intermittent road closures and re-routing of local songthaews through 2026.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Royal Resort, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 4-6 facing away from the main road (ask for 'garden view' or 'pool view'). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise and have shorter waits for the single lift.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on floors 1-3, especially those at the front of the building. Ground-floor rooms near the lobby or restaurant pick up foot traffic and kitchen clatter. Rooms at the rear near the service entrance can get staff noise early morning.
Best views
Ask for a 'pool view' or 'garden view' room. The front-facing rooms overlook the busy Surat Thani main road, so views are of traffic and shopfronts. The rear or side aspects face the pool and tropical garden – more pleasant and quieter.
Quietest floors
Floors 4-6 are the quietest, away from street and lobby activity.
🔊 Noise notes
Surat Thani's main road can be busy with motorbikes, tuk-tuks, and trucks from early morning until late evening. The hotel's single lift creates a brief but audible 'ding' and hum on adjacent floors. The restaurant opens at 6 am – rooms directly above may hear chair scraping and breakfast prep.
Insider tips
1. Check-in can be slow at peak hours (3-5 pm) – arrive before 2 pm or after 6 pm to avoid queues. 2. The hotel has free parking at the rear, but spaces are limited – get there early if driving. 3. If you need a quiet workspace, the lobby's corner near the garden has fewer distractions than the main lounge area.
- 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 — Royal Resort
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps) throughout; premium tier available at 150 THB/day for 30 Mbps. Login requires room number and surname
One lift serves all floors of the main building; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital newspaper via PressReader on lobby tablet; no physical papers. The building is a modern low-rise from 2012 with no heritage quirks
Standard check-in from 14:00. Early bag-drop allowed from 10:00. Late check-out until 18:00 costs 500 THB; after 18:00, full night rate
Free for same-day luggage storage at reception; no overnight storage
Main entrance is step-free with a ramp; no wheelchair-accessible rooms. Lift is wide enough for standard wheelchairs but corridors are narrow in wing A
Free on-site parking for up to 20 cars (first come, first served). Nearest public car park is at Central Plaza Surat Thani, 2 km away, 30 THB/hour. No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Requires a 500 THB advance deposit at booking; at check-in, a 1,000 THB incidental hold on credit card
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Rama V Shrine (441 m · ~6 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Sunandra Kumariratana Shrine (454 m · ~6 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 56 m · ~1 min walk
Rose Pharmacy — 98 m · ~1 min walk
7-Eleven — 55 m · ~1 min walk
Lomprayah Koh Tao Pier — 160 m · ~2 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Use bank ATMs for the best rates; avoid currency exchange kiosks at the airport and tourist centres, as they offer poor rates and high fees.
Credit/debit cards widely accepted in hotels, larger shops and restaurants; small street vendors and markets mostly cash only. Contactless and mobile pay are common in chain stores.
Not expected; round up taxi fares or leave small change for hotel staff. 10% in upscale restaurants if no service charge added.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local iced coffee from street stalls or kiosks; about 40–50 THB.
Rice or noodle bowl from a market or street stall; around 50–80 THB.
Simple Thai dish at a local restaurant; main course about 80–120 THB.
The evening market at Talad Mai (New Market) and the night bazaar along Bandon Road near the bus station.
Makro, Big C and Lotus's (formerly Tesco Lotus) are the main budget supermarkets.
Talad Mai market and the walking street market on Friday/Saturday evenings for cheap clothing and accessories.
Songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) cost 10–30 THB per ride depending on route; from the airport, take the airport bus into town for about 100 THB.
Eat at local food stalls and markets instead of restaurants. Use songthaews rather than tuk-tuks or taxis. Avoid buying water at tourist spots—refill at your accommodation.
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 Royal Resort
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 56 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · Rose Pharmacy — 98 m · ~1 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 Royal Resort?
Request a room on floors 4-6 facing away from the main road (ask for 'garden view' or 'pool view'). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise and have shorter waits for the single lift.
Which rooms should I avoid at Royal Resort?
Avoid rooms on floors 1-3, especially those at the front of the building. Ground-floor rooms near the lobby or restaurant pick up foot traffic and kitchen clatter. Rooms at the rear near the service entrance can get staff noise early morning.
Is Royal Resort noisy?
Surat Thani's main road can be busy with motorbikes, tuk-tuks, and trucks from early morning until late evening. The hotel's single lift creates a brief but audible 'ding' and hum on adjacent floors. The restaurant opens at 6 am – rooms directly above may hear chair scraping and breakfast prep.
Which rooms have the best views at Royal Resort?
Ask for a 'pool view' or 'garden view' room. The front-facing rooms overlook the busy Surat Thani main road, so views are of traffic and shopfronts. The rear or side aspects face the pool and tropical garden – more pleasant and quieter.
What are insider tips for staying at Royal Resort?
1. Check-in can be slow at peak hours (3-5 pm) – arrive before 2 pm or after 6 pm to avoid queues. 2. The hotel has free parking at the rear, but spaces are limited – get there early if driving. 3. If you need a quiet workspace, the lobby's corner near the garden has fewer distractions than the main lounge area.
What time is check-in at Royal Resort?
Check-in at Royal Resort is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Royal Resort have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps) throughout; premium tier available at 150 THB/day for 30 Mbps. Login requires room number and surname
Is there a city or tourist tax at Royal Resort?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Royal Resort?
Rice or noodle bowl from a market or street stall; around 50–80 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Royal Resort?
Songthaews (shared pick-up trucks) cost 10–30 THB per ride depending on route; from the airport, take the airport bus into town for about 100 THB.
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani?
December to February offer the most reliable dry weather and lower humidity, with daytime highs around 30°C and cooler evenings; crowds are moderate as this is peak season on the islands but Surat Thani remains less busy.
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.