Your stay — Samui Hills
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The Property — Samui Hills
Samui Hills is a modest three-star hillside hotel in the southern part of Surat Thani town, aiming for calm rather than flash. From the lobby you get a view over the Tapi River and distant limestone karsts, but the interiors are dated and the pool is small. It suits budget travellers needing a clean base before or after ferrying to Koh Samui or the Ang Thong islands, not anyone after resort pampering.
Chronicles of Surat Thani
Surat Thani grew from the old trading settlement of Ban Don on the Tapi River. In the early 20th century the southern railway reached the area and a new administrative centre was built a few kilometres inland. The city was officially renamed Surat Thani in 1915, meaning 'City of the Good People'. Today it remains a transport hub for ferries and flights to the Gulf islands, with a quiet provincial character and a large Chinese-Thai community reflected in its shophouses and temples.
Best Time to Visit
Full Surat Thani guide →Best months
January and February: dry and cooler, low 30s°C, and after peak holiday crowds. March can also work but gets hotter.
Peak / festival surge
July is a peak domestic and foreign month despite being in the wet season – schools are out and flights to Koh Samui are busy. Hotel prices in Surat Thani town rise by 20–30% from June, and the Na Muang temples and night market still pull crowds.
Budget shoulder season
May and June are the budget shoulder months: lower prices, still some rain but fewer tourists, and you can often get a room for under £25/night. October is also cheap but very wet.
Weather & packing
July is part of the southwest monsoon; expect heavy downpours most afternoons followed by clearing. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and always carry a dry bag for electronics, because taxis and songthaews leak.
Live City Briefing — Surat Thani
- The new Surat Thani City Pillar Shrine opened last year near the old town, adding a walking-routes focal point for visitors.
- The main bus terminal (Bantai) is still under renovation to 2027, so intercity buses arrive at a temporary site near the Big C shopping mall – expect longer waits for onward minivans.
- July 2026 coincides with the wet season peak: check current alerts for the Tapi River flooding, which can close some low-lying roads in the town centre.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Samui Hills, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 2 or 3 facing the pool. These are high enough to catch a breeze but low enough to have quick stair access. The pool side is quieter than the front side.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor near the reception or restaurant — they get foot traffic and kitchen clatter from early breakfast setup. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on any floor.
Best views
The best view is from pool-facing rooms on floor 2 or 3 — you overlook the pool and maybe a slice of hill. The front side looks onto a busy road and shops.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3. The hotel is only 3 storeys, so these floors sit above ground-level noise and below any rooftop heat or equipment hum.
🔊 Noise notes
Surat Thani is a transport hub, so expect motorbike and songthaew noise from 6am. The hotel's hillside position on a main road means traffic hum is constant. Some rooms may get karaoke drift from nearby bars on weekends.
Insider tips
If you drive, park at the back of the lot — closer to the hillside and cooler. At check-in, ask for a room away from the lift if you're a light sleeper. The 3-storey building has stairs, so if you're on floor 3, use the lift for luggage.
- 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 — Samui Hills
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps) for all guests. No paid upgrade. No login required – just connect to SSID 'SamuiHills'.
Single lift serves all three floors. No stairs-only sections; stairs are backup only.
No physical newspapers or digital newsstand. Lobby TV shows local Thai news (BBC World at 07:00).
Standard check-in from 14:00. Early bag-drop allowed from 10:00 (no extra charge). Late check-out until 16:00 costs 400 THB; after 16:00 billed as extra night.
Free storage at reception for same-day arrival/departure. Overnight storage not permitted.
No step-free access – entrance has two steps (approx 15cm each). No automatic doors or wheelchair-accessible rooms. Lift is standard size but cannot fit large mobility scooters.
Free on-site parking for 12 cars on a first-come, first-served basis. No valet. Nearest public car park: Central Samui parking (15 min walk), 50 THB for 24 hours. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Thailand tourist tax not collected at 3-star level)
Deposit & card hold: Full first-night advance deposit via credit card or bank transfer. A 1,000 THB cash or credit card hold for incidentals at check-in.
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Banks and exchange booths in Surat Thani town give better rates than at the airport or tourist bureaux; avoid money changers there.
Visa/Mastercard accepted in hotels, big shops and some restaurants; many small eateries and markets are cash-only; contactless is rare.
Not expected; round up taxi fares or leave small change at casual eateries; 10% at nicer restaurants if service is good.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Black coffee from a street stall or local cafe, around 35-45 THB.
Simple rice or noodle dish at a local eatery for 40-60 THB.
Local Thai main dish at a basic restaurant, 50-80 THB.
Night market in Surat Thani town centre near the Tapi River; also stalls along Na Muang Road in the evening.
Tesco Lotus Express, Big C Mini, and 7-Eleven are widespread.
Surat Thani's daytime market (Talad Mai) for affordable clothes; also Big C for budget basics.
Songthaew (red shared pickup truck) around town for 10-20 THB per ride; from Surat Thani airport, take the government airport bus to town for 90 THB.
Eat at local food stalls instead of tourist-facing restaurants; use songthaews rather than tuk-tuks for short trips; buy bottled water from 7-Eleven (7 THB) not hotel minibars.
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 Samui Hills
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 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 Samui Hills?
Request a room on floors 2 or 3 facing the pool. These are high enough to catch a breeze but low enough to have quick stair access. The pool side is quieter than the front side.
Which rooms should I avoid at Samui Hills?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor near the reception or restaurant — they get foot traffic and kitchen clatter from early breakfast setup. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on any floor.
Is Samui Hills noisy?
Surat Thani is a transport hub, so expect motorbike and songthaew noise from 6am. The hotel's hillside position on a main road means traffic hum is constant. Some rooms may get karaoke drift from nearby bars on weekends.
Which rooms have the best views at Samui Hills?
The best view is from pool-facing rooms on floor 2 or 3 — you overlook the pool and maybe a slice of hill. The front side looks onto a busy road and shops.
What are insider tips for staying at Samui Hills?
If you drive, park at the back of the lot — closer to the hillside and cooler. At check-in, ask for a room away from the lift if you're a light sleeper. The 3-storey building has stairs, so if you're on floor 3, use the lift for luggage.
What time is check-in at Samui Hills?
Check-in at Samui Hills is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Samui Hills have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (up to 10 Mbps) for all guests. No paid upgrade. No login required – just connect to SSID 'SamuiHills'.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Samui Hills?
None (Thailand tourist tax not collected at 3-star level)
Where can I eat cheaply near Samui Hills?
Simple rice or noodle dish at a local eatery for 40-60 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Samui Hills?
Songthaew (red shared pickup truck) around town for 10-20 THB per ride; from Surat Thani airport, take the government airport bus to town for 90 THB.
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani?
January and February: dry and cooler, low 30s°C, and after peak holiday crowds. March can also work but gets hotter.
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.