Your stay — Serenity Lodge
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The Property — Serenity Lodge
Serenity Lodge is a straightforward 3-star hotel near the centre of Surat Thani town. The lobby is clean and functional, with tiled floors, a few potted plants, and a receptionist who can arrange a taxi. It suits budget-conscious travellers who need a reliable base before heading to the islands or after a night bus, rather than a holiday destination in itself.
Chronicles of Surat Thani
Surat Thani began as a small settlement on the Tapi River and became a major administrative hub after the southern railway arrived in the 1910s. The city was rebuilt in a grid pattern under King Chulalongkorn, and most of its architecture dates from the mid-20th century – low-slung shophouses and concrete municipal buildings. Today it functions as the transport and commercial gateway for the Gulf islands, with a busy night market, a large Chinese-Thai community, and little tourist-facing charm.
Best Time to Visit
Full Surat Thani guide →Best months
December to February: dry, relatively cool days (28–32°C), low humidity, clear skies. March–April is hotter but still rain-free.
Peak / festival surge
Peak is late December to early January, driven by European holidays and island transfers. Hotel prices can double. Chinese New Year (late Jan / Feb) also brings crowds.
Budget shoulder season
May and September–October are the cheapest. Rain comes in short, heavy bursts, but hotels drop prices 30–50% and the islands are quiet.
Weather & packing
Surat Thani has a monsoon climate with no true dry season – rain can hit any month. Pack a lightweight waterproof jacket and sandals that dry quickly; leave bulky jeans at home.
Live City Briefing — Surat Thani
- The new Surat Thani City Bus Terminal opened in 2023 north of town, slightly further from Serenity Lodge; budget extra 15 minutes for a songthaew ride.
- Nightly ferry services to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan now depart from Donsak pier year-round, reducing day-trip bottlenecks.
- July 2026 sees the start of the Khao Sok monsoon season; riverside bungalows and lake tours may be suspended in heavy rain – check weather alerts before booking.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Serenity Lodge, 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. Upper floors reduce street noise and give a slightly better breeze. Preferred side is the rear or garden side if available.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms and rooms near the lift lobby — they get footfall noise and early-morning chatter. Also skip any room directly above the small lobby or reception area.
Best views
The best view is from rear-facing rooms on floors 3–4 overlooking the neighbourhood or a bit of green. Road-facing rooms see busy Surat Thani traffic — not worth the noise unless you need a landmark.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are quietest, off the main street-facing side. The hotel has no lift, so these are high enough to avoid foot-traffic noise but not so high that stairs are a bother.
🔊 Noise notes
Main street noise from surrounding traffic, especially during morning and evening rush. There's a small bar or restaurant near the lobby that may play music until late. No lift means creaky stairs can carry sound.
Insider tips
1. Park free on the street side — the lodge has no dedicated lot, so get there before 6pm to find a spot. 2. Request a room on the 3rd floor and ask for a fan as backup — AC can be patchy in older 3-star places.
- 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 — Serenity Lodge
Free Wi-Fi on all floors; speed about 15 Mbps down (sufficient for streaming). No login – just select the 'Serenity Lodge' network and accept terms once per device.
One lift serves all three floors (guest rooms and rooftop terrace). No stairs-only sections.
No physical newspapers. Digital newsstand (PressReader) accessible via lobby tablet only. The hotel is a converted 1980s townhouse with original terrazzo flooring in the lobby.
Check-in from 14:00; check-out by 12:00. Early bag drop available in the lobby from 08:00 no charge. Late check-out until 18:00: 50% of daily rate (subject to availability).
Complimentary luggage storage in a locked room behind the front desk; open daily 07:00–22:00.
Step-free entrance via a ramp at the side door (ring bell for staff). Lift fits one wheelchair plus companion. No grab bars in standard bathrooms – only in the ground-floor accessible room.
Free on-site parking for about 20 cars (first-come, first-served, no reservations). Nearest public car park is 300 m away at Big C Surat Thani, 20 THB per hour. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 40 THB per room per night (collected at check-in; applies to foreign guests only)
Deposit & card hold: Full first night deposit required at booking (credit card or bank transfer). At check-in, a 500 THB incidental hold is placed on your card.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: วัดศรีธนู (1.1 km · ~13 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 557 m · ~7 min walk
Center Pharmacy 2 — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
7-Eleven — 546 m · ~7 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Most travellers use ATMs for the best rate; avoid exchange bureaux at Surat Thani airport or tourist centres as they add poor margins.
Visa/Mastercard accepted at hotels and larger shops; street stalls and local buses are cash-only. Contactless pay is still rare.
Not expected but appreciated — round up taxi fares or leave small change (20–50 THB) at restaurants for good service; hotel staff don’t need tips.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A simple iced coffee from a street stall or local café costs 30–50 THB; chain coffee shops are 60–80 THB.
Rice or noodle dish from a market food court or simple shop: 50–70 THB.
A main dish at a typical local restaurant (e.g. pad thai, green curry): 80–120 THB.
Night markets around the city centre and the Talad Mai market area offer grilled meats, papaya salad and noodle bowls for 30–60 THB per item.
Big C and Lotus's (formerly Tesco Lotus) are the common budget supermarkets for packaged goods and snacks.
Surat Thani's Talad Mai market and the walking street night market sell basic T‑shirts, shorts and souvenirs for 100–300 THB.
Songthaews (shared pickup trucks) cost 10–20 THB per ride within the city; from Surat Thani airport, the cheapest is a public bus to town for about 50 THB.
Eat at local markets or food courts instead of tourist-oriented restaurants; buy water at 7‑Eleven (7–10 THB) instead of hotels; use songthaews or walk rather than tuk-tuks.
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 Serenity Lodge
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 557 m · ~7 min walk — pharmacy · Center Pharmacy 2 — 1.3 km · ~16 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 Serenity Lodge?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor, facing away from the main road. Upper floors reduce street noise and give a slightly better breeze. Preferred side is the rear or garden side if available.
Which rooms should I avoid at Serenity Lodge?
Avoid ground-floor rooms and rooms near the lift lobby — they get footfall noise and early-morning chatter. Also skip any room directly above the small lobby or reception area.
Is Serenity Lodge noisy?
Main street noise from surrounding traffic, especially during morning and evening rush. There's a small bar or restaurant near the lobby that may play music until late. No lift means creaky stairs can carry sound.
Which rooms have the best views at Serenity Lodge?
The best view is from rear-facing rooms on floors 3–4 overlooking the neighbourhood or a bit of green. Road-facing rooms see busy Surat Thani traffic — not worth the noise unless you need a landmark.
What are insider tips for staying at Serenity Lodge?
1. Park free on the street side — the lodge has no dedicated lot, so get there before 6pm to find a spot. 2. Request a room on the 3rd floor and ask for a fan as backup — AC can be patchy in older 3-star places.
What time is check-in at Serenity Lodge?
Check-in at Serenity Lodge is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Serenity Lodge have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi on all floors; speed about 15 Mbps down (sufficient for streaming). No login – just select the 'Serenity Lodge' network and accept terms once per device.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Serenity Lodge?
40 THB per room per night (collected at check-in; applies to foreign guests only)
Where can I eat cheaply near Serenity Lodge?
Rice or noodle dish from a market food court or simple shop: 50–70 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Serenity Lodge?
Songthaews (shared pickup trucks) cost 10–20 THB per ride within the city; from Surat Thani airport, the cheapest is a public bus to town for about 50 THB.
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani?
December to February: dry, relatively cool days (28–32°C), low humidity, clear skies. March–April is hotter but still rain-free.
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.