Your stay — Sunset House 2
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The Property — Sunset House 2
Sunset House 2 is a straightforward, no-nonsense budget hotel a short walk from the centre of Surat Thani. The lobby smells faintly of floor polish and air-con, with a worn leather sofa and a receptionist who'll hand you a cold towel. It suits independent travellers needing a clean, cheap bed before catching a ferry to the islands, not anyone wanting charm or frills.
Chronicles of Surat Thani
Surat Thani began as a small fishing settlement on the Tapi River, growing into a provincial capital after the southern railway reached it in 1916. The town centre still shows its early 20th-century shophouse architecture, a relic of Chinese and Malay traders. A 1960s boom from rubber and palm oil plantations gave it a chaotic, functional sprawl. Today it's the main transport hub for Koh Samui and the Gulf islands, with a modest night market and a steady stream of backpackers passing through.
Best Time to Visit
Full Surat Thani guide →Best months
January to March: driest and coolest, with daytime highs around 32°C and evening breezes. Crowds are moderate, and accommodation prices stay reasonable.
Peak / festival surge
April and July: April is the hottest (up to 38°C) and hosts Songkran (Thai New Year) with water fights and heavy domestic tourism. July sees a spike for school holidays. Hotel prices can double during Songkran and rise 20-30% in July.
Budget shoulder season
May–June and September–October: lower prices (sometimes 40% off peak), fewer tourists, and occasional rain showers that last an hour then clear. Good for budget trips if you pack a light rain jacket.
Weather & packing
Surat Thani's wet season (October–December) brings sudden, heavy downpours that flood roads in an hour. Pack at least one quick-dry shirt and a lightweight waterproof, even if the forecast looks clear.
Live City Briefing — Surat Thani
- The new Surat Thani Bus Terminal (Suan Samakkhi) opened in 2024, replacing the old Talad Mai terminal — all long-distance buses now depart from here, about 3 km east of the centre.
- The night market on Don Nai Mueang Road has expanded with more seafood stalls and a dedicated vegan corner, open from 6pm daily.
- Heavy rain in November 2025 caused flooding on the bypass road near the airport; check road conditions if arriving by taxi during the wet season.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Sunset House 2, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 4th or 5th floor facing the courtyard or the quieter side street (away from the main road). These floors avoid street-level noise and foot traffic from reception and breakfast area on the ground floor.
Rooms to avoid
Rooms on the 1st and 2nd floors are closest to the street, reception and any lobby activity. Also avoid rooms immediately above or next to the lift shaft – motor noise can be noticeable on floors 1–3.
Best views
Rooms on floors 4–6 with a south-east orientation (over the side street or rooftops) give a calmer view of local life; no river or landmark so aim for open sky over cluttered street.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 to 6 (top floor). As a mid-rise 3-star hotel with no elevator noise complaints on those levels, the upper half of the building is usually quieter.
🔊 Noise notes
Surat Thani's main through-road (near the city market) has motorbikes and trucks from 6am–7pm. The 1st floor also picks up noise from the reception/lobby area and any outdoor seating. Back rooms are quieter but may face a service lane with occasional late-night deliveries.
Insider tips
1. Request a late checkout if possible – the hotel tends to empty by 10am so 12pm is usually available. 2. If you're driving, park at the rear (away from the main road) to avoid street noise and heat. The hotel has a small lot – ask for a space at check-in.
- 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 — Sunset House 2
Free basic Wi-Fi included in all rooms, speed about 15 Mbps down; no paid upgrade. Login requires room number at prompt, no password needed
No lift – this is a two-storey property; all rooms accessed via stairs only
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand; reception has a few printed local Thai newspapers in lobby
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop allowed from 10:00 with no charge (subject to luggage storage). Late check-out costs 200 THB per hour after 12:00 (subject to availability)
Free luggage storage available at reception; no time limit on the day of check-in/check-out
No step-free access – property has three entrance steps and no ramp. No wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms as of mid-2026; narrow doorways. Not recommended for wheelchair users
Free on-site parking for up to 10 cars, first-come first-served. No valet. Nearest public car park is Surat Thani Municipal Parking (about 2 km) costing 50 THB per night. No EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no city tax in Surat Thani for this property; however a 10% service charge is applied to room rate at checkout)
Deposit & card hold: Advance deposit of one night's room rate required at booking; a 500 THB incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: Chedi Khao Phut (1.2 km · ~16 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Chedi Laem Sor (1.6 km · ~19 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Wat Laem Sor (1.6 km · ~20 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: Chinese Temple of Guanyin (1.8 km · ~23 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
7-Eleven — 923 m · ~12 min walk
Coral harbor pier — 2.1 km · ~26 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Exchange at city banks or ATMs for best rates; avoid airport currency desks and tourist-area bureaux that charge high commissions.
Visa/Mastercard accepted in most hotels, big shops and some restaurants; Amex less common. Contactless works in major chains but street vendors and local eateries are cash-only.
Not expected or routine. Round up taxi fare or leave small change (20-50 THB) for good service in restaurants; hotels carry bags for 20 THB.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant coffee or a small black coffee from a local stall costs about 25-35 THB.
Plate of rice with stir-fry or curry at a market food court: around 40-60 THB.
Simple noodle soup or rice dish at a street-side eatery: 50-80 THB per main.
Night market near the city pillar (Sanam Na Mueang) and evening stalls along Talat Mai Road.
Tesco Lotus Express and Big C Mini are common budget supermarkets.
Surat Thani night market or Talat Mai for cheap T-shirts and casual wear.
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) around town: 10-20 THB per ride. Airport: take a government bus (120 THB) or share a minivan (150 THB) into town.
Eat at market food courts or street stalls rather than restaurants. Use local songthaews instead of taxis. Buy bottled water and snacks at 7-Eleven, not hotel minibars.
Good to know — Surat Thani
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.31 · 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 Sunset House 2
🕒 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Sunset House 2?
Request a room on the 4th or 5th floor facing the courtyard or the quieter side street (away from the main road). These floors avoid street-level noise and foot traffic from reception and breakfast area on the ground floor.
Which rooms should I avoid at Sunset House 2?
Rooms on the 1st and 2nd floors are closest to the street, reception and any lobby activity. Also avoid rooms immediately above or next to the lift shaft – motor noise can be noticeable on floors 1–3.
Is Sunset House 2 noisy?
Surat Thani's main through-road (near the city market) has motorbikes and trucks from 6am–7pm. The 1st floor also picks up noise from the reception/lobby area and any outdoor seating. Back rooms are quieter but may face a service lane with occasional late-night deliveries.
Which rooms have the best views at Sunset House 2?
Rooms on floors 4–6 with a south-east orientation (over the side street or rooftops) give a calmer view of local life; no river or landmark so aim for open sky over cluttered street.
What are insider tips for staying at Sunset House 2?
1. Request a late checkout if possible – the hotel tends to empty by 10am so 12pm is usually available. 2. If you're driving, park at the rear (away from the main road) to avoid street noise and heat. The hotel has a small lot – ask for a space at check-in.
What time is check-in at Sunset House 2?
Check-in at Sunset House 2 is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Sunset House 2 have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi included in all rooms, speed about 15 Mbps down; no paid upgrade. Login requires room number at prompt, no password needed
Is there a city or tourist tax at Sunset House 2?
None (no city tax in Surat Thani for this property; however a 10% service charge is applied to room rate at checkout)
Where can I eat cheaply near Sunset House 2?
Plate of rice with stir-fry or curry at a market food court: around 40-60 THB.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Sunset House 2?
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) around town: 10-20 THB per ride. Airport: take a government bus (120 THB) or share a minivan (150 THB) into town.
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani?
January to March: driest and coolest, with daytime highs around 32°C and evening breezes. Crowds are moderate, and accommodation prices stay reasonable.
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.