Your stay — Suwarat House
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The Property — Suwarat House
Suwarat House is a no-fuss, three-star hotel in central Surat Thani that feels more like a well-run guesthouse with a pool. The lobby is clean and bright, with tiled floors and a small reception desk; it suits budget-conscious travellers who want a reliable base for a night or two before heading to the islands. Its USP is location – a short walk from the night market and the central bus terminal – and the fact that it has a decent-sized swimming pool, which is rare at this price point in the city.
Chronicles of Surat Thani
Surat Thani grew from a small fishing settlement on the Tapi River into the commercial hub of southern Thailand after the construction of the southern railway line in the 1910s. Its name, meaning 'City of Good People', was granted by King Vajiravudh in 1915, replacing the old name of Ban Don. The city expanded rapidly from the 1960s as the gateway to Koh Samui and the Andaman coast, but it has kept little of its historic architecture – most buildings are functional concrete shophouses from the 1970s onwards. Today, Surat Thani feels like a real working city, not a tourist zone, with a vibrant Chinese-Thai community that runs the riverside market and the annual Chak Phra festival in October.
Best Time to Visit
Full Surat Thani guide →Best months
January, February and March: dry, sunny days with temperatures around 30°C and low humidity; crowds are moderate because most tourists pass straight through to the islands.
Peak / festival surge
July and August: school holidays in Thailand and Europe push up demand for ferries to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, and the hotel often fills with transit travellers. Prices at Suwarat House can rise 20-30% and rooms book out weeks ahead; the main drivers are family travel and the Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan.
Budget shoulder season
May, June and September: quieter months with lighter rain (short, heavy bursts) and lower prices; you can often get a walk-in rate 15-20% below peak.
Weather & packing
Surat Thani gets most of its rain in sudden downpours, not all-day drizzle. Pack a compact umbrella or a waterproof jacket that folds into daypack, and a pair of sandals that don't mind getting wet – the streets can flood briefly after a storm.
Live City Briefing — Surat Thani
- The Surat Thani bus terminal (Sawakee 2) is being partially renovated through mid-2026; expect some platform changes for routes to Bangkok and Krabi – check departure boards carefully.
- A new direct minivan service from the airport to Donsak Pier (for Koh Samui and Koh Phangan ferries) started in April 2026, running every two hours from arrivals.
- Seasonal note: July is the start of the southwest monsoon on the Gulf coast; afternoon storms are common and can delay ferries by an hour or two, so book flexible tickets if island-hopping.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Suwarat House, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 3 to 5 at the back of the building. These upper levels avoid street-level noise from Surat Thani’s main roads and the third floor is high enough to minimise ground-floor disturbance without relying heavily on the lift.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the first floor, especially those facing the street. These catch traffic noise from the city’s busy roads and passers-by. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on any floor – the lift is a main route for guests and can be noisy at peak times.
Best views
Ask for a rear-facing room overlooking the local residential area or a courtyard. This gives you a calmer view than the front, which faces a typical Surat Thani street with shops and vehicles.
Quietest floors
Floors 3, 4, and 5 are the quietest for this 5-floor hotel. They sit above the street-level hubbub but aren’t so high that they pick up wind or rooftop noise.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel sits on a main road in Surat Thani, so traffic noise is the primary source. Motorbikes and tuk-tuks are common. Late-night street food stalls may add chatter until midnight. Lift noise is contained but audible on adjacent rooms.
Insider tips
1. If you drive, check if the hotel has off-street parking specified – otherwise, ask for a rear-facing room to avoid parking lot noise. 2. During check-in, politely request a back-facing upper floor room; the front desk often has flexibility for quiet assignments.
- 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 — Suwarat House
Free WiFi for all guests; one device per login (reconnect on new device). Speed ~15 Mbps down, adequate for browsing and streaming.
No lift. All rooms on floors 1–4 via stairs; no historic sections.
No newspapers or digital newsstand. The building is a modern low-rise from 2016 with no heritage quirks.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop available if room ready. Check-out by 12:00; late check-out to 18:00 costs 300 THB (subject to availability).
Free storage in a locked room behind reception. Open daily 07:00–20:00.
No step-free entry: a 3-step ramp at entrance (no handrails). All rooms accessed by stairs; no wheelchair-adapted rooms or bathrooms.
Free on-site parking for 12 cars (first-come, first-served). Nearest public car park: Sri Thong Car Park, 1.2 km away, 50 THB per 24 hours. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full payment due at booking via third-party sites; at check-in, 500 THB cash hold for incidentals (no card hold offered).
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
Use SuperRich or other exchange booths in Surat Thani town for best rates; avoid airport and hotel counters where rates are poor.
Accepted in hotels, larger restaurants, and shops, but smaller stalls and street food vendors are cash-only; contactless is rare.
Not expected; round up taxi fares or leave small change (10-20 baht) for good service in restaurants; hotel staff appreciate 20-50 baht for carrying bags.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Hot brewed coffee from local stalls (กาแฟโบราณ) — about 25-40 baht.
Rice with a curry or stir-fry from a food stall or small shop — about 40-60 baht.
Grilled pork or chicken with sticky rice and som tam from a street stall — about 50-70 baht for a main.
Night markets around the town center (like Talat Mai) and along Thanon Na Muang offer grilled meats, som tam, and noodle dishes for 30-60 baht.
Big C and Lotus's (formerly Tesco Lotus) are the main budget supermarkets.
Local markets like Talat Mai have cheap T-shirts, shorts, and cotton clothing; avoid souvenir shops.
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) — 10-20 baht per ride within town; from Surat Thani airport, take the government minibus to the bus station (about 100 baht) rather than a taxi (300+ baht).
1. Eat at local food stalls rather than tourist-oriented restaurants. 2. Buy water and snacks from 7-Eleven rather than hotels or tourist shops. 3. Use songthaews instead of tuk-tuks for short journeys.
Good to know — Surat Thani
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.34 · 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 Suwarat House
🕒 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 Suwarat House?
Request a room on floors 3 to 5 at the back of the building. These upper levels avoid street-level noise from Surat Thani’s main roads and the third floor is high enough to minimise ground-floor disturbance without relying heavily on the lift.
Which rooms should I avoid at Suwarat House?
Avoid rooms on the first floor, especially those facing the street. These catch traffic noise from the city’s busy roads and passers-by. Also skip rooms near the lift shaft on any floor – the lift is a main route for guests and can be noisy at peak times.
Is Suwarat House noisy?
The hotel sits on a main road in Surat Thani, so traffic noise is the primary source. Motorbikes and tuk-tuks are common. Late-night street food stalls may add chatter until midnight. Lift noise is contained but audible on adjacent rooms.
Which rooms have the best views at Suwarat House?
Ask for a rear-facing room overlooking the local residential area or a courtyard. This gives you a calmer view than the front, which faces a typical Surat Thani street with shops and vehicles.
What are insider tips for staying at Suwarat House?
1. If you drive, check if the hotel has off-street parking specified – otherwise, ask for a rear-facing room to avoid parking lot noise. 2. During check-in, politely request a back-facing upper floor room; the front desk often has flexibility for quiet assignments.
What time is check-in at Suwarat House?
Check-in at Suwarat House is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Suwarat House have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi for all guests; one device per login (reconnect on new device). Speed ~15 Mbps down, adequate for browsing and streaming.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Suwarat House?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Suwarat House?
Rice with a curry or stir-fry from a food stall or small shop — about 40-60 baht.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Suwarat House?
Songthaew (shared pickup truck) — 10-20 baht per ride within town; from Surat Thani airport, take the government minibus to the bus station (about 100 baht) rather than a taxi (300+ baht).
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani?
January, February and March: dry, sunny days with temperatures around 30°C and low humidity; crowds are moderate because most tourists pass straight through to the islands.
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.