Your stay — Top Residence
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The Property — Top Residence
Top Residence is a dependable 3-star business hotel: clean, functional, and reasonable. The lobby is tiled coolly, with a small reception desk and a few chairs, not flashy. It suits a budget traveller or transit passenger who needs a quiet, central room near Surat Thani’s bus station and railway terminals. No frills, but no unpleasant surprises either.
Chronicles of Surat Thani
Surat Thani was officially founded in 1915, when King Vajiravudh merged the old towns of Bandon and Tha Kham. It grew as a rail hub after the Southern Line arrived in 1916, linking Bangkok with the Malay Peninsula. Architecturally, it mixes functional concrete shophouses with a few surviving Sino-Portuguese structures along the Tapi River. Today it serves as the gateway to Koh Samui and the southern islands, with a modest, workaday identity — market centres, busy piers, and a low-rise skyline.
Best Time to Visit
Full Surat Thani guide →Best months
December to February: cool, dry air; high 20s°C; low chance of rain; manageable crowds because most tourists head straight to the islands.
Peak / festival surge
August to September: the rainy season peaks, but hotels raise prices 10-15% due to domestic holiday (Mother’s Day, August 12) and university breaks. Book well ahead.
Budget shoulder season
March to May (hot season, but dry) and October (tail end of rains) yield 20-30% discounts, fewer people, and still decent weather for city exploring.
Weather & packing
Surat Thani gets sudden, heavy downpours even in the dry season. Pack a compact umbrella or rain shell every day, regardless of forecast.
Live City Briefing — Surat Thani
- Surat Thani’s new ring road (Route 401 bypass) opened in late 2025, easing traffic to the airport and Phun Phin railway station.
- The Tapi River night market has expanded with 20 new food stalls as of April 2026, operating Thursday-Sunday.
- July is peak durian season — expect strong fruit smells at markets and many local dishes featuring the fruit.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Top Residence, 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 (the south side, overlooking the courtyard if available). These mid-level floors offer a balance of quiet and easy staircase access during busy hours; the lift is small and slow here.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor (direct street noise is loudest, and the reception area can be busy) and any rooms numbered xxx5 or xxx6 on the front side—these face the main Surat Thani road directly, with motorbike and truck noise from early morning.
Best views
The best view is from the south-facing mid floors (3rd or 4th) overlooking the small garden or the low-rise neighbourhood behind the hotel — you see rooftops and some greenery, not the main road. The front rooms offer a nondescript street scene with parking lot.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and 4 are the quietest. The building is only 5 floors, and the top floor can be stuffy in hot months; floors 2 and 5 have some foot traffic from the lift (floor 2) and roof access (floor 5).
🔊 Noise notes
Main street noise from early morning (6am onwards) as trucks and taxis pass. Hotel lift is clunky and beeps when arriving; rooms adjacent to the lift (even numbers on the east side) will hear that. A nearby local school has a PA system that can be heard faintly on weekdays at noon.
Insider tips
1. Park in the small gated lot at the back, not on the front street (safer and you can access via side door). 2. If you have mobility issues, request a room on floor 2 or 3 — the lift is often occupied with housekeeping carts during check-out (10am-12pm), and stairs can be narrow.
- 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 — Top Residence
Free Wi-Fi throughout property; download speed approx. 25 Mbps; no login or password required.
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections.
No physical newspapers; no digital newsstand provided. The building is a modern low-rise (2012) with no heritage features.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 07:00; late check-out until 12:00 free, after 12:00 charged at 200 THB per hour until 18:00.
Complimentary storage for same-day arrivals and departures; overnight storage only available with a manager's approval.
Step-free access at main entrance; lift to all floors; no grab rails in bathrooms; access to rooms is via corridor with no thresholds.
Free on-site uncovered parking for up to 20 cars; no valet; no EV charging stations. Nearest public car park: Rachadamnoen Municipal Car Park (2 km away, 50 THB per night).
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required; a refundable credit card hold of 1,000 THB is taken at check-in for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Buddhist temple: วัดธรรมบูชา (329 m · ~4 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: วัดไทร (521 m · ~7 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: วัดพัฒนาราม (588 m · ~7 min walk)
- Buddhist temple: วัดกลาง (695 m · ~9 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Coliseum Shopping Mall — 388 m · ~5 min walk
ตลาดมิตรเกษม — 332 m · ~4 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Bangkok Bank — 663 m · ~8 min walk
Ba-Lu Cannabis — 1.7 km · ~22 min walk
7-Eleven — 606 m · ~8 min walk
Phangan tour — 270 m · ~3 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Use ATMs for the best rates; avoid exchange bureaux at the airport and tourist centres where rates are poor and fees high.
Major credit cards accepted in mid-range and up hotels, large supermarkets, and chain restaurants; cash still essential at markets, street stalls, and small shops.
Not expected but appreciated; round up taxi fares or leave 20-50 baht for good service in restaurants; hotel staff don't expect tips.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant coffee or iced coffee from a local stall: 20-30 baht.
Rice with stir-fry or noodle soup from a market food court: 40-60 baht.
Pad Thai or fried rice at a simple restaurant: 50-80 baht.
Along Talad Mai market and the night bazaar on Charoenrat Road; also near the bus station and the pier area.
Tesco Lotus and Big C are common budget supermarkets.
Talad Mai market for cheap t-shirts, shorts, and sandals; also the outdoor stalls near the clock tower.
Songthaew (shared pick-up truck) routes cost 10-30 baht per ride; from the airport, take the airport bus (100 baht) or a shared minivan (150 baht).
Eat at local markets and food courts rather than tourist restaurants. Use songthaews instead of tuk-tuks. Always check 7-Eleven for small essentials and snacks at fixed prices.
Good to know — Surat Thani
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.57 · 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 Top Residence
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Bangkok Bank — 663 m · ~8 min walk — pharmacy · Ba-Lu Cannabis — 1.7 km · ~22 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 Top Residence?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor facing away from the main road (the south side, overlooking the courtyard if available). These mid-level floors offer a balance of quiet and easy staircase access during busy hours; the lift is small and slow here.
Which rooms should I avoid at Top Residence?
Avoid rooms on the 1st floor (direct street noise is loudest, and the reception area can be busy) and any rooms numbered xxx5 or xxx6 on the front side—these face the main Surat Thani road directly, with motorbike and truck noise from early morning.
Is Top Residence noisy?
Main street noise from early morning (6am onwards) as trucks and taxis pass. Hotel lift is clunky and beeps when arriving; rooms adjacent to the lift (even numbers on the east side) will hear that. A nearby local school has a PA system that can be heard faintly on weekdays at noon.
Which rooms have the best views at Top Residence?
The best view is from the south-facing mid floors (3rd or 4th) overlooking the small garden or the low-rise neighbourhood behind the hotel — you see rooftops and some greenery, not the main road. The front rooms offer a nondescript street scene with parking lot.
What are insider tips for staying at Top Residence?
1. Park in the small gated lot at the back, not on the front street (safer and you can access via side door). 2. If you have mobility issues, request a room on floor 2 or 3 — the lift is often occupied with housekeeping carts during check-out (10am-12pm), and stairs can be narrow.
What time is check-in at Top Residence?
Check-in at Top Residence is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Top Residence have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout property; download speed approx. 25 Mbps; no login or password required.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Top Residence?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Top Residence?
Rice with stir-fry or noodle soup from a market food court: 40-60 baht.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Top Residence?
Songthaew (shared pick-up truck) routes cost 10-30 baht per ride; from the airport, take the airport bus (100 baht) or a shared minivan (150 baht).
When is the best time to visit Surat Thani?
December to February: cool, dry air; high 20s°C; low chance of rain; manageable crowds because most tourists head straight 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.