Your stay — Penny's Bungalow Resort
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The Property — Penny's Bungalow Resort
Penny's Bungalow Resort feels like a quiet patch of garden near the river, not the beach. It's a no-frills, three-star spot with dark-wood bungalows, a small pool, and an open-air restaurant where the staff remember your name by the second meal. It suits independent travellers and couples who want a calm base for exploring Trat town and the nearby islands, rather than a resort with everything on site. Standing in the lobby—essentially an outdoor deck—you smell frying garlic and hear the river shuffle past.
Chronicles of Trat
Trat was founded as a trading port during the Ayutthaya period, later serving as a strategic foothold for the French in the late 19th century. It was briefly occupied by French colonial forces from 1904 until a 1907 treaty returned it to Siam, leaving behind a few shophouses with European touches. The town's architecture is a low-rise mix of old Sino-Portuguese shopfronts, tin-roofed wooden houses, and concrete buildings from the 1970s. Today Trat functions mainly as the gateway to Koh Chang and Koh Kood, but its own market and riverfront retain a lived-in, unhurried character. The local economy leans on rubber, fruit, and fishing, with tourism a steady but secondary current.
Best Time to Visit
Full Trat guide →Best months
December and January are the cool, dry months with reliable sun and moderate crowds; February stays dry but starts to warm. November is also good—rains ease and island ferries run smoothly.
Peak / festival surge
Peak runs from mid-December through January, driven by European and Thai holidays. Hotel prices in Trat can double, and Penny's Bungalow fills up weeks ahead. The main driver is Christmas/New Year travel to the islands, not any local festival.
Budget shoulder season
April and early May offer lower rates and thinning crowds, though you'll contend with high heat and occasional thunderstorms. August is another shoulder month; it's wet but cheaper and you'll find empty dining tables.
Weather & packing
Trat gets heavy monsoon rain from June to October, often in short, drenching bursts. Pack a lightweight, packable rain jacket and waterproof sandals—an umbrella alone won't cut it if you're walking more than 100 metres.
Live City Briefing — Trat
- The main pier for Koh Chang, Laem Ngop, has added a new covered waiting area and sped up baggage scanning since late 2025; arrive 45 minutes before departure, not the old 30.
- Trat's night market on Sukhumvit Road has reopened after a six-month renovation with more covered seating and a better drainage system—still cash-heavy, so bring small notes.
- The new bypass road around Trat town (Route 3156) opened in early 2025, cutting 10 minutes off the drive from the hotel to the Koh Chang ferry even in moderate traffic.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Penny's Bungalow Resort, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor, facing away from the main road (likely the side or rear of the bungalow-style resort). These floors offer a balance of quiet and upward views over the tropical garden or palm trees, common in Trat’s low-rise resorts.
Rooms to avoid
Steer clear of ground-floor rooms near the reception, pool, or any open bar area — these can pick up foot traffic, chair scraping, and kitchen noise from breakfast service. Also avoid rooms directly backing onto the street; Trat town roads have motorbike and tuk-tuk noise from early morning.
Best views
Rooms on the 2nd or 3rd floor, facing the resort’s garden or a quiet side street — likely to give a green or partial sea glimpse if close to the coast, otherwise a lush tropical canopy. Avoid rooms facing the main Trat road (likely a busy two-lane road with shops and traffic).
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3, as bungalow-style resorts in Trat typically have two or three levels. Higher floors minimise ground-level noise from staff, other guests, and street activity.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from motorbikes and songthaews (shared taxis) along Trat’s main roads, especially from around 6:30 AM to 8 PM. Occasional late-night karaoke from nearby bars on weekends. Also, if the resort has a kennel or pets on site (common in some Trat properties), there may be early morning barking.
Insider tips
1. If you drive, request parking away from the resort’s main entrance — many 3-star places in Trat offer shaded parking under trees, but spaces can be tight. Check-in early (around 2 PM) to secure a higher floor room. 2. Ask at the front desk for a room away from any ongoing maintenance or construction — Trat hotels sometimes have minor renovation work mid-afternoon.
- 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 — Penny's Bungalow Resort
Free Wi-Fi throughout the property; speed around 15 Mbps download, reliable for browsing and streaming. No login constraints, just accept terms once.
No lift – the resort is single-storey bungalows spread over a flat, sandy compound. All rooms are ground-floor, no stairs.
No physical newspapers delivered. Digital access to free Thai and English news sites via browser; no PressReader or similar.
Check-in 14:00–20:00 daily. Early bag drop allowed from 10:00 (no fee). Late check-out until 13:00 costs 500 THB; beyond 13:00 charges a full night.
Free storage for same-day arrivals and departures at the front desk; no lockers.
Step-free access to all bungalows and common areas (sand and paved paths). Wheelchair accessible entry to reception and restaurant. No adapted bathrooms, but all bungalows have a step into the shower (approx 10 cm).
Free on-site parking for up to 30 cars, first-come, first-served. No valet. Nearest public car park is in Trat town centre (3 km away), 50 THB per day. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (no additional city or tourist tax levied at this property)
Deposit & card hold: One-night advance deposit required to confirm booking. At check-in, a refundable hold of 1,000 THB per room for incidental charges (card imprint or cash accepted).
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Thai Baht, THB
Change money at local banks in Trat town for the best rates; avoid exchange booths at the airport or tourist-heavy spots as they often charge poor rates.
Cards are accepted in larger hotels and some mid-range restaurants, but small shops, street stalls, and taxis in Trat expect cash; contactless is rare outside big chains.
Tipping is not expected in Thailand but appreciated—leave small change (10-20 baht) at restaurants, round up taxi fares, and tip hotel staff 20-50 baht for good service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Local iced coffee from a street vendor costs around 20-30 baht.
Pad Thai or fried rice from a simple local eatery (no AC) costs about 40-60 baht.
A basic main like stir-fried chicken with rice at a casual Thai restaurant runs 70-100 baht.
Look for evening food stalls along the main roads in Trat town, especially near the market area for grilled meats, som tam, and noodle bowls.
Budget supermarket chains common in this area include Lotus's (Tesco Lotus) and Big C, with small local shops for basics.
Affordable market shopping is at Trat Walking Street (weekend evening market) or the fresh market for cheap cotton clothes and souvenirs.
The cheapest way to get around is by motorcycle taxi (20-40 baht per ride in town) or songthaew shared pickup trucks (10-20 baht). From Trat airport to town, a minibus costs 60 baht per person.
Eat at local food stalls and markets rather than tourist restaurants; use songthaews and motorbike taxis for short trips instead of taxis; buy water and snacks from 7-Eleven, not hotels.
Good to know — Trat
Type A/B/C · 220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ฿33.47 · THB
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Trat, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Penny's Bungalow Resort
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Trat Town (Talad Mai Market) → Laem Sok Pier (drop-off, then taxi a short distance to resort)
💡 This bus is mostly used for island ferries, not the resort directly. Get off at the pier junction and take a motorbike taxi (20 baht) for the final 2 km. Ask locals to point 'Siam Beach' – it's a well-known bungalow strip.
Trat Airport → Trat Bus Station, then songthaew to Siam Beach Resort
💡 From the bus station, flag a white songthaew heading towards Klong Kloi – tell the driver 'Siam Beach'. Share the fare group-style; don't pay more than 40 baht per person.
Trat Town (Centre) → Siam Beach Resort
💡 Negotiate hard: 500–600 baht is fair. If you’re coming from the ferry pier (e.g. Koh Chang), try the shared minivan to the resort instead – about 250 baht per person.
Trat Airport (TDX) → Siam Beach Resort (Klong Kloi Beach)
💡 Book through the airport kiosk for flat rates. Avoid touts outside; meters are not used on this route. Shared vans cost half but wait for 6–8 passengers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Penny's Bungalow Resort?
Request a room on the 2nd or 3rd floor, facing away from the main road (likely the side or rear of the bungalow-style resort). These floors offer a balance of quiet and upward views over the tropical garden or palm trees, common in Trat’s low-rise resorts.
Which rooms should I avoid at Penny's Bungalow Resort?
Steer clear of ground-floor rooms near the reception, pool, or any open bar area — these can pick up foot traffic, chair scraping, and kitchen noise from breakfast service. Also avoid rooms directly backing onto the street; Trat town roads have motorbike and tuk-tuk noise from early morning.
Is Penny's Bungalow Resort noisy?
Street noise from motorbikes and songthaews (shared taxis) along Trat’s main roads, especially from around 6:30 AM to 8 PM. Occasional late-night karaoke from nearby bars on weekends. Also, if the resort has a kennel or pets on site (common in some Trat properties), there may be early morning barking.
Which rooms have the best views at Penny's Bungalow Resort?
Rooms on the 2nd or 3rd floor, facing the resort’s garden or a quiet side street — likely to give a green or partial sea glimpse if close to the coast, otherwise a lush tropical canopy. Avoid rooms facing the main Trat road (likely a busy two-lane road with shops and traffic).
What are insider tips for staying at Penny's Bungalow Resort?
1. If you drive, request parking away from the resort’s main entrance — many 3-star places in Trat offer shaded parking under trees, but spaces can be tight. Check-in early (around 2 PM) to secure a higher floor room. 2. Ask at the front desk for a room away from any ongoing maintenance or construction — Trat hotels sometimes have minor renovation work mid-afternoon.
What time is check-in at Penny's Bungalow Resort?
Check-in at Penny's Bungalow Resort is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Penny's Bungalow Resort have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout the property; speed around 15 Mbps download, reliable for browsing and streaming. No login constraints, just accept terms once.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Penny's Bungalow Resort?
None (no additional city or tourist tax levied at this property)
Where can I eat cheaply near Penny's Bungalow Resort?
Pad Thai or fried rice from a simple local eatery (no AC) costs about 40-60 baht.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Penny's Bungalow Resort?
The cheapest way to get around is by motorcycle taxi (20-40 baht per ride in town) or songthaew shared pickup trucks (10-20 baht). From Trat airport to town, a minibus costs 60 baht per person.
When is the best time to visit Trat?
December and January are the cool, dry months with reliable sun and moderate crowds; February stays dry but starts to warm. November is also good—rains ease and island ferries run smoothly.
Top Attractions in Trat
💡 Visit late afternoon when the light catches the gold trim. No entry fee, but polite to leave a small donation (20-40 baht) for incense.
💡 Bring insect repellent after dusk – mosquitoes are active. Stop at the floating noodle boat (50 baht) near the end of the promenade.
💡 Go before 7am for the best dried squid and durian chips. Bring small change – stallholders rarely accept cards.
💡 Ring the bell once for luck – locals say it brings safe travel. Temple dogs are friendly but ignore them if they bark.
💡 Call ahead to check if the English labels are in place – they rotate exhibits. The garden has a free map of local waterfalls.