An excellent hotel with a colonial-style lobby so big you could park a jumbo jet in there. Great value for money, spacious well-appointed room, room service (haven't seen that in a while, although I didn't use it) and an extremely efficient aircon unit that would cause hypothermia if left running on full overnight. Situated a few Km north of downtown Surat Thani, but a 7/11 just over the road (actually an 8 lane motorway, but if you run you'll be ok). Breakfast won't win awards, but what do you expect for £30 a night? The perfect tonic after spending 5 nights in a substandard beach hut on Koa Tao.
It's a shame the hotel was practically empty, they deserve more custom. The staff are excellent, the lobby as good as any I've seen in a 4-star, and it would be criminal if hotels like this go out of business.
Downtown Surat Thani is the real Thailand you absolutely must visit. Everything's in Thai, no-one speaks any other language, and the evening streetfood market is a feast for the senses, a foodie's paradise all cooked fresh in front of you. No weird stuff, the aromas will stay with me forever, and plenty of homemade ice cream and smoothies for the kids. Fabulous, and only £1.50 in a tuktuk away from the hotel.
