Accommodation (Thailand)

All the cities in Thailand are suited to every budget, offering stay options from luxurious hotels to backpacking hostels. Everyone is welcome here! You may select the area of your stay as per your choice and enjoy your stay. For us, expenses on accommodation in Thailand has always been lesser than the flights cost per head. Although we prefer comfortable stays over backpacking hostels because of many reasons. It has been our experience that accommodations in a foreign country are more affordable than India. You get better rooms, facilities and cleanliness for the same price in a foreign destination than you would find in India. Even if you stay in a budget hostel in Thailand, you will find that it is well kept making your stay there very comfortable.

It is always a bit of a trade off while selecting your stay. We have observed that stays right on the beach side are a expensive compared to stays within half or one kilometer of the beach. If you are not averse to walking, you may easily book your accommodation in Thailand within 1 km of the beaches and you will be equally satisfied. There is an added bonus to it that you get to explore some shops and food joints while you walk back and forth from your hotel to the beach. You may get good budget stays for as low as ₹750/person per day depending on the area and type of stay. We always stay near to the beach so that we can enjoy the beach at our will. In Bangkok, we stay near the Pratunam or Chatuchak market because our main intention is shopping in Bangkok.

City wise some of the good areas to find accommodation in Thailand are as follows:

Bangkok:

• Pratunam: We preferred the Pratunam area as there were many cheap hostels available in the nearby area. The hotels are not very cheap but around ₹2000+ per day. For us, Pratunam market is a convenient shopping area.
• Sukhumvit: Sukhumvit is not very far from Pratunam. It has the big malls and shopping centres of Thailand. Most of the luxury hotels are situated in the Sukhumvit area. It is a good area if you want to experience luxurious Bangkok.
• Phaya Thai: You can also find accommodations in Phaya Thai. There are many good hostels available for backpackers there. It is the centre of the city and the biggest market of Asia, Chatuchak Weekend Market is nearby this area.

Pattaya:

• Walking street: There are many budget hotels on the walking street itself. Cheap backpacking options are also available. For single or group of friends this area will be most suitable as it caters to mostly the night life. This place is dead silent until 1:00 PM and wakes up as the day progresses into evening.
• Beach Road: There are many hotels on the beach road with the perfect beach views. They might be a little high on budget but are worth it. Recommended for family travellers.

Phuket:

• Patong Beach: Patong beach is full of activity and life. If you enjoy nightlife or partying by the beachside this is where you should stay. There are many beautiful hotels at affordable rates on this beach road.
• Karon Beach: This is a more peaceful beach and you find many resorts in this area. The resorts have their own private beaches also. If you are looking for a peaceful stay in Phuket (rarely), then you may chose this area.
• Phuket Old town: You may find many budget hotels here and also get the taste of how Phuket uninfluenced by the tourism existed in old times. This area has traditional and some beautiful architecture to explore.

Krabi:

• Ao Nang: The busiest and most popular beach of Krabi is the best area to stay if you want to be amidst the happening life. The hotels in this area are mid budget. If you are travelling for the first time this is where you will be happier.
• Nopparahathar: This beach area is adjacent to Ao Nang and a good area to stay having more peaceful hotels with sea views.
• Krabi Town: This area has many budget hotels and you may chose them if you do not have particular interest in beaches.
• Railey Beach: Railey is beach is popular among tourists for its secluded ambience. You have to have a little higher budget if you want to stay here.

We have suggested good stay options (where we stayed) in our suggestions page.