The best accommodations Thailand

Budget & Tips

Thailand's hotel clientele can be divided into several categories: on the one hand, foreign tourists - bearing in mind that Westerners and Asians do not express the same needs - and on the other, locals who travel to their country for professional reasons or vacations, just like Europeans. All these travelers obviously have different budgets and require different types of accommodation. Asian customers account for around 60% of foreign tourism to Thailand. The majority are Japanese, Korean, Malaysian, Chinese, Singaporean and Taiwanese.

Seasonal rates. Prices in resorts and on islands fluctuate enormously according to the season and the number of visitors, with sometimes very wide price differences. The period around Christmas and New Year's Day is the "peak season", when rates are at their highest and reservations are essential.

The best bargains are to be found in the rainy season, but on the islands many establishments close due to the rainfall and the lack of tourists.

Here's a general classification of hotels:

Low-end. From 200 to 1,000 B, ventilation or air-conditioning; shower with hot water. These are often mini-hotels, mostly in the provinces, with comfortable rooms, but small in size, simple in decoration and not necessarily including breakfast. Low-end hotels with mainly local clientele are not recommended for foreign tourists, due to their lack of comfort or upkeep.

Mid-range. From 1,000 to 1,900 B; air-conditioned; private shower (hot water); minibar; cable TV (some international channels); restaurant or coffee-shop available. In this category, some opulent hotels catering to Asian businessmen - of fairly old construction and usually run by local Chinese families - offer Westerners an advantageous option thanks to their relative comfort and reasonable rates. These establishments can be found in all the country's cities of any commercial importance.

Top of the range. More than 2,000 B. All modern comforts of international category; several restaurants, bars or nightclubs available; massage salon or spa. International hotels are classified by star rating. Expect to pay between B5,000 and B30,000 for a 5-star hotel, between B3,000 and B5,000 for a 4-star hotel, and between B1,000 and B2,000 for a 3-star hotel. As these luxury establishments are often half-empty, substantial discounts or upgrades are spontaneously granted during the low tourist season.

The rates given in this guide apply to a double room, except in dormitories, where it's a single bed.

Camping. Because of, or thanks to, inexpensive hotel accommodation, camping has never really developed in Thailand, except in national parks, of course, and in northern Phuket. It has to be said that even outside the monsoon season, a thunderstorm is a sobering experience. And the humid heat soon turns a tent into a sauna. Nevertheless, don't forget a light sleeping bag or, better still, a meat bag, and a mosquito net if you're a keen hiker. When trekking in the North, accommodation is often in ethnic villages, and tents are not necessary.

To be booked

Room reservations. Even if you haven't booked a hotel for your first night in Bangkok (before arriving in the country), it's not so bad (although it's not recommended): there are still plenty of options. All you need to do is choose the right area, and there's a reservation desk at the airport. If you're not familiar with the capital, it's best to choose a slightly more expensive and comfortable hotel in Bangkok, and then save money on accommodation outside the capital. You can find decent accommodation for as little as 700 B in low season. Try to take into account the proximity of the metro (city map) or a bus station.

What's very local

Guesthouses mean "guest houses", but in the country, the word has a much broader meaning. Most often the preferred destination of travellers on a tight budget, these establishments offer a variety of even more affordable forms of accommodation: from B200 to B1,000. You'll find anything and everything in this category. There's a clear price difference between fan rooms and air-conditioned rooms, with or without TV (very important for Thais). It goes without saying that you should visit the room before settling in, especially the showers! A discount is sometimes granted if you plan to stay a minimum of three days, provided you ask nicely. Outside Bangkok and the tourist cities, room rates are obviously lower: 25-30% cheaper, on average. The same applies if you agree to stay away from the beaches in seaside resorts.

For food lovers

Breakfast buffetsin large hotels often combine Western breakfasts (American, English, cereals, eggs, pastries...) with Thai breakfasts, often exclusively savory (rice soup, curry...).

Smaller establishments frequented mainly by locals often offer only Thai breakfast.

Smokers

Smoking is strictly prohibited in public places. You must be at least 5 metres away to smoke. Beware: the fine is very high, and Thais hate being bothered by cigarette smoke. However, smoking areas are often set up at hotel entrances. In practice, some hotels allow you to smoke on the balcony or roof of their establishment (these are often beachfront establishments). Electronic cigarettes (or vaporizers) are illegal in the country.