General comments about accommodation in Hat Yai and other Hat Yai, Thailand Hotel/Accommodation Reviews

Hat Yai has an abundance of accommodation because of frequent visitors from across the border. Options range from typical, cheap backpacker-type hostels all the way up to quite luxurious 5 star hotels. The ease of finding somewhere to stay (and how much you pay for a room) depends entirely on when you arrive. At weekends thousands of Chinese from Malaysia (and some from Singapore) roll into town. Consequently, finding a reasonably priced room on a Friday or Saturday night can be quite an ordeal but if you arrive on a Monday or Tuesday it will generally be easy. In addition to weekends, you need to be aware of holidays. It doesn't seem to matter what the holiday is for. Regardless whether it is a Christian, Muslim, Indian, Chinese or Thai celebration, the Chinese still arrive in town. I have been in Hat Yai during Chinese New Year and Hari Raya (a Muslim holiday to ceebrate the end of Ramadan) and the whole town goes crazy. This affects prices too. Room rates can go up by as much as 60% at busy times as the laws of supply and demand come into effect.

All hotels offer walk-in rates but it is sometimes cheaper to book via a local travel agent who will be able to give you a better rate. In some cases the travel agent may only be a few yards from the hotel so you pay them and then walk into the hotel with a voucher instead of paying the hotel directly.

I was interested to see how accurate Lonely Planet were in their assessment of Hat Yai accommodation so, in a bored moment, checked out some of their recommendations. In my travels to South-East Asia I have seen so many backpacker types who religiously follow their guidebooks as if anything not mentioned there cannot possibly be trusted. Of course, this is not true. The authors need to have some listings but the places they include are not always the best and staying somewhere where every other backpacker is headed for is not my idea of fun. Also, the information they give goes out of date quickly.

Unique Qualities: The one piece of information I am not going to provide is where I stay. I have found a great place that is modern, comfortable, convenient, friendly and very cheap. It is possible that I will want to return to Hat Yai. Creating tips here in VT not only makes the tips available to VT members but to the whole world and I don't want to come back here to find it fully booked. A selfish attitude? Yes, totally. Do I care? Absolutely not.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Other

This hotel is typical of many mid-range hotels I have stayed at in Thailand.
The reality is never quite as good as the descriptions in brochures and web sites. Smokers have got a lot to answer for as the rooms are generally in a bad state because of them. I hate that smell of stale smoke and the cigarette burns on furniture, carpets and sheets.
Anyway, this particular hotel wasn't too bad and is in a good, central location. I booked through a travel agent just around the corner (Konsortium) who were able to give me a better rate than had I just walked in. I paid 650 baht a night.
Some hotels never seem to have enough hot water or the hot water is only tepid. Not so this one. You have to be careful not to scald yourself as it is so hot.

Update Nov. 2003 - the Grand Plaza appears to have had a bit of a makeover. New carpets in the corridors and rooms, new curtains, upholstery and bedspreads. There is still mould on the bathroom ceiling but generally the rooms look a lot better!! The room rate has not changed since my last visit.

Unique Qualities: Good location and not too expensive. Fairly quiet.

Leave a Comment

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$20  » Currency Converter
Address: 24/1 Sanehanusorn Rd., Hat Yai
Directions: Near Lee Garden Plaza
Website: www.hotelthailand.com/hatyai/special/grandplaza

This is the travel agent I have used for hotel and travel arrangements. They can give you a better deal on hotels than by going directly to the hotel.


Leave a Comment

Theme: Other

Lonely Planet says that the Singapore Hotel is friendly and 'security-conscious'. Admittedly, the staff appear to be quite friendy. As far as 'security-conscious' is concerned, it doesn't seem to be any better or any worse in this respect than most other places. Lonely Planet's price guide is a bit out of date. Rooms with air-conditioning and hot water cost 450 Baht. Rooms with neither of these facilities cost 380 Baht.


Leave a Comment

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$20  » Currency Converter
Phone: +66 (0)74 237478, 244535
Address: 62-66 Supasamrangsan Road

LP's guide price of 370 Baht for A/C rooms and 220 Baht for rooms without A/C is out of date. Rooms with A/C, hot water and TV cost 450 Baht, with a fan and TV 320 Baht, or with no A/C, no hot water or TV 270 Baht. Their assessment that the hotel is in a relatively quiet part of town is correct.


Leave a Comment

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$20  » Currency Converter
Phone: +66 (0)74 231024, 353441-3
Address: 114/1 Thanon Saeng Chan

Very Chinese and the kind of place I'd probably take one look at before heading the other way. Lonely Planet say that decent rooms with A/C, hot water and TV are available for 480 Baht. I was quoted 590 Baht but wouldn't stay here anyway.


Leave a Comment

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$20  » Currency Converter
Phone: +66 (0)74 245886, 243916, 232468
Address: 94 Thammanoonvithi Road
Other Contact: Fax: +66 (0)74 238110

This is a very nice hotel and, being high above the streets, is isolated from the noise below. It's not cheap though, relatively speaking.

Published rates are:

Superior - 3,200 (Twin 3,400)
Deluxe - 4,500 (Twin 4,900)
Deluxe Suite - 5,500
Executive Suite - 7,000
Royal Suite - 15,000

I was quoted 3,000 Baht on the day I asked (which happened to be a Saturday) and 2,500 Baht for other days.


Leave a Comment

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$40-80  » Currency Converter
Phone: +66 (0)74 352 222
Address: 3 Sanehanusorn Road, Hat Yai 90110
Website: www.centralhotelsresorts.com
Other Contact: Email: ncs@chr.co.th

Another upmarket hotel in Hat Yai that is very nice if your budget can allow it. The Lonely Planet guide prices are actually pretty close. Rooms in the new building go for 1398 Baht and in the old building are 898 Baht.


Leave a Comment

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$20-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: +66 (0)74 353 333
Address: 23 Prachathipat Road, Hat Yai 90110
Directions: Opposite Lee Gardens Plaza
Website: www.regency-hatyai.com
Other Contact: reservation@regency-hatyai.com

A large hotel above a busy shopping complex. Waiting for lifts to get up and down can take a while. Like other high-rise hotels the rooms escape the noise at street level and the views are quite good of ever-so-scenic Hat Yai.

I was given the following room rates:

Superior (Double/Twin) - 1,149 Baht
Junior Suite - 1,390 Baht
Superior Suite - 2,290


Leave a Comment

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$20-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: +66 (0)74 261 111
Address: Lee Gardens Plaza
Website: www.leeplaza.com
Other Contact: reservation@leeplaza.com

One of those Chinese hotels that gave me a bad feeling immediately. Lonely Planet say the hotel offers comfortable rooms with a amenities for 500 - 1400 Baht. All I was offered were rooms for 400 Baht with no A/C, hot water or TV. Perhaps this is all they had available at the time? The hotel is on a very busy road so is guaranteed to be noisy around the clock.


Leave a Comment

Theme: Hotel
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$20  » Currency Converter
Phone: +66 (0)74 351500, 231022, 244744
Address: 42-44 Niphat Uthit 3 Road