Places to stay in Thailand?

Question

Is it difficult finding a hotel in cities in Thailand, such as Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, and Changmai, upon arrival? Or should i book in advance?

Answer 1

No it is very easy to find hotels in all the places you listed. I never go there expecting to find something. You can take a look at where the hotels are in relation to what you want to do while you are there. There is a difference between rack rate and group discount rate. I use www.asiarooms.com to book my rooms and with the exchange rate changing lately it is nice to lock in a rate that is acceptable to you. Asiarooms also has reviews of the hotels and their location in relation to the sights in each city, which is quite helpful. Though most front desk people speak some english, it minimizes dealing with the front desk if you book in advance. There are many other reservations sites, www.res24.com, their rates are okay. Orbitz and Expedia are not good for asia bookings of rooms.

Another helpful site is www.thaiwebsites.com which has many travel links for all the cities you listed. For Bangkok, I like to refer to www.bangkok.com. For Pattaya, www.a2zpattaya.com is great.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Its fairly easy to find hotels but if you don't know your way around I would book early. Some hotels I've stayed at
Pattaya Sunshine and the Sunbeam Hotel($$). Bangkok D'ma($$), Fortune($$$), JW Marriot ($$$$). Chang Mai Imperial Mae Ping($$) (Very nice). They all tend to charge more for walk-ins but they were all nice.

There are some very inexpensive hotels but you never know what you'll get so I tend to stay in pricer places. And as the guy above says they sometime decieve. The picture may be of the hotel 20 years ago and when you finally get there its pretty shabby. And stay away from Thai travel agencies and people who tell you they work for the TAT (Travel Agency of Thailand) in Bangkok cause once you book they won't refund. But I have had positive experience in Chaing Mai with travel agency. If you give more information I can give you a better answer (like what your budget is).

Answer 3

I book in advance as I think the price is a little less. A lot depends on the season you go. Place I stay at in Pattaya is full around Christmas and the girls at the reception desk (who are friendly, helpfull) won't even attempt to help find a place because the whole city is full then. One guy last year actually spent a day/night at the garden/pool because he'd walked all over Pattaya looking for a place, couldn't find one but the hotel had a room coming available in 24-30 hours.

Answer 4

Thailand gets a lot of tourists everyday, so what I suggest is that:

1) You book your hotel in advance to avoid disappointment(before you visit Thailand) and save on internet rates.

2) When you got into Thailand, you can do some surveys for yourself, check if you like the hotel you booked. If you don't, then go look for others. You have all the rights to cancel your booking (but make sure you do because others might be waitng for an empty room)

3) or you can check in for the first night at the hotel you booked, then change to others that you like.

Choices are in our hands.

Answer 5

I suggest you book in advance, some hotels offer cheaper internet rates. Some hotels offer a different price for walk-in guest. And for me, that would be very tiring, since you are not sure where to go. If you really have an idea of where to stay and don't want to book in advance. At least call the hotel a day before and ask if there is vacancy, they will gladly tell you their status.

Watch out also if it is the peak season, like summer, holidays and other important events. In this case, really book in advance.

Go directly to the hotel's website and or search for good deals in other sites.

Answer 6

It is very easy to find a hotel upon arrival except for during peak seasons (Thai new year and Western Xmas/New Year).

My experience is that walk-in offers better rates than found on internet, but that could be because I don't stay at fancy hotels with plenty of stars. I prefer small family-owned places where the service generally is more personal and caring.

Answer 7

I would get a lonely planet book on Thailand lots of great ideas in there, at airports and around town you find these little travel agents most speak English and are very helpful.some pictures of places can be a little deceiving so be careful. I spent a month there just travailing around no real plans and had a great time. And i never booked in advance, but depending on what time or year it is that might not be a bad idea.

Answer 8

Other than between Oct to Jan, local holidays, weekends, you should be able to get a hotel in any city in Thailand purely be walking in.

Answer 9

In Bangkok, try Twin Tower! In Chiang Mai try Chiang Mai Orchid! Yes! You should book in advance!

Answer 10

Bangkok is Om Yim Lodge--www.omyimgroup.com
Pattaya try Tui's place on Jomtien beach area. Right on the beach in fact.