Hip Box 26 Boutique Resort

I like the container-style rooms and the way they've laid out the resort. There's a small pool, and they sell snacks and drinks there too. Some people say the rooms are small, and sure, they are, because they're made from containers.

Easy enough to check in, and the staff were reasonably friendly. The shower had excellent water pressure, though I'm not sure how long that will last since the owner apparently doesn't know gypsum needs to be tiled or water will ruin it. The room was very small, and the bed was uncomfortable. The Wi-Fi was terrible, basically nonexistent. It may be cheap, but there were similar places nearby that looked like they offered much more for the same price. I wouldn't recommend it.

I've stayed here while passing through for work for the last two years, and for the price it's amazing. The room gets a 7/10 from me: air conditioning, a TV with only Thai channels, a shower, and an okay bed. There's a small gym, snacks, free bikes, and you can book most of your travel there. It's walking distance to 7-Eleven and Family Mart, plus a milk shop on the corner with cakes and flavoured milk. A tuk tuk bus runs along the road to the malls and downtown. It's near both the airport and bus station, which is a plus if you have a flight the next day. They can also arrange a taxi to the airport at an okay price. Reception staff don't speak much English. I speak Thai and used to help people when I passed by reception. Even with the language limits, the staff are kind, friendly, and safe, and they'll do their best to help if you're nice in return. Being patient goes a long way, and you'll get what you need, sometimes more. Some rooms can be a little mouldy from the rain, but not dirty, just damp. The gym doesn't have air conditioning, only a fan. That's about it. I could stay anywhere in Suratthani, but I keep choosing this place. Sometimes I also stay at Sabaidee hotel, which is very good but a little more expensive.

We were excited to use the pool on a hot day, but it was so murky and gross, and the filter wasn't running, that we had to give it a miss. I've stayed in other great container hotels for similar money, but this one didn't get it right. The inside work looked scruffy, and maintenance and repairs seemed shoddy.