Charoen Hotel

The hotel felt strangely abandoned despite being busy, and its big common spaces weren’t especially welcoming. Our room was beside the elevator, which made it a bit noisy. A large window got strong sun, but the blackout curtains helped keep the room cool. It sits on a busy main road, so traffic noise made the pool area less pleasant. For the price, though, the stay was fair.

Shopping and bars are within walking distance, and the pool seemed okay. But this old, neglected Thai hotel wasn’t worth the nightly rate. The hallway carpet was dirty and musty, and the typical Thai breakfast was just okay. The woman making omelets had an attitude. Mosquitoes got throughout the hotel because exterior doors and windows were left open.

It seemed like the hotel hosts plenty of events and functions, and the place looked dated. The room was clean, but the sheets were thin and the bed very stiff. Still, good value.

There aren’t shops or convenience stores nearby, which can be inconvenient, but a short walk gets you to a local shopping street and the bus terminal. The property is spacious and very quiet inside, so a walk out from the hotel is pleasant. It has an older resort feel, and while the building looks dated, the facilities worked well. The basics were all there, so staying without meals was no problem. My room faced the main road, yet the noise didn’t bother me. Breakfast was a buffet. I especially liked the freshly cooked fried eggs, and there were lots of breads and Western dishes for a break from Thai food. The pool was decent and fun, though not somewhere I’d spend hours. The adult pool was surprisingly deep and had a diving board, plus there’s a separate kids’ pool. There weren’t many lounge chairs. It’s a good choice for a quiet, spacious stay with a resort feel.