The Paragon Inn, Bang Na/Suvarnabhumi Airport

The Paragon Inn, Bang Na/Suvarnabhumi Airport

This family owned and run hotel is near Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport, just a 10 minute ride away. Having just stayed at the Silver Gold Garden hotel near the Paragon Inn, the Inn is slightly more upscale but still in a very price friendly range.

The hotel provides 25 spacious rooms and the hotel is surrounded by beautiful nature and decorated in a contemporary style.

It's traditional Thai style offers a clean, cozy atmosphere for you to admire and enjoy. The on-site swimming pool in a garden setting makes the Paragon Inn different from any other airport area hotel experience and adds just that little bit extra. Be aware that their may be an extra charge for using the pool though but on the other hand, it may be possible to upgrade the room for just a very small amount, pending on availability. Free wifi is available throughout the hotel.

It is also conveniently located near the Paseo Shopping Complex with a night market and restaurants and room service continues until 2am.

The Paragon Inn only offers one way transfers, from the hotel to the airport and they come at a marginal extra charge.

A very nice option in case you need a stop over between flights.

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Deluxe room

Lobby

Exterior

Breakfast area

Swimming pool

Silver Gold Garden Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel, Bang Na/Suvarnabhumi Airport

Silver Gold Garden Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel, Bang Na/Suvarnabhumi Airport

This is a very convenient located hotel within 10 to 15 minutes from Suvarnabhumi Airport and it offers a free round trip transfer to/from the airport and it's very affordable. What else can you ask for.

I will use it tonight for a late arrival from Samui and an early departure from the airport, just perfect for my purpose this 4 story property with 67 rooms and suites.

The transfers from the hotel to the airport are every hour on the half hour and upon arriving at the airport, you may have to wait a bit before the transfer takes off. All in all worthwhile considering it's included in the rate.

There's a 24 hours Tesco Lotus branch opposite the hotel at the right hand side and a 7-11 at the left hand side as well as a night market and the hotel itself offers babysitting, business center, family room, hotel/airport transfer, laundry service/dry cleaning, meeting facilities , restaurant, room service, safety deposit boxes and WiFi (at a small surcharge). The hotel also has ample parking space available. Sounds about ideal to me!

The room amenities are also well taken care of; air conditioning, balcony/terrace, bathrobes, complimentary bottled water, desk, hair dryer, mini bar, non smoking rooms, satellite/cable TV, shower, television, television LCD/plasma screen and there's a small massage parlor attached to the hotel.

Can't beat this in my humble opinion for this price. An absolute winner at low cost! The rooms are small but do the job for a night and the reception staff was very efficient during my stay. I got a room at the ground floor, which was very convenient, be aware that the hotel does not have an elevator, getting to the room will be easy with staff help but getting out of a room might be more tricky unless you get staff involved. Biggest downside in mu opinion is the lack of free internet, similar hotels in the are do include this at similar rates. Until they change this policy they won't get my business anymore.

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Superior double bedroom

Superior twin bedroom

Superior suite room

24 hour free round trip airport transfer

Exterior

JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa, Khuk Kak Beach

JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa, Khuk Kak Beach

This Marriott resort has a dream location, along the white, almost untouched beaches of Khao Lak. The resort offers all the 5 star amenities one can and should expect for very reasonable prices. Special offers are on a regular base available.

The nearby Similan Islands undoubtedly provide the best dive sites in Thailand, while the three national parks (Khao Lak Lam Ru, Khao Sok, Sri Phang Nga) are perfect for treks-on foot and on elephants, rafting and canoeing. The nearby Takuapa Old Town has several Sino-Portuguese designed buildings. The resort also organizes games, and non-motorized sports such as kayaking are on offer. Additionally there are mountain bikes available to explore the nearby villages.

The resort is slightly away from all activities, a good 10km, transportation may come in handy.

Free high-speed Internet access, business center, early check-in/ late check out lounge, kids club and last but not least; the longest swimming pool in southeast Asia.

Luxury at a 5 star level for affordable rates, enjoy as long as it lasts before Khao Lak will be discovered by 'the masses' and special offers will be no longer available.

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One bed room studio

Bathroom

Exterior

Beach

Sunset

Baan Lanta, Baan Kan Tiang Bay, Koh Lanta

Baan Lanta, Baan Kan Tiang Bay, Koh Lanta

This nice and small Resort and Spa is tucked away on Baan Kan Tiangs Beach, still one of Koh Lanta's best kept secrets. The first time I drove to Baan Kan Tiang, I thought I left the point of no return on the road a few times already and when you don't expect anything at all to show up anymore, all of a sudden, there's this little village in a valley as if it just walked out of a book! Later I found out that this still isn't the end of the world and the road actually continues for a little bit.

In this nice little valley is exactly where the Baan Lanta is located. Small, nice and very relaxed. With only 15 rooms, no need to be afraid that it will be overcrowded!

The view over the bay is astonishing and romantic at the same time and the restaurant at Baan Lanta has some tasty meals waiting for you.

The nice thing about the location is that although it's far away from everything else on the island, the valley has a few nice other things to offer, a 7-11 (very convenient!), some more restaurants and everything you may need to cover first things at hand. At night the 'why not' is not to be missed with their own band!

Scubafish is running a tight ship at the resort for all your diving necessities and their boats leave from the bay in season, how convenient does this get?

Time for a break, looking for a nice secluded bay in mid range prices, Baan Lanta may well be your choice.

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Deluxe Pool Villa

Deluxe Pool Villa

Bay front Villa

Swimming pool

View from the beach

Rawi Warin Resort & Spa Koh Lanta

Rawi Warin Resort & Spa Koh Lanta

Tucked into the foothills of the Koh Lanta Yai and overlooking the crystal waters of Klong Tob Bay in the Southern part of the island.

If you are looking for a quiet, battery charging holiday, this may be exactly your place but if you are interested in an action packed getaway, this is not for you.

The hotel boosts an excellent children care room and boasts an fantastic home movie theater, which you need to book in advance but you can watch your own movies in it, in a mini movie theater setting.

Outside of the premises is Aunty Mae's bakery which has 50% off on all cakes between 7 and 8pm.

The resort features its own pier for guests arriving from Krabi town which has a newly renovated airport. It is also possible to arrange exclusive dining whereby specially created menus can be prepared in the privacy of one of the villas. There's also a personal butler and staff on hand.

With over 10,000 trees and flowers planted in the landscaped gardens, you are likely to spend much time foraging through the resort grounds itself.

The Rawi Warin has 180 guest rooms and villas and especially in off season the rates are very attractive.

Be pampered in luxury for reasonable prices off season and enjoy the great weather during high season and get well rested in this luxury resort.

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Pond two Queen bed room

Sunset pool Villa - Living Room

Landscape

Movie House

Swimming pool at night time

Holiday Inn Resort, Koh Phi Phi

Holiday Inn Resort, Koh Phi Phi

It's been a while since I've been to Koh Phi Phi, almost 12 years ago, late 1998, when the movie 'The Beach' was being filmed there, around the corner in Mango Bay and I was doing my PADI Divemaster course on Koh Phi Phi.

A lot has happened ever since, including the 2004 Tsunami that had an impact on Phi Phi.

One of my friends stayed at the Holiday Inn and really enjoyed it. There are 77 bungalows available, including garden, superior, family and beach bungalows on 20 acres of land. Interestingly, the rooms come without TV sets!

If you arrive at Phi Phi's Tonsai Bay, pretty much the only way to get to the resort is by a long tail boat transfer, since the resort is located at the Laem Tong Beach, about 9km away from Tonsai Bay.

Due to its location on the secluded Laem Tong beach, it's a very quiet and idyllic stay, far away from the hustle and bustle of Tonsai. It's rather pricey but very pleasant to stay here.

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Bungalow room

Bungalow exterior

Swimming pool

Pool

Beach

Narima, Baan Kan Tiang Bay, Koh Lanta

Narima, Baan Kan Tiang Bay, Koh Lanta

This lovely resort is located in the 'deep' South of Koh Lanta, far away from the 'hustle and bustle' of Saladan, the main town on the Northern shores of the Koh Lanta.

With natural beauty engulfing its modern composition, the Narima is sure to dazzle nature-lovers and casual travelers alike.

Located near the National Marine Park on the unspoilt south coast of the magnificent island of Koh Lanta, the hotel sits close to sandy beaches, crystal clear water and an amazing underwater world. My next IDC that I will teach, starting 27th October on Koh Lanta will be conducted in this resort!

All bungalows come with a spectacular ocean view are luxuriously appointed and decorated elegantly with dark wood furnishings, stylish fixtures, muted color schemes, and authentic artwork. The restaurants overlooking the beach include a wide range of traditional and international cuisines. Priding itself as a green hotel, The Narima preserved as many of the original trees and plants as possible. The bungalows are built around existing trees and only felled when absolutely necessary.

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Bungalow exterior

Bungalow exterior view

Lounge area

Swimming pool

Sunset in the South of Lanta

Rasananda Resort, Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach, Koh Phangan

Rasananda Resort, Thong Nai Pan Noi Beach, Koh Phangan

You want luxury and a perfect location in Koh Phangan, Rasananda is the place for you!

While well known around the globe for its world famous festivities, Koh Phangan actually has isolated hideaways which bring the gift of tranquility to discerning travelers. Rasananda is an oasis of 44 villas and suites sprawled over 200 meters of sea-view frontage along the pristine white sands of Tong Nai Pan Noi beach, northeast of Phangan island, just 30 minutes away by private speedboat from Samui.

Each of the 44 villas and suites has a private pool and all rooms are well decorated using many locally found materials and include modern amenities like satellite (Apple) LCD TV, home theater, high speed internet access and mini bar. Other hotel facilities for recreation and relaxation include a 'water garden' with bubble-beds, Jacuzzi, sundeck, a fantastic massage service and a yoga studio. The onsite restaurant serves delicious cuisines from around the world as well as reasonably priced fresh seafood.

If you want to get pampered and have the budget to do so, Rasananda is the place to be on Koh Phangan.

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Thai Villa with pool

Garden Suite with Pool

Ocean Front Garden Suite

Ocean Front Pool Villa

Beach View

Hat Yai Golden Crown Hotel, Hat Yai

Hat Yai Golden Crown Hotel, Hat Yai

Memories come back of making visa runs and trips and they always included a nights lay over in Hat Yai.

Nowadays the visa runs are done within a day from Samui, leaving at silly o'clock in the morning and arriving late in the evening back on the island. Not my style at all. I preferred to take the local bus to Hat Yai, from there take a mini bus to the border and than back to Hat Yai or Song Kla with a taxi. Piece of cake and you had a night rest in Hat Yai. This was in the days when there were no shopping malls on Koh Samui! Hat Yai was a nice break.

Had Yai is also known as one of the few cities besides Phuket where the Vegetarian festival is celebrated. A very interesting experience indeed.

My visa run days were way before I started my blogs so unfortunately not too many posts about those trips but nonetheless, let's get back the matter at hand and that's a hotel in Had Yai.

The Had Yai Golden Crown is a typical hotel for the city, cheap, conveniently located near the city and it's shopping. Nothing more, nothing less. For under a 1.000,-THB you get a room, what else do you need just for the night?

Enjoy Had Yai and I still dream of a Chinese restaurant near the rail way station, it was that good!

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Standard Room

Guest room

Guest room

Entrance

Pimalai Resort & Spa, Koh Lanta

Pimalai Resort & Spa, Koh Lanta

This luxurious resort is nestled in a tropical forest facing a pristine white sand beach which is one of Koh Lanta’s finest. Pimalai (a member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World) is set on 100 acres of lush greenery and directly on a stretch of unspoiled beach.

This exclusive beach resort combines all the right ingredients - subtle five star comforts, natural beauty, environmental friendliness and lots of space.

There are 121 accommodation units to choose from, 3 restaurants, 2 swimming pools and a fantastic beach to top it all off. It's located in the Southern part of Koh Lanta at Ba Kan Biang Bay and beach. A small village is within a 10 minute walk and gives some alternatives in case you get bored of the excellent food in the hotel!

If you want a quiet beach, luxury and great food and accommodation, without a doubt this must be your call on Koh Lanta. Room rates aren't cheap but worth every Baht!

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Deluxe room

Pavilion suite living room

Beach Villa 2 bed rooms, living room area

Bay front deluxe room

The Horizon Swimming pool

Centara Duangtawan, Chiang Mai

Centara Duangtawan, Chiang Mai

My sister stayed in the Centara Duangtawan in Chiang Mai for a couple of days in July 2010 and they really liked the hotel.

The Centara Duangtawan is located directly near the old town of Chiang Mai, as centrally located as you can think of and the hotel is just moments away from the stellar Night Bazaar and it's world famous shopping area.

The breakfast is up to Centara standards and they have a pool on one of the lower floors although i personally almost never use a pool when I'm in a hotel in the city.

The prices for this hotel are also stunning and are a real steal.

If I end up in Chiang Mai, I know which hotel will be very high on my priority list!

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Hotel exterior

Deluxe room

One bedroom suite

Family suite

Swimming pool