The Centrino Serviced Residence, Surat Thani

There are more and more new hotels surfacing in the provincial cities and Surat Thani is no exception. The Centrino is centrally located and is mostly used by travelers on transit to or from the islands (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Koh Tao).
We use it a lot when we need to be in the Surat Thani town, it's easy, cheap and convenient for us.
There is no elevator, so a room on the top floor may be slightly inconvenient when checking and/or out.

Then hotel has a car park and the internet in the rooms is fast! A basic, simple and straightforward hotel with nice and big enough rooms at a very reasonable price!

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Booking by HOTELS COMBINED

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Entrance

Sensi Paradise Beach Resort, Koh Tao

During my first visit to Koh Tao, I stayed at this resort, but we're talking 1997 or such and a few things have change! Back during my visiting days, it was not the luxury resort it is nowadays!

The location is still the same, about a 5 minute walk from Mae Haad, where the ferries arrive, on a hill overlooking the bay into Mae Haad, with some spectacular views.

There are family houses, romantic suites and beach bungalows catering to all kinds of guests and there's a big pool now.

There are a few big and spectacular boulders lining the small beach in front of the resort. Keep in mind that the resort is build upon a hill, so some walking to the rooms may be involved.

A quiet location but within walking distance to the shops, bars and restaurants of Mae Haad. A nice and relaxed location.

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Booking by Hotels Combined

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Swimming pool

View from the restaurant

The Color Hotel, Hat Yai

This brand new hotel has just opened in June/July 2012. The rooms are spacious but if you travel with children older than 3 extra charges occur, in contrast to most Thai hotels. 

Fast wifi in the rooms is a plus but the rooms are noisy and not well insulated for noise and there's no breakfast available. That in itself is no big problem, since in Thailand food can be had almost everywhere. The hotel is located within  5 minute walk to the central part of Hat Yai, if you come by car, there's a parking garage under the hotel.

The rooms are fairly priced and considering that the hotel is so new, it may well be a good choice for your stay.

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Booking by HOTELS COMBINED

Double room

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Reception

Lobby

Exterior

Dusit Thani Laguna Hotel, Thalang, Phuket

Although I never stayed at the hotel, it's part of the grounds that host the Phuket Laguna International Marathon, in which I participated in the half marathon events in 2011 (my first half marathon ever) and 2012 and am planning to run for 3rd consecutive year come 9th June 2013.

The location is fantastic, near the beach, nicely isolated so a quiet time is guaranteed and the hustle and bustle of Patong, Katha or Karon is just half an hour away by car and the airport is just a 15 minute ride away. At the entrance to the resort there are local eateries as well, within walking distance so you an enjoy and partake in the local cuisine easily, in case you get bored with the hotel food.

The hotel boasts 254 rooms, which come in a great variety, so plenty of options are available and they all come with the modern dy amenities like wifi, private balconies and special orthopedic beds to ensure a good night's sleep. A great spa, swimming pool and a beautiful beach are at your disposal as well.

A good place to spend your holiday, not only for running!

Agoda  

Hotels Combined 

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Khao Luang Resort, Lan Saka, Nakhon Si Thammarat

Within two weekends of each other we found ourselves back in Lan Saka, in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, for different running events. This time we decided to use a different resort, which was recommended to us at our first visit, but it was fully occupied at that occasion. 

The Khao Luang Resort is conveniently located opposite the road that leads to the Khao Lung National park in Khao Kaeo, well worth a visit.

The resort boats just a handful of bungalow and a couple of rooms for larger parties with multiple beds.

Our bungalow was made of wood and looked really worn out, although there was a tv, a/c and hot water in the shower. Overall we thought the better rooms was had at our previous choice but the owner made up for a lot, She really went out of her way to accommodate us, she got me wifi card for the room and in general she was very friendly.

The resort also has a kind of river playground at the river side with a cable construction to get to the other side of the river or drop in midway plus inner tubes and kayaks for rent. 

The surrounding area is stunningly beautiful with mountain views and small rivers running all over the place.

If you like nature, this is a nice and off the beaten track destination!

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Entrance to the resort

Bungalow with parking space below

Side view of bungalow

Road inside the resort

The river running next to the resort, with inner tubes and kayaks for rent

Loy Chalet Resort, Lan Saka, Nakhon Si Thammarat

Two times in a short time we visited Lan Saka, a small sleepy village near the mountains in the province of Nakhon Si Thammarat. We stayed at two different resorts and this was our favorite one. The rooms are the nicest in this place although the staff was rather uninterested, in contrast to the other location, where the owner was very nice and accommodating.

The resort is about 5km outside of Lan Saka on your right hand side, going East. The resort is rather small and build on a hill surrounded by green and trees, really beautiful. The rooms are spacious and clean although no fridge nor wifi inside the room.

Nearby are plenty of things to do and see, a visit to the Karom waterfall in the Khao Luang National Park or a visit to Wat That Noi, only 20km to the East.

Very nice nature and a very relaxing part of Thailand. Enjoy it!

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Klong Nin Beach Resort, Koh Lanta

During the January 2013 PADI IDC on Koh Lanta, we used the pool of this resort and I was pleasantly surprised about the nice environment of this resort. Located  in a nice and quiet part of the island, tucked away behind the road between the beach and he resort, it's a haven of tranquility.

The beach is just 20 meters away in case you feel like a nice white sandy environment. The resort is cosy by itself, lush green between the paths and bungalows make for a relaxed and green setting.

A nice big, clean and clear pool waits for you and all rooms have a/c, wifi and are spacious. An excellent value for money is to be had.

Get away from the hustle and look for some down time in a relaxed environment, Klong Nin Beach Resort may for that bill.

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Booking by Hotels Combined

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Pool