Guesthouses and bungalows make up the majority of Thailand’s low-cost lodging. These are small, budget-friendly hotels with amenities such as a cheap restaurant and secure storage for valuables and left luggage, as well as internet access (often even in-room wi-fi) and a tour desk. The main difference between guesthouses and bungalows is their design, with “bungalows” – which are mostly found on the beach and in rural areas – typically consisting of detached or semi-detached rooms in huts, villas, chalets, or even bungalows, and “guesthouses” being either a purpose-built mini-hotel or a converted home. Both have en-suite showers and flush toilets, although the lowest accommodations may have you showering in a bowl dipped in a huge water jar and using squat toilets. Many guesthouses and bungalows offer a range of options to suit all budgets: the cheapest rooms are often furnished with nothing more than a double bed, a blanket, and a fan (window optional, private bathroom extra), and can cost anywhere between baht 150 and baht 300 for two people, depending on the location and competition. A similar room with an en-suite bathroom and maybe more stylish furnishings costs around 200–600 baht, while a room with air conditioning, probably a TV, and a fridge costs around 350–1500 baht. Air conditioning is more or less unnecessary in the north of Thailand during the chilly season, but you should make sure your hotel has a hot shower. The best-known guesthouses in the most famous tourist destinations are frequently filled night after night during the busiest seasons of the year. Some accept reservations and payment in advance through their websites, but for those that don’t, it’s mainly a case of showing up and hoping for a vacancy. Most guesthouses have an 11 a.m. or noon check-out time.
In general, avoid getting housing recommendations from a tout or tuk-tuk driver because they demand commission from guesthouse owners, which, if not passed straight on to you via a higher room charge, can put smaller guesthouses out of business. It’s always worth calling to double-check if a tout claims your intended lodging is “full,” “no good,” or “burned down.” On islands like Koh Lanta, where it can be a long and expensive ride to your desired beach, and annoying if your bungalow is filled, touts can come in handy; island touts are usually sweet-natured. On the boat, they’ll talk to you and then take you for free to see their accommodations, ideally with no strings attached.
It’s not worth becoming a Hostelling International member just for your trip to Thailand, especially since cardholders get only a small discount and room rates are the same as or more expensive than guesthouse equivalents. With only a dozen or so registered youth hostels in the country, it’s not worth becoming a member just for your trip to Thailand. In addition, notably in Bangkok, there is a small but rising number of stylish, modern, non-affiliated hostels. They’re usually pricier than cheap guesthouses, but they’re great locations to meet other travellers.
Hotels On A Budget
Thai sales reps and other business travellers rarely stay in guesthouses, preferring instead to stay in inexpensive hotels with rooms ranging from 150 baht to 600 baht. These practical three- or four-story places, usually run by Chinese-Thais, may be found in any large town, often near the bus station or major market. Because the beds are big enough for two people, it’s perfectly legal for two people to request and pay for a single room. Though the rooms are usually clean, en suite, and equipped with either a fan or air conditioning, there is rarely an on-site restaurant, and the ambience is less convivial than at guesthouses. A handful of budget hotels also serve as brothels; however, as a farang (foreigner), you are unlikely to be given this service, and you may not even be aware of the activities. Reservations can be made over the phone, however, this is rarely necessary because hotels are rarely fully booked. The only time you could have trouble obtaining a cheap hotel room is during Chinese New Year when many Chinese-owned hotels close and others fill up quickly.
Hotels For Tourists
The rest of the picture is made up of tourist hotels, which, like anyplace else in the globe, come in a variety of sizes and qualities and are typically best booked through online cheap lodging booking sites. In any case, making reservations ahead of time in famous tourist sites during peak season is a good idea. The rates for middle-tier hotels range from 600 baht to 2000 baht. You can expect many of the amenities of a high-end hotel – air conditioning, a TV, and a minibar in the room, as well as an on-site pool, restaurant, and possibly nightclub – but with dated and possibly faded furnishings and little of the style of the famous big names; they’re often the kind of places that used to be at the top of the range, but were outclassed when multinational luxury hotels stepped in. Many of Thailand’s high-end hotels are owned by international hotel chains: Sheraton, Marriott, and Sofitel all have a significant presence in the country, and are closely followed by posh Thai brands like Amari, Dusit, and Centara. They maintain luxury standards in Bangkok and other resorts at prices ranging from baht 3000 and higher for a double — a fraction of what you’d pay in the West. Thailand is also home to an expanding number of delectably stylish luxury hotels, many of which are intended as intimate, small-scale boutique hotels with trendy, minimalist décor, superb service, and outstanding facilities, which frequently include private plunge pools and spas. A night in one of these places will rarely cost less than 6000 baht, and may cost more than twice that; however, they are often excellent value for the honeymoon-style indulgence they provide; see our accommodation listings for Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui, Khao Lak, and Phuket for some ideas. However, as in the West, the term “boutique” is overused, and a “boutique” guesthouse or hotel may be little more than small in practice. Although you can always pay in baht, some premium hotels quote rates in USD.
Homestays
Many travellers seeking old-style local hospitality are opting for homestay accommodation as guesthouses have become increasingly hotel-like and commercial in their facilities and approach. Homestays are almost always basic and inexpensive, costing roughly 150 baht per person each night, with guests sharing a spare room and eating with the family. Homestays provide an unprecedented glimpse into traditional Thai (typically rural) living and are frequently included in programmes that include village activities such as rice cultivation, squid fishing, rubber tapping, or silk weaving. They’re also a good way to assist tiny towns because all of your money goes back into the area. There are many more homestays available through tour operators in Amphawa, Doi Inthanon, Mae Sariang, Mae Hong Son, Chiang Rai, Ban Prasat, Mukdahan, Ban Khiriwong, Khuraburi, and Krabi, in addition to those listed.
Thailand’s Bathroom Etiquette
Although contemporary, Western-style bathrooms can be found all around Thailand, it’s still a good idea to be aware of local bathroom etiquette. Although sit-down toilets are the majority, squat toilets are common in public restrooms, particularly at bus and train stations, as well as in certain households and old-style guesthouses and hotels. Thais traditionally do not use paper and instead wash rather than wipe after using the restroom. Modern restrooms have a dedicated hose (known as the Bum Gun) for this function, but older bathrooms only have a bucket of water and a dipper. Thais always wash with their left hand and eat with their right hand. Because Thai plumbing is famously slow, it’s customary to throw toilet paper in the garbage basket rather than down the U-bend. If a toilet isn’t plumbed in, you’ll have to flush it with a bucket of water. You may also use the bucket and dipper for scoop-and-slosh bathing in truly primitive hotel restrooms without showers.
