Hotels In Central Of Udon Thani City

[thomas2969]

Hi,

right now i start to plan about my next trip to thailand. So i am still looking for a hotel in Udon thani who is really central in the heart of Udon city, same like "Charoen Hotel or "Centara Hotel" who is by walking distance from Robinson Shopping Complex.

Can anybody help me out ?

What i can find is "N.B Hotel" , Google maps say it´s just only 100 meter far from the "Charoen Hotel", but the webside (http://www.nbhotel-thai.com) is not available anymore,maybe there is any new webside available? Anybody have experience about the N.B Hotel?

On Internet i also can find a Hotel with name: "Charoensri Palace Hotel", but i can not see any webside or a exacly place.

Anybody can help?

Greez

thomas

[citizen33]

The Charoensri is the hotel next to Robinson department store; the Charoen (though one of my favourites) is a longish walk from the centre and the farang bars, but does have the Yellow Bird disco. Incidentally, if you are trying to give a tuk tuk driver directions to either of these, try to pronounce Charoen something like cha-learn. For an excellent guide to Ubon hotels and where they are, visit the following website and look at both their forum and their map.

www.Udonmap.com

Lots of people like Top Mansion which is very central and pretty economical.

[thomas2969]

The Charoensri is the hotel next to Robinson department store; the Charoen (though one of my favourites) is a longish walk from the centre and the farang bars, but does have the Yellow Bird disco. Incidentally, if you are trying to give a tuk tuk driver directions to either of these, try to pronounce Charoen something like cha-learn. For an excellent guide to Ubon hotels and where they are, visit the following website and look at both their forum and their map.

www.Udonmap.com

Lots of people like Top Mansion which is very central and pretty economical.

Thanx for the really useful information and also about the www. There i found the "AEK apartment"

http://www.aekudonap...index.php?p=Map it´s just only 200 meters far from the charoen hotel. I call them and they said rate (Deluxe Room) about 5.000 THB per 10 days, not inclusive breakfast, not inclusive cleaning,not inclusive light and water. So if i count, the Charoen Hotel inklusive breakfast ( 7.800 THB) inklusive cleaning,light and water would be not much more expensive than AEK apartment....

About top mansion,well....i think it looks not so nice in my eyes....that´s why i think it´s not match for me.

So, it´s not much choices around there.

Edited November 6, 2010 by thomas2969

[citizen33]

Just as long as you know that the Charoen - and the smaller places near it - are a long walk or tuk tuk ride from the centre.

I usually stay at the Charoen because I have a child who likes the swimming pool, and I don't mind walking. On my last trip in the summer the Charoen was still okay and I had a good night at the disco. But during my stay I took a look at Top Mansion to see what they offered, and was impressed with the rooms. If I was on my own and just wanted to look around the farang bars, it is in a much better location than the Charoen.

[thomas2969]

Just as long as you know that the Charoen - and the smaller places near it - are a long walk or tuk tuk ride from the centre.

I usually stay at the Charoen because I have a child who likes the swimming pool, and I don't mind walking. On my last trip in the summer the Charoen was still okay and I had a good night at the disco. But during my stay I took a look at Top Mansion to see what they offered, and was impressed with the rooms. If I was on my own and just wanted to look around the farang bars, it is in a much better location than the Charoen.

I forgot to tell......i will not travel alone, i will take my wife and also my mother (75 years old lady :jap: ), so i fear the "Top manson" will not be the right choice for me. Better i will pick the Charoen Hotel.

But however, i am just wondering about that not much hotels in the centre of Udon Thani available, just only "Charoen" and "Centrara".

[fishhooks]

Keep in mind also for "light sleepers", the Top Mansion can be a no-no due to noise from the Disco a stones throw away!

[thomas2969]

Just now i found some small informations about a New build hotel with name: "Paradise Hotel". Seems like this Hotel also just only 200-300 meters far from Charoen hotel. But i can not find any webside. Anybody know about this hotel?

Grez

thomas

[Tafia]

Just now i found some small informations about a New build hotel with name: "Paradise Hotel". Seems like this Hotel also just only 200-300 meters far from Charoen hotel. But i can not find any webside. Anybody know about this hotel?

Grez

thomas

Its being refurbished / rebuilt and last time I passed was still under construction.....

Take a look at City lodge or the Karin, both close to town.

[kpmsprtd]

I recommend the Charoen for someone in your situation traveling with family members. Clean, nice place. Nice staff. Some nice restaurants nearby. I paid about 800 baht earlier this year and felt like I got decent value. (I was coming off a stay in a 300 baht per night room at an unnamed hotel that I can not recommend...)

[thomas2969]

So it seems like the hotel not yet finish, and also still need long time. Thanx for the informations. By the way the Charoen Hotel they jump to 1.000 THB inclusive b-fast, i already call to them for ask about rate.

Grez

thomas

[cali4995]

you might want to take a peek at this city lodge place? i think personally a vastly

better location than the charoen (walking distance to night market and central plaza)

i think under new (english speaking ownership) the charoensri grand(now called centara)

and the charoen are old staples but many other choices available and you don't have

to pay upwards of 1,000 baht per day per room. but as you're discovering, none of the

listings are complete or even current so it makes it difficult to make arrangements.

http://www.udonmap.com/citylodge/

[Macclad]

Thomas,

If your 75 year old mother is with you then I think the Charoen Hotel is your best option.

It has a swimming pool,a lovely outdoor restaurant overlooking a lake with live music and the Yellow Bird disco for you and your wife whilst Mum sleeps !

Its about a 10 minute walk to Central Plaza (Robinsons) and Soi Sampan (farang restaurants and bars) and the Nightmarket and Nutty Park(more farang bars and eating places).A saamlaw from the hotel will whisk you to these places in just over a couple of minutes and cost you 40 baht.

But be aware that the Charoen has two wings......the newer wing entrance is at the back of the hotel and called CHAROEN BOTANICAL......near the Yellow Bird which is in a separate building.The rooms at the Charoen Botanical are 100 baht extra but more modern and better value than the older wing at the front of the hotel.....but up to you.

Other options are.....

Centara (formerly Charoensri Grand)......right nextdoor to Central Plaza (Robinsons) but badly needs refurbishing and quite pricey (1400 baht upwards) for what you get.

Irish Clock....on Soi Sampan.Nice rooms at 750 baht including breakfast.Good restaurant with a wide range of food and beers.Only drawback is no lift which could be difficult for your Mum.

City Lodge....just up the end of the road from the Irish Clock,turn right and its opposite the hospital but,again,has no lift.

Another possible option but a bit out of town is the recently opened Prajaktra Hotel.Its brand new and has very nice rooms.It does a lunchtime buffet for 129 baht and has a great outdoor restaurant on the top floor overlooking Nong Prajak lake and park.If you like a beer it currently has a promotion during November which is drink as many pitchers of Singha beer as you want for 199 baht total between 6pm-10pm.

It would be nice to stroll around the lake which is 3km all around and has quite a few restaurants and drinking options available dotted around it.

The downside is that it will cost 100 baht each time for a saamlaw into town and the hotels swimming pool is not completed yet.

So,hopefully,a few decent options for you to consider.Good luck.

[cali4995]

i've never been very impressed with soi samphan, location of top mansion and irish clock. and also a rather unpleasant nightlife

scene which seems to attract the wrong element from all nationalities. it's not that nightlife in thailand is unsightly, it's

just that nightlife and those types on the periphery in this soi are particularly abrasive. as was stated, i guess you need to decide

if a lift is necessary for your mom and also, do you want to take taxi's everywhere or have the ability to simply walk. 40 baht

tuk-tuk rides for foreigners i'm afraid is not the standard fare anymore. president hotel and napali hotel others to maybe google.

Edited November 10, 2010 by cali4995

[thomas2969]

Thomas,

If your 75 year old mother is with you then I think the Charoen Hotel is your best option.

It has a swimming pool,a lovely outdoor restaurant overlooking a lake with live music and the Yellow Bird disco for you and your wife whilst Mum sleeps !

Its about a 10 minute walk to Central Plaza (Robinsons) and Soi Sampan (farang restaurants and bars) and the Nightmarket and Nutty Park(more farang bars and eating places).A saamlaw from the hotel will whisk you to these places in just over a couple of minutes and cost you 40 baht.

But be aware that the Charoen has two wings......the newer wing entrance is at the back of the hotel and called CHAROEN BOTANICAL......near the Yellow Bird which is in a separate building.The rooms at the Charoen Botanical are 100 baht extra but more modern and better value than the older wing at the front of the hotel.....but up to you.

Other options are.....

Centara (formerly Charoensri Grand)......right nextdoor to Central Plaza (Robinsons) but badly needs refurbishing and quite pricey (1400 baht upwards) for what you get.

Irish Clock....on Soi Sampan.Nice rooms at 750 baht including breakfast.Good restaurant with a wide range of food and beers.Only drawback is no lift which could be difficult for your Mum.

City Lodge....just up the end of the road from the Irish Clock,turn right and its opposite the hospital but,again,has no lift.

Another possible option but a bit out of town is the recently opened Prajaktra Hotel.Its brand new and has very nice rooms.It does a lunchtime buffet for 129 baht and has a great outdoor restaurant on the top floor overlooking Nong Prajak lake and park.If you like a beer it currently has a promotion during November which is drink as many pitchers of Singha beer as you want for 199 baht total between 6pm-10pm.

It would be nice to stroll around the lake which is 3km all around and has quite a few restaurants and drinking options available dotted around it.

The downside is that it will cost 100 baht each time for a saamlaw into town and the hotels swimming pool is not completed yet.

So,hopefully,a few decent options for you to consider.Good luck.

Thank so much. I did not know that the Charoen Hotel have 2 buildings. So, the Botanical is the better one but is also not too much noisy?

City lodge also looks nice but you are right there is no lift, so it´s not good for my mother. So i think i will pick the Charoen Botanical. I am just wondering they don´t have hotel webside available.

[thomas2969]

i've never been very impressed with soi samphan, location of top mansion and irish clock. and also a rather unpleasant nightlife

scene which seems to attract the wrong element from all nationalities. it's not that nightlife in thailand is unsightly, it's

just that nightlife and those types on the periphery in this soi are particularly abrasive. as was stated, i guess you need to decide

if a lift is necessary for your mom and also, do you want to take taxi's everywhere or have the ability to simply walk. 40 baht

tuk-tuk rides for foreigners i'm afraid is not the standard fare anymore. president hotel and napali hotel others to maybe google.

Lift is a good thing for my mom,yes. And from what i have seem on google maps we can walk from the Charoen to the shopping centres, that´s not that bad. So i think i should pic the Charoen Botanic.:jap:

[cali4995]

the charoen may be good. the reason i was kind of put off by it was that instead of having

their own hotel-affiliated taxi service, they have allowed the locals to form like a gauntlet

at the entrance to the hotel. i just think accomodation of this caliber should have people

representing them who are charging the same fair prices to everybody and are concerned about

the image they give which reflects directly on the hotel. also, while on the map it may appear

to be convenient walking distance to everything, this section of downtown is often riddled

with construction and sidewalks that are usuually blocked, so you may find yourself walking

in the street most of the time. but then, these are the tradeoffs for being in city center. it's much more relaxing

slightly out of town, and you don't find yourself darting

across busy intersections at your own peril. certainly with elderly mom in tow.

Edited November 11, 2010 by cali4995

[Macclad]

The Charoen and Charoen Botanical are the same hotel....just different wings.

If you look at the website picture the Botanical wing is to the fore at the right and the "older" wing Charoen to the left.

No problems with noise as the Yellow Bird is in a separate building and downstairs.

Saamlaw is a standard 40 baht into town.....theres always a couple parked at the exit just across from the swimming pool and car park......and also a pedal saamlaw.......pay this guy what you want....up to you......I always give him 50 baht because hard work for him !

[siam2007]

the charoen may be good. the reason i was kind of put off by it was that instead of having

their own hotel-affiliated taxi service, they have allowed the locals to form like a gauntlet

at the entrance to the hotel. i just think accomodation of this caliber should have people

representing them who are charging the same fair prices to everybody and are concerned about

the image they give which reflects directly on the hotel. also, while on the map it may appear

to be convenient walking distance to everything, this section of downtown is often riddled

with construction and sidewalks that are usuually blocked, so you may find yourself walking

in the street most of the time. but then, these are the tradeoffs for being in city center. it's much more relaxing

slightly out of town, and you don't find yourself darting

across busy intersections at your own peril. certainly with elderly mom in tow.

How anybody can recommend the CHAROEN without blushing is a mystery to me.

I am in Udon around 3 times per year (been there in September and October this year) and have stayed in 15 different accoms in Udon.

I consider the CHAROEN as the WORST Hotel of those about 200 I have stayed at Thailand, when it comes to what it wants to be and what it really is and considering the price u pay.

this place is COCKROACH CENTRAL. the one night I dared to stay there lately I killed at least 15 bugs, mosquitoes and whatever else from the world of critters. Just DISGUSTING ! the only place in South-East-Asia where I found worse conditions regarding pests was at Hotel SAHID in Surabaya, which is similar in size and star-rating to the Charoen.

Service is at the lowest level imaginable for Thailand. it is old, worn, run-down, a lot of things broken (let alone the promised in-room Wifi last time I stayed there and checked out after one night, forgoing the second night I pre-paid already). breakfast is only until 9 a.m. !

the Pool was out of order last time I stayed there. the noise level from the neighboring Discotheque can indeed be a huge nuisance, as has been mentioned already.

there is a giant construction-site next door which with no doubt will provide you with some extra-noise. the location is not exactly a benefit as well. you may ask why I decided to book this hotel? well, what was lured me in was the free in-room WIFI they offered on those booking-websites (but which was broken and most probably still is until today), as the CENTARA charges a horrific 600 Baht per day for that, and for some reasons, I needed to stay at the immediate downtown-area that time.

any questions left ? Do yourself and Mom a favor, and DO NOT STAY at the Charoen.

Book a room somewhere else, then have a stroll to the Charoen, act as a potential guest, let them show you a regular room, and then you will be so HAPPY you did not book it !

the only thing I would recommend about the Charoen is its daily LUNCH BUFFET, which is good value for money, as long u like Asian food (not only Thai food, Japanese and Chinese as well).

it is packed with well-off locals every day, which is a good sign.

So, where do you want to stay with your old Mom ?

Well, with a 75-year-old lady in tow, there is actually only ONE option, and that is the CENTARA HOTEL AND CONVENTION CENTRE (no, it is not called "Charoensri" Hotel anymore since long time).

this hotel is NOTHING TO WRITE HOME ABOUT as well, as it is - already mentioned by member MACCLAD - in need of refurbishing. it may not be a great value for money, but it still is by far the best option in the downtown area. it is the most expensive option as well, but if u are with your Mom in tow, you may want to spend 500 Baht more a night, me thinks. They do have a respectable breakfast-buffet, plus a decent lunch-buffet which is slightly more expensive than the one at Charoen, but offers much more for Western palates. the Pool is large and nice. overall, the place offers a 4-star-atmosphere with the rooms not making it above the 3-star-level, though.

there were other VERY NICE places in Udon popping up in the past few years, but they have one thing in common: the location is not good (as long as you don't have your own transport).

that would be the PRESIDENT HOTEL, with clean tiled rooms, a lovely Pool, at around 800-900 Baht, but far from downtown.

the NB-Hotel that you mentioned is quite nice too, it is usually patronized by Thai business-travelers (who certainly can judge where to get good value for money). but unlike what googlemap wants to make you believe, it is almost 1,5 KM away from the Charoen on the way to the Big C. excellent value for money (earlier this year I paid 600 Baht for a spotless Thai-apartment-style room, free and fast in-room WIFI plus a Thai-style breakfast buffet included.

Those mentioned smaller guesthouses offer in many cases excellent value for money too, but it is maybe not the perfect place to bring your Mom to.

I second what MACCLAD said about the recently re-opened CITY LODGE. it has a strategic location very near to the CENTRAL SHOPPING COMPLEX. the rooms seem to be very nice and reasonably priced, but I have not been staying there yet since it opened its doors with new owners. But if you are okay staying at a smaller place, this is certainly an option to consider. the UDONMAP website has reviews about the place already, so google for it.

and again I second the recommendation regarding the PRAJAKTRA DESIGN HOTEL. this is by far the most luxurious and pleasant hotel in Udon at the moment, but unfortunately out of town (albeit a lovely location near the lake - your MOM might love the environment, while you, as the paymaster, may not like the 100-Baht Sawngthaew-rides into downtown ^^ ) .

okay, now make up your mind, and, furthermore, please report your experiences here after your stay. :jap:

Edited November 12, 2010 by siam2007

[Macclad]

I think siam2007 is being a bit harsh on the Charoen.

I've stayed there several times,both in the Botanical and old wing and never had a problem with bugs.....guess you must have been unlucky when you stayed there.

Dont get me wrong....its nothing fancy but quite adequate imo and the lunchtime buffets are very good as well as the food at the outdoor restaurant in the evening.

The Centara (ex Charoensri Grand) has the best position in the centre of town but it badly needs refurbishment.The rooms are old and tired and I dont think youd feel that youd got good value for money for between 1400-1800 baht per night.

So a bit of a dilemma for you Thomas.....

Why not book for a couple of nights at the Prajaktra overlooking Nong Prajak ?Its agreed that they have the best rooms in town in this new boutique hotel and they have a promotion on,at the moment.Spend 100 baht on a saamlaw into the centre and check out both the Centara and the Charoen......then you can make your decision where you want to stay long term.......none of the three choices are likely to be booked up.

The Prajaktra's website is www.prajaktra.com

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

[fishhooks]

Has the Taxi Service in Udon T finished?

Wife & I have stayed in Udon T a few times since the service started and used taxi's quite often. A phone call and they showed up as stated on the call and all in all a good service. Last time we stayed at the President Hotel, which was fine and not really expensive to use a taxi when 2 or more riding.

I've also no problem on using the Baht Bus's on their regular routes, but mention the taxi service as the OP was stating about his mum.

[siam2007]

I think siam2007 is being a bit harsh on the Charoen.

I've stayed there several times,both in the Botanical and old wing and never had a problem with bugs.....guess you must have been unlucky when you stayed there.

Dont get me wrong....its nothing fancy but quite adequate imo and the lunchtime buffets are very good as well as the food at the outdoor restaurant in the evening.

The Centara (ex Charoensri Grand) has the best position in the centre of town but it badly needs refurbishment.The rooms are old and tired and I dont think youd feel that youd got good value for money for between 1400-1800 baht per night.

So a bit of a dilemma for you Thomas.....

Why not book for a couple of nights at the Prajaktra overlooking Nong Prajak ?Its agreed that they have the best rooms in town in this new boutique hotel and they have a promotion on,at the moment.Spend 100 baht on a saamlaw into the centre and check out both the Centara and the Charoen......then you can make your decision where you want to stay long term.......none of the three choices are likely to be booked up.

The Prajaktra's website is www.prajaktra.com

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

MACCLAD,

I stayed there twice and had bugs BOTH times I stayed there.

yes I should have known better the second time, but I needed WIFI (which didn't work at Charoen anyway) and did not want to pay the ridiculous 600 Baht at Centara, and wanted to stay DOWNTOWN (otherwise I would have been staying at PRESIDENT or NB).

hopefully the OP will report his own experiences later ^^

.

Edited November 30, 2010 by siam2007

[fishhooks]

Sorry to ask again re post 20:

Are the taxi's still running and good service in Udon T?

I feel provides an answer to the OP re not needing to be right in the thick of things with hotel location.

We'll be in Udon again in a few months and will use the taxi's extensively and will probably stay at the "President"

[cali4995]

if you mean like the standard "sedan taxi" yes, i believe they usually have 3-4 kind of behind the

bus station. i suppose you(or the hotel) get their phone # and ring them. probably cheaper than

the tuk-tuk mafia. they're not all bad but all too often they keep asking for ridiculous rates

and the metered taxis truthfully are loads more comfortable and quite possible less baht. at the

moment they central plaza is undergoing an expansion project and the roads seems to be torn-up

at numerous locations in the downtown area. i'm just not sure i see any advantages to staying

in the inner-city location. it may be far pleasant slightly outside since you'll be taxiing anyway.