Flying to Thailand from the US is a schlep. My trip from Nashville took more than 24 hours just in flight time. Even with everything going smoothly I arrived at BKK after 10 pm local time, which is early morning back in the US. Rather than spend another 90-120 minutes trying to deal with traffic in a cab or navigating the transit system into town I thought it was crucial to spend a night at the Thong Ta Resort recovering from the flight.
I found the Thong Ta Resort on Expedia where rates usually hover around $20 per night. The rate I paid was $17 and it was certainly money well spent.
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Thong Ta Resort Location
Thong Ta Resort is about as close to the airport as you can get. However it is around 4 miles from the terminal so taking a taxi or Grab will be necessary. My fare for a Grab ride was 320 Baht (about $9) and it took roughly ten minutes to arrive at the hotel.
The area where Thong Ta Resort is located is a far cry from the bland and corporate nullscapes that surround most US airports. When the car pulls off the road and down a little alley to arrive at the tropical-styled hotel you feel as if you have really arrived in Thailand. Just down the alleyway from Thong Ta Resort the road is buzzing with street life all the time. There is a good selection of vendors selling street food at very agreeable local prices. They operate all day and night. Many 7-Elevens line the road for necessities, as well as several bars. Some of them feature rooftop views and live music.
I also observed a laundromat, handy for a stay here before departing, and a few cannabis shops which are legal in Thailand now. Unsurprisingly the area is very popular with all sorts of airport employees who are out in the road constantly.
Thong Ta Resort Property
Check in was fast and simple. This property has at least three separate buildings and the room I was assigned was in the “B” building at the rear.
There was some maintenance going on in the courtyard outside after 8:00 am. I was already awake by this time but it was certainly enough to disturb someone hoping to sleep in. I have to give the property some credit for maintaining the place. While the photos of Thong Ta Resort on booking sites are generally accurate they do make the hotel look slightly better than you’ll find it in person. The restaurant and coffee shop on site were not operating during my stay.
It’s definitely not a “resort” in any meaningful sense but the property is clean and safe and being able to walk out to the road was very convenient.
Thong Ta Resort Guest Rooms
The room was on the small side but not cramped. Timeworn but clean. Queen sized bed was comfortable. The AC kicked on and cooled the room quickly when the key was inserted in its slot. I did think it was odd that in the morning there weren’t any lights on in the hallway. However I did see an employee in the lobby working with a collection of light bulbs so it is possible there was maintenance going on.
I’m glad I decided to book here. It was a much needed rest after such long flights and allowed me to get a little acclimated to Thailand before venturing further into the city. Check out at 12:00 is a plus. Thong Ta Resort is a great option for solo travelers or couples, although families or group travelers may want to try the hotel onsite at the airport. I would definitely recommend getting an airport hotel if you’re arriving in Asia at night, and I’d stay at this one again anytime.
