Thailand (Lonely Planet, 13th Edition) - China Williams [412]
Roma Hotel (0 4333 4444; 50/2 Th Glang Meuang; s 230-500B, d 250-500B, ste 800B; ) The Roma’s air-con rooms are good value, spotless and comfy. The fan rooms are…well, good value and comfy. The ‘suites’ have some unexpected style, but it’s just lipstick on a pig. Unfortunately, the hotel has some noisy neighbours, so you might get an early wake-up call.
Grand Leo Hotel (0 4332 7745; 62-62/1 Th Si Chan; r 380-480B; ) This humdrum place, around the corner from the nightlife district, is functional albeit a little frumpy. The rooms promise a good night’s sleep no matter what hour you stumble back.
Charoenchit House (0 4322 7300; www.chousekhonkaen.com; 20/11 Th Chuanchun; r 400-500B; ) Viewed from the outside, you don’t expect to find much to get excited about inside these two stark white towers. But checkerboard-tiled floors, decorative headboards and free wi-fi give the rooms a fair amount of va-va-voom for the price. It’s not the most convenient location, but the lake and the nightlife district are walkable distances.
Chaipat Hotel (0 4333 3055; 106/3 Soi Na Meuang; r 400-600B; ) Set back off Th Na Meuang, this older-but-reasonable place features marble floors, in-room wi-fi and a lot of furnishings in the little rooms.
MIDRANGE
Biggie & Biggoe Place (0 4332 2999; Th Robbung; r 650-850B; ) If you’re in Khon Kaen to relax rather than live it up, this midsize hotel at the foot of the lake is a good bet. Rooms are rather bland, but as it was built in 2005 there are none of the irritating quirks so common in older hotels. Wi-fi is free and the restaurant is excellent.
Piman Garden (0 4333 4111; www.pimangarden.com; 6/110 Th Glang Meuang; r 650-950B, ste 1200B; ) Set back off the road around a lovely garden, Piman offers serenity and privacy despite its city centre location. The attractive rooms all come with safes, fridges and free wi-fi, plus most have balconies or porches.
Khon Kaen Hotel (0 4333 3222; 43/2 Th Phimphaseut; s 650B, d 700-1200B; ) This older, seven-storey place is looking rather sorry for itself on the outside and in the hallways. But with the odd nod to traditional decor in the recently renovated rooms, it bags a few points for atmosphere. With a balcony and free wi-fi, rooms are definitely above average for this class.
TOP END
Kosa Hotel (0 4332 0320; www.kosahotel.com; 250-252 Th Si Chan; s 1900-2300B, d 2100-2500B, ste s/d 3300/5500B; ) Less glitzy than its neighbour, the Pullman, this good-value place (25% discounts are pretty much always available) is a great top-end choice. It offers excellent facilities and slick service.
Pullman Raja Orchid (0 4332 2155; www.pullmanhotels.com; 9/9 Th Prachasumran; r 3180-3950B, ste 6300B; ) A stunning lobby sets the tone for one of Isan’s best hotels. This international-standard Accor-run place in the heart of the city has plenty of razzle-dazzle, well-equipped rooms, a spa and gym and even its own microbrews. It also offers discounted rates most of the time.
Eating & Drinking
For cheap eats, the city’s main night market (Th Reunrom; 5pm-midnight) is a good one, plus many cheap food stalls (Th Glang Meuang; lunch & dinner) open up between Th Ammat and the Roma Hotel and stay open very late. There are also food vendors in the unnamed lakeside market (dinner) in the park at the top of Beung Kaen Nakhon, though people come here for the atmosphere, not the cuisine.
Gai Yang Rabeab (no roman-script sign; 0 4324 3413; 391/5 Th Theparak; dishes 20-150B, whole chickens 110-130B; lunch) Many locals believe Khon Kaen Province makes Thailand’s best gài yâhng and this simple joint, serving an all-Isan menu, gets the most nods as best of the best in the city.
Dee Dee (08 5006 3922; 348/25 Soi Reunrom 1; dishes 30-60B; breakfast, lunch & dinner) Though it may look like just a humble food-to-order shop, Khun Jaang works wonders with a wok and the food is extraordinary – truly some of the best in Thailand. She is co-creator of a new Thai dish called pàt tim (egg noodles stir-fried with red curry paste).
Tawantong (0 4333 0389; 227/129 Th Lang Sunratchakan;