More about hotels in Ubon Ratchathani
About Ubon Ratchathani accommodation
Ubon Ratchathani sits in Thailand's far northeastern Isan region, hugging a bend of the Mekong River close to the Laotian border, roughly 630 kilometres from Bangkok. It's one of Thailand's least-visited provincial capitals on the international circuit, which makes it a genuinely different experience to the beach resorts further south, think slow-paced streets, riverside temples and dramatic sandstone scenery rather than nightlife strips.
Accommodation here is compact and easy to navigate. Most hotels sit within a few kilometres of both the city centre and Ubon Ratchathani Airport, so wherever you book you're rarely far from a domestic flight connection, a shopping mall or a bowl of Isan-style noodles. Expect practical, well-priced stays rather than sprawling resorts, this is a city built for straightforward travelling, day trips to the surrounding national parks and the annual influx of visitors for the Candle Festival.
Where to stay in Ubon Ratchathani
- Ubon Ratchathani city: The vast majority of hotels cluster around the city centre near Thung Si Mueang Park and the Central Ubon Ratchathani shopping mall, only a few kilometres from the airport. Staying here puts you within easy reach of riverside temples, local markets and the roads out to Pha Taem National Park and Sam Phan Bok.
How much is Ubon Ratchathani accommodation?
- Budget: AU$15-30, simple guesthouses and 2-star hotels with air-conditioning, private bathrooms and free Wi-Fi, basic but clean and well placed for exploring the city on foot.
- Mid-range: AU$40-65, comfortable 3 and 4-star hotels typically with a pool, breakfast included and more polished service, popular with business travellers and festival visitors alike.
What Ubon Ratchathani is known for
- Pha Taem National Park: A cliff-top park overlooking the Mekong, home to prehistoric rock art estimated at 3,000-4,000 years old. Over 300 red-ochre paintings of elephants, fish, human figures and geometric patterns stretch along a 180-metre cliff face, with sweeping views down to the river.
- Sam Phan Bok: Nicknamed Thailand's Grand Canyon, this stretch of the Mekong reveals thousands of wind-and-water-carved sandstone potholes and channels once the river recedes in the dry season, roughly December to April, creating an otherworldly rock landscape best explored on foot or by longtail boat.
- Ubon Ratchathani Candle Festival: Held each July around the Buddhist Lent holiday, this is Thailand's largest wax-sculpture festival. Towering, intricately carved beeswax floats are paraded through the city centre with music and dancers, and it's one of the country's most striking pieces of folk art on public display.
- Wat Phra That Nong Bua: A striking temple modelled on the ancient Mahabodhi stupa in Bodh Gaya, India, its tiered white pagoda and gold trim make it one of the most photographed landmarks in the city.
Top-rated hotels in Ubon Ratchathani
- Centara Ubon: A modern 4-star hotel a few minutes from the airport and within walking distance of Central Ubon Ratchathani mall, with an outdoor pool, fitness centre and spacious rooms.
- Unya Hotel Ubon: A well-reviewed hotel known for clean, comfortable rooms and attentive service, popular with both business and leisure travellers.
- B2 Ubon Airport Premier Hotel: A budget-friendly, no-fuss option right by the airport, handy for early flights or a short stopover.
- Sunee Grand Hotel & Convention Center: A large hotel with conference facilities, a pool and multiple dining options, suited to bigger groups or business stays.
- Pentahug Hotel: A centrally located mid-range hotel with a relaxed garden setting and easy access to the city's temples and markets.
Travel tips for Ubon Ratchathani
- Visit between November and February when temperatures are milder, ideal for exploring Pha Taem National Park and wandering the city on foot.
- Sam Phan Bok is only visible once the Mekong recedes, roughly December to April, so check water levels before planning a day trip.
- If you're travelling for the Candle Festival in July, book accommodation well ahead as hotels near the city centre fill up quickly.
- Ubon Ratchathani Airport is only a short drive from most city-centre hotels, so you don't need to allow much time for transfers.
