More about hotels in Udon Thani
About Udon Thani accommodation
Udon Thani is a laid-back provincial capital in Thailand's Isaan region, an easy add-on to a Bangkok or Chiang Mai trip for Aussie travellers keen to see a side of Thailand most tourists skip. The city centre is compact and walkable, with a modern shopping mall, a lakeside park and enough good-value hotels to suit a quick stopover or a longer stay.
Accommodation here is excellent value by Aussie standards, with everything from simple guesthouses to international hotel brands clustered around Central Plaza and Nong Prajak Park. Most travellers use Udon Thani as a base for day trips to Ban Chiang and the Red Lotus Sea, so a central location with easy transport links is worth prioritising.
Where to stay in Udon Thani
- Udon Thani city: The compact centre around Central Plaza and Nong Prajak Park has the widest hotel choice, walking distance to restaurants, the night market and the lake park, plus easy access to Udon Thani International Airport (UTH).
How much is Udon Thani accommodation?
- Budget: AU$20-40, a simple private air-conditioned room, often with free Wi-Fi and within walking distance of the city centre.
- Mid-range: AU$45-85, a modern hotel room with a swimming pool, breakfast included and a central location near Central Plaza.
What Udon Thani is known for
- Ban Chiang Archaeological Site: A UNESCO World Heritage-listed prehistoric site around 55 kilometres from the city, where excavations uncovered burial sites, early bronze tools and distinctive red-painted pottery dating back thousands of years. The on-site museum displays finds from the dig alongside artefacts from across the wider Udon Thani region.
- Nong Prajak Park: A large lakeside park right in the city centre, with a 3.1-kilometre running track, cycling paths, suspension footbridges and shaded spots around the water, popular with locals for an early morning or evening walk.
- Red Lotus Sea (Nong Han Kumphawapi): A vast natural lake that turns pink each December to February as thousands of water lilies bloom across the surface, best seen on an early-morning boat trip from Ban Diam Pier before the flowers close up in the afternoon heat.
Top-rated hotels in Udon Thani
- Centara Udon: A well-reviewed hotel attached to Central Plaza mall, with a swimming pool, spa, fitness centre and underground parking.
- Charoen Hotel: A long-running budget-friendly option just around the corner from Central Plaza, set on spacious grounds with a made-to-order breakfast.
- Hotel MOCO: A modern, well-rated hotel close to Central Plaza with contemporary rooms and easy access to the mall's restaurants and shops.
- De Princess Hotel Udonthani: A comfortable hotel popular for its breakfast and central location, a good option for couples and business travellers alike.
Travel tips for Udon Thani
- Visit the Red Lotus Sea between December and February, and arrive between 6am and 11am when the flowers are open, before they close up in the afternoon sun.
- Udon Thani International Airport (UTH) is only around 10 minutes from the city centre, making it easy to fly in and start exploring straight away.
- Grab and metered taxis are the easiest way to get around; tuk-tuks are handy for short hops around the city centre.
- Base yourself near Central Plaza or Nong Prajak Park for the best mix of dining, shopping and evening atmosphere.
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