A Good Stay with a Few Surprises: My Experience at WIIN Phetchaburi Hotel
Finding the Right Hotel in Mueang, Phetchaburi
I stayed 2 nights in Mueang, a district of Phetchaburi, at the WIIN Phetchaburi Hotel that I found on Trip.com. There are lots of home-stays in Mueang city, but most are old houses converted into rental apartments, often with very small or inconvenient bathrooms, thin walls, no breakfast, or poor locations.
It took time to find what I was looking for: a small but decent hotel, close to the town and near some street food. Once I found WIIN Phetchaburi Hotel on Trip.com, it was fully booked for my desired dates, same story on Agoda.
The hotel doesn’t have a website, but I found them on Google Maps and contacted them through Facebook. Communication was excellent and very responsive. I eventually booked directly with the hotel, which in hindsight wasn’t the best choice.
Payment Issues
The direct booking price was the same as the major platforms, but I couldn’t pay with my Visa card. The hotel only accepts Thai bank cards or cash. This was disappointing, if I had booked through a platform, I could have paid online with no issue.
Location
Mueang is in the Phetchaburi district, southwest of Bangkok, about 2 hours by car from Bangkok and before Hua Hin. The hotel is set back from the main road, so there’s no traffic noise. It’s about 1 km from the Big C shopping mall and under 2 km from the town center. There are restaurants and street food stalls nearby.
If you’re coming by car, there’s a free, covered, and secure parking area with a night guard on duty.
The Building
It’s a modern, 3-story building with no elevator but a wide staircase and long corridors. The reception is open 24/7, and there’s a small restaurant onsite. Behind the hotel is a peaceful alley with a Chinese temple, some outdoor gym equipment, and a small river.
The Room
I booked a king-size room on the 3rd floor. The room was very spacious but felt a bit empty, just a big bed in the middle of a large space.
There was a smart TV, a small fridge with 2 free water bottles inside and 2 more on the counter, a kettle with 2 instant coffee packs, individual air conditioning, a balcony with a clothes rack, and a bathroom.
Only 3 hangers were provided, and there was no closet or space to store clothes, which we regretted.
The bathroom had a shower with hot water, sink, toilet, shampoo, body soap, cotton buds, hand soap, towels, and a hairdryer. You can borrow an iron and ironing board from reception if needed.
The bed was comfortable, but since it’s close to the entrance door, you can hear people walking and talking in the corridor. During our stay, some guests were quite noisy, especially late at night and early in the morning. Light from the corridor also filtered into the room around the door.
Each morning, we found 4 small bottles of water placed outside our door.
Breakfast Experience
Breakfast was a bit unusual. Upon check-in, we were given a menu and had to choose one hot dish and one drink per person (coffee or juice, not both). When we asked for water, the receptionist told us to bring the bottle from our room.
You also have to select a fixed time for breakfast. “When I wake up” is not an accepted option.
The food was good, and if it’s not enough, you can bring your own food, buy extra croissants, or order additional drinks.
Interestingly, on the second morning they served us breakfast with a glass of iced water, unlike the day before. A strange inconsistency.
Things to Do Nearby
There’s plenty to see and do around the hotel. While the city center is walkable and full of life, especially in the evenings with street food and temples, having your own vehicle is a huge plus. With a car, you can explore much more of what Phetchaburi province has to offer.
Final Verdict
Would I return? I’d likely come back to Phetchaburi, and depending on the alternatives, I might stay at WIIN Phetchaburi Hotel again. But next time, I’ll definitely book through an online platform to avoid the payment hassle.
Still not convinced? Check out the video! 🎥
