Hey Guys,
Coming up to Udon for two weeks holiday with the TW and kids at the end of October. We are looking at staying at the President Hotel and was wondering if anyone has stayed there recently and could give me any feedback. The pool looks good, and that was a neccesity, as i will have plenty of time to sit around, relax, and have a dip while the wife is out at the village visiting the rellies. I wanted to stay at the Englishmans Retreat myself, but the missus wants to be close to all the action, shopping etc. She always seems to get the deciding vote !!!

Also, we havent been there since Songkran 2007, and it seems there has been a fair bit of developement on the restaurant / bar scene. Any recomendations of new places to eat / relax and have a few drinks would be much appreciated.

Thanks
ARCHIE...

A friend stayed at the President Hotel not so long ago Archie and it was OK. I would say that the photo's are well taken and perhaps in reality it is not as nice as it looks on the website but I couldn't say anything bad about it really.
If transport is an issue, you will need it from the President Hotel just the same as the Englishman's Retreat.
Yes its closer to town but I still wouldn't walk it and even less so the wife.
The Chareon is about the closest to town with a decent pool and as already mentioned recently if you have a room away from the back you wont be troubled by noise at kicking out time from the nightclub, I think the rooms are a little tired but I only stayed there a couple of times. I know many of the members have stayed there with good reviews.
It does give you the option of being able to walk to the shopping and many of the bars and restaurants in town so thats a plus.

Thanks for the advise Roy, much appreciated...

HI Archie,
Ive stopped there a few times the last being May this year... The room rates were 1200 per night but get a thai to book and its half the price!!! The rooms are lovely and clean and modern, air con fine, had some problems getting hot water in the shower, but it wasnt the end of the world!!!

I must warn you that the free breakfast is unedible!!!! Terrible food!!! Cold half cooked fried eggs, hot dog type sausages, fried slices of ham!!! good luck , who knows you may like that kind of stuff....

A tuk tuk to robinsons cost us 60 baht (started at 100) but haggled!!! there is a good japanese not far from the hotel also many good eating places in that area!! In fact right next door is a buffet type place which we have tried and found to be really good food, about 99b each with loads of selection, also have a live band!!!
Good Luck

Dave

Cheers Dave. Transport no problem for us as we have use of a car for the trip. You have shattered my dreams of waking every morning to a sensational buffet breakfast, which is included in the price, which is one thing that has swayed us to give it a go this trip. The other half booked the room and it is costing 850 baht on ground level right on the pool.

Thanks for the info
ARCHIE...

I never expect too much from an inclusive buffet breakfast...some hotels in bangers and other places are spot on though...seem to remember Ban Chiang Udon was 'ok' but i am talking 7 years back or so...did browse the Charoen but most of it was gone so couldn't judge it on looks.

Thanks for the input BM. If the brekky is as ordinary as Dave says, it looks like a quick drive to Nobi's most mornings as we had some super meals, including breakfasts, when we were last there 18 months ago. From what i can gather from the forum, it looks like we will have plenty of new places to try out since our last trip...

Hi Archie, I just got back last week from my first trip to Udon. Stayed at the President Hotel for 10 nights, Junior Suite, ground floor, 900 baht (booked by my Thai friends - normally 1400 baht). My only complaint it was a bit noisy about 7am when the cleaners start work, they dont seem to realise there are guests staying in the rooms. The pool is very nice, and clean. One of the main reasons I stayed there, nice to have a swim and relax. Breakfast was ok. Eggs are cooked as you wait, so no problem with eggs being cold. Plenty of tea and coffee and a reasonable choice of dishes and fruits and cereals. It's not 5-star breakfast but I found it very acceptable. The hotel is a bit out of the "action" but I had the use of a Pick-Up / Ute so transport wasn't a problem. We tried the outdoor buffet "stadium" next door one night ... all you can eat and live band for 99 baht each. It was very popular with the locals and they offer a wide range of food. My Thai girlfriend was very impressed and was going to tell all her friends about it. We also had dinner in the President Hotel restaurant one night. Bit expensive but not ridiculous, the food was good and they had a 3-piece band singing a lot of songs in English. I paid for 3 nights when I booked. After I was there a couple of days I told them I would stay for 14 nights and they told me I could pay when I checked out. I had to cut the trip short because of a death in the family and they only charged me for the 10 nights I was there, which I thought was very decent of them. I will definitely stay there again, going back in March, standard room for 600 baht including breakfast for 2 (normally 1200 baht). Clean, comfortable, good value. I'm sure you will enjoy. Regards, Frank

Good report BO - thanks

Thanks for the review Frank. I was hoping to hear some really good feedback as we are staying for 13 nights. I too will be spending many an hour relaxing around the pool...

Cheers
Archie...

Howdy;
I'm going to be in Udon Thani this Nov.13-24 and I'm trying to figure out the cheapest price for the President Hotel.
I've got a travel agent that quoted me B880 per night,yet I read in this thread anywhere from B1400 to B600.Can anybody help?
Thanks

600 was an original introductory offer, with info regualr price would rise to 1200 after offer expired. but also heard different rack rate, lower than 1200. i will call later today, ok, Ree will, i'll ask nicely and find out the rate and post back a.s.a.p., unless someone chimes in who stayed there recently.

ok

standard room, 850 baht for one person, 900/2 people, breakfast included. had and still has free wifi when i was there during promotion period, nice place, small pool, but underused, so if use, will have to yourself. breakfast i passed on, Ree and Gem munched, basic version of american full breakfast, egg/ham/toast/coffee/oj ?/little weiner thing. i preferred my little mystery meat sandwichs from my favorite vendor around the corner. also a popular bbq buffet next door. nice quiet place to stay if wanting quiet w/pool, and out of action area. if ambitious and not as lazy as myself, walkable to main town center or park area, though may won't a tuk tuk for return. 50 baht fare should get you around the area, less if bargain good, though they will start much higher, just walk away and price will come down. baht busses are available, though not sure if going all the way down to hotel, which would be a short walk from the nearest route. good choice if having your own transport. don't remember anything negative, which means bed was probably comfy, i probably posted somewhere about my stay there. try a search.

Thanks for the info la.That's just what I needed.
Thanks again adakal

link to original review when i stayed there, though not much to add to the above. bit more details.

http://www.udonmap.com/udonthaniforum/president-hotel-udon-thani-t5261-30.html

Hey Fellas. Back safely in OZ after our trip to Udon for two weeks. Stayed at the President as planed. Started with the standard room at 850 baht per night which was fine, but too small for us with the two kids. It was on ground level which made it easy to access the pool and restaurant. After three nights we changed to the senior suite at 1500 baht per night. They only have one of these and unfortunately its on the top floor but for us was perfect. Massive room with king bed and a sofa which we used as a bed for one of the kids, a kitchen/bar , big bathroom with bath and separate shower and satellite TV with plenty of variety. The pool is brilliant and clean and most of the time i/we had it to ourself. The breakfast was quite reasonable and the inhouse spa/massage was great and the rates are the same as everywhere else.The big plus about this place though was the staff. From reception to bellboys they couldnt do enough for us. Doors were always opened with a smile and nothing ever seemed to much trouble. I would recommend anyone to stay there and we will definitely be staying there again on our next visit.

"ARCHIE"