Where to Stay in Sukhothai?
Where to stay in Sukhothai really comes down to what you plan to do with your time there. But let’s be honest, for most people, the main reason for visiting is to explore the historical park and the old town.
So, for me, there is really only one answer: stay in the Old Town.
It puts you right where you want to be. You can easily get to Sukhothai Historical Park, explore the temples at your own pace and enjoy the quieter side of Sukhothai without having to travel back and forth every day.
Where to Stay in Sukhothai: Where We Stayed
For us, there really was only one place to stay, and that was in the Old Town. It gave us a convenient base for exploring Sukhothai Historical Park as well as the old town itself. These were the main reasons we wanted to visit Sukhothai in the first place, so staying nearby made perfect sense.
We stayed at Old City Guest House, which was just a five-minute walk from Sukhothai Historical Park. It was the perfect location for us and made exploring the temples really easy.
The accommodation was simple but had everything we needed. Our room was large and comfortable, with a comfy bed, air conditioning and a modern private bathroom. They also offered free toast and coffee at breakfast, which was a nice little bonus.
For the price, we honestly cannot recommend this place enough. It was one of those stays where we felt like we got far more than we paid for. You can check out Old City Guest House on Booking.com here.
Best Hotels in Sukhothai Old Town for Every Budget
If you want to stay close to Sukhothai Historical Park, the Old Town is definitely where I would look first. There are plenty of accommodation options here, from simple guesthouses to beautiful resorts, so you don’t need to spend a fortune to be in a great location.
Here are some of the best options to consider:
💰 Budget: Old City Guest House
Old City Guest House is the type of place that proves you don’t need to spend much to get a great stay in Sukhothai. It is just a short walk from the historical park and offers spacious rooms, air conditioning and private bathrooms. Booking.com currently gives it a 9.0/10, with location scoring an impressive 9.9/10. (Booking)
We actually stayed here ourselves and really enjoyed it. Check prices and availability on Booking.com.
🏨 Mid-Range: Thai Thai Sukhothai Resort
Thai Thai Sukhothai Resort is a great option if you want a little more comfort without moving into luxury prices. It has traditional Thai-style accommodation, a swimming pool and a peaceful setting in the Old Town. Booking.com currently rates it 9.3/10 from more than 2,500 reviews. (Booking)
Check prices and availability on Booking.com.
🌴 Luxury: Legendha Sukhothai Hotel
Legendha Sukhothai Historical Park Resort.
If you want somewhere that feels more like a resort, Legendha Sukhothai Hotel is worth looking at. It has beautiful traditional Thai-style accommodation, tropical gardens, an outdoor pool, restaurant and spa. It is also just 0.7 miles from Sukhothai Historical Park. (Booking)
Check prices and availability on Booking.com.
🌿 Another Luxury Option: Sriwilai Sukhothai
Sriwilai Sukhothai Resort & Spa
For something a little more special, Sriwilai Sukhothai offers a peaceful resort setting surrounded by greenery. It is a good choice if you want to combine sightseeing with a more relaxing hotel experience.
Check prices and availability on Booking.com.
For us, though, Old City Guest House was more than enough. We loved being able to walk to the historical park and didn’t feel the need to spend more on a resort when there was so much to explore outside the hotel.
Advantages of Staying in Sukhothai Old Town
For us, staying in Sukhothai Old Town was an easy decision. Most people come to Sukhothai to see the historical park, so being close to it makes a lot of sense. We loved being able to walk out of our accommodation and be exploring the temples within minutes.
Stay Within Walking Distance of Sukhothai Historical Park
The biggest advantage is the location. Many of the hotels and guesthouses in the Old Town are within walking distance of Sukhothai Historical Park. This meant we didn’t have to arrange transport every time we wanted to visit the temples.
It was also really convenient to be able to head back to our accommodation when we wanted a break from the heat. Sukhothai can get seriously hot, so having somewhere nearby to cool down was a bonus.
Easy Access to the Temples
Staying in the Old Town also meant we could spend more time exploring the temples without worrying about travelling across the city.
The historical park is quite spread out, so you will still want to hire a bicycle, scooter or use another form of transport to see everything. But having your accommodation nearby gives you a much easier starting point.
A Quieter and More Relaxed Atmosphere
We also loved how quiet Sukhothai felt. Compared with some of Thailand’s more popular destinations, the Old Town has a much slower pace.
There are no huge crowds or busy streets everywhere you look. Instead, you get a much more relaxed atmosphere, which made Sukhothai one of our favourite stops on our Thailand trip.
Restaurants and Cafes Nearby
You won’t find the same huge choice of restaurants as you would in Bangkok or Chiang Mai, but there are still plenty of places to eat around the Old Town.
We liked having restaurants and small cafes within easy reach of our accommodation. It meant we could spend the day exploring and then walk somewhere nearby for dinner without having to travel into New Sukhothai.
Easy to Explore by Bicycle
One of the best ways to explore Sukhothai Historical Park is by bicycle. Staying in the Old Town makes this particularly easy.
You can hire a bike nearby and spend the day cycling between the different temples. This was one of our favourite ways to experience Sukhothai and meant we could explore at our own pace.
Close to the Night Market
If you visit at the right time, you can also enjoy the evening market around the historical park. Staying in the Old Town means you are close enough to easily head out in the evening, grab some food and enjoy the atmosphere.
For us, this was another reason why staying in the Old Town worked so well. We could spend the day exploring the ancient temples, return to our accommodation to relax, and then head back out in the evening without needing to worry about transport.
Overall, if your main reason for visiting Sukhothai is the historical park, I would definitely recommend staying in the Old Town. It is convenient, relaxed and puts you right where you want to be.
Frequently Asked Questions About Where to Stay in Sukhothai
Is it better to stay in Old Sukhothai or New Sukhothai?
For most visitors, I would recommend staying in Old Sukhothai. It is much more convenient for visiting Sukhothai Historical Park and has a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere. New Sukhothai has more of a local city feel and can be useful if you need better transport connections or want to experience more of the modern town.
How many nights should you stay in Sukhothai?
I would recommend two nights in Sukhothai. This gives you enough time to explore the historical park without rushing and also allows you to enjoy the Old Town in the evening. If you are short on time, one night is possible, but I think two nights makes for a much more enjoyable visit.
Where is the best area to stay in Sukhothai?
For most first-time visitors, Sukhothai Old Town is the best area to stay. You will be close to the historical park, temples, restaurants and local cafes. It also saves you time travelling back and forth from New Sukhothai.
Can you walk from Sukhothai Old Town to the historical park?
Yes. Many hotels and guesthouses in the Old Town are within walking distance of the historical park. We stayed at Old City Guest House and it was only around a five-minute walk away.
Is Sukhothai expensive to stay in?
Not compared with many of Thailand’s more popular destinations. There are plenty of affordable guesthouses and hotels in Sukhothai, particularly around the Old Town. We found our accommodation to be excellent value for money.
Should you stay near Sukhothai Historical Park?
Yes, especially if exploring the historical park is your main reason for visiting. Staying nearby means you can easily walk or cycle to the temples and return to your accommodation when you need a break from the heat.
Is Sukhothai Old Town quiet?
Yes, and this was one of the things we loved most about it. Sukhothai Old Town feels much quieter and more relaxed than many of Thailand’s bigger tourist destinations. It was one of the reasons Sukhothai ended up being one of our favourite stops on our trip.
What are the best hotels in Sukhothai Old Town?
There are options for every budget. We stayed at Old City Guest House and loved the location and value for money. Other popular options include Thai Thai Sukhothai Resort, Legendha Sukhothai and Sriwilai Sukhothai.
Is Sukhothai worth staying overnight?
Absolutely. Although you can visit Sukhothai as part of a longer Thailand itinerary, I think staying overnight is worthwhile. It gives you much more time to explore the historical park and experience the Old Town without having to rush through it as a day trip.
