Just got back after 2 nights stay with Golden Crown Plaza (04/8-05/8) My mom n nephew in room 818 n we were at room 813, I think my room is much better n bigger. Btw wifi in our room was pretty fast n strong - TBH 50 for 24 hour. Applicable only for one laptop or a tablet, you need to pay for additional units.

No roaches around, good sunlight in the room which you can draw curtains to block out the light. So far one TV channel that is English-Fox Movies, food menu for room service is reasonable, though I have not tried eating in. Bathroom was decently clean with basic toiletries, shower n hot water strong, flushing is strong too without any smell whatsoever. Towels and sheets changed daily with complimentary 2 drinking water bottles, hot kettle jug, hair dryer, mini bar but no safety box though. Cleaning staff were friendly, helpful, efficient and hardworking. Rooms decor are basics but clean, no moldy or musty smell even along the corridors. Our tablets and cell phones were all over the place, nothing were missing so the room staff are honest :-)

I felt that front desk were always busy n overworked so they don't have time to be friendly or hospitable to hotel guests n the lobby were never short of people, hanging there and the reception area. Besides they their English is limited, pricing and reservations is all they are capable of, need to cut some slack here and accept this graciously.

Hotel location is great, hotel car park is a bit limited at the hotel but you can still make use of their open space car park about 30m from hotel, which can be pretty safe with efficient security guards. We usually tip them about THB 50 n they are pleased. Treat them as how you expect to be treated * grins *

We are a lazy bunch during holidays so we prefer to have breakfast in the hotel and head back to the room for R & R before running out to do frenzy shopping. Since the entire hotel was taken up, breakfast was now served buffet style n cost THB 130 per head otherwise you pay THB 100 for the usual limited Ala Carte. I won't say it's awful or fantastic but edible seems to come to mind n trust me, you can still skip lunch later that day. Fried noodles, fried rice, congee, soup of the day, salads, chunky fried chicken, bread, eggs, sausages, fresh fruits & coffee,
tea, fresh milk and nice yummy fruit juice. There you go, a hearty edible breakfast that is able to keep your tummy full.
Once you have been to Haadyai often enough, you'll probably tried eating every where and it can be a little disheartening their pricing and taste don't maintain consistency, some days taste good n cheap and some days it runs. So we tried their local dishes at Central Mall n surprisingly it's fabulous, tasty, clean and cheap. THB 15 for compact steamed fragrant rice, spicy shrimp n squid with long beans, cauliflower with oyster sauce, fried bitter gourd with eggs, fried chicken - all cost around THB 49.5 per packet, mind you with 2 serving potions. It's all take away during lunch n you could microwave before paying. So convenient n affordable, not to mention fresh n tasty. Another place with local dishes is Odeon Supermarket, not so tasty but you can eat there with comfort and convenience like our usual eatery in Malaysia. Drinks are cheaper there than the commercial town area.

Yes, Golden Crown Plaza, is in the heart of Haadyai, take a short cut behind the alley n bypass Regency Hotel and you are already in Central, even their alleys are safe. Thailand has so much to offer, the Thais are so creative and talented in handiwork that one can find many new stuff after every season.

Stayed there on 22nd to 24th July 2012. When we checked into the hotel, we found the front desk staff very unfriendly. The bedsheets were stained and not changed since the previous
guest, room smelled strongly of cigarette smoke and the toilet smelled foul. There was some tissue papers on the floor. When we complained to the reception and wanted a change of room, they cannot accomodate. The room overlooked a backlane and loud music was blasting from the shops/residents. Curtains old and could not be drawn properly. It was a very bad experience, fortunately we stayed for 2 nights only.

However the hotel was very near to the local market and shopping areas.

We travel in group of 5. Booked 2 rooms for 2 nights during weekend stay. First night we booked 1 junior suite (add extra bed) + 1 superior room, both located at 8th floor. Second night we booked 2 superior room and managed to get connecting rooms. The hotel staffs are not too friendly maybe because they can hardly speak good English. They don't understand our requests and will easily make people lost of patience. One of the hotel porter can speak good mandarin and very helpful. He helps to do some translations when needed. The room is clean and bed is comfortable but please take note that they don't provide free toothbrush. If you like to experience the Thai massage services, can arrange the masseur to your room. 1 hr 45 min only charged at 300 bahts. It's cheap!! If you are satisfied with their service, it's advisable to pay extra 20 bahts as tippings. The breakfast is not good. Hotel is located near to shopping area and can easily get local food. Lee Garden Plaza and Central Departmental Store is within 5 min walk. There are McD, KFC, Shabu Shi and Swensen's in Lee Garden Plaza. Early morning, you can just walk out from the hotel and go to the market which sell all kinds of fresh fruits and groceries items such as cashewnuts and anchovies. Besides that, there are a few food stalls open at night where u get to try on their local food called "Kuay Chap" and bird nest desserts. The Char Kuay Teow is nice. Price about 35-40 baht. 1 bowl of bird nest is 120 baht each. To travel from hotel to Songkhla takes about 40 min ride by tuk-tuk and averagely they will charge 1500 baht for half day tour to 4-5 tourist attractions inclusive of The Golden Mermaid statue at Samila Beach and The Great Serpent "Naga". If you would like to visit Khlong Hae floating market after that will cost you extra 500 baht. After obtaining this info at the hotel, we decided to walk to the nearby Kim Yong Market (hard to bargain price due to communication problems) and the clock tower area (there is a small flee market and Zebra kitchenware shop). From there, we took tuk-tuk to the local supermarket "Big C" (like Giant or Carrefour), charges less than 100 bahts. After Big C, it's already almost 3-4pm. We managed to nego a good price (900 bahts) with Tuk Tuk driver to bring us visit Songkhla and Khlong Hae floating market. We only visited 2 places, Samila Beach and the naga statue then left to Khlong Hae around 6pm+. The tuk-tuk driver will wait for us and fetch us back to hotel after Khlong Hae floating market. The next day, we asked the hotel to get us a van to airport at 600 bahts.