FOOD IS INSULTING = CHEAPEST GARBAGE INGREDIENTS THEN A POOR CHEF (sic) A 4-5 TIMES THE VALUE. AIR CON BLOWS IN YOUR FACE FOR A HUGE HEADACHE. CHEAP ROOM QUIETER THAN RIVERSIDE. 2 ENGLISH CHANNELS FOR RE-RUNS IS NOT WORTH $40 MORE. NO EATABLE FOOD IN TOWN. ENGLISH IS NEAR WORTHLESS - I SPEAK FLUENT THAI AND HAD PROBLEMS WITH THAI.
Hotel is in serious need of a coat of paint. Really drab exterior. We were also charged extra 100 baht per day for a kids breakfast and 400 baht per night for a mattress on the floor.The receptionist did discount 100 baht.
Breakfast was cold, even the eggs and a poor selection. This hotel at best should only be 2 stars
.At 1600 baht per night we were really disappointed.
The Serene is a very nice hotel in a beautiful place, the Golden Triangle, Thailand. The staff is extremely nice, and many of the staff speak excellent English (Pangie is awesome!). The rooms are very comfortable, and you can't beat the price. I would highly recommend staying here if you're passing through.
My husband and I stayed at the Serene two years ago and wanted to return as it had been really nice. The room was wonderful with the river view and balcony. The air conditioning was not working properly but the technician came up right away. It did not work any better....could not turn down the fan speed so air blowing right onto person on far side. The internet was annoying as everytime you stopped using it the wifi would shut down and you had to put in the network and password again. The pool was out of order and the breakfast was not as it had been. It was basic....egg, toast, jam, fruit and instant coffee. I asked for iced coffee mid day and I asked for cappichino in the morning but this four star hotel had neither. Only saw one couple there for supper and breakfast.
It was the best wifi we've had in Thailand, but the hotel wasn't much outside of that. The room was large, but the bathroom is old & the shower is small. The check-in process was long (they didn't have our booking because their fax machine was broken & they didn't speak English). The hotel is conveniently located close to the Golden Triangle area.
We visited Sob Ruak where our daughter is working with Think Elephants International. It is a small town with the mixed appearance often seen in developing areas. The town is safe with friendly people, with storefront restaurants which offer delicious local cuisine and local street markets. The Serene Hotel was excellent, with all the amenities and a nice riverside location in walking distance to the "downtown." Breakfast buffet was comprehensive. We recommend the Serene; as the starting location for our 3-week trip to Thailand we could not have done better. The helpful staff and relaxing ambiance were terrific. Great value for the cost.
The hotel overlooks the river. Unless you have a room facing that way, you still experience the view from the restaurant. The view is impressive with boats going to China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand; some tourist, some cargo and others just ferrying backwards and forwards.