Where to Stay in Ubon Ratchathani: City Centre, Mun River & Candle Festival Base

Ubon Ratchathani sits at the far east of Isaan, where Thailand narrows to a wedge between Laos and Cambodia. It is 620 km from Bangkok and, despite being the fifth-largest city in the country, receives relatively few international visitors outside the Candle Festival period. This works in the visitor’s favour: hotels are reasonably priced, the city is unpretentious, and the access it provides to the Mekong scenery, Pha Taem prehistoric cliff paintings, and the Laos border crossing puts some extraordinary experiences within reach.

The Mun River runs through the city, and the area around Tung Sri Mueang Park near the river is the most pleasant part of Ubon for walking.

City centre: Tung Sri Mueang and Uparat Road area

The centre of Ubon clusters around Tung Sri Mueang - a large public park on the south bank of the Mun River - and the commercial streets leading away from it. This is the most convenient zone for visiting the city’s main temples (Wat Thung Si Mueang, Wat Jaeng), the National Museum, and the evening markets.

• Budget (฿450–900): Pathumrat Hotel on Chayangkun Road is one of the oldest and most reliable budget options in the city - clean rooms with air-con at approximately ฿500–900 as of 2026. Tokyo Hotel on Uparat Road is similarly priced and closer to the city centre markets. Both are aimed at Thai domestic travellers rather than international visitors.
• Mid-range (฿1,200–2,500): Nevada Grand Hotel (Chayangkun Road) runs approximately ฿1,200–2,200 - large rooms, a pool, and a reliable service standard. Laithong Hotel on Phichitrangsan Road has been a solid mid-range pick for visiting Thai government workers and business travellers for years, running approximately ฿1,000–1,800.
• Upper mid (฿2,000–3,500): Sunee Grand Hotel on Chayangkun Road is the best mid-range hotel with international-standard amenities in Ubon - pool, gym, good restaurant, reliable Wi-Fi at approximately ฿2,000–3,500 as of 2026. The most consistent choice for travellers who want comfort above the budget tier.

Ratchabut Road and commercial district

The area around Ratchabut Road and the Central shopping mall has Ubon’s most modern commercial strip and several business-oriented hotels:

• Business class (฿2,800–5,000): Tohsang City Hotel on Phalaeng Road is the most upscale property in central Ubon - well-maintained rooms, pool, and the most reliable service in the city. At approximately ฿2,800–5,000 as of 2026, it represents the upper end of what is available. Ubon lacks a branded five-star; the Tohsang is the equivalent.

Near the Mun River: Kuan Tani area

The eastern side of the city along the Mun River has a more relaxed atmosphere, especially around the floating restaurants and riverside food stalls that operate in the evening.

• Mid-range (฿1,000–2,200): Baan Rai Guesthouse and several mid-sized hotels in the riverside zone run approximately ฿1,000–2,000. Less convenient for the city centre but better for an evening riverside walk.

Candle Festival accommodation strategy

The Ubon Candle Festival (July) is when the entire city fills. Prices double at minimum, and the better hotels book out months in advance:

• Book in February or March for the July festival.
• Sunee Grand and Tohsang City Hotel are the first to fill - at festival time they may charge ฿5,000–8,000+ for rooms normally in the ฿2,500–3,500 range.
• Budget option: small guesthouses on the outskirts run by local families sometimes remain bookable closer to the date; check Booking.com with the Ubon filter.
• Secondary option: Sisaket (60 km west) has adequate hotels and is accessible to Ubon on festival days by bus.

Food highlights

Ubon’s Isaan food scene is excellent - arguably better than Khon Kaen for those who enjoy the fermented, funky end of the northeastern Thai spectrum:

• Larb plaa (minced fish salad with herbs and roasted rice): A Ubon Ratchathani speciality not widely available elsewhere. Try at Ubon’s morning markets - approximately ฿80–120 as of 2026.
• Nam prik pla raa: Fermented fish paste-based dipping sauce eaten with raw vegetables and sticky rice. Essential Isaan eating - available at any local restaurant.
• Talat Ton Sirindhorn night market (near Tung Sri Mueang Park): Evening market from 5 pm - the best single location for Ubon’s street food scene. Grilled meats, som tam variations, sticky rice, and excellent coconut ice cream.
• Ratchabut Road food stalls: Morning vendors set up from 6 am with khao tom (rice soup), pa thong ko (Thai doughnuts), and strong coffee.

Day trips from Ubon Ratchathani

• Pha Taem National Park (90 km north): Cliff paintings up to 40,000 years old on sandstone bluffs above the Mekong. Entry approximately ฿200 as of 2026.
• Sam Phan Bok: “Three Thousand Holes” rock formations on the Mekong bed - accessible only during the dry season (approximately November to May). Approximately 75 km north.
• Chong Mek border crossing (100 km south): Access to Si Phan Don (Four Thousand Islands), Laos.
• Kaeng Krachan waterfall: Approximately 50 km north of the city in a scenic river canyon.

Our verdict

Sunee Grand Hotel is the best overall choice for most visitors - comfortable, pool, good central location, and pricing that reflects the genuine Isaan city rather than tourist-inflated rates. Tohsang City Hotel for the most comfortable stay available. Budget travellers are well served by Pathumrat or Tokyo Hotel. Ubon warrants two to three nights: one day for the city temples and museum, one day for Pha Taem, and a morning at the night market.

See also: Where to stay in Khon Kaen · Isaan travel guide · Getting around Thailand

To browse Isaan tours and cultural experiences, visit GetYourGuide.