Rua Rasada Hotel Trang — A White Ship-Shaped Tower, the Tallest Building in Town
Drive into Trang along the Trang-Phatthalung road and one thing rises above the skyline before anything else: a curved white tower shaped like a ship. That's Rua Rasada Hotel (the name means "Rasada Ship"), the tallest building in town, sitting on 65 rai of grounds. The nautical theme runs deep — from the curving hull-like walls to the oval porthole windows in the lobby. Locals know it as one of the leading wedding and conference hotels in the province, and it has held the #1 Trang ranking on Tripadvisor for years.
What sets Rua Rasada apart from anything else in Trang is the ship-shaped building itself. The main block is a curved 16-storey tower, the tallest in town, and most rooms follow the curve of the hull with views over the city and the green hills ringing the province. The nautical idea isn't just in the name — the lobby has big oval porthole-style windows, twin curving staircases, and wave-shaped pendant lamps overhead. Guests consistently say the lobby alone makes it clear the theme was committed to properly, not done halfway.
Rooms run from the 26 sqm Superior up to the 125 sqm Royal Suite on the 16th floor. The mid-tier rooms — the 35 sqm Deluxe and the 43 sqm Corner Deluxe — draw the most praise for space, noticeably larger than typical town-centre hotels, with a sitting area and a work desk. The decor leans on warm wood tones, with a flat-screen TV, a small fridge, and tea and coffee facilities in every room. The higher corner rooms get views on two sides; anyone hoping to watch the sun drop behind the hills should request that side at the time of booking.
One of the things guests bring up most is breakfast at Pakarang restaurant. It's a buffet with a wide Thai spread, a made-to-order egg station, and punchy southern Thai dishes that are hard to find at the average chain hotel. Several reviews note the Thai side is done better than the Western menu, which has fewer options. To be straight about it: if you want a full continental breakfast, the choice may feel a little thin — but if you like a savoury Thai morning, this kitchen gets it right.
"Opened the curtains to the hills and the whole town below, ate hot rice soup on the balcony — that alone made the room worth it."
The standout for downtime is the 35-metre outdoor pool, laid out as a curving water garden with sun loungers and blue umbrellas, a Pool Bar on one side. Right next to it is Let's Relax Spa, an in-house branch of the well-known chain where you can book Thai massage and treatments without leaving the property. There's a sauna and a properly equipped gym too. For anyone wanting a pure relaxation base in Trang town, that pool-plus-spa-plus-gym combination is genuinely rare at this price.
The hotel's other role is as one of Trang's top event venues. The Grand Ballroom runs to 1,250 sqm, among the largest in the province, and handles weddings, conferences, and large seminars. It holds the Thailand MICE Venue Standard and a Green Health Hotel certificate. The upside is a slick events operation with staff used to big functions. The thing to know is that on weekends with a wedding on, the lobby and car park get notably busy — if you want quiet, a weekday is the easier call.
The overall score sits at 9.1/10 from 214 Trip.com reviews, with location rated highest (9.4) and cleanliness next (9.1). The honest feedback from guests is that the building is starting to show its age, with some tired spots, that the beds run firm for some people, and that a few reviews flag inconsistent water-temperature control in the shower. Worth knowing so you don't expect a brand-new property — but on value and sheer scale of facilities, it's still a front-runner in town.
The bottom line: Rua Rasada suits anyone who wants a Trang town stay with a pool, a spa, and hill views on a budget that's easy to swallow. Rates start around ฿1,500/night for a Superior, which is strong value for what you get. For a wider room with two-sided views, look at a high-floor Corner Deluxe. And if you're island-hopping and want a night in town before or after the boat, this is one of the most convenient and best-value bases around.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Friendly, responsive staff and good service
- ✓ Generous Thai breakfast with a made-to-order egg station
- ✓ Rooms larger than typical town-centre hotels
- ✓ Central location opposite the bus terminal, near the mall
- ! Building is starting to show its age in places
- ! Beds run firm for some guests
- ! Shower water-temperature control can be inconsistent
- ✓ Striking, unusual ship-shaped tower that photographs well
- ✓ Large pool and an in-house Let's Relax Spa
- ✓ Town and hill views from the higher floors
- ✓ Strong value for the facilities on offer
- ! Lobby and car park get busy when a wedding is on
- ! Western breakfast options are limited
- ! Sits outside the walkable food streets — a short ride into the centre
- 💡If you want the best view — request a high floor on the hill-facing side at booking → lower or inner rooms look out at the car park instead
- 💡If you're particular about soft beds — the mattresses here run firm; you can ask reception for a topper → light sleepers who like a soft bed should plan ahead
- 💡If you're visiting on a weekend — check with the hotel whether a wedding or conference is on → if there's a big function, the lobby and car park fill up, so a weekday is quieter