Tara President Hotel Udon Thani — A Garden Pool Under Frangipani Trees, Minutes from the Airport
If you want a place in Udon Thani that is quiet, easy on the wallet, and still has a pool you can actually swim in, Tara President Hotel — listed on most platforms as President Hotel Udonthani — comes up again and again. It is a low-rise, 3-star resort-style property that opened in 2008 and had a full refresh in 2022. The detail guests keep returning to is the garden swimming pool with frangipani trees growing right at the water's edge — lit up at night, it looks well beyond its price tag — paired with a location that puts Udon Thani Airport a short drive away, which is exactly what you want after a late flight or before an early one.
Tara President opened in 2008 and went through a major renovation in 2022. The hotel is a set of low three-storey wings wrapped around a garden, with pitched Isan-style roofs that read more as a resort than a city hotel. There are 79 rooms in total, all the same 24 sqm footprint, split into Superior and Deluxe categories that differ mainly by bed configuration (one large bed vs. twins) and which floor they sit on. Inside you get air conditioning, a TV, a fridge, hot water and Wi-Fi — nothing flashy, but clean and a fair size for the rate. Multiple guests say the same thing: the rooms feel larger than expected for the money.
The headline feature here is the outdoor swimming pool set in the middle of the garden, with frangipani (plumeria) trees right at the rim. By day the canopy throws shade over the water; by night the staff switch on the underwater lights and tree fairy lights, and the reflections do most of the work — it is the shot that turns up in nearly every guest review. There is a separate shallow children's pool for families, and sun loungers around the edge. Get down before mid-morning and it is quiet enough to feel like a private pool.
Guests describe swimming "in the early evening with the lights on the frangipani trees — completely quiet, almost no one around, like having the whole pool to yourself. You really don't expect this atmosphere at this price."
For food there is U-SPACE on site, open from 10am to 11pm, serving both Thai and Western dishes. Breakfast draws the most praise in reviews — guests note a varied spread with some local Isan options worth trying. The dining room runs white tablecloths with a garden outlook. If you would rather eat out, the restaurant strip and UD Town are a short drive away, but be aware there is not much within walking distance of the hotel itself, so plan on using a car.
The location is both the selling point and the thing to know going in. On the plus side, it is just 4.6 km from Udon Thani Airport — a 10-minute drive — with airport transfers available, which makes it a smart pick for late arrivals or pre-dawn departures. Central Plaza Udon Thani and Nong Prajak Park are roughly 10 minutes away by car. The catch is that the hotel sits outside the city centre, so without your own vehicle you will lean on Grab or taxis. A couple of walkable spots, Wat Thip Santiwan and the New York State Pavilion, are right nearby.
The overall score is 9.1/10 from 237 reviews on Trip.com — cleanliness rates 9.3 and service 9.3, while location sits lower at 8.7, which fairly reflects the out-of-town setting. The honest feedback from lower-rated reviews flags limited English from some staff, occasional aircraft noise from the nearby military airfield, and a few mentions of slippery bathroom floors and strong shower pressure. Small things, but worth knowing before you book.
Rates start around ฿850/night for a Superior room in normal periods — strong value for somewhere with a real pool, free parking and breakfast. Prices climb a little over festivals and long weekends but stay in the low hundreds-to-just-over-a-thousand baht range. There is also EV charging and free bicycle loan, both of which are rare at this price level.
The bottom line: Tara President works best for self-drive travellers, or anyone flying into Udon who wants a quiet base with a pool on a modest budget. It is not a luxury hotel and it is not in the centre of town, but you get a resort feel, clean and roomy accommodation, friendly staff, and the closest airport access in this price bracket. If this trip is more about unwinding than wandering the city on foot, it covers that easily.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Attractive garden pool with a genuine resort feel
- ✓ Rooms clean and larger than expected for the price
- ✓ Staff friendly and helpful
- ✓ Close to the airport with free parking
- ! Out of town — little within walking distance, a car helps
- ! Occasional aircraft noise from the nearby airfield
- ! Some staff have limited English
- ✓ Excellent value for a hotel with a swimming pool
- ✓ Varied breakfast with local Isan dishes
- ✓ Quiet and restful setting
- ✓ EV charging and free bicycle loan on site
- ! Bathroom floors can be slippery in some rooms
- ! Shower pressure stronger than usual
- ! Need a car or Grab to reach the city centre
- 💡If you have no car — the hotel is outside the centre; town and Central Plaza are about 10 minutes by car → budget for Grab or taxis and check late-night availability in the area
- 💡If noise sensitivity matters — there is a military airfield nearby and you may hear aircraft at times → request a garden- or pool-facing room away from the road for a quieter night
- 💡If travelling with young kids — there is a separate shallow children's pool and the 24 sqm rooms can take an extra bed → ask for an extra bed and a ground-floor room near the pool at booking