Amarinnakhon Hotel — A Budget Hotel Right Opposite the Train Station, Walk to the Market and Wat Yai
If you arrive in Phitsanulok by train and want a place that's a hop off the platform at the lowest price, Amarinnakhon Hotel (Thai name: Amarin Nakorn) has been the budget traveller's go-to for years · A 2-star budget hotel on Chao Phraya Road, Nai Mueang, it sits directly opposite Phitsanulok Railway Station, within walking distance of the city market and Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat (Wat Yai) · It's a long-running classic building that has been renovated; what reviews agree on is the unbeatable location for train travellers, decently clean rooms, friendly staff and free parking · Rooms from approx ฿450/night
Amarinnakhon Hotel is a long-established Phitsanulok hotel on Chao Phraya Road, Nai Mueang · Its clearest selling point is location — the hotel is right across from Phitsanulok Railway Station, about a 5-minute walk from the platform to the lobby · For anyone arriving by train to continue to Sukhothai or Khao Kho, or to pay respects to Phra Phuttha Chinnarat, this is about as convenient as it gets · It's a classic-style building dating back to 1974, with a major renovation in 2008, offering over a hundred rooms at some of the easiest prices in the city.
Rooms are simple in the budget-hotel mould, with air conditioning, a refrigerator, TV, a desk and free Wi-Fi · Most real guest reviews say the rooms are decently clean, the beds comfortable, the air-con cold and the rooms quiet — good value for the price · Options run from Standard up to Deluxe and a larger Suite · Set expectations first: the building has age and some areas look dated, and a few bathrooms show stains or wear · If you aim for "clean, usable budget hotel" rather than "new and stylish," you'll be happier here.
"Clean room, nice and quiet, cold air-con, very cheap, and you just step off the train and cross the road — so convenient. The staff were kind too."
Service is what wins over budget travellers · Staff are praised for being friendly and helpful, the front desk is open 24 hours, there's room service, an in-house coffee shop/restaurant, and free parking that's handy for self-drivers · A point many mention: the hotel runs a shuttle to use the swimming pool at Amarin Lagoon, its sister property, for a small fee — the hotel itself has no pool, but there's a way to swim if you want · That's a solid set of services for a hotel at this price.
Location is the heart of the appeal · Beyond being opposite the station, it's central — you can walk to the market and the city's food district, and it's not far from Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat (Wat Yai), home of Phra Phuttha Chinnarat · The Nan River night bazaar is a short walk or drive away · The bus terminal and Phitsanulok Airport are about a 10–15 minute drive · The overall score sits around 7.6 from over 120 reviews, with a TripAdvisor ranking around #15 in the city — reflecting a genuinely usable budget pick rather than a luxury stay.
To be honest, Amarinnakhon sells value and location, not newness or design · If you want a crisp new room, a boutique feel or a Nan River view, this isn't it — look at Holatel, Fortune D, or riverside boutiques like Dragon River Avenue instead · But if you're arriving by train, want the lowest price, a place you can reach by crossing the road from the station, decently clean, with kind staff and free parking, and you're not fussed about the building's age — Amarinnakhon offers value that's hard to find in such a central spot.
A tip from following reviews here: ask for a renovated room on a higher floor for a fresher, quieter room away from the street-facing side · If you want to swim, ask about the shuttle to the pool at Amarin Lagoon at check-in · And during festivals or long weekends when many come to pay respects to Phra Phuttha Chinnarat, book ahead, as the cheapest rooms go fast.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Location opposite the train station, super convenient for train travellers
- ✓ Budget price, good value for money
- ✓ Friendly, helpful staff, 24-hour front desk
- ✓ Free parking, plus a shuttle to the sister hotel's pool
- ! Older building, some areas look dated with age
- ! A few bathrooms show stains or wear
- ! No on-site swimming pool and no river view
- ✓ Step off the train and cross the road — central location
- ✓ Decently clean rooms, comfortable beds, cold air-con, quiet
- ✓ Walk to the market and Wat Yai, eateries all around
- ✓ Cheap, ideal for budget travellers
- ! An older hotel — furniture and fittings aren't new
- ! Some cheaper rooms are very basic
- ! Limited in-house dining, closes fairly early
- 💡If you want a crisp new room or modern design — this is an older, value-focused building, not a new one → try Holatel or Fortune D in the same city instead
- 💡If you want a Nan River view or a riverside boutique feel — this is a city hotel with no water view and no on-site pool → try Dragon River Avenue or Grand Riverside
- 💡If you're particular about pristine bathrooms and fittings — some rooms show stains or wear with the building's age → ask for a renovated higher-floor room when booking, or choose a newer property if your budget allows