Imperial Sakon Hotel — an old-school city-center hotel that sells location and price over polish
Imperial Sakon Hotel, or Imperial Sakon as locals know it, is a budget hotel that's been part of Sakon Nakhon for a long time. The selling point is clear: a city-center spot on Suk Kasem Road, walkable to Big C and the morning and evening markets, at a very light price. Reviews agree the building is old and the rooms are plain, but the staff are helpful and the location is hard to beat. Rooms from approx. THB 450/night, scored 8.1 from 19 reviews on Trip.com.
Imperial Sakon Hotel is a budget hotel well known to locals, sitting right in the city center on Suk Kasem Road in the That Choeng Chum area. The first thing guests mention is the location — you can walk to Big C, the morning market, the evening market and city restaurants without driving anywhere. It's a long-standing hotel: the building is large and fairly old, but many people choose it for the position and the genuinely affordable price.
There are several room types, including Superior Twin, Standard Queen and twin rooms. Every room has air-conditioning, a TV, a fridge and a private bathroom. A repeated compliment in reviews is the comfortable bed — some describe memory-foam mattresses that make for an easy night's sleep, and a few room types are roomier than expected. Wi-Fi reaches throughout the hotel, and several guests note it's stable and genuinely usable.
"Spacious room, comfortable bed, strong Wi-Fi, staff super helpful with travel plans. You can walk to Big C and the markets — for this price in Sakon city it's good value."
Front-desk staff are another frequent highlight. Many reviews say the staff are friendly, recommend places to visit and help arrange transport, and some speak English well enough to help international travelers. The hotel has free parking, a 24-hour front desk, a shuttle service (for a fee), luggage storage and an in-house cafe — handy for self-drivers and anyone here on business.
On the things to know before booking: this is an old hotel. The honest read from reviews is that the building and rooms look tired and worn for their age. Some rooms have old, noisy air-con units, slow-running showers, dated TVs and windows that don't seal well. The breakfast also draws criticism as very basic, with weak coffee. This isn't a hotel that sells newness or atmosphere — it's an affordable bed in a good spot in town.
On price, standard rooms here run roughly THB 450-700/night depending on dates and room type, with promotions sometimes dropping to THB 398++. During Sakon Nakhon's big festivals — the Wax Castle Procession and the end of Buddhist Lent in October — rates climb and rooms fill fast, so book ahead. At this price, paired with a walkable location to the markets and the mall, it's a value pick for budget travelers.
The honest summary from real reviews: Imperial Sakon Hotel suits budget travelers, people here on business, or anyone who wants to stay in the center within walking distance of the markets and mall and can accept an older property. If you value location, price and helpful staff over newness and facilities, it does the job well. If you want a fresh, spotless room or a nice atmosphere, this roundup has better-suited options.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Central location, walkable to Big C and the morning and evening markets
- ✓ Comfortable beds, some with memory-foam mattresses
- ✓ Friendly staff who help with sightseeing and transport
- ✓ Free parking and Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
- ! Building and rooms are old and worn for their age
- ! Some rooms have old, noisy air-con and slow showers
- ! Basic breakfast with weak coffee
- ✓ Great position, walkable to the markets and restaurants
- ✓ Some room types are roomier than expected, with an in-room fridge
- ✓ Stable, usable Wi-Fi
- ✓ Affordable, good value for budget travelers
- ! Older hotel with some dated in-room fittings
- ! Limited facilities — mainly a place to sleep
- ! Windows in some rooms don't seal well
- 💡If you want a fresh, spotless room or nice atmosphere — this is an old hotel, worn for its age → consider a boutique or newer option in this roundup instead.
- 💡If you're sensitive to noise and room condition — some rooms have old, noisy air-con and slow showers → ask to see the room first or request a renovated one, and pack earplugs.
- 💡If you're visiting during the Wax Castle festival / end of Lent (Oct) — rates rise and rooms fill fast → book ahead and lock in a free-cancellation rate.