Pornnareamitr Hotel That Phanom — A Budget Stay You Can Walk from to Wat Phra That Phanom, Made for Pilgrims
If you're coming to Nakhon Phanom mainly to pay respects at Wat Phra That Phanom and want a budget room you can walk to the temple from, remember the name Pornnareamitr Hotel (also spelt Pornnarumirt) · It's a budget 3-star hotel in the town of That Phanom, with a garden and an on-site restaurant and a quiet, small-town feel · What guests like most is that it's a few minutes' walk to Wat Phra That Phanom, with warm, friendly hosts and clean, good-value rooms, plus free Wi-Fi, free parking and a 24-hour front desk · From approx. THB 700/night · Compiled from real guest reviews.
Pornnareamitr Hotel — known locally as the Pornnarumirt — sits in the town of That Phanom, about 50 km south of Nakhon Phanom city down along the Mekong · Its clear selling point is that it's within walking distance of Wat Phra That Phanom, which makes it a favourite with pilgrims and travellers who come to pay respects at this revered chedi (the birthday temple for those born on a Sunday) · The hotel is a low-rise building with a garden and an in-house restaurant — not a big chain, but a locally run place looked after by its owners.
There are several room types, from Standard for a couple up to Deluxe, Family and a larger Suite · All rooms are non-smoking, with air conditioning, cable TV, a fridge and bottled water · Most guest feedback is positive on cleanliness and fair pricing — many say the rooms are simple but comfortable and good value for the money · The honest trade-off to know in advance is that some of the furniture and textiles are starting to show their age; this is a clean, functional stay rather than a brand-new one.
"An easy place to stay and walk to Wat Phra That Phanom, with kind, friendly owners and staff — clean rooms at a fair price, perfect for a one-night stop on a temple trip."
The thing guests praise most consistently is how warm and helpful the owners and staff are · Reviews describe a friendly welcome and good tips on getting to the temple or finding local food · There's an on-site restaurant plus a coffee/tea corner in the common area, and breakfast can be added (around THB 250 per meal) · The basics are all covered for this class of hotel: free Wi-Fi, free parking, a garden to sit in and a 24-hour front desk for late arrivals.
Location really is the heart of the appeal · The hotel is in the town of That Phanom and only a few minutes' walk from Wat Phra That Phanom, with a market and local eateries nearby · The thing to understand is that That Phanom is a fair distance from Nakhon Phanom city and the riverfront there — so if your trip is built around the Mekong Walking Street or the Naga shrine in the city, this isn't close to them · It suits travellers focused on the temple, or those using it as an overnight stop on the Mukdahan–Nakhon Phanom route.
The honest verdict: Pornnareamitr Hotel is best for pilgrims and budget travellers whose main aim is to visit Wat Phra That Phanom · Review scores sit in the fair-to-good range (around 7.7 on the main booking platforms) · The strengths are the location and the friendly hosts; the limitations reviews mention are weak soundproofing between rooms, inconsistent water pressure in some rooms, ageing furniture and a slightly musty smell in a few rooms · There's no pool · If you expect a sparkling-new hotel or city-style facilities, adjust your expectations — but for a value stay close to the temple, it does the job for a night of merit-making.
A tip from following these stays: ask for a room set back from the road and the common areas — it'll be quieter and helps with the noise issue · If you come during the Wat Phra That Phanom homage festival (around February–March, the 10th waxing to 1st waning of the third lunar month), rooms across That Phanom fill fast and rates climb, so book several months ahead · Best to walk over to the chedi early morning or late afternoon, when it's cooler and less crowded.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Walking distance to Wat Phra That Phanom
- ✓ Warm, friendly owners and staff
- ✓ Budget price; clean, good-value rooms
- ✓ On-site restaurant, garden, free Wi-Fi and free parking
- ! Weak soundproofing between rooms
- ! Some furniture and textiles are showing their age
- ! Inconsistent water pressure in some rooms
- ✓ Good location; easy walk to the temple
- ✓ Fair price, ideal for a one-night stay
- ✓ Kind, helpful owners and staff
- ✓ Free parking and a garden to relax in
- ! A slightly musty smell in some rooms
- ! Front desk lightly staffed at times
- ! No pool, and not in Nakhon Phanom city itself
- 💡If your trip is built around the Mekong riverfront in Nakhon Phanom city — this is in That Phanom town, a fair distance from the city and the Walking Street → look at the riverfront hotels on Sunthon Wichit Road instead.
- 💡If you're sensitive to noise or want a newer room — reviews mention weak soundproofing and ageing furniture → ask for a room set back from the common areas and adjust expectations on newness.
- 💡If you come during the Wat Phra That Phanom festival (February–March) — rooms across That Phanom fill fast and rates climb → book several months ahead and lock in a free-cancellation rate first.