River City Hotel Pattani — a riverside hotel with a pool made for families in Pattani
If you're coming to Pattani as a family or a group and want a stay with a pool for the kids and a restaurant on-site, River City Hotel Pattani is a name that comes up for many travellers. It's a 3-star midrange hotel that opened in 2017, sitting on the Pattani River along Charoen Pradit Road on the side heading towards Prince of Songkla University. It has around 70 rooms, many with balconies looking over the river, an outdoor swimming pool, the Maenam riverside restaurant serving Southern Thai and seafood with halal options, generous parking and free Wi-Fi. Standard rooms start from around ฿1,100/night.
River City Hotel Pattani has been open since 2017 as a midrange hotel geared towards families, seminar groups and travellers who want a riverside setting. The building sits on Charoen Pradit Road beside the Pattani River, on the side that runs towards the Rusamilae area and Prince of Songkla University, Pattani campus. It's about a 7–10 minute drive to the Anoru old town and the central markets — not in the middle of the walkable district, but the riverside spot is quiet and easy, with quick access to the university, which suits people arriving with their own car.
There are around 70 rooms, from Standard up to Suites and river-view rooms. A point guests often raise is that the rooms are fairly spacious and many come with a private balcony over the river. Inside you get air-conditioning, a fridge/mini-bar, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. Sitting on the balcony watching the water in the evening is an atmosphere many reviews say is worth the price. Some rooms lean to an older, more classic style than the city's newer openings, but overall they are clean and roomier than you might expect for the rate.
"Spacious room with a river-view balcony, a pool the kids could swim in, and staff who were really helpful with parking. The riverside restaurant was tasty and halal — great value for a family stay."
What sets River City apart from the smaller stays in town is the range of facilities. There's an outdoor swimming pool and the Maenam riverside restaurant serving Chinese, Southern Thai and seafood with halal options — dishes like roast duck, sour curry with sea bass and crab curry with cha-om. On top of that there's a fitness room, a bar/coffee shop, a karaoke room and large banquet/seminar halls, which make it a popular choice for parties and conferences in the province. Parking is generous and staffed, something drivers really appreciate.
On food and service, the riverside restaurant is a highlight that earns praise, especially for an easy evening meal by the water with a full set of halal options. Most staff are praised for being friendly and helpful. That said, breakfast isn't included in every package, so check when you book — and if it isn't, there are plenty of eateries along Charoen Pradit Road and in town to choose from.
To be honest, River City is not a brand-new hotel and it isn't in the heart of the walkable district. The pool is on the small side — some reviews say it's better for kids to splash in than for serious laps — and parts of the hotel show an older style that has seen a fair bit of use. The riverside location on the Rusamilae side means you'll drive into town for the markets or the shrine. But if you're travelling as a family or group, have a car and want a spacious room with a pool and restaurant all in one place, those trade-offs buy you a lot of convenience.
With a score of around 8.1 from real guests, River City Hotel Pattani positions itself as a midrange hotel that fits families, seminar groups and self-drivers who want a riverside stay with a pool at a reasonable price. If your trip is about comfort, bringing the kids, or hosting a party or meeting, this is a standout in its price bracket in Pattani.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Spacious rooms, many with river-view balconies
- ✓ Has a swimming pool, good for kids and families
- ✓ Riverside restaurant with halal Southern Thai and seafood
- ✓ Generous parking with helpful staff
- ! Not in the heart of the walkable district, you drive into town
- ! Pool is on the small side, more for splashing than laps
- ! Parts of the hotel are an older style and well-used
- ✓ Quiet, easy riverside setting with balconies over the water
- ✓ Good for families or groups, with banquet/seminar rooms
- ✓ Convenient for PSU Pattani and the airport if you drive
- ✓ Friendly, helpful staff
- ! Breakfast not included in every package, check when booking
- ! Some rooms feel dated, look elsewhere if you want brand-new
- ! You'll need a car, not ideal without your own transport
- 💡If you don't have a car and want to walk the old town — this is on the river on the Rusamilae side, so you'll drive to the markets and shrine → a boutique in the Anoru area within walking distance suits better.
- 💡If you expect a brand-new, modern-design hotel — some parts here are an older style and well-used → try a newer city opening if newness matters most.
- 💡If you're here as a family/group with a car and want a pool and restaurant in one place — spacious riverside rooms, a pool and banquet rooms → this is the best fit in this price bracket in Pattani.