The Heritage Grand Khon Kaen — a city-centre hotel known for genuinely big rooms and an easy-to-walk location
This tower on Prachasamran Road is a familiar sight for anyone who knows Khon Kaen — it's the building that used to be the Pullman Raja Orchid before new owners rebranded it as The Heritage Grand Khon Kaen Hotel and Convention. What guests talk about most is how genuinely spacious the rooms are, starting at 43 sqm, bigger than most comparable hotels in town. There's an outdoor pool, spa, gym, an on-site brewery and a bakery many guests rave about, and the location puts you within walking distance of Central Plaza. Rates start from around THB 2,000/night.
The first thing to know is that this is the same building as the Pullman Khon Kaen Raja Orchid, which has stood in central Khon Kaen since 1994. After a change of ownership it was rebranded as The Heritage Grand and gradually refurbished under the new name. That means the room layouts and generous sizes are still the ones the building was always known for, but the management and parts of the service have changed hands — worth knowing before you book, because old and new reviews are mixed together across the booking platforms.
The rooms are the clear strong point. Standard Deluxe rooms start at 43 sqm, larger than comparable rooms at most Khon Kaen hotels, stepping up to 46 sqm Corner Rooms, 64 sqm Junior Suites and 84 sqm Executive Suites. Many rooms look out over the city or Bueng Kaen Nakhon lake and come with a bathtub separate from the shower. Guests consistently mention how comfortable the beds are and how much floor space there is — easy to spread out luggage and not feel cramped, which suits longer stays and work trips.
"The room was huge, the bed comfortable, the staff lovely and helpful. We had pastries from the in-house bakery in the morning — better than expected — and Central Plaza is an easy walk away."
On-site facilities are well rounded for a city hotel. There's an outdoor pool, spa, gym and several restaurants including an Italian one. Two things guests single out are the on-site brewery with live music and the bakery that reviews call a hidden gem, with fresh, good-quality pastries. The breakfast buffet has a decent mix of Thai and international options and is praised for variety. And because it doubles as a large convention centre, it's a popular base for people in town for meetings and seminars.
But honestly, the most common complaint is that the building and decor feel dated, with a 1990s style. Some reviews mention musty-smelling rooms, aging furniture, and the occasional mould in the bathroom or shower. A few amenities are worn or in need of repair, and service quality can be inconsistent — some guests land a refurbished room and come away impressed, others get an older one and leave disappointed. That's why scores vary noticeably between platforms, depending on which room you get and how far the refurbishment has reached.
Location is what keeps the scores up. It sits in central Khon Kaen, within walking distance of Central Plaza, and not far from Khao Niao Road and the city's nightlife area. Bueng Kaen Nakhon lake and the main civic spots are a short drive away. Overall it scores around 8.7 — Trip.com gives it 9.0 from 343 reviews, while TripAdvisor rates it 4.1 stars and ranks it #4 of 76 hotels in Khon Kaen across more than 1,000 reviews — figures that say most guests are still happy with the big rooms and the location, even with the dated building.
In short, The Heritage Grand isn't a brand-new hotel where everything is pristine. It's a big-room, central-location hotel at an affordable price, suited to travellers who value floor space and convenience over fresh decor. If you're in town for a conference, working, or just want a large room near Central Plaza for around two thousand baht, it's a sensible pick. If you're expecting the new-and-luxurious 5-star feel its former name suggests, you'll need to dial expectations back a little.
A tip from following the reviews here for a while: ask for a refurbished room when booking or at check-in, and avoid the very lowest floors that reviews flag more often for mustiness. A Bueng Kaen Nakhon lake-view room is worth more than a city view. And don't skip the in-house bakery and brewery — two highlights many guests miss because they head straight to Central Plaza.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Very spacious rooms with comfortable beds, good for longer stays or work
- ✓ Central location, walking distance to Central Plaza
- ✓ Friendly, helpful staff
- ✓ Bakery and breakfast both well rated
- ! Dated building and 1990s-style decor
- ! Some rooms smell musty or have mould in the bathroom
- ! Inconsistent room quality depending on whether yours is refurbished
- ✓ Generous room space, with city or Bueng Kaen Nakhon lake views
- ✓ On-site brewery with live music and a nice atmosphere
- ✓ Pool, spa, gym and restaurants all on site
- ✓ Convenient for guests in town for meetings and seminars
- ! Furniture and some amenities worn or awaiting repair
- ! Service changed hands after rebranding, still settling
- ! The building needs further renovation in several areas
- 💡If you expect a brand-new, luxurious 5-star feel from its old name — the building and decor are still 1990s-style and some rooms smell musty → ask for a refurbished room at booking or check-in, and set expectations to a midrange hotel.
- 💡If you're sensitive about bathroom cleanliness — some reviews mention mould in the shower in certain rooms → avoid the lowest floors, check the room at check-in and ask to change straight away if there's an issue.
- 💡If the reviews confuse you over the name — this is the former Pullman Raja Orchid, rebranded as the Heritage Grand → old and new reviews are mixed together, so focus on the most recent ones for an accurate, current picture.