Viang Tak Riverside Hotel — river-view rooms in central Tak that punch above their price
If you are visiting Tak and want to sleep right on the Ping River without paying a premium, Viang Tak Riverside Hotel is the long-standing name travellers mention most. It is a riverside hotel in the city centre on Chom Phon Road, where the river-side rooms look straight out over the Ping River and the Rattanakosin Bicentennial Bridge. There is an outdoor pool and a restaurant, and it is only a few minutes' walk to the riverside market and the Loi Krathong Sai festival site. Rooms start at around ฿800/night — good value for a river view like this.
What sets Viang Tak Riverside apart from other hotels in Tak is its riverside location in the city centre on Chom Phon Road. Higher river-side rooms look out over the Ping River and the Rattanakosin Bicentennial Bridge, the city's landmark span. What many guests love is that river-view rooms cost barely more than city-view ones — so just book the river side. From the hotel it is a short walk to the Ping River market and the riverbank where Tak holds its famous Loi Krathong Sai (floating thousand-lamp) festival.
The hotel is a multi-storey building with several room categories, from Superior up to family rooms. Rooms are fairly spacious with comfy beds, plump pillows, a work desk, a minibar fridge, a TV and a hot-water bathroom with a tub. Large glass windows take in the river view in full. Many guests say the rooms are bigger than expected and great value, especially a river-side room from the 6th floor up.
"Opened the curtains in the morning and the Ping River and the bridge were right there. The room was huge, the bed comfortable — you won't find a view like this in Tak at this price."
Beyond the rooms, the hotel has an outdoor pool and a kids' pool, a restaurant, a bar, a massage room, karaoke, billiards, free parking and free bicycles for riverside rides. Staff earn praise for being friendly and helpful. Breakfast is simple but has a decent spread — enough to fuel up before moving on, since many people use this place as an overnight stop on the drive north or out to Mae Sot.
To be straight with you: this hotel has been open a long time and is starting to show its age. Some rooms still have older carpet floors, towels and toiletries can look well-used, and conditioner or lotion is not always provided. The decor leans classic rather than modern. The area on the far bank of the river can look untidy in places too — worth knowing if you are expecting a brand-new property, as it may not match the photos in every corner.
Another point people raise is the in-house karaoke and bar, which can get noisy on some nights, so light sleepers should ask for a room away from that zone. Overall scores still hold up well — Agoda sits around 8.5 from over 1,500 reviews (couples rate it as high as ~9.3) and Trip.com is around 9.0 from 40 reviews. The numbers suggest most guests are happy with the location and view, and forgive the age.
In short, Viang Tak Riverside is a great pick for anyone who wants a Ping River-view room in central Tak on a light budget, or a one-night stop while travelling. You get a riverside view, a pool and a walkable location near the river market. If you can accept the building's age and a few missing toiletries, this place offers value that is hard to find in this town.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Riverside location in the city centre, walk to the river market and Loi Krathong Sai site
- ✓ River-side rooms with lovely views of the Ping River and the bridge
- ✓ Spacious rooms, comfy beds, plump pillows, friendly staff
- ✓ Outdoor pool, free parking and free bicycles
- ! Long-established hotel; some rooms show their age with older carpet
- ! Toiletries not always complete (conditioner/lotion sometimes missing)
- ! The far bank of the river can look untidy in places
- ✓ River-side rooms cost barely more than city-view — excellent value
- ✓ Handy overnight stop on the drive north or out to Mae Sot
- ✓ Couples rate it highly; nice riverside atmosphere
- ✓ Good Wi-Fi; rooms quiet away from the bar zone
- ! Decor is classic rather than modern
- ! Karaoke/bar can be noisy on some nights
- ! Towels and some toiletries look well-used
- 💡If you expect a brand-new, modern property — this is a long-established hotel and some rooms still have carpet → ask for a recently renovated or higher-floor room when booking.
- 💡If you are a light sleeper — the karaoke/bar can be noisy on some nights → request a higher river-side room away from the entertainment zone.
- 💡If you want a full Ping River view — not every room faces the river → specify a 'River View room, 6th floor or higher' when booking and confirm before arrival.