Accommodation, Part 15: Topland Hotel, Phitsanulok

You can see some of the temple roofs at Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat along the bottom of my window here.

The rainy season is in "full tilt boogie" mode throughout Thailand lately, and I've been thinking more than usual about friends in places in Phitsanulok (as well as other regions) currently underwater. Phitsanulok is roughly halfway between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.  An interesting bus ride, if you have the time.

So far they seem to be holding up as best they can through the flooding that's plagued them recently; the Nan river having overflowed it banks in many areas and sending WIDE swaths of brown, earthy water across vast areas that normally aren't submerged.

Anyway, being some 10,000 miles away the best I can do is hold the positive thought for them and try not to worry. In that spirit the time seemed right to post about a happier time at a hotel I've enjoyed there.

Another room view. The bath and shower are behind the mirror.

The Topland Hotel and Convention Center is located about 500 meters/300 yards from the banks of the Nan, so it may have had some problems when the last heavy rains came through, but I can't say one way or the other at this point.

If you're going there soon you can always contact them directly via the phone number or email at the end of today's post.  I do know that during more serene times it's a nice place to stay, and a place I'd book again, myself.  There were lots of areas to wander and explore near the hotel itself.

You can see in the top photo that from my room I gazed out over the extensive grounds of Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, a place you should definitely wander over and take a walk around, if you're in the area. Those who were reading this blog in November last year saw a two-part post about that temple - those who are catching up can see Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

TripAdvisor currently rates Topland as #3 of 30 hotels listed for Phitsanulok, and with rates for a double "Superior" around $35USD and "Deluxe" around $50USD, it's what I'd call a good value.

The reception desk at the Topland Hotel

There's a large indoor shopping mall within an easy walk, and a night market along the river - although it might be having some flooding problems right along about now.

A street in downtown Phitsanulok

Topland Hotel and Convention Center

68/33 Akathodsarod St. - A. Muang - Phitsanulok, Thailand 65000

Tel: 66-55 247800-9, 245390-4

E-mail: phsoffice@toplandhotel.com
http://www.toplandhotel.com/index.php