Khon Kaen, while one of the larger cities in Thailand, may not figure high on most travelers’ lists of must-visit Thai destinations. One of the more developed cities in Isaan, its biggest draw for tourists are the many dinosaur fossils and attractions dedicated to the giant reptiles scattered throughout the province.
We were in Khon Kaen recently — attending a wedding — and stayed at the Avani Khon Kaen Hotel & Convention Center. To be honest, we didn’t show up at the Avani with high or low hopes. But we knew the place was well run when our check-in lasted all of two minutes.
Competent, smiling, and English-speaking staff checked in the three wedding guests that tumbled out of the complimentary airport van shuttle simultaneously and, in the few seconds it took to snap a photo of the lobby and peek out at the decorative water feature in the atrium, my key card was in my hand.
The modern lobby and common areas feature sleek lines, low lighting and comfy seating areas in shades of black, gray, and beige. The pool beckons from behind an open air back lobby where there are complimentary bikes for lending, the gym, and the spa.
Upstairs, the standard Avani Room (THB1,465/US$44 or THB1,931/US$58 with breakfast for two), is 30 square meters — ours looked out over the comely green-tiled swimming pool that backs up to green jungle, creating a thrilling green on green landscape that reminded us of the blue on blue we’ve come to expect from resorts that back infinity pools up against oceans to create a never-ending vista of blue.
The bed was large and soft with high-quality bedding. There was a daybed with a tray table by the window, perfect for watching the sunrise with a coffee, the sunset with some wine, or (let’s be honest) eating unnecessary room service while bingeing on trashy TV.
The room is advertised as being able to accommodate two adults and a child, since the daybed can be made up as a single bed. It was more than comfy enough to sleep on. The bathroom was large with a walk-in shower with glass walls that look out into the room.
When we stayed, the hotel was running a special offering early check in from 11am and late check out until 4pm, and free shared van service from the airport (a 15 minute drive away).
But there was little time to check out the room further. The wedding party was meeting for a drink and debrief at the pub downstairs, the The London Inn.
The pub impressed us with more than the decor, though it was done up as well as any UK-inspired pub in Asia, with dark leather and wood, a curved bar, pool table, darts, and indoor and outdoor seating. Drinks — including local beers (THB150/US$4.5), a good list of European beers (in the THB280/US$8.4 range), wines by the glass (THB180/US$5.4), and unusual cocktails such as a Smoked Cinnamon Whisky Sour (THB240/US$7.2) — arrived quickly. The staff was friendly, too.
However, it was the bar snacks that most surprised us. Seafood Pizza (THB320/US$9.6) featured oversized shrimp, mussels, clams, and squid — and had a crust strong enough to support them. They also have among the best Fried Calamari (THB160/US$4.8) we’ve had. The tender circles were freshly breaded and as large as onion rings, while the crust reminded us of fried chicken. They were served with a lemon cream dipping sauce.
The star of the pub snack show, though, were the Krapow Nachos (THB140/US$4.2). It was a dish we’d not seen before but seemed genius. Fresh hot tortilla chips were warmed until crispy with a full dinner-sized serving of chili basil pork pork on top. The whole thing is covered in cheese (that we suspect was a mix of American and mozzarella) and placed under a broiler to achieve maximum gooey-ness. The pub staff told us it’s their most popular dish.
The next afternoon, after the wedding was finished, we gathered by the pool and at the pool bar. The water was refreshing, the jacuzzi bubbling, the surroundings lush, and the staff helpful, re-arranging cozy sofas, tables and chairs for us as more people joined our party.
The drinks were strong, the peanuts plentiful, and the wine list nearly as good as any solid Bangkok hotel.
Though we’re not sure when (or if) we’ll ever return to Khon Kaen, we’d be sure to book the Avani again.
FIND IT:
Avani Khon Kaen Hotel & Convention Centre
999/4 Prachasamosorn Rd.
Khon Kaen
Rooms from THB1,465 (US$43)
