You booked a luxury hotel in Bangkok. You enjoyed a great night out at a club, and invited a new friend back to your room. But at the hotel reception, the staff stops you: “Sir, you need to pay 1,500 THB extra for the lady.” This is the dreaded Joiner Fee. If you are planning to enjoy Thailand’s nightlife, understanding this policy is more important than the swimming pool or breakfast quality.
What is a Joiner Fee?
Most hotels base their room rates on double occupancy (2 people). However, if you check in alone (1 person), some hotels consider an unregistered guest brought later as an “extra person” and charge a fee. This fee typically ranges from 500 to 3,000 THB per night.
What is a “Guest Friendly” Hotel?
A “Guest Friendly” (or Girl Friendly) hotel implies that they do not charge a Joiner Fee if you bring a guest back, provided you originally booked the room for 2 people (even if you checked in alone).
- Rule: When booking on Agoda or Booking.com, always select “2 Adults” for the room, even if you are traveling solo. This secures your right to have a second person in the room without extra cost.
Safety Procedure: ID Card Check
Just because a hotel is Guest Friendly doesn’t mean they ignore security. Almost all respectable hotels will ask your guest to leave their ID Card at the reception.
- This is for your safety. If something happens to you (theft, etc.), the hotel has the guest’s details.
- The receptionist will usually call your room when the guest leaves to ensure everything is okay.
Which areas are mostly Guest Friendly?
- Sukhumvit (Nana, Asoke): Most hotels here cater to nightlife tourists and are Guest Friendly.
- Riverside / 5-Star Luxury Chains: Many high-end family-oriented hotels strictly enforce Joiner Fees. Always check reviews or email the hotel beforehand.
Summary
To save money and avoid awkward situations at 3 AM, always verify if a hotel is “Guest Friendly” before booking. It is the golden rule of Thai nightlife travel.