On the right side of the track

TWENTY YEARS ago visitors to Buriram had a problem finding accommodation. These days, supporters of Buriram United’s followers as well as those of its rival teams and motor sport fans have a choice of modern hotels, many of them complete with a sports bar. 

One such venue is The Cresco, a modern hotel that leans towards industrial loft design with exposed brick walls and meshed panels. The name “Cresco” comes from the Latin word, says the hotel website, meaning “Growing and Rising”, an apt description as just like the Chang Arena and Chang International Circuit, the Cresco is a milestone on Buriram’s path to modernisation. The northeastern province is transforming itself from a rugged backwater drought-stricken land into the centre of sports tourism, with English – and now Latin too –taking the lead over the local Khmer dialect.
The Cresco Hotel is 800 metres away from Buriram’s Chang International Circuit, Buriram United’s home ground – Thunder Castle Stadium – and Buriram Castle Shopping Mall though it’s closer to the sport venues than the town market, meaning there are no food stalls or bars outside the door. 

Fully equipped with a fitness centre, swimming pool and kid’s zone, the Cresco Hotel features 40 rooms spread over the Deluxe, Suite and Family Suite categories. The lobby hints at the international circuit with two Triumph motorbikes taking pride of place. Guest can pass time looking at them or watching a sports channel while waiting their turn for check-in or check-out. The flat-screen television airs sports programmes around the clock, providing a soundtrack of cheering and yelling for lobby visitors.
I stayed in a Novem – a standard type room – on the second floor for two nights. It was spacious, modern and attractive in an industrial loft sort of way. The room might be a little dark for people who are in Buriram on a business trip though the two packs of condoms thoughtfully placed next to two bottles of water suggest the guest might be concentrating on other kinds of business. On one side of the spacious room is a long working table, while the other side boasts a leather coach with big neon “C” on the wall. I explored my small balcony and found that my view was of a run-down sawmill. 

The bathroom is spacious, although the design is bland and boring. There’s no tub or luxury bath amenities. Bath gel, shampoo and body lotion come in large, squeezy bottles in true sports club fashion. 
The Cresco is proud of its gym and has reason to be as it is fitted with up-to-date equipment though I would argue with the “sizeable” description of the pool – it’s small. Thai and European food and drinks are served at its all-day-dining restaurant. The food quality is fine, but the quantity could be more generous. 
On the bottom line, the Cresco Hotel is a modern hotel with fine services. It’s not suitable for older people or the disabled as while it’s only two storeys high, there is no lift. The price for a standard room is about Bt2,000 per night when booking through specialist websites. Walk in customers can expect to pay more. 

AT A GLANCE
High point: A guestroom is attractive in a modern design. 
Low point: There’s no lift, so the hotel is not suitable for older people and the disabled. 
Pay for it: : The room rates start at Bt2,000
Find it: 333 Moo 4, Buriram-Prakornchai Road, Muang, Buriram.
Call it: (044) 634 901-2
Browse it: www.CrescoBuriram.com