The Cavalli Casa Resort

Ask which building your room is in before you book. That's the single most useful thing I can tell you about this place. Guests are clear that building A is the old one, and the difference in feel between the newer rooms and that block is what separates a happy stay from a grumpy one.

Get the right room and it's a comfortable base for Ayutthaya. Rooms run large, well kitted out, each with a balcony, and the grounds are quiet and nicely put together. Breakfast is included and gets consistent praise for variety. There's a pool, and from it you can watch the northbound trains go past, which is a better bit of entertainment than it sounds. Wi-Fi is free.

Two honest caveats. Opinions split on the location. Some find it handy for the main sites, others reckon it's a fair way out from the center, which is partly why it works for business groups. And housekeeping has slipped for some guests, with reports of a room not properly turned over. Look before you unpack.