The resort is in a remote location but it is very peaceful and relaxing and cabins are set against beautifully manicured gardens. The staff were very helpful and did their best to help even if they spoke little English and always contacted another staff member who spoke better English to help if they couldn't. A few staff spoke very good English. I also do not speak much Thai but enjoyed sharing with staff helping me to expand my Thai vocab. The resort has a bus that can take you for free to the train station 3km away . Here you can get a train to River Kwai Bridge and Kanchanaburi or in the opposite direction toward Hell Fire Pass. It only runs twice daily. On return by train we had arranged with the hotel to have the bus at the station to meet us at the end of the day and it was there on time as arranged.On the resort due to its size the resort provides it's own taxies, buggy style. We would ring reception from the cabin phone and within a few minutes of ringing the taxi would be at our cabin to take us to reception or the sports centre.This was a free service. It would collect us and take us back or where ever we wanted on the resort.. Buffet breakfast was very cheap,140baht and buffet dinner was 200 baht per head. These were on when tourist buses where stopping over which was most nights during our stay.. Otherwise there was the a la carte menu and providing American and continental breakfast for a similarly cheap price. 140 baht converted to $4.70 AUD. We swam, rode bikes and had reasonably priced reflexology massages at 300 baht an hour, aproximately $10 AUD. The swimming pool was cleanand change/shower rooms and towles were provided. here was a steam room in the ladies and also a sauna but he sauna wasn't operating. Ther is a spa also near to the swimming pool. Sometimes we sat by the river and read and wrote poetry, we went on walks around the resort or walked into the small country village 15 mins walk away. Here there were 3 local village style supermarkets and a restaurant. The area has sugar cane farms, corn, papaya and vegetables. In the evenings we listened to the keyboard player/singer during dinner.. Sometimes we danced and had much fun with french tourists dancing also and on occassion there was some karaoke. It wasn't too loud. Sometimes we would see a small gheko but after having lived in Asian tropical countries for work, this is normal and goes with the territory and they do not hurt but keep the insects down. We stayed 9 nights, 2 extra than planned because we found it so relaxing. We stayed in 3 different types of accommodation and found all of them very clean and comfortable. Hair driers were provided, tea/coffee making facility in room, some toiletries, etc and bottled water in the fridge . On the few occasions we watched tv in our cabin I viewed a Japanese chanel in English with really interesting programs on history, food, art, travel etc which I enjoyed.The tv in the main reception area played videos of movies and daily newspapers were supplied here to read, some in Thai and an English one..We did not go away to be on a computer very much but when needed to check we used the one available at reception which cost 60 baht for a minimum of one hour. New years eve consisted of a gala dinner outdoors for 400baht , starting at 5.30 pm and finishing at midnight with fireworks. A stage performance was arranged and games for the kids and families. It was a buffet dinner which was very nice. We enjoyed the food during our stay.There are mosquitoes around especially as it was monsoon season and mosquitoes breed in the water and one can expect these by the river, it is normal. We went prepared with mosquito repellent and I was only bitten on my 2nd last night at the resort because I didn't put any repellent on. We had beautiful weather during our stay, lovely days with pleasant breezes. A local farmer living near the train station took us to the town of Kanchanaburi for 500baht which is a reasonable price which town taxi trucks also charged.The resort bus price is on much of a par with local taxis to take you places sight seeing we found. We paid 1500baht for 7 hours for a non airconditioned taxi truck to take us to a heritage old walled city and temple ruin. We balanced out travel expenses between local taxis, hotel and train.
The resort is an older one and in a few places does need an upgrade such as around the pool deck. The high up glass windows in the main dining area need a clean. gym was advertised but there wasn't one and some childrens play equipment and bridges need upgrading. I think the addition of a mini-golf area and golf T-off practise area plus a gym and tennis court[ which it used to have]. would enhance the experience for families..We paid 4000baht for a hotel taxi, air- con'd in Bangkok to take us to the resort initially and this included a stop at the floating market and trip to the Tiger Temple where you can walk with the tigers before reaching the resort.On our return to Bangkok we were going to go by train to Kanchanaburi and then get a minibus, airconditioned to BKK for 190 baht each[ $6.35 AUD] to Mo Chit in Bangkok. Due to the railway sleepers being replaced with new ones and an accident on the line we couldn't get the train but a local farmer took us in in his car to where we got the mini bus. There was a small shop in the resort but there wasn't a great deal on offer , such as UHT milk at the time. I think a wider range could be stocked here.
My husband and I had a lively time here and came away very refreshed.We would be happy to go back again and plan to. The experience was enjoyable .It would be enhanced for us by extra activities such as a gym, tennis and mini golf but we enjoyed it anyway. We also took our own pack of cards and board games to use on holiday and enjoy playing at times. It all depends on the type of holiday you are looking for I think and what your expectations. are.Location was good for us, it depends on what you want.
