An oasis of calm

A unique, boutique hotel quite unlike anywhere else I've stayed. On arrival we were met with a refreshing glass of herbal juice and big beaming smiles from the staff, and that pretty much set the tone for the rest of our stay.

In the day the. Staff run free workshops (when we stayed they were running Thai cooking classes and emroidery). Locally produced crafts are sold at their small gift shop. I can recommend the body lotion! I had a very reasonably priced Thai massage too.

The ethos of the place is 'slow life'. We ate here one night and really enjoyed the food. Took a long while to arrive and my partners dish arrived quite a bit before mine, but that is the charm of the place! If you want impersonal service and modern luxuries then go to a big chain hotel in the city. If you can overlook the simple facilities, can cope without your power shower and jacuzzi bath and appreciate little things like the vintage thermos mug of herbal tea that is left in your room every evening then I'd say this would be the place for you.

We travelled as a couple, but I think this would be a great place for families with children too. There is a big play-barn full of toys and the children we saw spent many a happy hour 'fishing' in the shallow pool by the restaurant.