Boutique Raft Resort: Riverside Rest & Relaxation

Boutique Raft Resort: Riverside Rest & Relaxation

UPDATE : 29 January 2010

Nida Tunsuttiwong While it's clear that tourism is a very important industry, it still never fails to amaze me how resorts and hotels manage to continue to develop a seemingly ever-growing range of services and accommodation options. Take the Boutique Raft Resort in Kanchanaburi province, which offers comfortable suites aboard a (static) flotilla of three rafts. The resort has 12 rooms in total - nine on board the rafts, and three others located in the resort's main building onshore. Located alongside a lovely stretch of the Kwai Yai, the river featured in the epic war movie Bridge Over the River Kwai, none of the nine rooms located on board the rafts have a television, so a stay here can be particularly peaceful and quiet, allowing guests to experience an authentic taste of rural Thai life. The three rooms available onshore do have televisions and tubs, but don't enjoy the same fantastic views of the river that you get from the rafts. It should be noted that no matter where you choose to stay, guests are provided with free WiFi Internet access. All aboard After checking in and being presented with a welcome drink, I was led to my room. One thing that struck me on climbing aboard the vessel is that it feels extremely secure and stable. The room I stayed in had one Queen-size bed and a single bed, so it could easily accommodate a group of three people. I was suitably impressed by the interior design, which cleverly combines locally sourced materials, such as woven mats, with more contemporary forms of design. Considering that it is located on board a raft, the bathroom is fairly roomy. Equipped with a hot shower, you enter via a sliding door, which also acts as a floor-to-ceiling mirror. The main room included a refrigerator as well as a small safe in which you can store your valuables. The main room also has a glass sliding door, through which you access a veranda. This outdoor area, which features two comfy, bamboo recliners, provides a great place to relax as there's a great view of the river and an old suspension bridge nearby, which is still used by locals. There's also a small bamboo raft tied up here, which you can sit in if you wish to do a little paddling. In this sense, its purpose is decorative rather than practical. A 'splashing' time Late in the afternoon, a group of local children begin jumping from the bridge, then just let the tide carry them back to a nearby pier. This cycle of fun seems to keep them entertained for ages. If you're not a particularly confident swimmer, you can always get some artificial support by grabbing a life vest or life belt, which are provided for guests outside each room. The safest place to swim, though, is in the small channel that runs between the raft and the shore as the water there is calm and still. If you're visiting the resort with children, they can also swim safely by using a pool made from a large iron container, which sits within a special raft. If you're in a party mood – fear not - there's also a spacious outdoor area onshore that provides the perfect location for such an event. I also discovered two magnetic dartboard sets here near to a huge tree, which provides the area with plenty of natural shade. The main dining area is located on the 2nd floor of the main building, where the kitchen stays open until 9 pm. For breakfast, guests at the resort can choose from an American-style cooked breakfast, including an omelet, ham and sausage, or jok ('rice porridge'), which is a popular choice among locals. Both options include a glass of orange juice and a cup of tea or coffee. For those who want to see even more of the local area, the resort can also organize two- or three-day excursions, which can include options such as the Death Railway, the Hellfire Pass Memorial and Lawa Cave. It's also possible to include an elephant ride or bamboo rafting if required. A stay for two guests (including complimentary breakfasts) at Boutique Raft Resort costs 2,500 baht (US$75) per night. For further information, or to make a reservation call Tel: +66 (0)34 634 191, or visit the resort's official website at http://www.boutiqueraft-riverkwai.com. Transport connections: Car: From Bangkok, take Highway 4 (Phetkasem Road), which will take you through the provinces of Nakhon Pathom and Ratchaburi before arriving in Kanchanaburi. From downtown Kanchanaburi, take Highway 323 for about 62 kilometers. Look out for a very large local market and the temple of Wat Namtok along this road. Once you see signs for Paksang Pier, make a left turn. Drive for another 1.5 km and you will see the entrance to the resort on your right.

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