| Suanmuangporn Resort: Lofty Locale Adds a Touch of Sheer Class | |||
| UPDATE : 27 April 2010 | |||
Since its completion in 1968, the Lamtakong Dam has not only served a practical purpose, it has also provided a wonderfully scenic attraction alongside Highway 2 (Mittraphap) in Nakhon Ratchasima province’s Sikew district. The spectacular geography around the dam and reservoir, particularly during the evening as the sun sets behind the surrounding mountains, attracts lots of tourists on a daily basis. The most popular activities among visitors tend to be rafting, taking a tour of the site, or just enjoying a meal at one of the restaurants scattered around the reservoir. Stunning vistas To get an even better feel for Lamtakong’s stunning scenery, you may wish to stay at Suanmaungporn, a local resort with an incomparable ambiance. The resort’s position on a cliff, offering an extraordinary, panoramic view of the reservoir, makes for a memorable, romantic setting. Since it once solely operated as a farm and nursery, you can enjoy the sight of some stunning flora at Suanmaungporn’s ‘plant supermarket’, where there are over 400 organically-grown species of plants for sale. Even if you’re not interested in purchasing anything, a wander around this area provides visitors with a truly colorful experience.
Suanmaungporn has three accommodation options to choose from. All boast floor-to-ceiling windows that provide a spectacular view of the area. The resort has four Deluxe rooms, which feature a modern form and contemporary décor, using gray, red and white, which create a bold effect. Next door is a modern house, which includes two Superior rooms. While these rooms also have a modern feel, the décor is somewhat softer, featuring brown and gray tones. But my personal favorite is the third category - Suanmaungporn’s villas. Wood is the predominant structural and decorative material used, providing the three villas with a truly Oriental feel. The villas are located alongside the resort’s swimming pool, which faces the reservoir. Each villa’s outdoor bathroom area has its own tiny garden, which blends nicely with the area’s natural themes. A dramatic encounter Suanmaungporn isn’t only renowned for its accommodation offerings, though, as it also boasts an impressive pub and restaurant. The restaurant's terrace extends out from the cliff, providing a dramatic effect, while the adjacent pub includes floor-to-ceiling glass panels. The origin of the resort’s name is also well worth mentioning. Suanmaungporn got its name as a form of commemoration of the original owners of the land on which it is built. Maung and Porn were the names of the elderly couple that previously owned and lived on the 80-rai (12.8-hectare) site for 30 years before selling the plot to the current owner. They continued to live locally until they passed away several years later. Their former home (a derelict cottage) is still standing.
For further information or to make a reservation, contact Tel: +66 (0)81 995 7343. Transport connections: Car: Take Highway 1 (Phahol Yothin) from Bangkok, before switching to Highway 2 (Mittraphap) when you see the signpost in Saraburi province. On reaching Km 87, make the next U-turn. Keep in the left-hand lane and head back towards the Km 87 sign. Take the next soi on your left (a minor road), which you should spot since there is a signpost on the corner reading Suanmuangporn. Continue down this road for about 400 meters and you will see the resort on your right-hand side. | |||
Showing posts with label Resort. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Resort. Show all posts
Monday, May 10, 2010
Suanmuangporn Resort: Lofty Locale Adds a Touch of Sheer Class
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
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.
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.
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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