My review is based on a retreat I attended here earlier this year. If I had been here on, let’s say a family vacation, I would have seen things quite differently (i.e. the pool and gym and spa need an overhaul). As a retreat location, this place was perfect. The food was awesome (not standard buffet food), the staff was helpful, the campus was gorgeous, the meeting hall served its purpose, and the bedroom was nice. If I were planning a retreat in Chiang Mai, I’d highly consider this place.
Okay, 5 stars for our visit. This is because we had the entire place to ourselves (when does that ever happen?) I feel it would have been 4 stars if we were there at capacity. Anyway, we needed a getaway from CM city life so we drove 30 minutes to the hills and this was just what we needed for renewal. Staff was beautiful and nice, they spoke to me in Thai mostly, but there was English as a backup. Food was amazing (drunken chicken dish pictured) Service was as good as it gets when you have staff and three guests. Pool was refreshing, clean and had a deep and shallow end with shallower section walled off for children. Diving board and twisting slide. Gym was barely functional, most machines needed updating or repair. They did have a free-weight dumbbell rack, so you could get a workout in if motivated. No air con in gym so, yeah motivation:) Good place for big groups at 240 rooms and conference type stuff for sure. Older, painted metal playground for the littles looked like it was from 70s but in good working order and I could imagine 10-20 kids playing there. Very relaxed, laid back feel. No cars allowed to park around the campus circle, so that felt safe and preserved the nature feel. The grounds were beautiful and well kept, the bed was just right (not too hard not too soft).
The room smelled a little campfireish from the burnings, but we were okay with that. However, now seems around the right time for the head office to finance a few renovations and repairs as the count of things needing refresh/repair has definitely met the tipping point for the price of stay (we stayed in the cheapest standard 32sqft room over around 2000 bhat for a three adults. Agoda says that’s half off). Even with the few lumps I’ve given this place, if you can overlook some datedness and slight disrepair and feel the specialness of this location and the beautiful views and safe campus, feel reasonably safe letting the older kids roam and keeping the young ones in sight (canals and lakes) occupied at the playground. I would highly recommend this resort.
I enjoyed a very relaxing stay at Suan Bau, attending a yoga retreat. After a fantastic overnight train ride from Bangkok (book 1st class sleeper it is worth it) we were taken by taxi to the resort. Our rooms were located at the main lobby which are supposed to be the newly renovated rooms.
Beatiful place for conference ,retreat camp and youth camp! Their service soo good and food is delicious very meal!
After being in Chiang Mai for years, ***y in our organization agree that our time at the Suan Bua was impressive. The staff were wonderfully friendly and helpful. There is no internet service in the rooms unless you room is close enough to the main reception area of the lobby.
Cheap for gathering or group seminar. Quiet, clean enough & beautiful place. Their restaurant serve delicious food, too. All staff are very helpful. 45minutes from city of Chiang Mai/airport. Not recommended if your activities are around city, unless you have yourown transportation/rent a motorbike.
Comments
Post a Comment