Chiang Dao.

Chiang Dao is around 1.5 hrs drive from Chiang Mai. We had wanted to have a little rural retreat while on holiday and this seemed the best option with kids as far as distance. I am still getting over our side trip from Siem Reap to Battambang back in 2010 ( Cooper ended up with pneumonia and in hospital) so I did not want to venture as far as Pai or Chiang Rai just incase.

Online it is known as the place to go if you do not want to go as far as Pai but still get the mountain scenery.


It was the perfect choice. It seemed a million miles away but it was not.

We stayed in accommodation called Chiang Dao Nest 1. We had the most amazing time.

 

There are 20 bamboo bungalows on the property. 1 restaurant that is open all day from 8am till late. ( it does close from around 3-5 though). 1 reading/computer hut, 3 massage huts and a small play pavillion.

We needed two huts but could have squished all of us into one. 850thb a night.( no meals included, also no bar fridge but you can use the kitchens fridge if need be)

The outdoor play room right by the restaurant.

 

 

Look at that view! Just amazing. Woody loved relaxing by the salt water pool!

 

All the staff at this mini resort went above and beyond any service we have really experienced. They were all so welcoming to our family and everyone that was there. Everyone was treated as if they were the most special guest.

The restaurant serves some pretty amazing food too, you could sit all day and just eat! It is pricey Thai wise but still great value for us from Australia. We had the best steak we had ever eaten here! There is a small kids menu but naturally Cooper needed to order off the adults menu as it had Salmon.

After dinner we got to walk out amongst the stars using torches to get back to our room which the kids loved.

Special thanks must go to Puk for responding to every request we had and for including the children in everything. She was lovely enough to pack a little container of steamed vegies for Woody when we went on a day outing. She honesly just loves seeing people happy and she was happy ALL the time!

Mostly we just loved the peace and quiet. We heard frogs and crickets at night, a goat during the day and watched the mountains change as the weather did. It was a brillant mini break.

Chiang Dao has plently of small bungalows to stay in and one main street and is a great base for doing organised treks or outings. There was a variety of family types and from diverse geographical backgrounds so it suits anybody and everybody. Naturally access was the most difficult hurdle but Cooper still got to do everything we did and loved it all!