Chayana Resort

Very nice garden resort I must say. We were here at an off season time in July, and we had a "cabin in the woods' experience as we were the only guests there, really, the only ones, and it had a bit of a horror movie feel - which was sort of comical. The staff had to stay to check us in and attend to our sole needs until 8 pm, they even went to the store and got me some beer.. really, they did.... We were a bit miffed that there was no food there as the restaurant, which was listed in the hotel listing with pictures, was not going to be open to cater to our sole needs, but we were told of a very nice place, The Cave, just a few minutes away. Given the remoteness of it, there should have been some sort of food and drink there, even if just a snack type and bottle water. Since we had a nice midsize car, and I could not imagine that people rode moped/scooters from Chiang Rai Mueng to here, we had water and snacks already, but had planned on just eating at the hotel restaurant since we had been driving all day from the golden triangle area and were tired. In the morning, being the sole guests we were given the royal treatment at breakfast, and they opened it all up just for us though it was limited and not as pictured. I can imagine in peak non-rainy season it could seem like a little cult like village with 60 or so people there. As far as the facilities, the room was nice as expected though no safe and not the most secure lock on the wood framed glass door. The pool was clean though that area had a disuse feel to it. When we arrived there was an oddity for an hour; there were a couple trucks with a sound system just outside the resort on the street and the persons there were doing loud karaoke that was a bit annoying - was it from a rival resort or something... we were told they would stop in an hour.. confused on this one as to why these persons in a remote area picked a street right next to a resort to practice their karaoke - there was a performance area just up the road. I gave it five stars as the getting me beer made up for the restaurant being closed... as well as "The Cave" did have better food than the resort would have had.A note, this place seems to be very busy in november and december and there are often music festivals at the resort's large music venue field, as well as it does weddings and offers tent glamping. at this time it appears the kitchen is very open.