Saikaew Resort

Like so many places in Thailand, the talk on line or in the brochure doesn't quite match the expectation. That said, let's skip the impressions one might have of the word "resort" and go to what this is: a quiet, calm, pond-side, rather shabby place with a great deal of character, lovely staff, sweet but loud pets and in a super quiet part of town. Shabby refers only to what tropical weather does to the outside of a place, not what you get inside. Don't let the outside fool you. This place is sorely in need of a facelift, new planks, new paint, and some serious safety upgrades before someone's foot goes through the wooden slats. That's all outside. Inside the rooms are shiny clean, well-presented. You face out onto the pond, and if you are fortunate enough to be here after a shower, every single childhood memory you might have of the woods will coming tumbling back. Birds galore, big catfish, you get a fridge and a set of chipped dishes for your meals, a steel sink and a place to wash up, which for me meant laundry. I love the feel that locals like this place. Here you can settle in for a while. I slowed WAY down, skipped the touristy stuff and wrote, facing out over the pond until the mossies chased me in. However, when the rain did come I opened up the big screen door to let that sweet smell in. Heaven. I will take a locally-run place loved by the Thai people in sore need of a paint job any day over a swanky overpriced with all the amenities, all the crowds and none of the character. Or the birdsong. As I go into my second day quietly sitting on the porch, listening to the birds instead of traffic, I appreciate the no-movies, no-stereo-, no loud neighbors vibe of the place. In only wish that some food shops, including fruit stands, had been within a decent walking distance. I found none. So, water and bananas, and one meal a day brought in by Grab.