Rai Saeng Arun

We chose this isolated spot because that was what we wanted, and enjoyed our five days there. The two bungalows we rented high on the mountain had lovely rooms and amazing views, though reaching them meant climbing 166 steps. That would be a tough choice for older or less fit guests. Breakfast was either American-style or rice soup, and we liked both. The staff were very polite and helpful. One person carried our bags up, served breakfast, and handled lots of other jobs too. People like him deserve more appreciation. We had a power cut on our last evening, but it caused us no trouble. The kitchen did close early, though, so we ate elsewhere more often than we would have liked. We prefer dinner later, and the resort's closing time didn't work for us.

Lovely food, great staff, and a beautiful setting. I'd recommend it.

We came for two nights and ended up staying six. Rai Saeng Arun was the most amazing small family-run hotel we've found in six years of living and travelling around Thailand. The whole idea of bringing people and nature together beside the Mekong is wonderful, and the setting is gorgeous. Every meal at the restaurant was delicious, fresh, and so healthy, and all the staff were friendly the whole time. Just know that getting to the hilltop Bungalows means climbing 244 steps each way, with either beautiful views or a jungle feel along the way. Thanks, Rai Saeng Arun, for a stay we won't forget!

If you're after a quiet place surrounded by nature, you'll like it here, even though it's far from town. The Thai food was really, really good. I spent two nights at the resort, one in a riverside room and one on the hill. The S1 room up there was a bit bigger, with a larger terrace and a bathroom that had a separate dry area apart from the shower.