Royal Riverkwai Resort & Spa

The garden is lovely and very well kept, and the staff were excellent. Breakfast was pretty good too, about what I'd expect from many 5-star hotels in Bangkok. I'd recommend staying here for a relaxing break. The check-in time is later than at most hotels. I understand that many guests come on tours, but 14:00 is the usual check-in time elsewhere. The pool is nice, though old, and closes too early. It's 2m deep. Smoking is only allowed in designated areas, not even on the balcony. The trip to the city takes 15-20 minutes, but sometimes you have to wait longer for a pickup.

The place is quite affordable, and if you want an old, quiet retreat, it may suit you. It felt oddly silent, with little going on in the evening or during the day. Perhaps most guests were Thai and stayed in their rooms during the daytime. There's a pleasant outdoor restaurant by the river, but the food is mediocre and it's basically the only option. The neighborhood is quiet, with a few roadside restaurants within walking distance. The hotel feels old and no longer really meets a 4-star standard, though it isn't expensive. I couldn't see any facilities for activities or a gym, just an old ping pong table by the pool toilets. The pool was only okay, and the sunbeds and pole umbrellas looked neglected. Some umbrellas were missing the pins that hold them open, while others had what looked like temporary fixes with rusty nails. We also spotted an insect cocoon on a pole that could have been removed in seconds. Overall, the main problem seems to be lack of maintenance.

The staff are incredibly kind and helpful, always willing to do what they can for you. The riverside setting is beautiful and the views are great, but the rooms are dark and don't block much sound, so noise from adjoining rooms carries through. There should be clearer pool rules about children playing noisily and people diving in. There's no lifeguard or other rules to prevent loud guests and their kids from disturbing people who are trying to relax.

The resort sits on the banks of the River Kwai and is a good place to stay. Kanchanaburi's activity centers and attractions are far away, so you'll need to be in a group or have a car and driver to visit them.