Ban Elephant Blanc

The rooms were roomy, clean, and really comfortable, and I loved relaxing beside the spotless pool. The French owners make excellent food, too. What stood out most was how great the people running the place were, some of the best I met in Thailand. The location works well if you’re fine being a little farther from the beach. My only gripe was the cash-only policy, though that’s more of a Thailand issue than a hotel issue.

The garden has bungalows arranged around a pool, and the hosts were kind and ready to help. I stayed for nearly a week and had a wonderful time. It’s handy that you can get a tasty French breakfast, do laundry, or rent a motorbike here as well as stay overnight.

Relaxing, exactly what I came for, and it went beyond what I expected. The French and Thai couple, Jeff and Nit, and their staff gave great service, and the pools were lovely in this jungle oasis amid busy Kata. I stayed for over a week. WiFi was great, and breakfast was available for 100-200 BTH in a pleasant shared space with family-style tables if you feel like chatting with other guests. Scooters cost 250 BTH per 24 hours, handy if the 15-minute walk to Kata Rd. nightlife and the beach feels like too much. That walk is actually a nice way to see Kata’s local shops and restaurants, where locals are the main crowd.

The price was more than fair, and the whole property was clean. Breakfast was fantastic, with generous portions for very little money. One serving is enough for two, so it’s worth sharing. The staff were incredibly friendly, too. This was easily the best place we stayed during our two weeks traveling in Thailand. Thanks again, we really enjoyed it!