Villa PaSon (SHA Extra Plus)

The location is nice, but the resort felt dated when we arrived. We stayed in a caravan room, which was nothing special, and the bed was really bad. When we asked for an extra blanket, the hotel said there’d be an extra charge of 500 THB, something I’ve never come across before. Breakfast was so-so, and there’s also a Starbucks within the resort. It was a good stay, but I definitely wouldn’t return.

I’m so sad about this place. It used to be one of my favorite spots in the area, with beautiful green surroundings and a relaxed feel. Now it’s tacky, horrible, and fake, with plastic and concrete everywhere, like a clown threw up. It had a prime location, but they’ve made it look terrible. Now they charge 100 for entrance too.

The two bedroom pool villa I stayed in was huge, with a sunken seat and a decent sized pool for a family, though I felt the bedrooms were quite small. Rooms are cozy and cute, and almost every room has its own onsen. The hotel food is reasonably priced, and the essentials like beer and wine are good value too. Room service was great, with a decent food selection at fair prices and outstanding service. Breakfast included fresh fruit juice, croissant, and pan fried egg, plus a complimentary Starbucks drink for each room. At the cafe, they serve Starbucks coffee, but only coffee and chocolate drinks. The view from the restaurant and cafe is amazing, and the hotel is beautiful in Khaem Son. They’ve turned one pool villa into a clubhouse with a gym, spa, kids club, and heated pool. A perfect place for relaxing and taking things slow. I’ll definitely return.

In May, the resort was running a full Christmas themed fair, with loud music, screaming kids, a mini roller coaster, carousels, an inflatable water park, and more, right in the middle of the property. There was no chance to rest, and I was disappointed because I came for a peaceful retreat, not a noisy amusement park. Nothing about the event was mentioned on the website or during booking, and it felt like outside visitors mattered more than the guests staying there. The resort itself is in beautiful hilly forest surroundings with stunning mountain views. The accommodation was unique and impressive, individual bungalows made from refurbished caravans with modern facilities. For me, that was 4 stars, but the overall environment was only 2. Contact the resort directly before booking to check whether the fair is still running.