Kwan Phayao Lake House

We spent five days in Phayao and found the accommodation a great base for getting around to the city's attractions. The room had plenty of space for all our things and was very clean, as was the well-kept bathroom. We also loved cooling off in the pool during the hot afternoons. After arriving, my partner and I wandered around Kwan Phayao. The lakeside was lovely and peaceful, and being surrounded by nature made it easy to unwind away from the usual bustle. We enjoyed the local food while exploring, too. The host made us feel welcome and was very friendly. We both had a great stay and would come back if we get the chance.

I'd come back. The place is clean, the aircon works, the shower has good pressure and gets hot, and the wifi is good. There's also a swimming pool out the back, so I'm not sure how one reviewer stayed three times without spotting it. The old building is the real character here. It has several levels, sloping floors, rooms tucked all over, and cracks in the walls and ceiling. There are shutters on the windows and even between rooms. It feels like Alice in Wonderland.

It's only a five-minute walk to the lake, with restaurants nearby, so the location is handy. The guesthouse has potential and may have been a great place in the past, but it needs the owner to upgrade and maintain it. There's dust and spiderwebs on the fans, lamps, stairs, and in the corners. The rooms are basic.

The beds were clean and really comfortable, and the shower and toilet were fine. It's got just enough modern comfort, and for Phayao the price is excellent value. I've stayed three times and still never seen a swimming pool. It's a lovely old wooden house. Some rooms are in a newer extension, but I prefer the original building, even with its gaps in the floors and walls and all the creaking. It's not luxurious, just original.