Thantara Resort Chiang Mai

The property has lovely natural surroundings and a beautiful atmosphere, so it seems to have a lot of potential. That made the poor management and organization all the more disappointing. We couldn’t drive straight to reception, which made arrival inconvenient. I also saw a very small female staff member carrying guests’ luggage in a uniform that didn’t seem appropriate for heavy bags. I felt more sorry for her than cared for as a guest. It didn’t look professional or well managed. Check-in took a long time. We were told it was because many guests were arriving at once, but hospitality management should anticipate and organize for that. The resort is genuinely beautiful, but its operations don’t live up to the image and expectations it presents.

I spent one night here in March during smog season, and I’d suggest avoiding that time. The grounds are spread across fields and water, and the city isn’t far away. My room had a cozy bed, air conditioning, a huge bathroom, and spacious interiors with warm wood decor. The pool has a lovely view of the lake, mountains, and rice fields, though you don’t get that view in March. The staff were friendly and the service was good. Breakfast was good too. When the weather cooperates, it’s a nice place to relax.

We spent four nights at Thantara and had an excellent stay. The staff were friendly, the rooms clean, the service great, and the food good at typical hotel prices. The rate includes a private pool villa, and with just 21 villas at the resort, I think it’s very attractive. You can’t get a private villa in the old city at that price. Some people say the location is far from the city, but the ride from the old city takes only 15-20 minutes, which was fine for me. I’d definitely recommend staying at Thantara.

The pool and its views were my favorite part, and the room and bathroom were both big. I stayed one night and found it peaceful and private, while still not far from the city. The staff were helpful and nice. There are activities like bicycles and go-karts, among others. Breakfast was okay, about what you’d expect at a hotel.