National Park accommodation

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What we say:

On the western (Khlong Sok) side of Khao Sok, the national park offers basic youth hostel accommodation with shared baths that are little more than extremely hard single beds set in rows in a large, imposing building near the restaurant. Though this is a decent option if looking for the absolute cheapest bed around, it's possible to get a very cheap private bungalow not too far outside the park gates, so don't expect the park's youth hostel to have the same kind of traveller meet up atmosphere as your typical hostel. However, if you go this route you may very well end up with a big old room all to yourself. Not far from the youth hostel building there is also a large stone and wood cottage suitable for a couple or small family, but beware that beds are rock hard here as well, so much so that when we asked for info on the cottage at the visitor centre we were told that it's not for foreigners because the beds are too firm. Even so, the cottage has a fan, hot water bathroom (with 24 hour electricity), and a large front overlooking a quiet, shady hillside near the forest.

The far more popular national park accommodations are located at three secluded points on Chiew Lan Lake. Each are close to the shore, and the bathroom facilities of one locale are actually on land, but all the bungalows are floating over the lake with bamboo or wooden floating docks that are moored to the land. There are several kayaks available to guests. While it's a good thing to have anywhere in and around Khao Sok, it's absolutely essential to have a torch while staying in the rafthouses as electricity only runs between 18:00 and 23:00, steps and walkways are narrow, and there are few hand rails. Bamboo huts at all three locales are very basic and small — they consist of nothing more than three thin mattresses on the floor and a light bulb hanging from a string tied to the ceiling. Shared bathrooms are basic as well with communal sinks and squat or western style toilets. Each floating area has a restaurant and meals are served buffet style. The restaurants have pleasant, open air atmospheres with good views of the lake, and they're good places to chat with other travellers. Of the three locations, Nang Prai is the most frequented and is set in a picturesque spot with sweeping views across the lake. Krai Sorn is tucked in a small cove and is the most connected to land, with bathrooms set on a hill behind the rafthouses. Ton Toey is the smallest and most remote of the three, has fewer rafthouses along a single floating walkway off the tip of a northern peninsula with great southern views, and is the best choice if looking to experience some serious seclusion. The rafthouses at all three locations are virtually identical. Note meals and transport are not included in the room rate; most book accommodation along with boat transfer (including a tour of the lake) for 2,500B per day, which also includes three meals.

What we were quoted

Added to Travelfish on: 26th July, 2012
Last visited or updated on: 26th July, 2012