tezza
tuk tuk driver
Posts: 155

#1 Posted: 31/3/2007 - 20:44


FOREST RESORT, info@the forest resort.com, is about 200m up the branch track which takes off from the main loop track from the beach on Ton Sai and heads up to the right, eventually going right over the rainforested saddle to the high valley above Railay East. There are a half dozen bungalow outfits on the first 500m up this track. Forest Resort is one of the first out of range of the noise of the generator and nearby late night bar which are low on this track.
The place has half a dozen front row flashpacker and about 10 backpacker bungalows second and third row, built up a steep, heavily landscaped slope away from the track.
I picked up a seond rower for 400 baht - a nice traditional style thatched wall and roof bungalow with attached bathroom, in real good condition, clean (one of the few this trip to pass my no smokers’ butts/no ring-pulls under the verandah test) and with good room for two and their gear. The bed was queen sized (double+) with a thin but comfy mattress, fluffy pillows and an excellent mosquito net. Twin lightweight small blankets were supplied as was toilet paper for the bathroom. There were two bins, lots of hooks but no shelves. A broom was provided. The inside light was good for reading, the verandah light less so. Note no electricity from 6am to 5pm and because my bungalow was heavily tree shaded, it was a bit dim inside, particularly in the bathroom. But who spends much time in their bungalow daytime? Well, most people between 6am and 9am when they aint wolfing brekka.
No hammock for the elevated verandah, no soap, but the biggest omission was NO MIRROR anywhere. Jeez, I hate shaving with one of those crummy tiny hand held mirrors I carry in my bathroom-bag.
The paths were well lit at night, as was the excellent garden area - giving the place the appearance from the track of a mid-range resort.
The owner and his wife were helpful and friendly, but note they don’t run a restaurant, although they can do you coffee in the morning. There is a restaurant abt 70m down track belonging to Country Resort, but they didn’t seem interested in serving . 200m down track opposite the junction is a rather “in” coffee shop with lots of cool climbers hanging around sipping lattes and reading magazines, but the service here is also abysmal and some prices way too high. Much better is another 30 m up the loop from the junction, where DREAM VALLEY RESORT has a big restaurant with good food and attractive prices. People who consider themselves pretty good on the fang will love the 120baht all you can eat buffet breakfasts here.
Note you are about 7 minutes walk from the beach here, slopes gentle to moderate. It takes 15-20 minutes to walk over the saddle and down to East Railay beach, some slopes pretty steep.
Stayed here 03/07.