Apple and Noi are veterans of the Kanchanaburi tourism scene who left their old location on noisy Mae Nam Khwae Road to open Apple’s Retreat alongside Blue Rice Restaurant and cooking school on the quiet west side of the river—while the air-con rooms are solid, it’s the hosts that make the place special.

Set in a modern two-storey concrete building on the inland side of the road, the 16 rooms are furnished with firm beds on brushed concrete platforms, racks for hanging clothes, wide glass windows and little else apart from air-con, WiFi and a modern hot-water bathroom. Rates are a little high for what you get, but the owners are sticklers about cleanliness. All rooms face a garden with palms and flowers that were enjoying a sprinkler shower when we passed through.

Smart and comfortable. Photo: David Luekens

The river-view restaurant is a serious bonus, serving terrific fresh juices and Thai dishes including curries simmered from house-made pastes, which are displayed for sale in the on-site shop. It’s a great place to chill out at even if you’re not hungry. Staying at the guesthouse and doing a cooking class or two is a great idea if you’re a food enthusiast looking to pick up some new skills.

Born and raised in Kanchanaburi, Apple and Noi speak excellent English and are a pleasure to chat with. They do a great job of helping guests by providing reliable transport info to outlying attractions, booking tours and giving honest opinions on what to see and what to skip. We also like the scenic location beside a large flower and vegetable garden, and Mae Nam Khwae Road is only a 10-minute walk across the bridge.