Escape to Paradise: Cheiwlan Camp & Resort Awaits in Surat Thani!
Escape to Paradise: Cheiwlan Camp & Resort Awaits in Surat Thani!
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into Escape to Paradise: Cheiwlan Camp & Resort in Surat Thani! Let's be honest, I've been dreaming about this trip for ages. I mean, "escape to paradise?" Who wouldn't want that? And trust me, I'm gonna be brutally honest (and a little dramatic) about what I find. Here we go!
First Impressions (and the Drive, Oh God, the Drive!)
Okay, so accessibility - deep breath - let's start there. Getting to the resort… well, that depends. I'm gonna be honest, I'm not a super wheelchair-bound person but I'm not exactly a marathon runner either, so if you're severely mobility-challenged, double-check with the resort before booking. There's a certain… ruggedness to the area, if you know what I mean. But the good news is, within the resort, I heard it's pretty good. I didn't personally wheel myself down the whole thing, but from what I saw, it seems thoughtful. But call them, damn it, and make sure!
The drive there? Pure adventure. Prepare yourself for some winding roads, maybe a bit of dusty track. Think of it as a pre-holiday detox – you'll earn your paradise! The car park (free of charge) is definitely a plus. And hey, they offer airport transfer so if you're not up for that, you're good to go. Taxi service is available, but I'd suggest pre-arranging it. Valet parking too, fancy-pants! And for the eco-conscious, there's a car power charging station! Very modern.
Checking In: Smooth Sailing or Smooth Disaster?
Check-in/out [express] is always a win – ain't nobody got time for endless queues! And they also offered Contactless check-in/out which got a huge tick from me. Doorman always makes you feel fancy, even if you're just wearing old jeans and a t-shirt like me.
Rooms: My Little Sanctuary…Then the Mosquitoes Arrived.
Right, the rooms. Available in all rooms: Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens. Okay, okay, that's a lot of stuff. Honestly, it's like they thought of everything. My room was AMAZING. I got to the highest floor, which was awesome. The blackout curtains were a lifesaver after those long jungle days! The extra-long bed was perfect for sprawling out - I'm talking, starfish-style. And Wi-Fi [free] is essential, people. You know, for, uh, "keeping in touch"…yeah, that's it.
But here’s the thing… I had a few issues - nothing’s perfect! The damn mosquitoes! I’m a delicate flower, you know? But the room was generally so perfect that honestly, I’d give the room a 9.5/10.
Food, Glorious Food! And Those Damn Ants…
Let's be honest, for me, a trip is 90% about the food (the other 10% is complaining about the weather). Dining, drinking, and snacking offered a range of options. Restaurants, Restaurants, Restaurants! There were several. Breakfast [buffet] was brilliant, tons of choices, and an Asian breakfast and buffet in restaurant too, plus the Western breakfast, for those of us who aren't up for noodles and fish in the morning. You get Coffee/tea in restaurant and even a Bottle of water, right in the room. I can't stress this enough.
I loved the poolside bar at night, watching the sunset with a cocktail in hand. They did a Happy hour, which is always a plus! I went to the Vegetarian restaurant a few times, too, because even I have to eat my greens sometimes. The food was generally fantastic. Be prepared to eat!
The only downside? I swear, the resort had an ant problem. I'm not talking a giant, biblical swarm, but the little buggers were everywhere. On the tables at breakfast, around the pool, even in my room. I guess it comes with the territory, but it was a slight buzzkill.
Things to Do, Ways to Relax, and My Near-Death Experience on the Boat
Okay, the real reason why we’re all here: escape to paradise! The resort offers a ridiculous amount of things to do. This is where the resort really shines.
- Things to do: This is where the resort really shines.
- Swimming pool, Swimming pool [outdoor], Pool with view (obvious must-haves).
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness (for the uber-active, which is not me, but hey, you do you)
- Sauna, Spa, Steamroom, Spa/sauna (all the relaxation!)
- Body scrub, Body wrap, Massage (Heaven. Absolute Heaven!)
- Foot bath (ooh, fancy!)
I spent a blissful afternoon at the spa. The massage was seriously amazing. I almost melted into the massage table. And the sauna? Oh, the sauna! It felt incredible after a day of exploring.
But, and it's a BIG BUT… I went on a boat trip. You need to do it. It’s part of the experience! One particular boat trip, which was an absolute blast. We sped off across the lake, laughing, wind in our hair… Until the engine cut out. Suddenly, it was a race against a storm, with the most dramatic lightning I've ever witnessed. I’m not going to lie, there was a moment I thought "This is how I die!" But the crew were amazing and, thankfully, resourceful, and we somehow limped back safe and sound and soaking wet. It was terrifying, but also, utterly unforgettable. Talk about an adventure! Moral of the story? Go on the boat trips, but maybe pack a life jacket (kidding…mostly).
Cleanliness, Safety, and the "COVID-19 Protocol" - Did They actually Care?
Now, listen up, because this is important. You want clean, right? You want safe? Well, Escape to Paradise doesn't mess around. They clearly took the whole COVID thing seriously. I especially appreciated the Hand sanitizer stations everywhere.
- Cleanliness and safety:
- Anti-viral cleaning products
- Cashless payment service
- Daily disinfection in common areas
- Hand sanitizer
- Hygiene certification
- Individually-wrapped food options
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter
- Professional-grade sanitizing services
- Rooms sanitized between stays
- Safe dining setup
- Sanitized kitchen and tableware items
- Staff trained in safety protocol
- Sterilizing equipment
- CCTV in common areas
- CCTV outside property
- Fire extinguisher
- Front desk [24-hour]
- Non-smoking rooms
- Safety/security feature
- Security [24-hour]
- Smoke alarms
They were really on top of it. I completely felt safe, and that’s a huge thing for me.
For the Kids (and the Big Kids at Heart)
They seem to be pretty Family/child friendly. I also saw some Babysitting service which as a solo traveller, I found that a little odd, but hey, if you're traveling with kids, that's a win.
The Little Extras: Does It Feel Like Home?
I love the little details that make a place special.
- Services and conveniences:
- Air conditioning in public area
- Audio-visual equipment for special events
- Business facilities
- Cash withdrawal
- Concierge
- Convenience store
- Currency exchange
Alright, buckle up buttercups, because we're about to wade into my Cheiwlan Camp & Resort SNAFU in Surat Thani, Thailand. Forget perfect itineraries, this is more like a chaotic symphony of good intentions, mosquito bites, and questionable life choices. Prepare for impact.
Day 1: Arrival & Bungalow Bliss (or Not So Much)
- Morning (7:00 AM): Wake up in Bangkok with a groan and the familiar fear that I've packed way too much. Honestly, who needs four pairs of hiking boots? Me, apparently. Fly to Surat Thani. The airport is surprisingly cute, like a mini-golf course for airplanes.
- Mid-morning (10:00 AM): Arrive at the Cheiwlan Camp. The drive in a longtail boat to the camp is stunning. Like, jaw-on-the-floor, Instagram-filter-worthy stunning. Towering limestone karsts jutting out of the emerald water? Yep. It's the kind of view that makes you momentarily forget the existential dread of, you know, life. (For about five minutes, anyway.)
- Lunch (12:00 PM): Lunch at the camp. Yummy thai food.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Check into our bungalow. Oh boy. "Rustic" is putting it kindly. "Basically a glorified shed with a mosquito net" is more accurate. I'm not gonna lie, I did a little internal sob. Maybe I'm getting soft, but I'm used to a certain quality of plumbing. The shower, let's just say, was an adventure. I'm pretty sure I saw a spider the size of my hand, which may or may not have been the result of sleep deprivation.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM): Kayaking on the lake. This was the highlight of the day. Pure, unadulterated bliss. Paddling through the silent, mirror-like water, surrounded by those majestic karsts…it felt like being in a movie. Then, I promptly lost my balance, plunged into the water, and swallowed half the lake. Charm.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Dinner at the camp. Delicious, authentic Thai food. I'm usually a picky eater, but even I was unable to resist the delicious pad thai.
- Evening (7:30 PM): Stargazing. The sky was incredible. The kind of night where you feel insignificant in the best possible way. Except I kept swatting at mosquitos.
Day 2: Hike, Cave, and Questioning My Life Choices
- Morning (7:00 AM): Wake up to the sounds of nature – mostly various species of insects trying to eat me alive.
- Morning (8:00 AM): Hike. We started our hike. The trail was "moderate," which in Thai-speak apparently means "vertical cliff face climbed while avoiding rabid monkeys." (Just kidding, about the monkeys. Maybe.) The views were breathtaking. I huffed and puffed so much I was starting to question my life choices.
- Morning (10:00 AM): Visit a cave. Exploring the cave was incredible.
- Lunch (12:00 PM): Lunch at the camp again. Today they had a very spicy curry that I was not so sure about.
- Afternoon (2:00 PM): Relax. Took another kayak ride, this time without falling in.
- Evening (6:00 PM): Dinner.
- Evening (7:30 PM): Campfire. This was cool and we were able to hang out with each other, it was awesome
Day 3: Departure & Existential Uncertainty
- Morning (8:00 AM): Wake up feeling slightly less like a walking mosquito buffet.
- Morning (9:00 AM): Breakfast.
- Morning (10:00 AM): Last boat ride out. One last look at those karsts. I'm genuinely going to miss the sheer, raw beauty of the place.
- Mid-morning (11:00 AM): Drive to Surat Thani airport.
- Afternoon (1:00 PM): Flight back to Bangkok. And then the real world. The real world that doesn't have views that will take your breath away, but that's okay.
Ramblings, Imperfections, and Other Random Thoughts
- Mosquitoes: The Unofficial Mascot of Cheiwlan: Seriously, bring all the bug spray you own. And then some. I'm pretty sure I left a significant portion of my blood supply in that place.
- The Food: Delicious. Seriously, just try everything. Don't be afraid of the spice. (Unless you hate spice. In which case, tread carefully.)
- The People: The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, even when I was being a grumpy, mosquito-bitten mess.
- The Bathroom Situation: Let's just say it's not the Ritz.
- Overall Emotion: A mix of awe, exhaustion, and a weird sense of peace. It was a rough one (my feet hurt), but I would go back. The beauty of the place is hard to ignore, and you should go if you get a chance.
So, there you have it. My Cheiwlan Camp experience – messy, imperfect, and unforgettable. Would I do it again? Absolutely. Would I pack differently? Yes. And would I be less terrified of the spiders next time? Probably not. But that's part of the charm, right? Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go buy some more bug spray. And maybe a therapist.
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Escape to Paradise: Cheiwlan Camp & Resort - The Real Deal (No Filter!)
Okay, so "Paradise"... is it *really* paradise at Cheiwlan Camp & Resort? Be honest!
Alright, buckle up, because the truth? It's closer to paradise than most places, but let's not get carried away with Instagram perfection. The scenery? Absolutely breathtaking. Picture it: towering limestone cliffs, emerald water, that *sound* of silence... interrupted only by the occasional longtail boat or, you know, your own internal monologue screaming, "Wow." But (and there's always a but, isn't there?), there are downsides.
Think humid. Think maybe a few (harmless, I swear!) bugs. Think, "I forgot sunscreen and now I'm a lobster." It's not *flawless* paradise. It's *real* paradise. The kind where you sweat and laugh so hard you snort. The kind where you leave with sand between your toes and a story that will probably involve a near-miss with a monkey. I mean, paradise... with a touch of chaos. Honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way.
What's the best way to *get* to Cheiwlan Camp & Resort? I'm terrified of long journeys.
Oh, the journey! It IS a journey. You've got options, and none of them are *instant* teleportation (sadly). My recommendation? Fly into Surat Thani airport (URT). Then, you will, more or less, get a taxi or pre-arranged transfer vehicle to the pier. That drive is, admittedly, a few hours. Consider it a warm-up act for the *real* adventure.
Now, the boat ride. That's where the magic begins. The longtail boats are... well, they're longtail boats. They're charmingly rickety. You'll probably get splashed. You'll definitely feel the sun. It's a whole *vibe*. Think of it as a boat-shaped meditation session. You’ll pass by the same cliffs you’ll be seeing from the resort, which lets you ease into it. Just prepare for potential motion sickness if you're prone to it! Bring ginger candies. Trust me on this. They saved my bacon (or, you know, my actual stomach contents) last time. The journey is part of the experience, embrace it!
What's the accommodation *actually* like at the resort? I've seen photos. Are they lying to me?
Okay, the photos are accurate... *mostly*. Think "rustic chic" meets "glamping in paradise." The floating bungalows are the real deal – they are literally *on the water*. That means you get lulled to sleep by the gentle lapping of the lake against your… well, against *everything*. It leaks a little sometimes, but honestly? It adds to the charm. (Okay, maybe not the first time, when I had to frantically mop up a rogue leak at like 2 AM. But after that, charm, definitely charm!).
Don't expect the Ritz. This isn't a place for marble bathrooms and gold faucets. It's about being *in* nature. The rooms are clean, comfortable and well-appointed. You might get some geckos (they're your friends, they eat the bugs), you might hear some strange nighttime noises (nature at work!), but it's all part of the experience. And that *view* when you wake up? Priceless. Seriously. Priceless.
What kind of activities can I do there? I don't want to just sit around. (Maybe a little though.)
Oh, activities! You've got options. You *can* sit around. That's totally acceptable, and sometimes, it's *essential* (after a particularly strenuous hike, say). But you can also go kayaking! And if you’re like me and a complete kayaking novice, expect to wind up in the same location you started in. I spent a good hour paddling in circles the first time. It was hilarious. And the water is unbelievably inviting, so the occasional splash-over is fine.
There’s also hiking! They have some trails, and some of them will test your limits (and your fitness level, which, let’s be honest, mine is questionable). The views from the top of some of those trails? Stunning. You'll also have the opportunity to go on boat tours. They take you to see the iconic limestone formations up close. It's pure magic. And don’t forget the chance to swim in the lake - you can find your own private swimming hole to hide away in. My advice? Pace yourself. It's a marathon, not a sprint (unless you're being chased by a monkey, in which case, sprint!).
What's the food like? I'm a picky eater, and I worry that the remoteness will mess the food up.
Honestly? The food is way better than you'd expect, especially considering you're pretty much in the middle of nowhere. They do a great job of catering to all tastes, so if you are picky, don’t worry too much. The food is cooked with fresh ingredients, which is a massive bonus. Fresh fruit, good food, and a beautiful view. What more can you want?
I have a *very* specific memory of one particular meal, on the second night. They had a curry buffet. I'm usually a very gentle woman when it comes to spice. I accidentally went for one that was supposedly “medium” – my face! I was a tomato! I swear my forehead was sweating. I was so embarrassed because the whole table saw my eyes watering. But the flavour? Oh, the *flavour*! Eventually, the wonderful warmth of the food gave way to the calm. I would recommend, though, when you’re choosing the ‘curry of the day’, go for mild. Or you can be like me and face your fears. Up to you!
Is it suitable for families with young children?
Hmm, good question! Listen: I saw families there. I *also* saw the reality of longtail boats, and the slightly-less-than-perfect safety standards of some trails (though they're always improving). It *can* be great. The kids will love the kayaking, the swimming, the whole *adventure* aspect. But you’ll definitely need to keep a close eye on them. Those limestone cliffs aren't exactly toddler-friendly. And, as someone who has tripped on a flat surface multiple times, the various uneven surfaces are something to consider. The longtail boats are also a very open journey on the water. The best advice is that you should consider the maturity and activity level of your children, and decide from there.
My advice is to make sure you bring floatation devices for the kids, and just consider how much stress you want on your vacation. There is no wrong answer here - Cheiwlan is a fantastic experience for all!
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