There’s a small hotel . . .
On our trip to the north of Thailand over the Xmas holiday we spent one night at a naturist friendly resort and took the opportunity for a few snap shots.
This naturist friendly resort in Chaing Mai came recommended by our friends who had stayed for a few days last year. This being Thailand, we were not so sure about nudity when we first arrived, but the staff said, “Mai pen rai!” So we were able to enjoy the freedom that only being naked can bring. The resort is largely built around a 130 year old style Thai home and is located right on the River Ping. This is an excellent location and the home and garden have been lovingly restored and converted to modern use. It is a small hotel for male guests
I don’t need to explain to fellow naturists the joy of being naked in the natural world!
Our room featured a wide verandah overlooking the River and here I am checking it out
We really enjoyed relaxing on the porch outside our room with the view of the river. Except for the Holiday Inn looming upriver a way, the opposite bank of the river was all natural with trees and greenery and very little sign of human habitation.
The deck overlooking the river was a perfect place to relax with a beer. Due to the virus, there were few other guests so it was really a very pleasant afternoon.
We were very intrigued by the pool. Our friends had told us that it was unique in design. . . and we certainly found it so! Sadly, it was just too cold for me to swim in. My companion was much braver and he swam for a while. The air was warm and being naked very comfortable
It got cooler later in the afternoon so I took advantage of a warm spot in the sun.
My official photographer ( Bigbillgrill on NAT forum) who I credit with all of these photos, also enjoys the naturist experience and even went in for a swim.
The bedroom was elegant and old fashioned . . .as was the plumbing. Our in-suite bathroom had a plugged up shower drain and dire warnings ( which we heeded) against plugging up the toilet. We also had trouble getting into our room as the door lock would not work all the time. (The keycard system probably dated back to the 1850's!) When we returned from dinner out, we found ourselves rummaging in the kitchen for a knife to open it with.. .which worked just fine.
The bed offered us towels wrestled into a shape that was certainly not your typical swan. I saw it as most likely representing something sexual but BBG swore that it was an elephant.
After a tiring afternoon hanging around the pool and chatting with the few other guests it was time for a nap. My photographer never naps and so wandered around taking photos.
Refreshed from my nap! The garden here is simple but well planned and tended. Not the high point of our stay, but a perfect background for the river view and a perfect setting for the "baan boran" (ancient home) My photographer is taking advantage of the various scenic spots around the garden.
I think this shot on the verandah, where we spent a lot of our time, turned out best of all. Something about the lighting and light reflected from the river.
So all in all a very lovely experience at this small hotel, curiously called Club 17. Not a very catchy or inviting name for a hotel to be sure! The only glitch, and for me a rather large one . . .the hotel is apparently too small for a kitchen or kitchen staff and when we woke up, there was no coffee available. We finally waylaid one of the several gardeners and were able to stir up a 45 baht three- in-one cup. If you stay here, we recommend that you arrange with Grab the night before to bring you something from Amazon in the morning!
Obviously, It was an enjoyable trip….. Congrats.
I am so looking forward to having chances of traveling in Thailand… I like the country and her
friendly people..
Thanks Daniel. Let all hope that things get better this year.
Nice story.
Only for male guests ???
Yes
There’s a small hotel . . .
we are very happy to have another place in Chaing Mai. Thanks for the finding the place for us. better give us more information. We come there also soon.
weera
Happy to be of help Weera!
Thanks for this lovely review! Didn’t know about this so will keep it in mind for any future trip to Chiang Mai.
Also thanks for the very important info about the lack of morning coffee. However, I looked up their website, which says “All guests in our guesthouse can enjoy a delicious complimentary breakfast every morning prepared by our in-house chef.” and also “Enjoy our delicious thai and western cuisine next to the calm Ping river as it quietly flows by. Our in-house chef can prepare a wide variety of food anytime during the day or evening to please all tastes.”
Did they maybe (temporarily) discontinue that service due to Covid? Any inisght from you?
Hi Andy . . .thanks for the kind words. No sign of any chef during our stay. Most likely a victim of the Covid problem. They did have three gardeners at “work”( I watched two different guys water one plot of greenery at different times.) You would think, with that quote from their website that one of the four staff on duty could have been charged with making coffee when requested. I pointed out to the desk clerk when we left that even the cheapest flea trap hotels in Thailand provide hot water and a couple three-in-one packets. He said,” Well, we don’t.” and charged us 45 baht for this amenity.
thanks for the additional info. If they suspended the restaurant and breakfast service due to Covid that’s understandable. but to then go on to charge 45 Baht for just 3-in-1 coffee is a bit absurd and implies a lack of service mindedness. Hopefully they find back to what appears to be a more caring attitude from their website…. Might have to bring my own kettle and 3-in-1 then if I go 😉
Would have done that had we known in advance. That was the crux of the problem. . . no notice that nothing would be available in the morning. Certainly a lack of service mindedness.
Just caught a small error . . . its the Holiday Inn that is across the Ping River from the small hotel, not the Hilton.
Now it is Holiday Inn 🙂
if my memory serves me right, it was originally the Shangri-la
I contacted the property earlier this week and they confirmed male guests only.
I hope to be travelling at the back end of this year with my female partner, but alas, we both cannot stay there.
It seems like a fun place to stay
Well, Jules, we liked it well enough to want to stay there again on our next trip north. Perhaps the the next time management can put it together to provide the amenities it boasts of on the website. The porch right on the river is a real draw for me and the place does have a lot of old fashioned charm.
It looks great.
I want to go there.
If I happen to be travelling alone, I would stay there.
What I love about the NAT resorts, is there is no discrimination at all.
Straight, gay, Bi, single male, couples, all welcome if they wish to nude up.
The way it should be I believe.
At the same time, it’s up to Club one seven to decide who they want.
I’m fine. It’s their policy.
Enjoy when you go back Khun John!
It looks great.
I want to go there.
If I happen to be travelling alone, I would stay there.
What I love about the NAT resorts, is there is no discrimination at all.
Straight, gay, Bi, single male, couples, all welcome if they wish to nude up.
The way it should be I believe.
At the same time, it’s up to Club one seven to decide who they want.
I’m fine. It’s their policy.
Enjoy when you go back Khun John!
All the pics taken by you are so natural as sitting in gallery , in river side, balcony . Beautiful
Pawan
Thank you so much Pakel!! You are very kind to notice. It was a lovely experience.
That s good.But There’re receive Only Males?
Yes they do. It is only men allowed.