This is the best resort in Khao Sarn zone, and offers good river views from the more expensive room types. It isn't particularly great value for money, but if you want to stay in the fun Khao Sarn zone, but don't want to rough it in one of the zone's many grotty back-packer guest houses, then this is the place to stay. For a similar price you can stay in considerably more luxury elsewhere in Bangkok, but not in Khao Sarn zone. The Amari Watergate corner suites, the Fraser suites and the Vie hotel are all better value than the best rooms at the Navalai.
If you want to stay in Khao Sarn zone, this is the best place available.
The hotel's pool is built on top of the building, and offers a sunny spot to soak up a few rays all day long, as it is not surrounded by any skyscrapers blocking the sun out.
A myriad craft of disparate sizes and shapes ply the river at almost all hours. Huge and stately barge trains ply their way ponderously upstream, while the dinner cruise boats gliding up and down the river at night look particularly splendid, festooned with hundreds of sparkling lights. Tiny one-person craft flit here and there, while the cigar-shaped passenger boats dock at a pier just a few steps for the hotel, making this a great spot to explore the river, for only a few baht - a typical journey costs THB 7. On weekends, this is a good place from which to explore the famous floating market, which is unfortunately rather overwhelmed by its fame these days, with the cameras almost outnumbering the mangosteens.
Everything in this 2 year old hotel is in immaculate condition.
Next to reception, the Leng Hong spa offers almost 2 hours of pampering, including 20 minutes of foot fish nibbling, for only THB 450 - make sure you book or come early, as the place is understandably and deservedly popular.
The river atmosphere is best soaked up from the hotel's only restaurant, which is built on a pontoon on the river. The food is nothing special here, but the restaurant is adequate for breakfast and a light lunch.
Accommodation
The rooms in this hotel are spotlessly clean and decorated in a pleasingly Thai decor and graced with stylishly contemporary Asian art. This makes a refreshing change from the anonymous decor of so many Bangkok hotel rooms, which could just as easily be in Boston, or in Bognor Regis, as in Bangkok.
River Breeze
The hotel's top room type is a high quality room offering excellent river views. Each room has a large balcony containing 2 chairs, which is a comfortable place from which to watch the bustle go by. The river-view terrace is the highlight of this room type, but there are other wothwhile facilities on offer - a flat-screen TV, large bathroom, and a comfortable writing desk and chair. Honeymooners will like the layout of these units - the bathroom is separated from the bedroom by only a large glass window, so the most insatiable honeymoon partner can put on a shower show, in order to tempt the other partner into further romance.
Scenic City
These
rooms are significantly bigger than the Serene Corner rooms and benefit from having 2 foor-to-celinng windows. The views out of these windows are nothing special.
Serene Corner
These corner rooms do not offer views in two directions, so shouldn't really be called 'corner' rooms, as that leads people to believe they will get 2 views. Considering the relatively modest price of these rooms and their immaculate condition and largish size, they are one of the best options for those who want to stay in Khao Sarn zone.
Prices
The above rates are net per room per night and inclusive of service charge and breakfast for 2 people.
