Tree House Resort, Khao Sok

Independant Review

Sandwiched between two rivers, this resort has the best tree-houses in Khao Sok, by a mile. With huge trees poking through the floors and ceilings, the resort offers the quirkiest of nights’ sleeps, and is highly recommended. The owner, Khun Sakda, sold his business in Koh Samui in 2004 to escape the island’s rampant commercialization, and now sleeps in a bamboo shack suspended above the restaurant.

He built a resort which perfectly blends into the forest, and also epitomizes Thai rustic architectural woodwork at its very best. The resort consists of 7 ‘buildings suspended 8 metres above the jungle floor, and held up both by the trees themselves and by black steel posts. These buildings are joined together by 8 metre-high walkways, and are the only real tree-houses in Khao Sok – the ‘tree-houses’ offered by all the other resorts are mostly bungalows on stilts.

The black steel posts in no way detract from the splendour of the setting, to which a swimming pool is currently (as at July 2009) being added. This is being built on the forest floor, and will have a bar featuring the usual de rigeur underwater bar stools.

Accommodation

2-Bedroom Family Connecting Tree-house

There is only one of these, which is without doubt the best family accommodation in Khao Sok, and comes at a very reasonable price. In addition to air-con, a DVD player, a computer, a private jungle-viewing terrace and a lovely bathroom whose floor is covered in sea-smoothed pebbles, it has 2 bedrooms, so ensuring parents night-time privacy. The roughly triangular front door is a masterpiece of rustic woodwork, sandwiched between two huge branches.

It really is quite something, and parents will get almost as much of a kick out of this tree-house as will their children. The walkways between the tree-house and the rest of the resort cannot be safely negotiated alone by small unaccompanied children, who will need to watched like hawks to ensure their safety. There is only one of these tree-houses, so early booking is recommended.

Honeymoon Tree-house

This huge tree-house is the most romantic accommodation in Khao Sok. Featuring all the same amenities as the above family tree-house, it is set in a secluded part of the resort, so ensuring complete privacy. Enveloped in rain-forest, relaxation and harmony are promoted by the feeling of being part of the nature pulsing all around.

The tree into which this tree-house is built often sways more vigorously than the rest of the surrounding trees.

It is highly recommended, and is also very popular, so early booking is recommended.

Bamboo Tree-houses

These tree-houses, whilst still having lovely bathrooms, are fan-cooled, which for most people will be perfectly adequate.  Three of the bamboo tree-houses can be connected, so housing parties of up to 14 guests. One of them sleeps 6 people, making it an ideal choice for larger groups.

Hotel website: www.khaosok-treehouse.com Click here for more onKhao Sok, here for holiday packages, here for other destinations.

Andaman Sky, Co., Ltd, 23/8 Moo 2, Ao Nang, Thailand