Most people go to Chiang Mai, a growing bustling city, with plenty of things to do, see and eat. This time, we wanted to get away from the tourist though. This out of the way hotel only has six bungalows, which have simple layouts and with enough tasteful and comforting furnishing that make it feel like home. Our bungalow was situated at the top of a hill looking over the beautiful scenery of hills and farmland in the distance. There were only a few other guest on the first day, we had the hotel grounds all to ourselves most of the week we stayed there. We spent the day lounging around, taking a bike ride, got a Thai masage, got a driver to take us north to the national parks, waterfall and geyser. Most memorable was taking a hike with a very local guide who is from the Lisu village. She didn't speak English, but we communicated fine with gestures as she led the way up steep hills, into bamboo forest, harvested rice fields and fruit orchards. They have a book listing few outings for you to chose from. They have a simple menu of decent homecooked dishes. The Chicken Galanga and Fried Rice was delicious.We especially liked the banana pancakes, the brown rice and the local fruits we ordered.
We most appreciated the staff who were friendly, down to earth and went out of their way to accomodate us. They live nearby also. In total, there were four persons that took care of everything, and they did a fine job.

This is not a fancy place if you are looking to be pampered. There were rose petals and a new year's lantern we requested. It is just enough service to make you feel taken care of, it is safe, it is quiet, it is out in the middle of farmland, no local markets nearby. We did take a day into Chiang Mai and brought back extra water, fruit and snacks. Either you have a driver from the airport ride there, that you feel good about hiring again to get around or the staff will help you arrange a driver. Note, remind the host not to turn off the internet service at night. Connection was enough to email, but too slow to download any movies, videos, etc.

The nights are pitch black except for the lamps along the path and the main lobby and dining area. It was a perfect place if you want to get away from it all. I wish to thank the wonderful staff we met, again, you really made our stay memorable.

We decided we wanted a Christmas/New Year holiday with a difference - most notably we wanted a trip where we didn't come home 5kgs heavier than when we left home. A detox retreat at Baan Rai Lanna was the perfect solution.

It takes about 45mins to drive to the Resort from downtown Chiang Mai and we arranged transfers from the Resort. I'd suggest you use the Resort's transfers simply because the place is not easy to find unless you've been there before.

The resort is tucked away in a very small little farming village and once you check in you'll forget the drive out there. You can't here any traffic, no airplanes, etc, etc. It is seriously quiet out there!

We decided to do a 7 day detox with their resident detox tutor - Albert - and it all started pretty much as soon as we landed. Albert asked us a few questions about what we wanted from the week before we even left home and then some more detail when we arrived. The next day we started the day with what would become the daily routine of:
- an early walk through the local village,
- then yoga by the pool
- then a very simple breakfast of fruit,
- then a chat about nutrition/health/sleep/etc/etc,
- then a daily enema (if you choose to)
- then a simple lunch
- then an afternoon to yourself (relax, read, walk in the jungle behind the Resort, hire the car in the Resort for about US$25 a day and drive to Pai!!!)
- then a simple dinner
- then the evening massage
- then a session on meditation (where I challenge you to stay awake!)
- then off to bed

It takes a day or so to settle into a routine, to forget about food and to just slow down but once you settle down it is blissful!

As we were on a detox retreat we didn't really sample much of the food from the kitchen but when we asked for variations in the fruit or soup or veges that we were eating it was never a problem.

Albert was great and spends a lot of time listening to things that are going on with you in your life and he will invariably come back with something worth reading or downloading when you have your next chat.

Overall it was a great stay and an amazing variation from the normal gluttony of Christmas

Nice setting, lots of beautiful flowers and landscaping. Very good food in restaurant. Pool was really excellent, nice and deep, with a beautiful view of the valley.

1 hour's drive north then east from CM, 500 metres from the main road, along a dirt track, then emerge into a small resort with a handful of cabins, open air restaurant, and smiling Namfon & other staff.

We rested here for 2 nights at beginning of honeymoon, and was delightful. 1 other couple first night, and ourselves the 2nd, in a recommended room on the top of the hill above the pool. Each room/bungalow has pleasant & unique view, whether to open space or nearby jungle.

Although location is a good launching pad for northern excursions, we simply enjoyed the pool, the mountain bikes, and a couple of lovely floating lanterns on our last night.

Good food, and we also enjoyed snacks on the main road side-stores, experimenting with sign language...!

Thanks to Namfon & staff for a pleasant and restful stay, and also the 4-motorbike entourage to help us catch the bus from the police post!