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!

We recently spent 5 nights at this wonderful hideaway and it was the highlight of our 30 day stay in Thailand.
We arrived to Baan Rai Lanna after a grueling 25 hours of traveling. The moment we arrived we recieved a very warm welcome by the lovely hotel manager, Namfon and her staff. This really set the tone for the rest of our stay. The resort is small, intimate and has a very personal feel. The setting of the resort is beautiful and fairly remote(which we loved), however there are many things to do nearby. We were even able to get to the city for the nightmnarket and cooking class without any problems... it was only about 40 minutes away and a very easy drive. There are also many nice (and inexpensive) excursions nearby, such as the waterfalls, hot springs, trekking, etc. Also, the massage therapist at Baan RL was amazing. I had 2 massages from her, both the oil massage and they were 2 of the best massages I had ever had. My husband had the traditional Thai Massage and raved about it as well. The best part was that the massages were very inexpensive.
The room was charming and comfortable with a beautiful view. No, it was not super luxurious, but it was nice and we had the most restful sleep of our entire trip there. Our bathroom DID have a hot water shower. The restaurant was also very nice... the furniture, ambience etc were beautiful... not "worn out" as the previous poster clained, at least not to to my standards ( and I am an interior designer) The Thai food was also some of the best I had in Thailand. It had a "home cooking" quality, with quality fresh ingredients and prepared with great care. The chicken with cashew nuts, green curry and Massamam curry were our favorites. The charming lady "chef" was very proud and delighted when we let her know that we enjoyed her dishes. Yes, there was an instance where they did not have ingredients to make a certain dish on the menu... but that was no problem, as they made certain they had them available the following day.

In summary, this resort was very special to us. The staff (yes, only Namfon spoke english, but who cares? it did not hamper our experience) were the most genuine and warm people we met during our entire trip. The setting was beautiful and so peacful. I don't know what type of accomidations the previous poster is accustomed to, but we have traveled to many places in the world, and have stayed at many resorts and even villas... we were delighted with Baan Rai Lanna for what it is. We did not expect it to be The Four Seasons... We are not nitpickey people who get upset over small things. To us, Baan Rai Lanna was an amazing, peacful, nuturing haven to relax and recoup after our journey. It was the perfect start to our vacation. we only regret not staying longer. We will be back!