On my way to Bhutan in October, I took the short hop from Bangkok to Chiang Mai to rest for a few days before heading to the Himalayas. It was wonderful to eat great organic food, receive relaxing and health promoting massages, do Chi Kung exercises and just generally get over jet lag before I continued my journey.

They picked me up from the airport and brought me back as well as had transportation into town one night. I liked being out of the city in the relaxing country side.

I had my hopes up after reading so many glowing reviews and so my husband and I came here to splurge for a few nice, relaxing and healthy days.

We balked at the price at first but figured that with the number of activities provided, the food and the rooms we would feel the price was justified.

Sadly, however, it was not. If this hotel cost half the price we would have been very happy - the food, while not delicious, is fine, the rooms are simple and clean, and there are a number of activities included.

We could not understand though how it cost over 12,000 THB per night when it is so clearly outdated and in need of a major overhaul.

The first major offense was that they charged for coffee in the morning. We know they are trying to promote healthy living, but how can they serve cake and dessert at meals, but then ask for 60 THB for a small cup of morning coffee with breakfast?

Second, the gym is a bit of a joke for someone who is a regular gym goer. There is no air conditioning, the machines are all outdated and in poor condition, and there is no real stretching area.

Third, they only had 3 dead tennis balls for all of their guests to use, and their one basketball is so old and dirty that it barely bounces and our hands were black after using it.

Lastly, the rooms are just not up to par at this price. The bathroom is tiny and so poorly designed that showering floods the whole floor.

Perhaps our expectations were too high- as I said before, if it cost us half the price we would have been very happy. There are positives - the grounds are very beautiful, there is free property-wide wifi, the rooms are spacious and quiet, fresh and healthy food is provided (alongside less healthy food), and they have two pools and morning/evening exercise classes.

We think that it was probably an incredible place 10 or 15 years ago, but at this point they need to do some major renovations and reconsider the price in order to provide a better value to their guests.

Sadly, at this price we would not return.

Wow what a truly Amazing place. i was here for 3 months on a fully intense rehabilation programme due to a very bad accident i had many years ago
TAO GARDENS has completly changed my life. As soon as i arrived at the airport transportation was arranged. The location is truely amazing green everywhere. Amaazing trees with different fruits hanging from them and the air is so pure. there such a positive Aura around the place. The staff are so professional but also very friendly. And attend to your every need to make sure you are being looked after. The Treatments are 5 star and more. There main aim was to get me improving every day and you could see the joy in there eyes every-time they seen the improvements. The facility's are fantastic and they have just built a new pool which looks pretty amazing
the dinning service the food is divine extremely wide range. and all the vegetables and fruit are all grown on location (organic) And the fish was fresh out the water.Top marks for the chief and his staff. my Improvements have been amazing.
The variety of people you meet here from all over the world is unreal and makes the experience wonderful and inspirational.
love to say a big THANK YOU to Master Chia and all the staff at TAO GARDENS for everything they have done for me. Also would love to say if you ever needed anything then then Perns the girl who sorts everything out no matter how big or small she will sort it She is pretty amazing. once again thank you for getting my life back.....

Most of the folks posting excellent comments here talk about the beautiful nature setting, the friendly staff, great food, and spa treatments provided at Tao Garden in Chiang Mai, Thailand. While this is all true, my visit in mid November 2011 was solely to restore my failing health since it was negatively impacting my ability to make a decent living. My objective was to receive a good diagnosis to my ill feelings, as well as, to receive a general detoxification at the clinic there. My dangerously high blood pressure was back to within normal range after just 4 days, and the people there (guests and staff members) began commenting about the amazing change they saw in me. Now that I am restored to optimum health, I am free to focus on my ability to make a living. I certainly hope that my now good health remains so that my next visit can be all about enjoying this beautiful garden paradise. If I were to write a novel, I would choose Tao Garden for a 3 month retreat simply because I would find the most inspiration there.