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Khao Sok Nationwide Park is a magical place and one of many must-visit locations in Thailand. In case you are looking out about the way it’s to remain at 500Rai Floating Resort, you most likely already know that the nationwide park is wonderful. And, after all, there isn’t any higher expertise than staying in a Khao Sok floating bungalow.
So you will have come to the precise place! We spent 2 nights at 500Rai Floating Resort, and I’m going to share with you all the main points in regards to the lodge. From the way it was to get to Khao Sok to the boat switch to the lodge, what you possibly can anticipate from the rooms, restaurant, services, and actions. Plus some private tricks to make your journey unforgettable.
Be prepared for wonderful views, peaceable moments, distinctive encounters, and enjoyable.
500Rai Floating Resort Overview
The very first thing it’s essential to find out about 500Rai lodge is that for them luxurious means simplicity, being in nature, and having the chance to expertise Khao Sok in a novel means.
It’s undoubtedly not about 5-star facilities or 4 various kinds of pillows, as you’d anticipate from an lodging on this worth vary. Right here the park is the primary star, and the lodge will aid you to take pleasure in it in the most effective and most snug means attainable.
The lodge slogan is ‘Disconnect to Reconnect,’ and staying on the 500Rai floating bungalows it’s really an expertise of disconnecting from the skin world and connecting to nature, and even to your self or with the individuals you’re touring with.
When you get to the floating lodge in Khao Sok, you’ll really feel the park’s magnificence and grandiosity. Be prepared for magical dawn and sunsets, recognize the silence at evening and listen to the sounds of nature waking up.
You’ll by no means get bored with taking a look at that beautiful surroundings, and this immersive expertise is just attainable due to the lodge’s quiet location.
Planning your journey round Thailand? Click on right here to learn all our guides about Thailand, from busy Bangkok to attention-grabbing Hat Yai, distinctive Chiang Rai to well-known Koh Phi Phi, and all of the unbelievable islands.
500Rai Floating Resort location and tips on how to get there
The floating lodge is positioned in Cheow Lan Lake in Khao Sok Nationwide Park – Surat Thani Province, additionally known as Khao Sok Lake. It sits in a tranquil space of the lake, nestled between hills and near waterfalls, climbing trails, and caves.
One factor you might be certain of, the best way to this distant resort is as lovely as its location.
It’s necessary to notice that the park has two distinct areas, the Khao Sok Village on the mainland and the place many of the accommodations are positioned, and the Cheow Lan Lake, the place you will see the raft homes and floating bungalows.
To get to 500Rai, and to the lake, you will have to mix completely different modes of transportation. The primary half will probably be by highway and the second on an extended tail boat (a standard Thai boat).
Relying on the place you come from, you possibly can take a bus/van/taxi to Cheow Lan Lake Pier (aka Ratchaprapha Pier at Ratchaprapha Dam). From there, you’ll take the boat shuttle service to the floating bungalows in Khao Sok Nationwide Park.
That is the best way to get to 500Rai Floating Resort and some other floating lodge.
The long-tail boat experience to the lodge takes 1h and half-hour to 2 hrs. It’s like a mini lake expedition the place you’re launched to the gorgeous lake, its emerald inexperienced water, and its exuberant nature with strategic stops for photographs
Planning and touring this route could be a bit difficult, but it surely’s value it. When you arrive on the lodge, you’ll overlook about all the effort.
In case you are planning your journey round south Thailand, it’s good to know that the closest airport to Khao Sok Park is Surat Thani airport, then Phuket and Krabi airports.
The simplest routes to the pier are from Surat Thani (airport and city), then from Khao Lak, Phuket and Krabi. From these areas, you will discover buses, vans, or taxis that may take you to the pier or to the Khao Sok Village, from the place you possibly can take a taxi to the pier. (Extra recommendations on touring in Thailand by bus right here!)
When planning your itinerary, you even have to contemplate the boat switch charge and the pier charge, and departure instances. Your lodge might help you with the boat schedule.
If you happen to don’t wish to spend time planning your approach to Khao Sok, you possibly can ebook the that gives shuttle pickup service and boat switch. We’ll discuss it and tips on how to ebook your keep within the subsequent subjects. Hold studying!
500Rai Floating bungalows and villas
Now that you understand how to get there, let me inform you what you possibly can anticipate from the 500Rai rooms and villas.
The floating lodge is split into two sections.
One known as the Connecting Zone, the place Deluxe rooms, Villas, and Household Villas are positioned. They’re linked by a walkway, and at one of many ends is the lodge’s pier, reception, restaurant and pool.
The opposite part known as the Suite Zone, with the Deluxe Suites, Household Suite, and Honeymoon Suite.
The Suite Zone is separated from the primary resort space, providing extra privateness for the visitor. Being the 2 Deluxe Suites and Household Suite on the identical floating platform, whereas the Honeymoon Villa floats alone.
To get from these rooms to the restaurant and pool, you possibly can order a ship shuttle or go kayaking.
All rooms have a non-public veranda with lake views, kayaks, lifejackets, and bottled water. What differ are the dimensions, the privateness, and air situation disponibility.
Rooms on the Connecting Zone
That is the essential floating bungalow in 500Rai. The room has a double mattress, two mattresses on the mezzanine, and a non-public rest room with a sizzling/chilly bathe.
The room has a fan and air con solely from 6 pm to six am.
The 500Rai Villa is a little more spacious than the Deluxe Room. It additionally has a double mattress, two mattresses on the mezzanine, however the bathe (sizzling/chilly) is separated from the lavatory with a dressing space in between.
The most important distinction is that within the Villa the air con is out there 24 hours.
We stayed on the Villa and beloved it! It’s primary, with no frills, however snug and has sufficient house to place your baggage, stroll round, and loosen up. I consider it’s excellent for two or 3 individuals, or 2 adults with youngsters.
The air con for twenty-four hours was good, as in the course of the afternoon the room will get actually sizzling. In case you are planning to remain out doing actions the entire day, then the A/C just isn’t a giant deal, however if you wish to keep within the room, I extremely suggest it.
These are two connecting rooms excellent for households or teams of buddies. Every room has a double mattress plus two mattresses on the mezzanine (additionally known as loft on the lodge web site). Plus a non-public rest room with a sizzling/chilly bathe.
The room has air con solely from 6 pm to six am, like de Deluxe rooms.
Word: these three varieties of rooms have rest room facilities and hair dryer on request.
Rooms on the Suite Zone
As I discussed, the suite rooms are positioned individually from the primary lodge. The room gives extra privateness and house for the visitors. It has a king-size mattress, 2 couch beds, 2 mattresses on the mezzanine, and a couple of loos with sizzling/chilly showers.
Fan and air con can be found 24 hours.
This connecting room gives 86 sqm of house, with 2 king-size beds, 6 mattresses and 4 loos with sizzling/chilly showers. The veranda can be bigger and connects the 2 rooms. The air con is out there 24 hours, and this room can be separated from the primary lodge.
That is undoubtedly probably the most wonderful room in 500Rail, and possibly amongst all Khao Sok floating accommodations.
The Honeymoon Suite is totally separated from the lodge and different floating bungalows. It has its personal pier and the spacious floating home has a lounge, a bed room with a king-size mattress, 2 further mattresses on the mezzanine, and a couple of loos with sizzling/chilly showers.
However the spotlight of the room is the skin space with an enormous veranda overlooking the lake, an open-air jacuzzi, and a non-public pool. It’s marvelous.
Like different suites, it gives rest room facilities, a kayak, followers, 24 hours air con plus a espresso machine.
Vital to know:
You observed that not each room has A/C obtainable 24 hours, that’s as a result of electrical energy and water are sources that have to be nicely managed on the floating accommodations in Khao Sok. The properties are very removed from the mainland public companies, which will increase the costs of the room and companies provided.
FYI, 500Rai lodge is powered by a gasoline generator. The water comes from the lake but it surely goes by means of a course of to make it skin-safe and leaves no residue when returned to nature.
The lodge’s waste can be managed fastidiously. A every day cargo ship collects the garbage and disposes it correctly on the mainland. For the sewage, there’s a holding tank on the property that retains the waste till it’s transported to the mainland (as soon as a month) for correct disposal.
Additionally, there isn’t any room cleansing every day. Nevertheless, they do go away a bag in entrance of your door with clear towels, rest room paper, and contemporary water day by day.
500Rai Floating lodge services
Friends have entry to the lodge restaurant, out of doors swimming pool and lake. These are the frequent areas the place visitors benefit from the meals, the blissful hour and look forward to the excursions and actions.
The restaurant is spacious, well-ventilated and, after all, has wonderful lake and pool views.
Breakfast is buffet type with Thai meals and Western choices, an egg station the place you possibly can order omelets, scrambled or fried eggs), a espresso and tea station, juices, fruits, salads and cereals.
I personally beloved that they’ve some conventional Southern Thai breakfast like rice noodles with fish curry, spice and so flavourful. The right kick to start out the morning.
The lunch and dinner menu gives well-known Thai dishes like tom kha gai, massaman curry and stir-fried dishes of rice or noodle with choices of hen or pork. On the Western facet, you will get a hen steak with fries and salads.
The bar has an excellent number of cocktails, beers and tender drinks.
If you happen to ebook the all-inclusive package deal you’ll have to select your lunch and dinner from a hard and fast menu that features one appetizer and two primary dishes per particular person. Additionally bottles of water and fruit for dessert.
We favored the choices for lunch and dinner, some dishes have been higher than others. For me, they may very well be a bit spicier or extra seasoned, however once more it’s private style.
For people who ebook solely the room, you possibly can order no matter you need from the restaurant menu and pay based on your decisions.
When you have any meals allergy symptoms, like me, it’s necessary to tell the property upfront, ideally earlier than your arrival to allow them to make any needed preparations. I’m allergic to a few issues, and so they have been very accommodating in altering components and adapting the menu.
Needless to say that is the one restaurant within the lodge and within the space. It’s open from 6 am to 9 pm.
The out of doors pool is so attention-grabbing, it floats in the course of the lake, so you will have a 360º view of the park, swimming in the course of the lake, however not really within the lake water. It’s an excellent choice for youths or individuals who don’t really feel snug swimming in a lake.
There is no such thing as a lifeguard on responsibility on the pool, so it’s essential to take care of your self and your youngsters. The pool is open from 6 am to 9 pm.
The lodge is in a peaceful and secluded space of Cheow Lan Lake, though you possibly can really feel the waves when a ship sails close by, or the boat shuttle from the lodge passes close to your bungalow.
It’s attention-grabbing to really feel it in the course of the day, however the motion of the bungalows didn’t trouble us in any respect, particularly at evening time.
You possibly can swim within the lake, the emerald water is crystal clear and so heat. Nevertheless, it’s suggested to do it solely throughout daylight, for security causes.
Additionally, it’s actually deep (some factors as much as 40 meters of depth). In case you are not a assured swimmer you should utilize the life jackets offered in every room.
Kayaking in Khao Sok can be a should, and you are able to do it everytime you need. Simply seize the kayak in entrance of your room, put your lifejacket on, pack your digicam and go paddling on the gorgeous inexperienced water.
Once more, if you’re not very skilled attempt to keep near the lodge or shore, and don’t paddle too distant or in darkish hours.
Don’t overlook to purchase your journey insurance coverage earlier than going to the park, really earlier than leaving house!
We suggest Heymondo journey insurance coverage for journeys shorter than 1 month, they provide nice protection and their customer support is nice.
When touring for longer intervals we use SafetWing, you possibly can verify their costs and insurance policies right here. In case you are a digital nomad like us, learn our information evaluating long-term journey insurance coverage and keep protected.
500Rai excursions and actions
Kayaking and swimming are solely two of the various issues you are able to do in Khao Sok Nationwide Park. If you happen to like nature, this place is for you.
Actions you are able to do in Khao Sok Park whereas staying at 500Rai:
- Swimming on Khao Sok lake (free and you are able to do it by your self)
- Kayaking (free and you are able to do it by your self)
- Paddle boarding (you possibly can hire the boards and do it by your self)
- Mountaineering by means of the forest and as much as wonderful viewpoints (guided)
- Trekking to go to unbelievable caves (guided)
- Go to waterfalls (guided)
- Boat excursions for wildlife watching(guided)
There are additionally just a few actions you are able to do on the lodge, like:
- Cooking class (have to be booked upfront)
- Cocktail class (have to be booked upfront)
- Thai therapeutic massage (have to be booked upfront)
Relying on the kind of package deal you select, some actions will probably be included, and others it’s essential to pay individually. It’s all as much as you, you possibly can be part of a few of the superior excursions or keep stress-free on the lovely resort.
Easy methods to ebook your keep at 500Rai Khao Sok
I do know that by now you already wish to journey to Khao Sok and keep at 500Rai, so how are you going to flip this dream right into a real-life plan?
Simple, there are two methods to ebook your Rai Khao Sok floating resort, one is through , e mail ([email protected]), or telephone(+66 7795 3013). The opposite one is through Reserving.com (click on right here).
Each methods you should have the identical choices for rooms, the one distinction is what’s included or not within the room charge. And it’s right here that it’s essential to listen and browse all the data fastidiously earlier than reserving.
When reserving immediately with the lodge you will note that 500Rai costs fluctuate based on the room sort and what’s included within the lodge expertise/package deal. They’ve from primary choices of a room with breakfast to all-inclusive packages.
If you happen to ebook your room through Reserving.com you solely get the choice of a room (deluxe, villa, or suite) with breakfast.
In the long run, it’s about what sort of expertise you wish to have and your journey funds.
What’s included in 500Rai room charge?
It doesn’t matter the way you ebook your room, it can all the time embody:
- breakfast
- kayak at your veranda
- entry to the lake and pool
Then in case you ebook the lodge packages you can too have lunch and dinner included (Dine & Do package deal). Or you possibly can go for a package deal that features meals, lodge pick-up service (from Surat Thani, Khao Lak, Phuket or Krabi areas) to the pier, and the boat switch from the pier to the floating lodge (roundtrip for visitors).
And there’s the Final All Inclusive that features every part talked about above plus actions within the park reminiscent of trekking, climbing and boat excursions.
We had the Final All-Inclusive and it was a bliss to have every part organized by the lodge. The one factor we cared about was having fun with and having enjoyable. It comes with a better price ticket, however you get to benefit from the expertise to the fullest.
What’s NOT included in 500Rai room charge?
- Khao Sok Nationwide Park charge*: Bathtub 200 per particular person, pay on the pier.
- Pier charge*: Bathtub 20 per particular person, pay on the pier.
- Web connection**
- Airport shuttle service or switch to/out of your lodge to the pier, and the boat service to/from the pier to the floating resort (included solely in chosen packages)***
- Excursions and actions within the park (included solely in chosen packages)
- Lunch and dinner (included solely in chosen packages)
- Drinks
*Costs we paid on our go to in Dec 2022. The park entrance charge is cheaper for Thai residents.
** The 500Rai doesn’t embody web within the room charge. The thought is that you’ll disconnect from the skin world. So in case you want web you possibly can pay for the service, and select between 1-hour web or 1-day go.
*** You possibly can ebook the land and boat transfers with the lodge for a further cost***
Word: The main points in regards to the lodge location and tips on how to get there are originally of this text.
What to pack for Khao Sok Nationwide Park
It’s Thailand, so the climate will probably be sizzling all yr lengthy.
I recommend you pack to Khao Sok:
After which your common garments for staying on the lodge and touring round. The lodge facilities are primary, solely shampoo and physique wash, so in case you want extra stuff to take care of your hair or pores and skin, convey them together with you.
If attainable, journey mild!
The boat to the accommodations in Khao Sok is small and there isn’t a lot room for baggage except you ebook a non-public switch. Additionally, the baggage can get barely moist on the boat, so you probably have a waterproof case or cowl in your baggage, that is the second to make use of it.
Our keep at 500Rai Floating Resort in Khao Sok
We beloved each second of our keep at 500Rai Resort! Khao Sok was on our journey plans for thus a few years and at last, we visited.
It’s not one of many best locations in Thailand, planning a visit to Khao Sok might be difficult, getting there takes time and it’s an costly vacation spot when put next with different locations. However it’s magical and unforgettable.
The lodge was very snug, the useful workers was all the time pretty to us, and even with some language barrier (not everybody speaks excellent English), every part went as anticipated.
Not having web was a blessing! It was the primary time since 2014 that we stayed over 24 hours with out touching our laptops and social media. It was an incredible feeling.
What would we do in a different way?
We stayed 2 nights at 500Rai, and I want it was 3, so we might do extra actions.
We did a dawn boat tour for hen watching, went on a waterfall hike (the place we really climbed the waterfall itself), and did a night wildlife-watching tour. Plus a few hours kayaking and swimming. However I want we had yet another day to do a hike to the Tarzan viewpoint, extra kayaking and extra star gazing from our villa balcony.
You additionally must consider that check-out time is 9:30 am so you possibly can catch the longtail boat to the pier (the best way again is quicker, 1hr boat experience or a bit extra).
We awoke actually early on the final day to take pleasure in this wonderful location, however we solely had a few hours for swimming, packing and having breakfast.
That’s it! Our complete evaluate ends right here. If you wish to see extra of our expertise at Khaosok Nationwide Park, head to our Instagram. The Reels will make you wish to pack your baggage and journey to Khao Sok proper now.
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