Hotel tips for Ban Rak Thai 🏞️
There are only a few hotels on Booking.com, while many beautiful ones show up on TikTok & Facebook. I chatted with some via Facebook, but they asked for full payment with no email confirmation — which made me uncomfortable. In the end, I chose to book through Booking.com and stayed at Cheng Fong Rak Thai Resort instead.
Cheng Fong Rak Thai Resort is a bit far from the main town and lake area. When choosing accommodation, you basically have two options: staying in a tea plantation or near the lake.
Keep expectations realistic — Ban Rak Thai is a small town. My hotel didn’t have a heater, nights were very cold, the water heater wasn’t very hot, and since it’s in a plantation area, there were quite a lot of ants and insects.
While walking around, I noticed some popular hotels from TikTok: Lee Wine Resort (very hard to book), Wojia Resortnear the lake but located uphill with stairs, and Nano Resort right by the lake with a nice morning view.
Ban rak thai have lots of small hotel and resorts, you might be able to walk in. Personally, I wouldn’t risk it after a 6-hour drive with lots of uphill roads without hotel booking.
Hope this helps anyone planning a trip to Ban Rak Thai 🤍
Not sponsored — paid with my own money and sharing my real experience 🤍
From my personal experience, booking accommodation in Ban Rak Thai requires extra caution. While many charming hotels are promoted on social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook, some ask for full payment upfront without email confirmation, which can be risky. Therefore, I highly recommend using trusted booking platforms like Booking.com for guaranteed reservations and added security. If you visit during cooler months, prepare for chilly nights as many hotels, including the one I stayed at—Cheng Fong Rak Thai Resort—might not have adequate heating. Bringing warm clothing and maybe a portable heater if possible can make your stay much more comfortable. Also, keep in mind that water heaters may not be very strong, so try to take shorter, warmer showers. The location of your hotel matters: you can stay right in the tea plantations for a unique, immersive experience or opt for accommodation closer to the lake for beautiful morning views and easier access to the town center. Facilities and accessibility vary; for example, Wojia Resort near the lake involves climbing stairs uphill, which might not suit everyone. Ban Rak Thai’s small size means many hotels are not listed online and may rely on walk-in guests. However, after a long, winding drive of around six hours, I would not recommend risking arriving without a hotel booking, especially during peak seasons. To ensure a smooth trip, confirm bookings in advance and consider the location, heating, and insect presence when selecting your hotel. Lastly, embracing the natural surroundings means you may encounter insects or ants, especially in plantation areas, so packing insect repellent is a wise idea. This adventure is perfect for nature lovers and winter travelers who appreciate the tranquil charm of hidden gems like Ban Rak Thai.
