Thailand

Location: Chanthaburi

Faasai is an independently-owned and family-run eco-resort at Kung Wiman, Chanthaburi, on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand. The resort covers more than three acres, backs onto a forest-covered hill and faces east towards the mountains bordering Thailand and Cambodia.
Faasai is situated in one of Thailand's most beautiful, diverse and historically important provinces, Chanthaburi, which borders Cambodia and indeed was once part of French Cambodia. With Faasai Resort as a base, you can explore the surrounding sea, forests and mountains, visit important historical and archaeological sites, take part in local festivals, visit gemstone markets, fresh markets, orchards and temples and enjoy relaxing spa therapies based on traditional Thai treatments. It is a rare opportunity to visit an unspoilt corner of Thailand and experience authentic Thai culture.

Accommodation

The property has 15 rooms in different styles, from thatched cottages to large villas with big terraces. Each room has a peaceful green view.
The lodge offers Thai massage and traditional Thai healing treatments as well as Ayurvedic therapy. The owners Surin Laopha and Bronwen Evans are committed to providing a peaceful and caring place to stay, protecting wildlife, living in harmony with nature and offering visitors the opportunity to experience the authentic culture of Thailand.

Eco Policies

Eco-design - Many native trees, including a magnificent Bhopal tree, have been retained on the three-acre hillside property which also has wild herbs such as gotu gola, cardamom and aloes wood and is fed by a natural spring. The resort has been built to blend in with the landscape using a range of traditional, local and natural materials.

Energy - Water tanks are heated by solar power and Balinese-style bungalows have been designed to maximise insulation and allow natural ventilation.

Conservation – This eco-friendly Resort is working with the authorities to protect the environment as advisors to the local community council, contributing to tree-planting efforts which not only support the environment but help communities by providing an income to local groups. The resort has its own plantation of around 1,000 aloes wood trees and also supports a Royal Project to protect the mangroves in nearby Kung Kraben, by encouraging guests to take trips kayaking through the mangroves (with funds going to the local university) and make donations to the project.

Ecological sustainability – Water is supplied from the Resort’s own natural underground mineral spring and waste water is reused on the gardens. Garden refuse is composted and other materials are recycled. Some organic fruit and vegetables are grown at the resort for guest meals with other vegetables, fruit and eggs bought locally.

Community – The resort supports the local temple by making frequent and generous donations and attending religious events and encourages visitors to visit village markets, participate in local festivals and buy products during temple fairs. Local people are employed in the hotel, with approximately half the staff local villagers and the other half family members. There is no age discrimination. The oldest member of staff is in his 70s and teenagers are also given part-time jobs. Local fishermen are given employment through providing trips for guests while local restaurants also benefit from the patronage of the Resort’s guests.

Facilities

- The Resort has a café which serves fresh sea food caught by the local fishing fleet, local specialities such as the famous Moo Chamuang (pork casserole with leaves from the Chamuang tree), healthy cuisine made with local herbs, freshly picked fruit from the local orchards, seasonal delicacies, vegetarian, barbecues and Isaan and Western dishes. Upon request meals can be provided to meet special dietary needs.
- Swimming Pool with sunloungers and umbrellas
- Broadband, wireless and Skype available at the café and WiFi facilities at Baan Cattelya.

Things To See And Do

A special feature of Faasai is the large tropical garden covering nearly three acres of land. The garden, which faces east, is divided into many different areas; a large lawn with a swing bordered by trees, a small lawn for playing bowls or badminton or petanque, a palm fringed swimming pool, a water garden with carp, herb gardens, a Thai Feng Shui garden, which includes many unique herbs, flowers, trees and lotus pond and the wild stony garden by the lookout. It is a fragrant, flower-filled haven, with many birds, butterflies, dragonflies, frogs, lizards and ghekkos. There is even a resident tortoise.

Bikes and kayaks are the perfect way to explore the area surrounding Kung Wiman – a delightful region of winding hills, bays, mangroves, shrimp farms, orchards and fishing villages. It is a great place for bird spotting and enjoying the sights and scenes of a local community which still has a traditional way of life, based around the forest and the sea.

If you’d like to take a tour, there are plenty on offer such as: a boat trip around Kung Kraben Bay visiting mangroves and a marine sanctuary; a forest and sea nature walk; a mangrove boardwalk; ancient caves which were once home to monks, monkeys, fish and birds at the temple of the Golden Bell; a Chanthaburi cultural trip - national maritime museum, French cathedral, historic ship building yards, village crafts, forest and mountain treks including visits to waterfalls and wildlife sanctuaries.

In addition to all of this, Faasai Resort is a spa hotel. Treatments such as traditional Thai massage, oil massage and aromatherapy, Royal Thai massage and herbal steam therapy, Ayurveda healing treatments, facials, body scrubs and oil massages are available.

Room Description

All rooms are equipped with satellite television and phones, and the villas, penthouse and the master bedroom in Baan Cattelya are also provided with DVD players so that you can enjoy music or movies whenever you like. You can bring your own selection or browse the Resort’s library of books and videos.

Villas - The classical villas are tucked away amongst tree covered hills. Made with local bricks they are in the colours of the natural elements and blend harmoniously with the local landscape. Each room has its own separate identity with its own colour and name (Mangosteen, Blue Mountain, Sea Mist, Watermelon, Bamboo and Aloeswood). The villas have been designed to make the most of the sea breeze and the view of the gardens and surrounding hills.

Bungalows - The Thai style wooden bungalows are on stilts and thatched with traditional Thai grasses. Inside, natural materials have been used such as bamboo matting and wooden floors with this natural theme continued into the pebble-tiled bathrooms.

House - The light and airy Cattelya House, also on stilts and made with natural materials, has three bedrooms, its own large tropical-style verandah and looks over to the lotus pond and Thai Feng Shui garden.

Cottage - Bougainvillea Cottage is peaceful and private as it snuggles into the base of the hill. It has its own private space, set well away from most of the other rooms.

Penthouse - The penthouse has a stunning 360-degree view of the mountains, sea and forest as well as its own private spa and whirlpool.

Prices & Booking Policies

Currency: US dollar ($)
Prices and inclusions: Rates per room per night are US$29 (approx £15) for a single room, US$55 (approx £28) for a twin/double villa, US$50 (approx £25) for a bungalow, US$112 (approx £56) for the three-bedroom house or US$128 (approx £64) for the Penthouse Suite. Prices include breakfast and taxes.
Child prices: Children aged 0-12 pay US$7 (approx £4) extra per night. They can stay in any of the rooms except the Penthouse or single rooms
Extra adult prices: A third adult in a room pays US$7 (approx £4) per night. They can stay in any of the rooms except the single rooms.
Special offers: Guests who stay for 4 nights or more will receive a 20% discount on the room rate. Guests who stay for 8 nights or more will receive a 30% discount on the room rate.
Opening dates: The Resort is open all year round. Bookings are currently being taken until 31st October 2008.
Restrictions: There are no minimum night restrictions
Deposit: There is no deposit payable to secure your reservation, only your credit card details are needed (Visa or MasterCard).
Cancellation policy: Any cancellation of your booking will result in a charge of 20% of your total booking value. This payment will be taken from your credit card using the details you provide at time of booking – the resort accepts Visa or MasterCard although please note there is a 2% surcharge on credit card payments.
Payment methods: For all remaining payment, pay on departure. The resort accepts Visa, MasterCard and JCB cards or cash. There is a 2% surcharge on credit card payments.

Getting There And Around

There is an hourly bus service from Bangkok’s Eastern bus station. The price of a ticket per person is approximately US$7. There is also a bus service which runs six times a day from Suvanabhumi airport in Bangkok. The buses go to Chanthaburi city but you may alight at Naiyaiyarm, which is about 40 kilometres from the city and the resort will collect you – the charge for the van to pick up guests and drop them off at the bus stop is approximately US$21. The van can take up to 10 people.

The Resort van is also available to provide transport to and from Bangkok and other destinations such as Ko Chang, Pattaya, Trat and the Cambodia border in the South and East of Thailand.

For local sightseeing the Resort provides transport in its van or open air bus. Visitors can also hire bicycles or motorbikes.