Monday, May 4, 2015

Thailand: Sangkhalaburi: How to go and Samprasob Resort Review

Ok i know it might be the longest post delay that i ever had. 

April was crazy, new company is having a big project and it is still going on. I know busy working is a lame excuse but unfortunately this is the truth :(

Alright so after a night-stay in floating hotel at River Kwai, we went to Sangkhalaburi in the next day.

There are only two buses per day from Nam Tok station to Sangkhalaburi (as in Dec 2013) - 930am and 130pm.

We bought two 930am bus tickets via hotel. The host sent us to bus station (which is 5 minutes driving distance) after our breakfast.

That was four hours ride, road condition is good although very narrow (well we had seen the worse one, in Nepal). Bus condition was pretty good, new and fresh. We were the only two foreigners in the bus, the rest were either from Myanmar or local.

Before scroll down for photos, just to let you know this gonna be a short post + Sangkhalaburi's hotel review. The main attractions of Sangkhalaburi will be in next post. (Trust me, i'll try my best to update as soon as i can)   


the bus from Nam Tok station to Sangkhalaburi, new and clean

As you can see. 

4 hours ride wasn't bored at all with these beautiful scenery. 
Finally, the bus stop of Sangkhalaburi, just in front of a local grocery shop. Almost the most un-obvious stop that i had seen in Thailand. 

Sangkhalaburi is a very very small town (well it is bigger than Nam Tok though), there are only four commercial streets to serve a few surrounded villages.

This is definitely not some travel destination hotspot that you can see China Chinese everywhere, but volunteers from different countries and local tourists.

If you want to visit this place, do not expect it has variety choices of eatery, massage center, shopping place or tuk tuk everywhere. All Sangkhalaburi offers are peaceful, purity and wonderful view.

For Sangkhalaburi, we had chosen to Samprasob Resort as our stop for 3 nights.

Although there are a few cheap but nice backpacker around, but this is the only one on the peak of hill which can overlook the wooden bridge - Mon Bridge that i dreamed for a visit in the past few years.

Well as i said, i will keep more Mon Bridge for the next post.

Samprasob Resort is one of the most established accommodation in the area (I believe it is the most actually). It was built on the top of a hill where you can overlook Mon Bridge and cool breeze (FYI Sangkhalaburi has winter and Dec is winter time)

It is 5 to 10 minutes away from the main streets where the bus station were, but do take note that it was mostly a uphill road. It is walkable but you better fit enough. Alternatively, call to the resort and they will send someone to pick up for free, like what we did.

Right after we checked-in, John paid for hotel staff to rent him a motorbike, If not mistaken, it was 300bath per day. Trust me, motorbike in Sangkhalaburi is very important (if you dont know how to ride one, rent a scooter and learn, you dont need to present driving license to rent one)


Red for bus station, green for resort. 



                                          
A short clip taken from the main lobby of the hotel

Mon Bridge view. 

Our room was right in front of the refreshing swimming pool

This is the view. 

                                      
 Short clip to show room condition

Samprasob Resort has rooms in main building and individual cottages. I had booked cottage but was assigned to room in building (well thats always happen in Thai), we took it anyway as the view is spectacular. 

Some review said the room is overpriced from the hotel condition, to be honest i do think the hotel condition is good, room is basic but yea, not cleaning everyday, not sure if we asked for no disturb in the first day and the cleaner thought for the next two days also. 

But she sent new toilet roll, water and fresh towels everyday anyway.

Overall i'm happy with the hotel.

Why i would stay here again?
1. Amazing and exclusive view on the lake and bridge.
2. Refreshing swimming pool.
3. Spacious room.

Why i wouldn't stay here again? 
1. Room was basic, bed is too small for big guy like John.
2. Price (well its not very expensive but there are some other cheaper choice)
3. Awful food (we had dinner once and never go back but buffet breakfast was ok though)
4. Very difficult to communicate (Speak very very limited English)

For more information, just go to the office website as stated below, very comprehensive.

I made the booking via Agoda, not sure if anyone reply if you email them directly (well i had never gotten reply from them on my pick up request).


Samprosob Resort
122 Moo3 Nongloo,
Sangkhalaburi, Kanchanaburi
71240 Thailand
Tel: (034)595-050, (085)811-8711
Fax: (034)595-205
Email: samprasobresort@gmail.com
Website: www.samprasob.com/en/

Alright finally one off! Next will be Mon Bridge!


Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
20150504, 0508pm
Rach in Monday blue mood.


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