Last week we visited the third in our series of small
resorts outside Chiang Mai, the Field Village Resort, located on the Hang
Dong Road about 10 minutes from Chiang Mai, and very easy to find. 200
meters past the Makro store, you’ll see a 7-Eleven, continue for another 20
meters, then take the next left turn. The resort is approximately 2
kilometres along this road.
Jong,
Tiffany and the kids from Ban Mae Maeh Orphanage.
When we arrived, we were welcomed by the owner, Khun Jong, who showed us
around her home, a lovely example of classic Lanna architecture. On the
resort’s land are ten traditional teak houses on stilts for rent, all
overlooking the rice fields and with a distant view of the mountains. There
are three different types to choose from, cottage, deluxe cottage with king
size bed and 2 story cottages which are ideal for a family of 4 or 5
persons.
The teak houses all have large balconies; the bedrooms have typical
traditional Lanna furniture blended with modern colours and with paintings
by a local artist adorning each wall. Each room is fully equipped with
bi-lingual satellite TV, DVD player, air-con, mini bar, and kettle. A
hairdryer, dressing gowns and slippers are also provided. Don’t worry about
towels for the pool – those are provided too!
The resort facilities include a ‘salt water’ infinity swimming pool with
poolside bar and Bar-B-Q, a bistro and internet café, wireless internet
service, laundry service and dressmaking. Staff are available until 10 pm,
with a manned emergency call service throughout the night. A babysitter
service is thoughtfully provided, as is a sightseeing tour in English, led
by Aor, who has expert local knowledge. The resort even has its own small
fishing lake.
The restaurant is open from 8 am until 9 pm, however this is flexible. For
example, if someone has an early flight, the staff are happy to provide
breakfast at an earlier time. Breakfasts can be anything from Thai style to
a full ‘English Breakfast’. Lunch and dinner options include Thai and
Western food, with vegetarian and vegan options as well. Khun Jong even
provides such delicacies as Branston Pickles, Peanut Butter or Marmite,
should her guests crave reminders of home! We tried the Pad Thai with
chicken, the resort’s own recipe at110 baht, with the huge portions
representing great value for money. Nothing seems to be too much trouble for
Khun Jong’s kitchen staff.
If the resort is full, which is often the case, Khun Jong will lay on a
Bar-B-Q, or a Seafood or Steak Party by the pool. They have had a few very
successful small wedding parties, as well, so you will understand why
reservations are a must.
When you look around at the lush grounds of the Field Village Resort, you
get the feeling that it has been open for many years – not so, it opened in
April 2007, and has already been awarded the “Best Hidden Gems Travellers’
Choice 2008” title by Trip Advisor, the world’s largest travel website.
Apart from being the perfect hostess, Kuhn Jong supports the Ban Mae Maeh
orphanage in Chang Dao district, which cares for 120 Burmese children from
8-12 years old. The major problem is food supplies; on her last visit,
stocks of food were enough for just 7 days. The government provides 1 meal
per child per day – rice and cabbage, a starvation ration for active kids.
The headmaster, when asked what help he needed, just replied” Food”.
Medicine, however, is another urgent requirement – calamine lotion, shampoo
and antibiotic powder are essentials for the kids’ insect bites and skin
rashes. To say that the accommodation is basic would be inaccurate – it is
less than basic. Two sleeping huts, one for boys, one for girls, wooden
platforms for the older kids – the smallest sleep underneath.
Khun Jong, who visits the orphanage every 2 months, doesn’t want donations
of money – she wants rice, dried food, medical necessities, scissors to cut
hair, tooth brushes, notebooks, and pencils. It costs 1000 baht for 45K of
rice – enough to feed the kids for 1 day. She is happy to collect and
deliver donations herself—if you can help, please call her on 053-279-371 or
081-706-3879.
Rates for the Field Village Resort are from 2,500 baht to 5,100 baht
including breakfast and airport transfer service, if required. For further
information, please visit their web site, www.thefieldvillage.com.
A view of the resort from the
paddy fields.