Banrai Jomthong Resort is difficult to locate, but we’re glad we found it. We happened upon the website while researching pet-friendly hotels near Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat); it didn’t end up being a place we could stay for our visits to Korat for my fights because it’s so far outside the city, but for that very reason we thought it would be a fantastic location for a “retreat” or get away when my parents come to visit us at the end of the month – something I’m really excited for.
A “resort” in Thailand seems to be anything with free-standing bungalows, a common getaway to Nature, peace and quiet for Thais. The Banrai Jomthong Resort is absolutely that. It’s situated in a valley that’s surrounded by mountains seemingly straight out of Chinese Fantasy films. On the drive through surrounding countryside there’s endless rolling green in every direction, huge, high skies and lots of yellow dotting the landscape in the form of blossoms in trees and wild flowers in the fields. On the narrow road leading down to the resort bungalows was a herd of black and white goats – something I’ve never seen in Thailand and often wondered why goats weren’t more of a common animal here.
When we pulled up to the front office we were met by a very sweet and shy dog, who was very interested in us but kept her distance and wouldn’t play with our 9-month-old pup Jai Dee. There was also an old, grumpy male dog who was fine coming right up to Jai Dee and letting him know who’s house this is. Doing his job, I reckon. As we meandered through the grounds I also met two gorgeous and well-fed female pitbulls near the back, enclosed in a big area that is about the size of a New York City dog run. They were more interested in licking me while leaning up against the fence than barking, but I do suspect they are there as guard dogs in some way. I’m just happy to find a place that allows pets, which is difficult anywhere but seems like one can find more leniency in these “resorts” that have separate entrance bungalows. Jai Dee was very welcomed by the owner of the resort, Nut (pronounced like “newt”), who had patiently guided us via phone calls as we made our way out to the general area (highway 2256, the Windfarm Restaurant) and then had us follow behind her car to the actual premises. Her English is very good – a little difficult at times on the phone but perfect in person – and she is personable in demeanor, showing us around the grounds and giving us information about the different options. We’re coming to stay before high season and were offered very good prices. You can book via online methods for convenience, but if you have the option of calling Nut on the phone and speaking with her directly there is a chance that more pricing options are available at different times of the year/season.
There are both free-standing bungalows that accommodate up to 2 persons in a queen sized bed, TV, WiFi, air-con, coffee/fridge and a bathroom with hot water. There are also larger rooms and adjoining rooms that accommodate 4-6 persons, which are set up kind of like a big cabin with separate entrances and a few of the rooms share an interior door for larger parties. There’s a restaurant and a very small but quaint bar/cafe (that’s next to where I met the beautiful pitbulls), which is open all day and offers a wide variety of western-familiar spirits (vodka, whisk(e)y, gin, rum, cognacs, beer, wine, etc.) and a western bartender who I reckon is business partner or owner of the place along with Nut. We’ll be staying at the resort with my parents around the time of my birthday as a special treat, both in celebration of my birthday and the rare occasion of having my parents here in Thailand, so I might get the chance to taste a cocktail if the mood strikes. This is just not the kind of place we could afford to visit on our own, but it will be a real pleasure to just relax and sit and talk after hiking around, a very short break from my non-stop training and fighting (my first rest break in about 2 and a half years). And I do believe my parents will love this place too. It’s surrounding nature, serene location, idyllic atmosphere and an out-of-the-way chance to spend time together. That’s what I’m looking forward to most as well. We’re from Boulder Colorado and I come from an upbringing that cherished nature-scapes just like this area and being able to experience it with my husband and parents in a location that still feels exotic is quite special. I’ll be back to fighting November 12th (after fights on the 25th of October and November 1st), this should be a wonderful stretch of 5 days or so to reflect on where I’ve come and where I’m going.
Above is my video update from our visit, arranging a night for me and my parents.
Where is it?!
Below is an interactive Google Map of where Banjai Jomthong is:
Here is a link to the Google Map if you need it
A few stills of the location on a map:
You can find the Banrai Jomthong website here, and their Google Plus page here. You can email Nut the owner here: koraphat_intertrade@yahoo.com – call Nut directly here 087 509 2815. There is also a Banrai Jomthong Resort Facebook page too.
