Rustic charm comes in Samut Songkram

If your dream home is a traditional Thai house, Baan Amphawa Resort and Spa can give you a little taste of it. Imagine being surrounded by the teak triangles and steep-gabled roofs of a traditional Thai hamlet, then throw in a location on the banks of the Mae Klong river.

This is the picture you get at what became, when it opened its doors last year, the most up-market resort on the quiet river in Samut Songkram's Amphawa District. Compare the prices here to nearby resorts, and you'll find that it's perhaps two or three times more expensive.

But with the high prices comes high style, and it's easy to see where the owners' money has been invested. A forest of dark, rich teakwood gleams from the neat constructions on the one-aczre plot of land.

Room types range from the superior up to the family and pool suites. The latter, of course, come complete with a private pool.

Superior rooms start at Bt2,800, which many people find a bit steep for an area where rooms for less than Bt1,500 aren't hard to locate. The room rates climb to Bt3,800 for a deluxe, and jump to Bt6,800 for the junior suite, one room of which houses a spacious living area and work desk. The pool suite has the highest tariff at Bt7,800 a night, but for this you get your very own home away from home.

Most of the rooms' furniture is wood, with traditional wooden window shutters in some basic rooms. Thai-style shutters like these have to be opened when you get up, otherwise there just isn't enough light in the room to see by during the day. Other rooms beat the gloom with large windows that overlook lush tropical greenery.

Breakfast is included in the room rates. Other facilities laid on at no extra charge include wireless Internet, a swimming pool, a jacuzzi and in-room extras like cable television. There's even an FM radio in the bathroom!

Located just beyond the reception area, the resort's Suphannika Spa looks small from the outside. Actually it occupies two floors of the Thai house, and consists of seven treatment rooms. Though we didn't venture past the reception, judging from the staff on duty here, standards of service and hospitality match those in the rest of the resort.

Next to the spa is a small gym, though most guests probably pass up the chance to sweat away their holiday, and follow the footpath round to the swimming pool. Its size is modest, but the riverside location is excellent.

Diners can sit just across from the pool in the Saban-nga restaurant. The menu has a mix of international and local cuisine. A highlight among the tasty Thai dishes was the spicy shrimp in chilli paste with lots of fresh vegetables.

Cast your eyes towards the river and you'll see a boat moored at a small pier in front of the restaurant. To make the most of the location, it's worth checking the schedule for boat trips. There are choices of full-day, half-day or evening boat trips, taking you to temples, a church, museums and the evening market in the neighbouring area. Boat trips are one thing you do have to pay extra for, though.

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Baan Amphawa Resort & Spa at a glance

High Point: The resort is something different for those who associate Amphawa with home-stay accommodation. It's also a good choice for people who want a high standard of comfort on holiday.

Low Point: The traditional Thai-style rooms are huddled quite close to each other - you might feel a little too close to the neighbours.

Pay for it: Prices start at Bt2,800++ and rise to Bt7,800++, but many opt for the special room promotion packages. Bt3,200, for example, gets you a one-night, two-day stay with welcome drinks, Thai massage and discounts on some other spa treatments.

Find it: Baan Amphawa Resort & Spa 

22 Bangkapom-kaewfah, Amphawa, Samut Songkhram 75110 Thailand

Phone it:  Telephone (034) 752 222, fax (034) 752 229

E-mail it: info@baanamphawa.com

Browse it : www.baanamphawa.com