Escape to Paradise: Ratathara Resort, Chachoengsao's Hidden Gem
Escape to Paradise: Ratathara Resort – Chachoengsao's Hiding Spot (But Is it Worth the Hunt?) – A Very Unofficial Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I’m about to unleash a review of Ratathara Resort in Chachoengsao that’s less "polished travel brochure" and more "drunken diary entry." Forget sterile descriptions; this is the real deal, warts and all. This is the kind of review you read when you're genuinely trying to decide if that 'hidden gem' is actually a cleverly disguised pile of… well, you get the idea.
First Impressions: Finding the Treasure, or a Bogey?
Getting to Ratathara felt like a mission. Chachoengsao isn't exactly on the high-speed rail route, you know? Accessibility? Well, "accessible" is relative. There's information about car parks [free of charge], car park [on-site] and a car power charging station, which is a good sign if you're driving. But for public transport, you’re probably looking at a taxi from wherever you're coming from. And I'm not sure the elevator would be helpful if you're in a wheelchair (more on that later…). Overall, it's not the easiest place to reach, which fuels the hidden gem mystique, but also, might be a pain in the, well, you know.
The Accessibility Conundrum:
Now, listen, I'm not in a wheelchair, but I always try to be mindful of accessibility. The website claims facilities for disabled guests, but it’s vague. Crucially, I couldn't independently verify this during my stay. My gut tells me it’s… patchy. Exterior corridors suggest a more open-air, possibly more accessible flow. But the devil's in the details – are the ramps properly sloped? Are bathrooms adapted? This needs much more clarity from the resort. If you’re relying on this aspect, call ahead. Call twice.
The Rooms: Sanctuary or… Storage Closet?
Okay, the rooms. They're a mixed bag. The basics? Solid. Air conditioning, free Wi-Fi in all rooms!, complimentary tea, coffee/tea maker, free bottled water, daily housekeeping - all the essentials are there. And the air conditioning was a lifesaver in the Chachoengsao humidity. They also have a desk and laptop workspace, which is great for those who have to sneak work into their vacay. Some rooms have extra long beds, which, as a tall person, I appreciate.
The Blackout curtains are also much appreciated for those that do like a lie-in.
However… some things were a little… quirky. The mirror in my room seemed to have a personality of its own. I swear, one morning I saw it winking at me. And the bathtub was so deep I almost needed a Sherpa to get in and out. The Non-smoking rooms are a blessing, as is the smoke detector. And the soundproofing? Well… let's just say I could hear the laughter from the happy hour, so not brilliant.
The Internet access – LAN and Internet access – wireless are, well, internet access. It works. Mostly.
The Foodie Adventure: A Culinary Chaos?
Alright, food! Here's where things get interesting. Restaurants, plural! A promising start. You get Asian breakfast and Asian cuisine in restaurant. The Western breakfast is alright. International cuisine in restaurant, Western cuisine in restaurant, but the quality is variable. Some dishes were sublime, others… let's just say I’m not sure they understood the concept of seasoning.
The Breakfast [buffet] was… a buffet. Coffee/tea in restaurant was good. And they sell desserts in restaurant!
I had a moment at the Poolside bar. I’m not usually a poolside bar kind of person, but the sun was intense, and the bottle of water just wasn't cutting it. The cocktails? A little… adventurous. Let’s just say I learned the hard way that “tropical delight” is a relative term. Happy hour saved the day, though. Especially when the snack bar, the salad in restaurant, and the soup in restaurant were needed to cure the hangover. The Room service [24-hour] is a blessing if you hate leaving the room. They also sell a Vegetarian restaurant, which is nice.
The Relaxation Station: Massage Meltdown? (In a Good Way)
This is where Ratathara really tries to shine. And, mostly, it delivers. The Pool with view? Stunning. Swimming pool [outdoor]? Clean and refreshing. Sauna, Spa, Spa/sauna, Steamroom: all present and accounted for. Now, the massage? Let’s just say I walked in tense and came out… well, I felt like I'd been molded into a new, more relaxed human. Worth it. Totally worth it.
They also have Body scrub, Body wrap, Foot bath, and there's a Gym/fitness center for the super-energetic.
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitize the Hype?
In this post-pandemic world, safety is paramount. Ratathara seems to be trying. They have Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Hand sanitizer, Hygiene certification, Professional-grade sanitizing services, and Rooms sanitized between stays. They even offer a Room sanitization opt-out available! (But, honestly, why would you?).
I saw the staff diligently disinfecting surfaces. They even had Staff trained in safety protocol. The Safe dining setup and Sanitized kitchen and tableware items were reassuring. But I didn't see a Doctor/nurse on call, which would have been nice.
More good news: there’s a First aid kit, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms.
Other Services and… Stuff:
They have a Business facilities, which, honestly, I didn’t check out because I was actively avoiding work. The Concierge was friendly, Currency exchange is available, and there's a Gift/souvenir shop. There’s also a Laundry service and Dry cleaning. They have a Luggage storage, Ironing service, Desk, and Cash withdrawal. There's even a Convenience store.
They cater to Meetings and Seminars with the Meeting/banquet facilities.
The Verdict: Worth the Trek?
Look, Ratathara Resort is a bit of a mixed bag. It's charming, it's slightly rough around the edges, and it has a few quirks. It's not perfect. But it is a genuinely relaxing place, especially if you’re there for the pool, the spa, and escaping the noise.
My Verdict: Go. But manage your expectations. This isn’t flawless luxury; it’s more like a comfortable, slightly eccentric friend's house. If you go open-minded, you’ll probably have a great time.
Would I Go Again? Maybe. The massage alone is almost worth the trip.
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- Relax in Cozy Comfort: Enjoy your stay in our air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi!
- Delicious Dining: Savor authentic Asian cuisine and explore the diverse options at our on-site Restaurants.
- Safety First: Rest easy knowing we prioritize your well-being. Benefit from Anti-viral cleaning products, and Daily disinfection in common areas.
- Convenience: We provide a car park [free of charge] and a car park [on-site]!
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Chattanooga's BEST Budget Hotel? (Budgetel Review!)
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're charting a course for… wait for it… Ratathara Resort in Chachoengsao, Thailand! And trust me, this isn't going to be your perfectly curated Instagram travel feed. This is the raw, unfiltered, mosquito-bitten truth.
Day 1: Arrival and… Oh Dear God, the Humidity
- 1:00 PM: Touchdown in Bangkok. Okay, so it wasn't exactly touchdown. More like a slightly-less-violent bump on the runway. My luggage, predictably, took a detour to wherever lost luggage goes. I’m already sweating. This is the part where I fantasize about air conditioning, which, as I now realize, is a basic human right.
- 2:30 PM: Taxi ride to Ratathara. This is where the Thai traffic gods – or gods in general, since I'm new to this – really test you. Imagine a Tetris game played with tuk-tuks, motorbikes, and a healthy dose of "anything goes" driving. I’m pretty sure my heart rate hit Olympic levels. I saw a chicken walking across the highway. Normal.
- 4:00 PM: Arrival at Ratathara! Honestly, it’s stunning. The photos online? Lies, all lies! They don’t capture the sheer, immediate feeling of… serene beauty. Turquoise water, swaying palms, and that glorious, humid air. I may have squealed (don't judge).
- 4:30 PM: Check-in. Or, as I prefer to call it, "The Paperwork Gauntlet." Passport, visa, oh my god what even is this form? Also, the receptionist lady is radiating pure Zen, which is making me feel extra flustered. Is it just me, or does everyone in Thailand just know how to be chill?
- 5:00 PM: Finally. Our room! It’s a bungalow practically in the water. No joke the wood is so close to the shoreline I feel like I could just reach out and touch it. I immediately throw myself on the incredibly soft bed like a starfish. Pure bliss. The only problem? The air conditioning is a bit anemic. Already, I started wondering if I'll need to pay hotel maintenance to turn it up.
- 6:30 PM: Dinner. The resort restaurant. I order Pad Thai, because, you know, tradition. The Pad Thai arrived, and it's amazing. Like, the best Pad Thai I've ever had. Seriously, I’m pretty sure I made actual happy noises while eating it. I’m going to have to sneak back here once a day, and I swear I'm not even a big fan of Pad Thai, but this stuff is divine.
- 8:00 PM: Evening stroll. The resort is illuminated with twinkling lights. I take a walk along the beach. This is where I realize I’m going to be bitten by a million mosquitoes. I'm going to need a lifetime supply of bug spray.
- 9:00 PM: Bedtime. Or, attempt at bedtime. The AC is still struggling. I'm wide awake, sweating. I feel like a puddle. I’m pretty sure I'm going to need to switch rooms.
Day 2: Temple Trouble, Mango Madness, (and a bit more Pad Thai of course)
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast! I was too tired to get up early, so I'll eat at the buffet at 8. I'm thrilled! I'm not a morning person. The buffet spread is incredible. Fruit, pastries, and the staff is super friendly, even when I accidentally knock over a glass of orange juice. I'm not proud.
- 9:30 AM: A little pre-planned outing! We venture out to the local temple. The temples are gorgeous, gold everywhere! I should have worn socks because I wasn't, so I got to hear the lady in the kiosk tell me I can't go in with bare feet. I had to go buy socks! It's fine. I was really clumsy and was sure to trip over everything. I did not see the need to wear a sarong or something, and I looked like an idiot.
- 12:00 PM: Lunch. I'm going to say it: more Pad Thai. Sue me. I'm considering just ordering a vat of it and living in a Pad Thai coma. I really really like it.
- 2:00 PM: Mango Sticky Rice. Holy. Mother. of. God. I'm pretty sure I’ve found my new religion. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors, of sweet, sticky rice, of that intense mango burst, and that perfect drizzle of coconut milk. I could die happy right here, right now. I'm afraid of eating anything else at this point. I only want Mango Sticky Rice.
- 4:00 PM: Pool time! Or, as I like to call it, "My Failed Attempts at Being Graceful." Turns out, I'm not the most graceful swimmer. I spend most of my time flailing around, trying not to drown. But hey, the water is beautiful, and the sun is warm. I’m wearing all the sunscreen, and I'm getting a tan. I guess you have to take it all in stride.
- 7:00 PM: Dinner. One last bit of Pad Thai. Just to say goodbye to the day.
- 8:00 PM: Evening stroll. The resort is illuminated with twinkling lights. I take a walk along the beach. I get bitten by another million mosquitoes. I decide I'm going to become the bug spray baron of Thailand.
Day 3: The Pad Thai Coma (and maybe a little regret…)
- 9:00 AM: I wake up. I think. I'm not sure. I ate an insane amount of Pad Thai last night. Maybe I'm still dreaming. My stomach does not feel great. I think I overdid it.
- 11:00 AM: I stumble out to the beach. I want to sit in the sun and feel the sand between my toes.
- 1:00 PM: I get the bright idea to order, more Pad Thai! What is wrong with me?
- 3:00 PM: The sun does not make me feel better. The sun makes me sleepy. I feel like I am going to sleep.
- 5:00 PM: I sit in the shade because I was a dummy.
- 7:00 PM: I am not eating Pad Thai.
- 8:00 PM: I am going to be in bed all night.
Day 4: Departure (and the promise of returning…)
- 8:00 AM: Wake up, full of regret. Breakfast: a plain croissant. I'm done with food.
- 9:00 AM: Check out. I grab my luggage, which has finally arrived! I'm not sure what I'm more relieved about. That or the fact I made it through the trip without falling into the ocean.
- 10:00 AM: Taxi to the airport. We’re off!
- 1:00 PM: Take off! I look out the window. I have a strange feeling in my stomach.
- 2:00 PM: Touchdown! I'm home.
So, that’s it. Ratathara. It was perfect, it was chaotic, and it was exactly what I needed. Would I go back? Absolutely. But next time, I’m bringing extra bug spray, and maybe… just maybe… I’ll ease off the Pad Thai. (Yeah, right.)
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Escape to Paradise: Ratathara Rants & Rave...err Resort FAQs!
1. Okay, spill the tea. Is Ratathara *really* paradise? Or is it just Instagram-filtered bliss?
Alright, let's be real. Instagram? Yeah, they *know* their angles. Ratathara? Well… it *leans* towards paradise. Think… a slightly sun-kissed, mosquito-bitten paradise. It's not flawless, okay? You'll probably see a rogue gecko or two (they're harmless mostly, but that first one *will* make you jump). But the *feeling*? That’s what got me. You know that sigh you make when actual stress dissolves? That's Ratathara in a nutshell. The *sound* of the water buffalos in the morning, the sunset reflections on the canal... yeah, damn good.
2. How do you *actually* get there? Google Maps is dodgy and I might get lost and just give up.
Oh, the journey! Brace yourself. My GPS almost gave up on me. It's in Chachoengsao province, which sounds close enough, but it's almost as if the resort is deliberately trying to be *hidden* from the world. You see a few signs, then… nothing. Then, BAM! You turn down a tiny lane that looks like it’s heading straight into a rice field. My inner city dweller was screaming. Trust me, find a taxi or a good driver! Honestly, if you're driving yourself, load the map, confirm the location, print it out and pray to the Google Gods. And keep your phone charged! You’ll feel like Indiana Jones looking for the Ark after the first few wrong turns.
3. The food! Tell me about the food! Because honestly, a bad vacation is the same as a bad meal the end.
Okay, the food. This is where Ratathara *completely* redeems itself if you might feel a negative vibe. The restaurant. Oh. My. Word. It’s like… your Thai grandma, if she was an award-winning chef, just cooked you the meal of your life. The *Pad Thai*… I’m still dreaming about it. The fresh seafood! The curries! Don't even get me started on the mango sticky rice (I may have possibly snuck a second one to my room. Don't judge me!). It’s not just the food, it's the whole *experience*. Sitting there, overlooking the canal, gentle breeze… Pure. Bliss. Even if you're a fussy eater, it will be a happy accident to try every dish.
4. What *kind* of rooms are there? And are they actually nice? I need to know I pay for something good, not a roach motel.
The rooms! Alright, the rooms are… charming, to say the least. Think rustic chic meets Thai comfort. They're clean, they're comfortable, and most importantly, they have air conditioning. Hallelujah. The bungalows are the way to go if you can snag one. They open right onto the canal, and I swear, you’ll fall asleep to the gentle lapping of the water. I didn’t do *any* of my work while I was there, because I was too busy looking at the water. No roaches, thank god. But be prepared for the occasional… friendly beetle. (Again, they're small. Mostly). Just embrace the nature. Think of it as a… *feature*.
5. Is there anything to *do* there, or am I just going to be bored out of my skull? Because I can't go without doing anything.
Okay, here's the kicker: Ratathara is *designed* for relaxing. So, if you're a hardcore adventure type, maybe this isn't your place. BUT, it has kayaking, which is pretty chill. You can borrow a bike and explore the surrounding area. There’s a temple nearby if you want to get your culture on. The real activity is… well, *chilling*. Reading a book in a hammock, paddling on the kayak on the lazy river, having a massage (oh god, the massages! Pure heaven!), or just staring at the water. The hardest choices you'll make are: which cocktail do I want first? Or, do I take another nap?
6. The staff? Are they lovely and helpful? Or is it just more grumpy Thai faces?
The staff were genuinely wonderful! Seriously, these people are the best. They're friendly, they're helpful, and they’re always smiling. I swear, they knew my name by the second day. I arrived tired and jet-lagged, and they could see it. I didn't even have to ask - someone brought me lemon and ginger tea, and their kindness was contagious. One of the staff even found my phone when I left it at the restaurant (oops!), and brought it to my room. They made the experience that much better. They don't speak a lot of English, but they try, and I think that's all that matters.
7. Okay, spill a secret flaw. What's the one thing that *totally* annoyed you? Because nothing's perfect!
Okay, okay. The ONE thing? Hmm… maybe the mosquito situation. They were fierce at dusk. Bring bug spray – SERIOUSLY. And maybe a mosquito net for your room. I mean, they didn't *ruin* my trip, but... I did spend a lot of time slapping my arms. But I feel like that's a tiny price to pay for everything else. Think of it as a minor inconvenience, not a deal-breaker. They won't make you change the review.
8. Is it good for solo travelers? I'm looking for some quiet time.
YES! Oh my god, YES. Seriously, Ratathara is *perfect* for solo travelers. There's a real sense of peace and quiet there. You can find a spot to read, you can meditate, you don’t have to talk to anyone, it’s all good. Sometimes, I just wanted to talk to myself, and just feel the peace. The staff are friendly, but not in an overwhelming way. It's the perfect place to recharge your batteries and reconnect with yourself. I even made one friend! But the place is big enough that if you want time to yourself, you can have it.
9. What's the vibe? Is it romantic? Family-friendly? Weird?
The vibe? I'd say it'sBook Hotels Now
