Panvaree Resort Khao Sok: An honest floating bungalow hotel review
Looking for a special stay on Cheow Lan Lake in Khao Sok National Park? We’ve got you covered!
Takeaways:
Visiting Cheow Lan Lake was one of the best experiences we had in three months of travel in Thailand. We highly recommend adding it to your Thailand itinerary. Staying in a floating bungalow on the lake is a once in a lifetime bucket list experience.
We stayed at Panvaree resort, an all-inclusive floating hotel on the lake. As an all-inclusive, transport from the pier, food, and activities are all included in the nightly rate.
Note: This review is not sponsored in any way. Just our honest experience.
Note 2: Panvaree has another property (Panvaree The Greenery), which is slightly more upscale. The two properties are right next door to each other.
First, a quick geography overview:
Khao Sok National Park and Cheow Lan Lake are often confused.
- Khao Sok NP is a rainforest and national park in western Thailand.
- Cheow Lan Lake is a man-made lake inside the park, famous for its turquoise water, towering karst cliffs, and iconic floating bungalows. Many people erroneously refer to Cheow Lan Lake as the whole of Khao Sok NP.
Are there animals in the park?
Yes! Therer are monkeys, lizards, snakes, birds, and the occasional elephant. While some sources report that tigers live here, no evidence has been collected in years… so it doesn’t seem so likely. Your mileage may vary.
Why We Chose Panvaree
There are about 14 different floating bungalow hotels on Cheow Lan Lake. So why did we pick Panvaree?
- As mid-budget travellers in our early 30s, we wanted a bit more comfort than we did in our backpacking days.
- Katie gets migraines exacerbated by high heat and we were travelling in Thailand during its hot season. Many of the floating bungalows don’t have A/C.
- We wanted two nights on the lake. Many of the packages you can buy in Khao Sok town only include one night on the lake with a rushed itinerary and no flexibility to extend.
- We weren’t looking to spend on a luxurious stay. If that’s what you’re looking for, we heard good things about 500 Rai, but we didn’t personally stay there.
Cost: We found the best price directly on Panvaree’s website. Our 3-day, 2-night tour cost 15,300 THB (~$420 CAD) total for two people, including:
- Private floating bungalow
- All meals
- Boat transfers and activities
Location & Accessibility
Panvaree is tucked in a quiet bay on Cheow Lan Lake. You really feel like you’re in the middle of nature.
- The hotel transfers you by longtail boat from Ratchaprapha pier
- You’ll need to arrange or pay extra for a ride to the pier itself (Panvaree can arrange this for you)
- Nearest airports: Surat Thani, Phuket, or Krabi
- We took a public bus from Phuket to Khao Sok town which took about 4 hours. We stayed two nights in town before taking a private taxi to the pier. *Tip: do not attempt to take Grab here. The rate appears ridiculously low and no driver will take you.
Room & Comfort
We stayed in the Garret House King. The room had a king bed downstairs and two single beds in the loft.
*Tip: Choose your room type carefully. Some rooms are on the second floor of the main raft and don’t have direct water access.
- Cleanliness: Excellent
- A/C: Runs at certain hours, with a fan for extra comfort. We expect the loft beds would get pretty hot on warm days.
- Noise level: Panvaree is definitely not a party spot, it’s very peaceful at all times of the day.
- Our highlight: Being able to jump into the lake straight from our front porch
Amenities & Features
- Wi-Fi is available in the common area. Wifi speeds were surprisingly decent, but trust us, you won’t want to be on your phone much while you’re there
- Included activities:
- Several “lake safaris” by boat
- A short cave tour
- Kayaks available anytime
- Several “lake safaris” by boat
In our honest opinion, the activities were the weakest part of the stay.
The boat safaris started to feel repetitive, and the cave tour wasn’t as exciting as others we’ve done (after the ATM Cave in Belize nothing really compares). We would have enjoyed one boat safari and spending the rest of our time just swimming and relaxing.
Food & Drink
Panvaree serves a LOT of food. It was way more than the two of us could eat.
Each meal included:
- A salad or veggie dish
- Thai curry
- Protein dish (often, but not always, fish)
- Dessert
Breakfast is served buffet-style.
We don’t have dietary restrictions, but we met travellers who were vegetarian and had plenty of options.
*Tip: We found Thailand great for meatless options. While we are not strict vegetarians, we frequently eat vegetarian by choice.
Service & Staff
The staff were incredibly kind.
One woman in particular was so sweet and helpful, we were convinced it was her family’s business (upon asking her we learned that it isn’t). She even gave Katie the hat off her own head for sun protection.
They also helped us coordinate a public minivan back from the pier, while most guests paid more for private transfers.
Before boarding the boat to the hotel, you wait at an open-air, but shaded, little café overlooking the lake.
Price & Value for Money
We paid 15,300 THB (~$420 CAD) for two people for 3 days and 2 nights. We booked directly through Panvaree’s website.
T=To reiterate, that includes:
- Floating bungalow
- All meals
- Boat transport
- Excursions and activities
For an ultra-budget stay, you can find water bungalows on Cheow Lan Lake for as little as 2,500 THB per person, per night, but expect:
- Basic bamboo huts
- Shared bathrooms
- No A/C
For us, the upgrade to Panvaree was 100% worth it for the comfort and peaceful vibe.
Any Unexpected Fees?
Panvaree won’t charge any hidden fees but it’s important to note:
- You’ll need to get yourself to Ratchaprapha Pier. Your floating bungalow can arrange this at your expense.
- Park entrance fee is extra (as with all national parks in Thailand)
Would We Stay Here Again?
Absolutely. We’d recommend Panvaree to friends and family looking for a peaceful, mid-range stay in a stunning location.
Let us know in the comments if you have any questions!
