Chai Lai Orchid

Das Frühstück war absolute Klasse und der Blick auf die Berge war traumhaft. Morgens konnte man mit den Elefanten frühstücken und nachmittags um drei gab es eine Happy Hour wo zwei Cocktails 200 Bht gekostet haben. Außerdem konnte man Bananen kaufen, um die Elefanten zu füttern ! Eine liebevolle Unterkunft, in der die gesamten Einnahmen in soziale Projekte einfließen ! Einfall toll.

Elephants and Nature

We can stay in the nature with secure and cleanliness but not at Chai lai. Many rats were running the whole night in and around the room. Dogs were also barking the whole night. The mosquito nest is broken. Insects and bugs were on the bed. Both doors from sleeping room and bathroom cannot be closed properly. Food is expensive and tasteless.

This was the highlight of our trip to Thailand! Don't hesitate, just book it - you wont regret it. It felt so surreal and like a bucket list moment. There were many times where we were lost for words. This was an incredible stay. The elephants are treated super well from what we could see and the fact that this is a social enterprise helping the local community makes it all the better. Some top tips - bring bug spray, eye mask and ear plugs (lots of nature noises over night, so if you are a light sleeper this will be essential for you!). Also, try not to be on your phone too much and just enjoy the moment and be present - we noticed a lot of people focusing on getting the perfect photo and not just soaking it all in.

Not a negative by any means, more just for other travellers to be mindful of beforehand. The accommodation is rustic and not what we are used to! It kind of felt like fancier camping. Once you get used to it, its magical.

Our stay at Chai Lai Orchid was great in many ways. The elephant experience was the undeniable highlight — feeding, interacting, and watching these gentle giants in a natural setting felt special The food was delicious, and the staff, though limited during certain hours, were kind and helpful when available. The overall eco-conscious, nature-immersed vibe is truly unique and unlike a typical resort. However, we do feel the need to share a few concerns: • The presence of many stray dogs roaming freely around guests without any clear assurance of vaccination or health monitoring can feel unsettling to some — especially in a jungle setup where you expect a bit more regulation or communication. When we raised this with the staff they said they come from the village but that sounded not convincing as the property should ensure that they are not near the guests all the time while they are eating at the cafe. We did not sign up for being harassed during our meals. • Our bamboo cottage lacked proper coverage, and we encountered a mysterious animal inside our room at night (possibly a cat or mongoose). It shook us up, and a simple physical barrier or strategic sealing of the structure could easily avoid such incidents. While some may enjoy the “deep nature” aspect, not all guests sign up for late-night animal encounters or safety worries regarding numerous strays. A little more clarity, security, and basic preventive measures would go a long way in elevating the experience. That said, we left with lasting memories and great photos. A truly offbeat stay, but definitely should do something about keeping the dogs away from the guests while they are eating.

However, we do feel the need to share a few concerns: • The presence of many stray dogs roaming freely around guests without any clear assurance of vaccination or health monitoring can feel unsettling to some — especially in a jungle setup where you expect a bit more regulation or communication. When we raised this with the staff they said they come from the village but that sounded not convincing as the property should ensure that they are not near the guests all the time while they are eating at the cafe. We did not sign up for being harassed during our meals. • Our bamboo cottage lacked proper coverage, and we encountered a mysterious animal inside our room at night (possibly a cat or mongoose). It shook us up, and a simple physical barrier or strategic sealing of the structure could easily avoid such incidents. While some may enjoy the “deep nature” aspect, not all guests sign up for late-night animal encounters or safety worries regarding numerous strays. A little more clarity, security, and basic preventive measures would go a long way in elevating the experience. That said, we left with lasting memories and great photos. A truly offbeat stay, but definitely should do something about keeping the dogs away from the guests while they are eating.

Les éléphants et le petit resto en plein air

Le logement, aucune porte ne ferment, très bel endroit pour la journee mais la nuit est très compliquee. Chiens qui aboient, ultra bruyant

amazing beautiful experience!!! From the elephants to cocktail happy hour during sunset, Chai Lai is great!! It definitely is a eco lodge, no fancy rooms, but makes you feel so close to nature! Everything was clean, staff was very friendly and helpful! Elephants look so happy 🫶🏼 highly recommended!

Nothing!

Frühstück mit den Elefanten am Bungalow war ein einmaliges Erlebnis .Die Einnahmen werden anscheinend auch für gute Zwecke genutzt wie zB ein Kinderheim der vor Ort ist

Beim Füttern der Elefanten wirkten sie oft gestresst ist ja auch normal da jeder unbedingt Fotos machen wollten und sie reichlich zu füttern was man auch kaufen muss . Haben es immer aus unserer Bungalow aus besichtigt

Das Essen war sehr lecker und auch preislich voll in Ordnung & die Quadtour durch den Dschungel kann ich auch nur empfehlen. Das Personal war auch sehr nett.

Was man wissen muss, die Hütten sind überall offen, bedeutet man hat die ganze Nacht Tiere in der Hütte. Wir hatten leider einige Mäuse/Ratten in der Nacht zu Besuch, die sehr laut waren. Durch die Bilder ist nicht offensichtlich, dass man die Hütte nicht vollständig schließen kann. Zudem sehen die Hütten schon heruntergekommen aus. Ich hatte das Gefühl, dass die Elefanten dort nicht gut behandelt werden. Es ist alles auf die Touristen ausgelegt, das Tierwohl steht nicht an erster Stelle. Zudem ist es fragwürdig, warum in einem Sanctuary Nachwuchs gezüchtet wird.