The scorching summer sun in March had me daydreaming about whisking someone special away to a relaxing retreat. As if by serendipity, I received an invitation from Vatika Resort & Residence in Kui Buri, Prachuap Khiri Khan. They admired my photography and extended an offer for me to capture their stunning resort and share my experience. How could I resist such an enticing proposition?

I immediately turned on the internet, accessed Google, and searched for information. There were many positive reviews. As soon as I found a free slot that matched my special someone's schedule, I contacted the resort. They were very accommodating and welcomed us warmly.

The calendar flipped to the day of my trip. The resort called to ask how I would be arriving. I replied without hesitation, "I'll be taking the free train."

(1)

This trip, I initially set out alone from Bangkok and then met up with someone at the resort, as we both happened to be traveling during that time. The easiest way to get there from the capital is to take the free train from Thon Buri Station, train number 255 Thon Buri-Lang Suan. You can choose to get off at either Kui Buri or Bon Nok, just before reaching the city of Prachuap Khiri Khan. The resort will have a car to pick you up.

Boarding at Thon Buri Railway Station, presenting an ID card to receive a free ticket. The train departed promptly at 7:30 AM, but gradually became delayed due to having to give way to express trains. (Haha...)

The journey was a scenic one, passing through Nakhon Pathom, Ratchaburi, Phetchaburi, Cha-am, Hua Hin, Pranburi, and Sam Roi Yot. As we approached Kui Buri, I prepared to disembark at Bo Nok, the next station. I arrived at 1:30 PM, half an hour behind schedule, but it was forgivable. The resort's car and my special someone were waiting to pick me up.

Vatika Resort Villa is a resort with a small area but a very good atmosphere. It is shady and refreshing with green trees everywhere. The concept here is quite outstanding, with rooms decorated in international styles. Each room is decorated differently, giving rise to the cool definition: "Experience the difference every time you visit."

The accommodation comprises 23 rooms in two styles: villas, which are detached houses with small gardens in Balinese, Siamese, European, Bohemian, Japanese, Chinese, and Indian themes, and classic rooms located within a three-story building, also decorated with international themes. The classic rooms incorporate subtle international design elements, while the villas offer a more immersive experience.

The resort is located on the beachfront of Bo Nok Beach, offering a space for relaxation and activities. It features a compact swimming pool. However, it's important to note that Bo Nok Beach is not a pristine beach suitable for swimming in bikinis or sunbathing. The beach is more rustic, with darker sand. Its charm lies in the opportunity to observe the simple lifestyle of local people who still fish and collect shellfish, unlike typical tourist beaches.

Our room is a spacious bohemian villa, fully equipped with amenities for your relaxation.

The bathroom is fully equipped with everything you need, so you can come and stay empty-handed. What I really liked was the soap and shampoo, which are herbal products made directly by the hotel. They smell amazing!

The refrigerator is stocked with a variety of beverages and a tempting coconut cake. The cake is ready to eat as it is made from local ingredients. It is a specialty of Bon Nok, and they have prepared it for us to sample.

The resort boasts a tranquil atmosphere with few guests, and the staff are exceptionally friendly. This, in my opinion, is the resort's greatest asset. Additionally, the resort has received numerous accolades for its quality, as evidenced by the abundance of awards and certificates displayed in the lobby office.

We had plenty of time to spare, so we decided to take a look at the other rooms. Chinese, Balinese, Siamese, European, Japanese - every room was truly unique. Personally, I liked the Chinese and Balinese villas the most. They were incredibly well-designed.

The classic room, as mentioned, will be decorated with a small international theme to give a subtle taste of different cultures.

We relaxed at the resort until dinner time. The restaurant was located next to the pool, offering a pleasant atmosphere with a refreshing sea breeze that kept us cool throughout our meal.

The chef's recommendation is the sea purslane, a local vegetable that grows by the sea. It is a versatile herb. The first meal consists of sea purslane salad with fresh shrimp, spicy roasted duck curry, and pineapple fried rice. Everything tastes delicious.

After a satisfying meal, we ordered light cocktails and sat by the pool, enjoying the sea breeze. Life was truly beautiful. (Laughter...)

Tonight, I had hoped to capture the dazzling stars on the beach. Instead, I stumbled upon a simulated aurora borealis. It was a day when the squid fishing boats were out in full force, and this image is a beautiful alternative.

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(2)

Waking up early, the alarm clock rings at six o'clock, and I jump out of bed. I grab my tripod and head to the beach to soak in the peaceful morning atmosphere. The beach is quiet and serene, making it much more appealing than a crowded tourist beach.

Due to the limited number of rooms, the resort does not offer a buffet breakfast. However, they provide a generous à la carte breakfast with a variety of options, including American breakfast, rice porridge, and fried rice. I recommend the pork rice porridge, which is particularly delicious.

Today, we have a plan to go out and explore. Vatika Resort Villa is located in a peaceful area, yet not far from various tourist attractions in Prachuap Khiri Khan. There are four national parks nearby: Khao Sam Roi Yot, Kui Buri, Had Wanakon, and Huai Yang Waterfall. In the city center of Prachuap Khiri Khan, there are also Khao Chong Krachok, Ao Manao, and Khao Lom Muak.

If you don't have your own car, the resort offers van tours at varying prices depending on the distance. You can contact the resort for more information. As for me, when the resort asked if I was interested in any tours, I immediately replied "Khao Sam Roi Yot" without hesitation. I haven't been there in years, and it's less than 20 kilometers away.

A comfortable van ride brought us to the park headquarters, where we paid the entrance fee of 40 baht per person. We were lucky enough to encounter a troop of southern pig-tailed macaques frolicking and foraging along the edge of the mangrove forest. These monkeys are known for their playful nature, being mischievous but not as cunning or aggressive as their primate cousins.

I haven't been to Khao Sam Roi Yot for many years. It has changed a lot, and I mean for the better. The park has organized various tourist attractions in an orderly manner. Near the park headquarters is the trail to the Khao Daeng viewpoint, which is a definite highlight.

Khao Daeng is a low-lying limestone hill. The climb to the summit takes approximately 20 minutes. Upon reaching the top, one is greeted with a breathtaking view and a diverse landscape. The area is characterized by numerous shrimp farms, which have been a source of livelihood for local residents long before the establishment of the national park.

On the other side, the vacant area is where the park has reclaimed land from the villagers' additional shrimp farming. The law allows existing farms to continue operating, but prohibits expansion or new farms. When there is an encroachment, the land must be reclaimed. Currently, the park is in the process of restoring these areas and deciding how to improve them.

Looking towards the mountains, one can see numerous beautiful limestone hills, both large and small, arranged in a picturesque manner.

After a considerable hike, we descended from Khao Sam Roi Yot and continued to Hat Sam Phraya. As mentioned earlier, the park has undergone significant improvements since our last visit, with upgraded campsites, restrooms, and shower facilities. (However, I must whisper that I personally prefer Hat Wanakon over this location.)

Our next destination after lunch was Tham Sai Cave, which required a 300-meter uphill climb to reach the entrance. This was a continuous ascent, and after the exertion of climbing Khao Daeng, some people began to complain.

Despite the challenging climb, the stunning stalactites and stalagmites within the cave make the journey worthwhile. The cave features two chambers with large skylights and one completely dark chamber. Renting a flashlight from below is recommended, although a phone flashlight may suffice.

The Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park offers a plethora of attractions. The Crystal Cave is situated in close proximity to the Tham Sai Cave, while the Phraya Nakhon Cave can be explored within a day's trip from the park. Alternatively, a boat trip along the Khao Daeng Canal presents an enticing option. However, after traversing the Khao Daeng viewpoint and the Tham Sai Cave, one's body is likely to be drenched in perspiration, prompting a retreat to the air-conditioned comfort of the Vatika. (Laughter...)

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(3)

Today, we changed our accommodation from Vatika Resort Villa to Vatika Adventure Retreat, which is only one kilometer away. If you have your own car, you can drive yourself or ask the resort to send you. If you want something more stylish, you can take the bikes provided by the resort.

The two resorts, Resovilla and Adventure Retreat, are located in the same area and share common facilities. Resovilla is located on the beach and offers a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere, while Adventure Retreat is located across the street and offers adventure activities and brightly decorated rooms.

The entrance and surrounding area are reminiscent of a theme park resort, with a fantastical atmosphere.

The 41 fantasy-themed rooms at Vatica maintain the hotel's signature style of unique decor. Even rooms with the same theme feature different layouts. The rooms are divided into two zones: the Sky Houses and the Firenze Building. The rooms are so stylish that you'll want to take pictures of every single one.

A variety of themed rooms, including trains, spaceships, logs, see-through, canvas, pipes, the 1960s, and factories, are just a few of the many options available. The following is a collection of images that demonstrate the adorable nature of these rooms.

The highlight of our stay was the Venice room on the ground floor of the Firenze building. This special room boasts a private balcony overlooking the swimming pool, a luxury reserved for only a handful of Venice guests, including ourselves. Needless to say, someone was ecstatic.

And as always, upon opening the refrigerator, you will find a slice of coconut cake, a welcome treat from the resort.

The Vatika Retreattique Adventure also boasts an inviting communal swimming pool, conveniently located next to the restaurant and facing the fitness room.

For those seeking seaside relaxation, the opposite shore offers a weekend market organized by the resort, where locals sell OTOP products and food. In the evening, there is a beer garden with live music. Coincidentally, during my visit, they were renovating, so I will have to wait for another opportunity.

Dinner at Ve Kafe'

For dinner, we enjoyed a delicious meal at the stylish Ve Kafe', located right in front of the resort. This charming restaurant offers a diverse menu featuring savory dishes, sweet treats, and refreshing beverages. Even if you're not staying at the resort, you're welcome to dine at Ve Kafe'. Notably, it's the only pizzeria in the entire lakeside area.

A photo of the resort's entrance lobby at dusk, showcasing its unique and stylish design.

Our meal consisted of:

• Vatica pizza: This pizza features a unique recipe that includes horse meat. While horse meat is a popular dish in many countries, this was my first time encountering it in Thailand. The taste was delicious and indistinguishable from other types of meat.
• Spaghetti with dried chili and sausage: This dish offered a flavorful combination of spaghetti, dried chili, and sausage.
• Tom yum seafood fried rice: This dish provided a delightful blend of seafood and tom yum flavors in a fried rice format.
• Mango smoothie and strawberry soda: These refreshing beverages perfectly complemented the meal.

Overall, the dining experience was highly satisfying, offering a delicious and enjoyable combination of flavors.

After finishing my meal, I took a short break in my room before turning on the lights on the balcony. I set up some cold drinks and snacks, changed into my swimsuit, and then went down to our private pool. I don't even know how to describe the feeling (laughs...).

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(4)

The food was delicious, the sleep was sound, the rest was comfortable, and I woke up feeling refreshed. As usual, on days when there are few guests, the resort does not offer a buffet line, but the food is plentiful and you can order more as you please.

Today is the checkout day, but there are still plenty of things to do before that. Starting with an adventure activity workout, the resort's interior is an adventure base camp with excellent safety equipment. Starting from jumping towers, climbing rope ladders, and passing through various bases.

Intrigued by the prospect of fun, I felt compelled to give it a try. Photography and play were equally enticing, but those close to me politely declined, offering only words of encouragement. Undeterred, I turned to the friendly staff of the resort, requesting their participation in both the activity and the photo shoot.

This activity was quite tiring, as I not only played myself but also stubbornly took pictures while playing. However, it was fun, and I went rock climbing and tower jumping twice. There are packages available for this type of activity, so please inquire. If you are not staying here but are interested in playing, you are welcome to come.

In addition to the adventure base, there is archery, shooting, and ATV driving. This was my first time trying archery. The two arrows were far from the target. I was embarrassed, so I decided to quit. (Haha...)

After a strenuous workout, I took a shower and headed back to Vatika Resovilla, where the Vatika Spa awaited. This spa is certified by the Department of Health Service Support (DSS), Ministry of Public Health (MOPH).

The spa menu offers a wide variety of options, including beauty treatments for women, relaxation, health care, and herbal saunas. We both opted for an aromatherapy oil massage. What makes this place special is that the therapist will also perform acupressure and meridian massage, combining traditional Thai massage with aromatherapy.

What I particularly appreciate is that Vatika's massage therapists are knowledgeable and skilled, having received proper training in this field. Through the massage, they can identify any abnormalities or unhealthy lifestyle habits I may have. It's not often that I encounter such skilled therapists.

After the massage, I relaxed until the afternoon, when I had a delicious seafood lunch. I enjoyed stir-fried squid stuffed with cha-om leaves, tom yum soup with young coconut served in a coconut shell, and grilled seafood in banana leaf parcels.

Savoring each bite slowly, as if not wanting it to end, for when the food is gone, it's time to return. But alas, the clock must keep ticking, and so our wonderful stay at Vatika Resovilla and Vatika Retreattique Adventure in Prachuap Khiri Khan came to an end.

What I'm telling you isn't because I stayed there for free, but because it's genuinely good. Next time, even if I have to pay, I'll do it. The person next to me has already signed the approval order. (laughs...)

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