This was my first visit to this region (Khao Kho), near Pitsanulok. I drove my own car there and it was quite a difficult drive, being such a mountainous area (but with some amazing views too). Nearing the Stratus 1 resort, we could see many ‘resorts’ scattered over the mountain and hillsides, with many having similar dome/igloo type tent accommodations.
On arrival at the resort we checked in and were shown to our ‘tent’. Inside was a bed, a small table and chairs set, an air conditioner, plus (oddly enough) – an electric massage chair - and then behind the bed – a washbasin and toilet, plus a shower cubicle, all separated from the bed by a ¾ height partition behind the bed. What did strike us immediately was that the entrance door lock had been broken and repaired several times and was in a very bad state of repair currently, barely held on to the (broken plastic) frame by two ill-fitting screws. (see pic)
As we looked around the other ‘tents’, we could see that some had an outdoor bathtub (with curtains) and some had an outside toilet cubicle with shower. Some had a seating area on the roof of the toilet/shower. There was not much privacy around any of the ‘tents’ externally.
It was instantly clear that the attraction of this resort (and probably the others too) was the novelty value of staying in a ‘tent’ or ‘igloo’ or ‘dome’ – whatever, and also the view of the surrounding mountain ranges, which were lovely views (until it got dark – then complete blackness)
Our deal included a barbeque style, set evening meal (no drinks included) and the staff told us that drinks or additional snacks could be purchased up to 8pm only. After 8pm – everything would close (and they mean EVERYTHING).
Most people in neighboring tents seemed to be having the set barbeque deal but strangely enough the staff told everyone, that nobody would collect the used equipment etc./ uneaten food or leftovers until the following morning.
At 8pm the whole resort shut down and of course it was (VERY) dark also and there was zero views of the surrounding area or mountains – everything was completely black. The rooms did not come with a TV, so as you can imagine, there is not an awful lot to do after 8pm.
The tent/igloo itself was large enough to accommodate a double bed and a small table and chairs, but not much else. The clear window to the front viewpoint (during daylight) was actually difficult to see out of, due to aging of the plastic ‘windows’, which made it difficult to see through the (once) clear plastic. The bed was most certainly on the hard side, but after the days long drive to reach the resort, that was certainly not a problem. The shower was adequate with hot and cold water, although the shower gel dispenser mounted next to the shower was broken and completely inoperative. The toilet was also adequate and worked satisfactory, as did the small sink next to it (although there was a large crack in the sink).
Breakfast the following morning was pretty standard. Adequate but not exceptional. One strange aspect was that the staff at the egg station told me that they didn’t do scrambled eggs, only fried, or omelet, or (Thai) pan-fried eggs (egg kataa). The range of food on offer catered mostly to the Thai clients (as usual) rather than the western ones (of which there were three or four on the day of our visit). In summary – the stay at Stratus resort was a different experience but not exceptional, and as mentioned previously was more about the novelty aspect, rather than the comfort and facilities aspect.
