Gecko Villa - Isan - Thailand

Gecko Villa sits within its own extensive grounds, deep within the Isan region  of Northeastern Thailand. An area which is alternatively known as the kingdom’s rice bowl.  The villa is located between three typical rural villages, where industrial development and tourism have not made any impact. Life here remains grounded in an attachment to the land, and the traditional culture and folklore which has been built from the land. As those who have visited the north eastern region of Isan will testify, it is the most friendly and welcoming part of the country, and offers guests the chance to “go local” in a region mostly unchanged by rapid industrialization.

 

Gecko Villa has a private saltwater swimming pool which overlooks rice fields, woodlands, pastures, rubber, cassava and sugar cane plantations. It has three bedrooms and welcomes parties of two to six guests who are seeking an authentic Thai experience and a unique base from which to explore the surrounding areas, or a secluded place to simply laze and relax. 

 

Stays are fully catered and serviced, with delicious, freshly-prepared Thai meals made for guests by a local Thai family who operate the property and live in a nearby village. At Gecko Villa, the local owners  are delighted to be able to show guests  both Thai and Isaan cooking, by taking them through our garden, picking the fresh herbs and spices needed, and then showing them how to make more unusual specialties. They grow much of their own produce organically, including pandanus leaves, kaffir lime leaves, limes, mint, coriander, mangoes, papaya, passion fruit, jackfruit, etc.

 

Guests may either enjoy the villa in complete privacy, or allow themselves to be integrated fully into the local ways of life by the local villagers, who are the best placed to explain time-honoured traditions and details of the local culture, and to accompany visitors to hard-to-find local areas of beauty or historical interest. There is a wealth of things to see and do, from visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site and museum at Ban Chiang,  to exploring small rural villages, schools, markets and temples, as well as local music and morlam festivals, to experiencing  traditional rites, or simply enjoying the areas natural beauty with its lakes and waterfalls. From December through February, a trip in Gecko Villa’s traditional wooden boat on the nearby listed wetlands is an marvelous experience, as a thick carpet of bright pink lotus flowers bloom, whilst fishermen and lotus-hunters go about their work as rare birds flit down to the clear waters below. 

Towels and linens provided Private swimming pool Loungers External table and chairs All meals prepared for you daily Thai cooking lessons Internet Satellite TV DVD player Notebook & Internet Bicycles – free to use Skylab tuk-tuk Thai Massage

Facilities Children Welcome Internet Access Pool

No. Rooms 3

Capacity 6

Stays are all-inclusive, with delicious and authentic Thai food cooked freshly for guests (breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks.)

By air:

Thai International Airways have several daily flights (50 minutes) from Bangkok on Airbus or Boeing aircraft. Air Asia and Nok Air have frequent low cost flights from Bangkok to Udon Thani.  Air Asia also operates several flights a week between Phuket and Udon Thani, whilst Nok Air operates daily flights between Chiang Mai and Udon Thani. 

By train:

There are several daily trains from Bangkok each with three classes (approximately 9 hours). A first class compartment for two can be a novel alternative to flying, although you will need to book in advance. 

By road:

From Bangkok, a fascinating fly-drive via Khao Yai National Park & Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat).  Alternatively, drive straight to Gecko Villa from Nong Khai if arriving from Vientiane, the capital of Laos.

Car Hire:

Book a car for your stay in Udon, in Thailand.