Review of River Kwai Jungle Rafts - SHA Extra Plus 3*

We were very much looking forward to our stay here and were very disappointed. Staff attitude was generally poor. Upon arrival in a group (we took a bus tour from Bangkok but booked the accomodation separately) we were not greeted just told to sit down for lunch and despite the fact we had our own accomodation booking were instructed we had to sit with the others from the boat. Small meals, no choice and almost no meat content, guests complained meals were quite bland. Staff would offer more food and the next plate would come out half empty. Lunch and dinner was the same each day. Breakfast was a cold fried egg, cold piece of tinned ham and some cold bread. No water provided with meals it must be purchased from the bar. Website says they provide a western menu and a large variety of food (I love Thai food) and when other guests enquired of the western menu they were told coldly there was only Thai food. We were aware there is no power and we thought we were going to a place so remote as to not have power, a short trip upstream and downstream on the boat showed other hotels in the same group with cooling and power less than 500m away — owned by the same company. Nights were insufferable with the temperature at 30-32 overnight. Some guests demanded transfer to the hotel down the river with cooling. Our room (number 9) had termites in the bathroom and the bathroom stunk. The kerosene lamps stink and don’t provide much light. Beds were hard and bathroom very dark. Overall a huge departure from the “eco oasis” we were expecting. Rude staff who changed our activity schedule with no explanation and the feeling that despite the high price we paid that costs were being cut wherever possible. If you stay here remember to bring some money for water and any drinks you might want and activities you may want to book as despite all staff having their mobile phones on hand there are no credit facilities. I would book at one of the other numerous hotels a short distance from this one and enjoy their buffet dinners and cooled rooms. One star for the fun activity of swimming along the hotel and one star for the lovely view.