Fern Resort Mae Hong Son

I am all for Eco-Tourism but this place uses it as an excuse for being SUPER chintzy on everything. Their “we are so special” attitude translated to downright rudeness. We were in 2 suites, the highest priced bungalows available, but the bathrooms were abysmally old and decrepit. Water seeped out from the shower, and my polite request for 2 extra towels (with the cordial explanation as to why I needed them-to soak up the leaked water) was met with “You already HAVE towels!” (We had just ONE towel each.) Finally got them but I had to practically PLEAD on my knees. The flush button on our toilet didn’t work our entire stay, despite them claiming to have fixed it, twice. We had to leave the lid off the tank and flush it by lifting the flap each time; a very easy fix (just shorten the flap chain!); they just didn’t do it. The breakfast offerings were very few, and although they offered “made-to-order” omelets, it was like pulling teeth to get the cook to actually put what you wanted into them! Ask for tomatoes AND peppers and you get scolded! The Thai food breakfast offerings were not good at all either. We did not eat dinner at the restaurant so can’t comment on that. The grounds and pool areas are lovely (reason for two stars) but there are not enough chairs by the pool so never anywhere to sit. I usually would stay in town at Piya Guesthouse but I acquiesced to friends desire to stay here. Overall, the vibe of this place is very snooty; not at all a friendly atmosphere as you find in other accommodations in Thailand. The staff was just not nice! I would never recommend to stay here.

Lovely setting and some charming facilities but the service and furnishings needs attention. The rooms are large and clean; the bathroom is strange the shower bis shoulder height! Food is neither good nor bad. Service is not friendly and insufficient drinking water is provided. The pools are lovely but there is insufficient seating.

3 nights, room 35. We choose Fern Resort based on previous reviews and were very happy. Room 35: We asked for a room overlooking the rice paddies - even though we knew they wouldn't be green - it was beautiful and quiet and everything we wanted. It was a longer walk to the restaurant and reception - but we liked that aspect. For us, Room 35 was particularly good because it was far enough away from the infinity pool that it was private from that area and other guests noise did not carry. The room had two sections. A large bedroom with two external doors, balconies off both sides, one (the backdoor) overlooking a stream and bush and the other (the front door) overlooking the rice fields. The second section was the very large bathroom area, fridge and wardrobe and safe - closed off from the bedroom by double doors. This area had a slight musty (mould ?) smell which I couldn't locate the source - but it did not venture into the bedroom so sleeping was not a problem. Restaurant: We are the type of traveller, who usually go out exploring to eat local, on the street and not at hotels. However, in this case we ate each night at the Fern Resort because we both wanted to drink alcohol and walking to dinner was not an option. To that end we really enjoyed the setting of the restaurant and the way the lighting was done. It felt very romantic. We were grateful the restaurant was available and particularly enjoyed the Aubergine Spicy Salad and a chicken dish and a pork dish, both of which were "recommended" on the menu. For dinner there was a large Thai choice (as opposed to information given from another reviewer who said there was limited choice), there were many pages to the menu. They offered proper cocktails and cold beer. The service was as expected - delightful. For breakfast (included), there were also many choices from western (toast & jam) & eggs cooked on demand your way - to a big selection of Thai dishes, rice porridge, fried rice, noodles, assortment of Thai sweets. They changed each day we were there. Someone mentioned dogs in the restaurant. I am allergic to dogs and they did not bother me. The dogs are obviously well treated, have plenty of free room to roam around the property and are friendly but not aggressive. I saw the staff feed them after meal service - pretty good recycling of all the food that guests take and then leave on their plates in my opinion.