**Highest recommendation!** I'm going to struggle to find the words good enough to reflect our stay here. I cannot fault it one bit!
We arrived for our 2 night stay by Tuk-Tuk from the Maeklong Train Market, at a cost of 60thb. We were immediately greeted by Fern who checked how much we paid and we were pleased to find we had been charged the correct amount which bodes well for the attitude of the local drivers (not wanting to rip us off!).
She sat us down to check in, and gave us details of attractions she could help us encounter if we so chose. No hard sell, just 2 or 3 simple suggestions (two of which we opted for - the Amphawa Floating Market with Firefly Boat Ride - 60thb each, and the early morning offering to the Monk who rows down the river each morning on his way to temple - free).
Our bungalow was so quaint, clean and perfectly presented. The shower was better than ours at home and temperature great. Ample room and a beautiful veranda to sit on in the evenings.
We had got ourselves ready to nip back to town for supplies and Fern came running over and bundled us into her car with her Mum and drove us there free of charge! She also arranged for the same Tuk-tuk driver to come for us, for any future journeys, who she called on demand. Such a personal service which made us feel so safe, and yet still the same cost as hailing one from the roadside!
At Fern's suggestion, we spent the first evening at the floating market and took the firefly boat ride along the Mae Klong River (which was fabulous!). She made sure we knew only to pay 60thb each, which was invaluable as there are many long tail boats who will charge up to 5000thb for the same (see reviews of the Amphawa Floating Market)! Our Tuk-tuk driver waited 2 hours for us (at no extra cost) and Fern even rang him to check we were ok!
On the second day we got up at 5.45am and took a food offering to the Monk who stops by the private pier each day. It was such a serene and moving experience and one which I will never forget.
Later that morning I was sat on our veranda and Fern brought over a tray of coffee and biscuits and refused to take a penny off me, even though we hadn't opted for breakfast with our booking.
This attentiveness was a constant throughout our stay, without invading our privacy. She balanced it beautifully.
On our last night I showed her a restaurant I had earmarked and she had her Father drive us there (for free again!). As the restaurant was a local place which won't see many 'farangs' and therefore may struggle with a language barrier, she made a point of coming in with us, seated us at a prime table by the river and communicated with the owners to look after us. Then she instructed us to get them to ring her when we'd finished and she would come and collect us! I tried so hard to give her some money for these journeys but she would not accept a thing! Unbelievable service. Never in a million years would I expect such level of care and kindness.
On the morning of our departure she drove us to the collection point for the minivan we were taking to Hua Hin (again thanks to Fern for organising it!). I can't lie, I hugged the life out of her and felt quite emotional leaving.
I know I've gone on a bit here, but in all my years I've never been made to feel so special as a guest. Fern and her family shine out beyond all expectations. A true representation of the beautiful spirit of Thailand. I would pay 100 times what we did and not question it.
You must consider this resort above all others when staying at Samut Songkhram!
We will miss you Fern, but you will definitely see us again in a couple of years!
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for creating such special memories for us. We are forever in your debt.
Nat and Grant
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