U Inchantree Kanchanaburi

Situated on the Khwae Yai River, U Inchantree is named for the huge 200-year-old tree at the center of its grounds. The tree and a Thai sala are surrounded by a series of one- and two-story lodge-style buildings that house the rooms and public spaces. This is a deliberately relaxed hotel -- a path winds through serene and inviting gardens with golden shower trees, acacia and breadfruit trees, palms, and manicured hedges and lawns, and there are river views from many of the hotel's common areas. The terrace lounge is a particularly fine vantage point, suspended right over the river and offering superb views of the sunset and the nearby River Kwai Bridge. In contrast to the more rustic exteriors, the aesthetic of the rooms and public spaces is contemporary and there are plenty of artful accents throughout. The resort largely draws tourists, and its intimate atmosphere is particularly suited for couples. 

U Inchantree Kanchanaburi is situated in a quiet area of Kanchanaburi City, near other hotels and resorts. There are several restaurants and tourist shops within a five-minute walk of the hotel, and Kanchanaburi Railway Station and the center of the city are a five-minute drive. Situated on the Khwae Yai River, the resort is a four-minute walk from the famous WWII-era railway bridge that inspired the book and movie "The Bridge on the River Kwai." 

This is an area steeped in history -- many of the local landmarks commemorate the Burma Railway (also known as the Death Railway) that killed thousands of Allied soldiers being held as prisoners of war during its construction. The Prisoner of War Museum is a six-minute walk from the hotel. The Kanchanaburi Allied War Cemetery and Thailand-Burma Railway Centre Museum are both a five-minute drive away, while the Chong Kai Allied War Cemetery and the JEATH War Museum are both around 10 minutes away by car. 

It's a 30-minute drive to reach the Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua Tiger Temple, and a little under 30 minutes to Prasat Mueang Sing Historical Park and its Khmer temples. Erawan National Park is 35 minutes away and is home to Erawan Falls. Guests coming from the Bangkok area will drive about two hours from the city center and two-and-a-half hours from Suvarnabhumi International Airport to reach U Inchantree Kanchanaburi.

Upon arrival, guests are presented with cold towels and are treated to free fruit and a welcome drink in their rooms -- it's a fitting welcome to this laid-back resort. Rooms at U Inchantree feature a contemporary Thai look that includes tiled floors, wood doors and furniture, and a color palette of rust, brown, and beige. Suites add splashes of red. Rooms are clean and quiet, and overlook the courtyard or back lawn and garden, though Superior Rooms are fairly compact, with not much space beyond the bed. Accent walls are composed of a series of panels with silhouettes that depict local flora and the iconic bridge.

The tech-ready rooms offer iPod docks, free Wi-Fi, and flat-screen TVs with satellite and English channels. The air-conditioned rooms also feature minibars, safes, coffee/tea makers, bathrobes, and slippers. Suites have living areas with desks and modern wicker loveseats, and some rooms and suites have terraces with wood tables and chairs. Bathrooms are clean and well lighted, with granite countertops and scented soaps. Many are cramped, with limited counter space around the sink. Rooms have rainfall showers, but suites also offer bathtubs. A unique feature of the resort is that it allows guests at least 24 hours in their rooms from the time of arrival, which means that guests are not required to check out at noon if they arrived the night before. All 26 rooms and suites are non-smoking.

Guests of the U Inchantree Kanchanaburi can swim in an sleek outdoor pool overlooking the River Kwai. Open all year long, the pool is long enough for a short lap and is surrounded by a deck with grey lounge chairs. The resort also offers a fitness center, but it's a little small, with just a stair stepper, treadmill, and free weights, but no weight machines. Guests can also borrow a bicycle free of charge for a jaunt around the area. The library offers paperback novels, travel guides, magazines, chess and checkers, and a public computer with free internet. 

Overlooking the river, Peppers Restaurant serves a very good breakfast with buffet and a la carte items, including eggs, sausage, bacon, hash, congee (porridge), Thai noodles, cereal, pastries, yogurt, fruit, coffee, tea, and juice. Unfortunately, it's not included in standard room rates. The restaurant serves great Thai and Western cuisine for lunch and dinner, at reasonable prices. Room service is available. Situated near the pool and offering river and sunset views, The Terrace lounge serves a light menu and wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. The resort also offers meeting rooms, wedding services, 24-hour staff availability, and free parking. Wi-Fi is free throughout the hotel.