good for you

It may be a long way from the well-worn paths leading to Thailand's tourist hot spots such as Phuket, Pattaya and Chiang Mai, but that's precisely the way visitors to Gecko Villa like it.

Set amidst the emerald paddy fields of Isaan in northeast Thailand, this pretty fully-serviced and catered villa offers a delightful opportunity to get away from the hordes and immerse yourself in the countryside and culture of the region.

Constructed in the local northern Thai style, the three-bedroom house is built on stilts and is composed of four inter-linking buildings centred around a walled-in garden. Covered wooden verandas encircle the complex in the middle of which lies the private infinity pool, lined with hand-made tiles.

The villa is bright and airy and elegantly decorated with traditional wooden furniture and art works. It's the kind of place that looks very stylish and upmarket but feels relaxed and homely, which is precisely they way it was designed to be.

good for thailand

The villa is directly owned by a group of local villagers who were encouraged to launch a holiday destination for visitors looking for an alternative Thailand experience.

One hundred per cent of revenues is retained and distributed by and among locals which has proved an important force for keeping local families together (traditionally fathers and sons have had to leave the local villages to seek work in cities).

This has also meant that villagers can now afford better eduction for their children and there is a renewed sense of pride in Indigenous traditions, customs and practices.

Rooms

Food

The lovely staff at Gecko Villa prepare and serve all your meals for you. The Villa has a fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator, freezer, toaster, kettle, coffee maker, microwave, hobs and oven if you do fancy making your own meals - but quite frankly there is no need! The kitchen is separated into a formal Western style kitchen and an open-air Thai kitchen, set off a spacious balcony. Barbecues can be arranged here.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are all included in the Villa rates and menus can be adjusted to suit personal tastes whether that be local Aisan specialities, traditional Thai food or even Western food. Special diets can be catered for and the kitchen will be well stocked prior to your arrival so you can help yourself to anything you want at any time of day.

Features & Facilities

• Fully-equipped kitchen
• Private swimming pool
• Private garden
• Satellite TV
• DVD/CD player & stereo
• Selection of DVDs & books
• Laundry
• Local services and assistance (e.g. transfers, local tours etc..)

See Local Info section for more on activities

Local Info & Activities

Do as much or as little as you like at Gecko Villa. Your hosts can arrange almost anything for you, from visits to local festivals to learning to cook Thai or Isaan food.

Some of the things to do at Gecko include learning to cook Thai or Isaan food or enjoying a barbecue; relaxing by the pool; exploring the surroundings' numerous temples and villages either on foot, by bicycle or by car; seeking out local handicraft such as pottery, bamboo products and silk.

You can also try your hand at planting rice and harvesting, riding water buffalo, and fishing.

The nearby Ban Chiang National Museum and archaeological digs displays antiques, including earthenware pots from 4,000 to 7,500 years old.

Na Kha Village: This village is famous for its hand woven cloth, and neighbouring Na Yoong Nam Som Park for its 30 metre waterfall.

Phu Phra Bat Park: Witness pre-historic paintings over cliff faces, caves, caverns & relics.

Nong Khai: This village lies on the banks of the mighty Mekong River, opposite the Lao capital, Vientiane. Catch the spectacular Longboat Races if you can.

The Road to Loei: An adventurous trip by bicycle or car follows the Mekong River along the Lao border to the town of Loei, with dramatic hilly terrain, jungle views & waterfalls.

Visits to Vientiane: Visit the capital of Laos, can also be arranged from Gecko Villa as Nong Khai and the Mekong River are only about an hour away from there

insider tip/s

Isaan is at its liveliest during the 'Green Season' (June - November) when tropical storms hit in the afternoons or evenings. The 'Hot Season' runs from February - May and is beautiful but it also gets very, very hot. The 'Cool Season' runs from November to January when the days are sunny and warm and the nights refreshingly cool.

Malaria is generally restricted to remote border areas in Thailand but it's worth bringing good bug spray with you (the DEET based ones are the most efficient). It's also worth bringing long-sleeved tops and pants for the evenings and make sure to use the mosquito nets in your bedroom.

Sustainability

The villa is directly owned by a group of local villagers who were encouraged to launch a holiday destination for visitors looking for an alternative Thailand experience.

One hundred per cent of revenues is retained and distributed by and among locals which has proved an important force for keeping local families together (traditionally fathers and sons have had to leave the local villages to seek work in cities).

This has also meant that villagers can now afford better eduction for their children and there is a renewed sense of pride in Indigenous traditions, customs and practices.

Gecko Villa aims to make a deliberate, albeit small contribution to reforestation, and to encouraging local sources of income through the promotion of local traditions and pride in these. They have a deliberate policy of planting trees around the property, and acquiring existing woodlands where the land owners intend to covert such woodlands into rice fields.

To date they have acquired a plot of approximately 20 rai of existing woodlands, home to numerous species of wildlife, that was originally slated for conversion into land for cash crops. They have acquired an additional 20 rai of land and planted it with a variety of trees. This woodland protection and tree planting is funded with proceeds from guests' stays at the property.

The villa also educates local employees on waste management and reforestation issues. Staff and services are all sourced locally and the villa has proved to be a valuable source of income to locals, preventing family break-ups by creating sustainable local revenues and providing better education opportunities for children.

Getting There

Gecko Villa offers free transfers from Udon Thani bus & rail stations and airport.

Trains depart Bangkok Hualampong station three times per day and twice a day from Ban Sue. Prices start at 150bt for standard 3rd class, 350bt for second class air-con, 600bt for air-con sleeper or 1,000bt for 1st class sleeper.

The bus is another alternative and is more regular than the train but takes around 10 to 11 hours. Buses for Udon leave Bangkok's Northern Bus Terminal (Mochit 2 Bus Terminal) throughout the day from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Be aware that it may be difficult to get a seat during the holiday periods so you should book well in advance.

There are daily non-stop flights from Bangkok to Udon Thani (airport code UTH) on the national carrier, Thai Airways, as well as on the budget airlines Nok Air and Air Asia. The flight takes one hour. If you are combining a stay at Gecko Villa with a visit to Chiang Mai in Thailand's North, there are daily flights between Chiang Mai and Udon Thani on Nok Air.

If you are driving to Gecko Villa then Ten and or Euang (who manage the property) will arrange a convenient time and place to meet you near the property and to lead you back to Gecko Villa.

There is no check-in and check-out time at Gecko Villas. All you have to do is let them know when you plan to arrive and roughly what time you plan to leave on your day of departure.

Visit our Transport section for flights, hybrid car rentals and train bookings.

Rates & Bookings

Rates include free airport pickup, local assistance, laundry, soft drinks, and all meals at the property.

All prices are in US Dollars

accommodation

1- 2 guests: $164 per night for the entire property.

3-4 guests: $230 per night for the entire property.

4-6 guests: from $250 per night for the entire property depending on length of stay.

terms & conditions

• Rates are inclusive of accommodation, all meals and soft drinks, arranging local tours and activities and free transfers to from the airport and bus and train stations.
• Children 2 years are younger are free of charge.

booking & cancellation policy

• A 65% deposit is required to confirm the reservation.
• The balance is due 60 days prior to arrival date.
• Cancellations made 60 days or more prior to arrival date will result in a 75% refund.
• Cancellations made less than 60 days prior to arrival will result in the loss of 100% of cost of booking.
• The Good Travel Company high recommends Travel Insurance to protect against cancellation fees.

Want to avoid cancellation fees? Visit our Insurance section for information on travel insurance.