Highfield (Loei)

The two story 5 bedroom property is very spacious with large rooms. On the upper floor there are three airconditioned bedrooms with fully fitted en-suite bathrooms. Two more double bedrooms can be found located on the ground floor with ceiling fans and shared bathroom.

There is a fully fitted kitchen inside the house, and for outdoor dinning by the large pool which tends to be preferred by most guests, a second well equipped kitchen with barbecue is provided.

Adjoining the indoor kitchen is a large room which is split into a cosy dining area and snooker games room. A wood panelled bar with comfortable leather arm chairs complement the room which is ideal for relaxing with friends and family.

The room connects to a large comfortable lounge with more leather seating, TV, CD, music centre, and a very large window that gives a splendid view of the island and lake in front of the property. Double doors from the lounge lead directly to the 2-meter deep end of the swimming pool, just a few yards away.

The free form 25-meter pool has a waterfall at the shallow end (80 cm deep) hand ball net and ball if required and a Jacuzzi half way along one side. Inside the pool house, which incorporates a bar with adjoining furnished terrace, there is a wood burning Swedish style sauna that seats up to eight. There are plentiful showers, changing rooms, sunbeds and rattan poolside furniture to relax in.

On the other side of the pool stands a traditional Thai structure half of which extends out over the lake, and is furnished for relaxation and dining. Fishing in the lake is highly recommended for food, sport or both.

The small island adjacent to the outside dining area, accessed via a footbridge is perfect for fishing or barbecues. Also several Thai style grass roofed huts are dotted around the pool area, which provide a comfortable shaded area ideal for a relaxing traditional Thai massage.

Several large coconut palms grow around the pool which in season are used to prepare fresh coconut juice straight from the tree. There are also some swings etc. at the shallow end of the pool where small children can safely play.

Highfield has two Thai service staff who take care of the cleaning, provision of meals throughout the day, laundry and keeping guests children occupied if required.

An excellent Thai cook is also available from 6:00am until 10:00pm in the evening. Meals can be chosen from a reasonably priced menu of over sixty interesting traditional Thai dishes which can be prepared to varying degrees of spiciness. Fresh food provisions are purchased daily from the local market.

By prior arrangement, a poolside drinks refrigerator is also provided fully stocked with whatever guest's prefer; normally bottled beer, fruit juice, milk, soft drinks, bottled water, ice cream etc. The staff restocks the fridge every morning and guests are invoiced for what has been used.

Getting there
Loei is 520 km north east from Bangkok and depending on available time and budget can be accessed by :-

• Bus: Bangkok-Loei = 10 Hours Drive
• Regular daily air-conditioned bus service.
• Driving: Bangkok-Loei = 9 Hours Drive. A very pleasant and scenic journey most of the way with mainly straight roads passing through flat farming country. Plenty of options for eating and refreshments.
• Air: Bangkok-Loei = 1 Hr 20 min. There are flights three times per week.
• Fly-Drive: Bangkok -Udon Thani = 1 Hour Flight. There are daily flights. Udon Thani-Loei = 2 Hrs 30 min. drive.

The major attractions in the province focus around exploring the national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and the Mekong River.

For a detailed road map of Loei and the Middle Mekong area for those who enjoy exploring from behind the wheel, a free copy can be downloaded, complements of Budget Rent a Car Thailand. PDFs can be downloaded in English, German and French. If you need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader, click here.

Popular day trips:-

• Phu Ruea National Park rises almost 1,400 metres above sea level and offers scenic views of Laos, verdant flora, waterfalls and more than 30 species of resident bird species.
• Phu Luang Wild-life Sanctuary is the highest peak in the province occupies a high plateau rising to 1,500 metres above sea level.
• Phu Kradung National Park of some 60-square kilometre occupies a plateau 1,300 metres above sea level and contains some of Thailand's loveliest flora, more than 130 species of birds, besides deer, squirrels, elephants, wild boar and monkeys, and several scenic viewpoints. The main trail to the peak is a 6 km. walk that takes about three hours. The park is closed from June through August each year.
• Phu Pha Man National Park near Pha Nok Khao has several caves with prehistoric paintings and three waterfalls.
• Kaeng Khut Khu Rapids in the Mekong River in Chiang Khan district are pronounced when the river is at low level.
• Mekong River Trip - Chiang Khan to Nong Khai There is an experienced local Thai river guide based in Chiang Khan who in the safe season will take small groups by boat down to Nong Khai which makes for a long but exciting day. For more details contact Mr Huub Oudenhoeven at the Chiang Khan Guest House at http://welcome.to/chiangkhan.com, Tel. / Fax. 042-821691.
• Chateau de Loei the pioneer of Thailand's wine-making industry has its vineyard and winery in the Phu Rua district and is a popular tour destination for enthusiasts with an interest in the art and science of winemaking. Chateau de Loei tends its vines to produce fruit all year round. It grows Syrah and Chenin Blanc grapes for making both white and red wines, while other varieties of vines produce table grapes for eating. Tours of the site are free, with tickets obtained from the Chateau de Loei shop located at the vineyard. The tour provides visitors with a thorough knowledge of grape cultivation.

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