Mountain Beach Retreat

“Paradise” Reviewed September 3, 2013 A beautiful villa in a quiet location about ten minutes by scooter to the nearest beach and restaurants. Well equipped and spotlessly clean, youll feel like you could stay forever. The owner arranged a taxi to meet us at Bangkok airport and everything went smoothly

“Feel like home making everyone happy” Reviewed August 13, 2013 I went this wonderful place with my friends family. Teresa had everything ready there for any family to move in and live. I regret that I prepared way too much all the way from Bangkok. Since we all live in Bangkok, speak Thai and know (we thought we did) many things about shopping and living in Thailand, we didnt think it would be a big surprise. Ian and Teresa has other properties in the same neighborhood, looking all nice. Seafood restaurants there were amazing for freshness, price and taste. Fresh market was so much fun and satisfying. (Though I am not a Thai, but I may know about Thai fresh market/flea market better than locals.) This place is good for longterm stay as you might not want to leave there like us. (I found Hua Hin is no longer attractive travel destination for me as it gets busier with construction or Hotels and condos and tourists. Hua Hin is pretty close from Pranburi though.) Kids were having so much fun at the pool and the beach nearby. Ive checked other places in person and on-line and found out this place is cheaper and better. If you are little reluctant to decide, just go there. Unless you are looking for partying at the club or bar at some typical hatThai club or bikini bar (that you can not find in this part of Thailand), this is place for you and your family. I felt as if I was one of their neighborhood. Teresa and Ian, they are easy going and generous for guests. I am planning to go there next month and November. This time I will try their 8 room villa and other house. I can not go back to my ordinary trip to beach resort anymore.

“Perfect spot for rest seekers” Reviewed March 24, 2013 We stayed in the villa for 2 weeks. Great for relaxing and for a dive in your own good size swimmingpool (lighted in the evening). The house is clean and well cared for. The garden, with a wall around, gives you a lot of privacy. There is a big coverred terrace with elactric fans, chairs, table and a barbeque if you want to cook by yourself. You can pick up your own mango from the tree in the garden. In the surroundings there are many pine apple plantations. You have to try them (great taste). Its good to rent a scooter and drive around through the small villages. The beach is about 10 minutes by scooter. There you can find a lot of different restaurants (try Mr. Singh restaurant: very good yellow curry). On the beach there is a very good spot for kite surfing. I took some good lessons at KBA Kitesurf. Teresa and Ian are great hosts. They can help you with anything you need: organizing taxi, renting car/scooter and give all the advise you need. We had a great time with them. We want to come back soon. Ewa and Rob

absolutely stunning. Couldnt have had a better stay here” Reviewed March 2, 2012 12 people found this review helpful First, I have to say that this is the most stunning villa in all respects. As someone who has a rentals business in Portugal offering top end villas, I am an extremely fussy customer (and our seven winters in Australia to date have never seen us book the same villa twice). Within a day of being here we decided we would be back to the villa for three months next time providing no better recommendation for the villa or the location!! So, what makes it so special? First the villa was spotlessly clean. Second, the pool was as the Australians call it ’sparkling’ (and this is the first pool villa that I’ve rented that has lived up to that description). Third the attention to detail that the owners have put into this villa along with their property manager. For instance, the outside covered terrace has plenty of seating, they have thoughtfully put in fans and an electric mozzie detractor, the bbq is of good quality and with a new gas canister. Inside, they have installed a water chiller and another water receptacle to use for the kettle as the water out of the tap does taste a bit strange, albeit it is apparently safe to drink. The computer desk was stocked with office type things such as calculator and pens, the information pack in the villa on the area was excellent and there were all types of little touches around the villa that really made it like home as soon as we arrived. For those who need internet, I can vouch for the fact that the service and speed is excellent (better than we have at home in Portugal) and Vodafone mobiles work superbly (as did Skype) The booking process if I am honest did make me a little suspicious (and I only mention this to give confidence to anyone else who feels the same!). Ian who rents the villa was exceptionally good at responding to emails but they were, shall we say, a little on the short/terse side and as he wouldn’t take payment until we arrived we were slightly concerned that the villa would actually exist when we got there! Also originally the wrong car hire price was quoted (a daily fee was quoted as the weekly fee so when this was picked up it make a significant difference to the cost of the stay – but even with this, just over 400 euros for car hire for a month was excellent value). Therefore when we were waiting in the hotel for the driver (arranged via Ian) to turn up at the hotel we were a little nervous. However, we ended up being extremely impressed – the driver turned up on time, and found our hotel (the only driver that managed this during our whole time in Bangkok) and the car was of good quality. He delivered us to the villa, offering to let us stop at Tescos on the way (which was a great help) and Teresa was at the villa to meet us, with the car we had hired through Ian being delivered 10 minutes later (and an excellent one it was too which again can always be a bit of a gamble in Thailand or indeed anywhere else in Asia). Slick service or what??? There were a couple of minor things that weren’t quite right when we arrived (TV wouldn’t work, no kitchen scissors and a toaster that had packed up) but we informed Ian of this the next day, and by the afternoon all was addressed. Again, super service. Also be aware that at the time of writing there is no dishwasher in operation (there is one in the villa but the imminent connection of mains water hasn’t yet happened) although I would stress we had no water problems at all and as we ate out most of the time, the need for a dishwasher didn’t arise. Also, in the bathroom basins there is only cold water- we found this very strange to start with but learned this is not unusual in Thailand (the showers were hot though and there is hot water in the kitchen tap) In terms of the villa, it is even better than described in the advertisement and to help future guests I also include some information on the area as it is a fairly undeveloped part of Thailand (tourism wise that is) and it is difficult to both pinpoint exactly where the villa is and importantly the area in which it is located in. First, the immediate environs of the villa. The villa is totally private with high walls providing total privacy. The neighboring villas are largely owned by expats of one nationality or another but there is no feeling of being cut off from Thai life – indeed the exact opposite – and as I write this at 9.30 at night the only sounds I can hear are the sounds of birds and other jungly type animals (why birds here are up at night is a mystery to me) Opposite the villa is spare ground which has coconut trees, pineapples growing and various other trees and plants and has a jungle type feel. The villa is located on what we would call in the UK a lane so there is very little passing traffic – the worst (or best!) noise is the cows coming up the lane twice a day. We are very conscious that it has been a haven of peace and quiet whilst we have been here and, as stated earlier, the immediate neighbors seem to live here (and therefore are quiet as opposed to noisy holiday makers). Therefore we have tried to blend in and not play loud music etc (so if you’re looking for a real wild time you might be better off staying in the more commercialised area of Hua Hin). If one comes out of the villa and turns left, this goes up the lane and on to an unmade road which provide a lovely route out to the countryside. Turn right out of the villa and this takes one up to the village, passing various shack type homes and fields housing cows and chickens on the way. At the village there are a couple of eateries (dinner for two at less than £9 including beers - but take your own wine (usual practice here) , a little store and a couple of other bits and pieces. Therefore the villa is in a rural position which, if one wants to experience Thai life from a position of the luxury of the villa, then it’s a good mix. There are various roads out of the villa that take you to either Pranburi (the nearest large-ish town housing the biggest Tescos I have ever seen (about 10 minute away) and to the coast which is less than five minutes away The nearest beach is not one I would suggest suitable for sunbathing on as it is effectively a small fishing port with lots of Thai fisherman’s boats and a few restaurants (cheapest meals I think in Thailand to be had and very good) but again, if one is looking to experience the true Thai lifestyle, a fascinating place to go to for a drink, meal, photography or just take in the atmosphere. Carrying on up the coast northwards takes one to better beaches and a plethora (I think even hundreds) of restaurants, all just a 5-10 minute drive away. We ate along here most nights right on the sea and didn’t have a bad meal with the average bill being £10 or less for two (excluding wine. Note to wine drinkers: very few restaurants sell wine but they are quite happy for you to take your own and don’t charge the equivalent of a corkage charge. Whilst in no way encouraging drinking and driving, the roads are good in the area and we didn’t see a single police car whilst here (the biggest hazard being dogs sleeping in the roads) As you travel up the coast northwards towards Pak Nam Pran the number of restaurants and resorts (all low level construction wise and mostly nice) increase as does the quality of the beaches. Having said that, there are very few people overall who venture to this area (other than at weekends where there are coaches of youngsters down from Bangkok which is great fun to see) and you will rarely farangs (foreigners) are far and few between especially up the ‘ villa’ end of the beach. This has the upside that one gets to see the real Thailand (and we are convinced this will change in the long term as can’t believe such a beautiful area will remain so unspoilt) and the downside that one needs to be prepared f

The Mountain Beach retreat is absolutely wonderful. We didnt know what to expect but were completely blown away by the property. It is spacious, clean, warm, practical and safe. The villagers and Mr. Moo and crew are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. Dealing with the owners Teresa and Ian was outstanding as nothing was a problem and they just want you to have a good time. We had one of the best holidays and would recommend this destination and property to anyone that is looking for a very special experience.

In july 2008 we stayed in the villa for 3 weeks. We hoped it would be as nice as it looked on the photos. But it was more and better! It is perfect for all ages and together with the great service from Ian and Teresa and their staff, we had a wonderful time. It is very spacious, but because the large rooms are situated around the pool and tropical garden, it makes it very cosy. Still, if you go with more than 1 family, each family has all the privacy they need. The bar and dining area is perfect for a get together during the day. It was used for all the meals, as a huge outside living area, where the kids played games and watched tv. But it was also used as cocktailbar and partyplace where we celebrated our daughters birthday. The staff cleaned the villa and pool every day at times that didnt interfere with our daily routine and the extra tasks were done on days we went out. Very well organised by our host! The villa is in a quiet thai village. From the villa it is easy to go to the beach (walking) of Khao Kalok, Pak Nam Pran with a very good night market and Hua Hin. There is a lot of information in the villa about what you can do, like a visit to the elephant village or the monkey place. But Ian and Teresa are like a walking travel guide and booking office. They know a lot of good places to go with handy tips for travelling with young childeren. Mr. Moo and his staff are absolutely great for a tour, no matter where you are going. Thailand is a great place to spend your holiday. Staying in the villa, looked after by Ian and Teresa made it complete. With pain in our hearts we left the villa and Thailand. What gave us hope is that we are coming back.

We (6 adults and 5 childeren) had our family reunio n at the Mountain Beach retreat . It was absolutely perfect! Nothing is too much for the owners and hosts Ian and Teresa. They thought of everything to make us feel at home. Like a warm welcome, extra pooltoys for the kids and groceries for the first days and many other things that made us really enjoy our holiday. They know al lot of people in the area and you name it and Ian can organise it. The house is luxurious and spacious and has everything you need for a perfect holiday. Large bedrooms (with very good beds for the tall guys), a cosy gazebo, a very well equipped kitchen in and outside. The bar area with the terrace is fantastic for reading, playing area, relaxing, eating, watching tv and so much more. The pool was the most favorite place of the kids. And every part of the house is spotless clean and the housekeeping and cleaning service is great! The house is in a real Thai village, with friendly people and away from the crowds. But not too far from the beach and the local bars and restaurants where you can eat very good Thai food or get a nice Thai massage. And so cheap. So in every way, staying in the villa is a retreat, a celebration and we thank Ian and Teresa for the wonderful time we had. We are coming back. Thats for sure!