Krin Resort — a Khao Kho mountain-view resort under THB 1,000 where you wake up to the valley and Wat Pha Sorn Kaew right outside your room
Open the curtains in the morning and there it is: a valley stretching out, with the stupa of Wat Phra That Pha Sorn Kaew rising out of the treeline straight ahead — Krin Resort, known to Thai travelers as Krin Resort, is a small mountain-view resort in the Khamphaeng Saen area of Khao Kho District that sells nature, quiet and privacy rather than flashy facilities · what people talk about most is the view from the rooms and the price, which starts in just the hundreds of baht · from about ฿995/night · scored 8.0 from 150 reviews on Trip.com.
The overview, and who this place suits — the shortest possible summary is that Krin Resort is a small mountain-view resort on Khao Kho that has chosen "nature and quiet" as its core, not a fully themed resort with flower gardens, castles or wall-to-wall activities · it's a simple-style stay with lots of trees and just a handful of rooms (about 37) set on a slope looking out over the valley and the stupa line of Wat Phra That Pha Sorn Kaew · pulling together genuine reviews from Trip.com, Wongnai, TripAdvisor and several Khao Kho review pages, the picture is fairly consistent: the people who get the most out of this place are couples who want quiet privacy, travelers who care more about the view and atmosphere than facilities, and people on a tight budget who still want to wake up to a mountain view · many reviews use the phrase "hundreds-of-baht price, million-baht view," which captures the selling point as directly as it gets · another group that finds it worthwhile is people who come to Khao Kho to rest quietly and wake up to the mist and the view, not to do activities at the resort all day · anyone hunting for a polished luxury resort with a big pool, a pretty café or lots of activities for kids may need to manage their expectations, because Krin Resort is a small stay whose strengths are the view and the price, not luxury or a full range of services · honestly, if you understand that you're paying a few hundred baht in exchange for the view and the quiet, you'll be impressed — but if you expect four- or five-star resort standards, what you get may not match what you hoped for.
Location and getting there — Krin Resort is at 325 Moo 6, Khamphaeng Saen Subdistrict, Khao Kho District, Phetchabun Province, a popular accommodation area on the Khao Kho side that isn't far from the main attractions · its advantage is that it's close to Wat Phra That Pha Sorn Kaew, the number-one highlight of Khao Kho, and that view can be seen from some of the resort's rooms · within a few kilometers there are stops like Jolly Land about 1.4 km away, the Phu Leuk Skywalk viewpoint about 2.5 km away, and several temples in the same neighborhood · from the resort, driving to Khao Kho's main attractions like the wind-turbine fields, the Khao Kho Royal Palace and the Khao Kho Memorial takes about 20–35 min drive, while the Khamphaeng Saen market for food stops is close by in the same area · most people arrive from Bangkok by driving themselves via the Saraburi–Lom Sak route, taking about 5–6 hr, or take a bus/van to Phetchabun town and then continue up the mountain · Phetchabun town is about 1 hr drive away · one important thing to know is that the road up to Khao Kho is steep with plenty of curves, so if you're driving yourself, check your brakes and tires carefully — small-engine sedans may need a low gear on some stretches · another point reviews mention often is that the entrance and the distance from check-in to the rooms is fairly long and on a slope, because the resort steps down along the hillside, so if you have heavy luggage or elderly travelers, ask about room locations and luggage help in advance.
"Opened the door first thing in the morning and there was the valley and the Pha Sorn Kaew stupa right in front of me — so worth what I paid · but I have to say the walk from the parking up to the room is a bit of a slope, so if you've got heavy bags, brace yourself."
Rooms and decor — Krin Resort has around 37 rooms across several types, spread along the hillside so each one gets its own view · the popular entry-level rooms are the hundreds-of-baht ones like the Superior, which starts at about ฿995/night, a compact room built for sleeping and taking in the view · stepping up are the Deluxe and Mountain Villa (around 36 sqm) rooms with more space, some with a balcony for a full valley view · for families or groups of friends there are Family and Twin rooms that sleep several people · reviews on the rooms lean fairly positive, especially on room cleanliness and the balcony view, which many confirm is the real thing, not photo-touched, with many saying they slept comfortably and the beds were fine · the decor is simple, with wood and concrete tones — clean-looking but not luxurious, which fits the character of a hundreds-of-baht stay · since the resort has been open since 2015 and was only recently renovated in 2023, most rooms are in good working condition, though some reviewers note small details such as hair dryers in some rooms working inconsistently, and one review finding red ants in the room, which is something you can run into at a stay set among lots of trees and nature · since it sits high on a cool mountain, hot water and a heater are worth checking on for the room you book, especially if you come in the cold season · anyone who cares about the view in particular should specifically request a room on the side facing the valley or Wat Pha Sorn Kaew when booking, because not every room gets the same view.
Facilities and atmosphere — let's be straight from the start: Krin Resort isn't a resort with lots of facilities like a big one. The main draw is the natural atmosphere, plenty of trees, and privacy · on the grounds there's a garden, terrace decks for sitting and taking in the view, and relaxation corners scattered along the hillside — a spot many people love for sipping coffee and watching the valley in the morning · there's a small restaurant/café in the resort, free parking, free in-room Wi-Fi, daily housekeeping, and some sources note a hiking trail and light activity corners to stroll around · the point to stress is that there's no big pool like a typical resort, so if you're coming mainly to swim, this may not be the right choice · what Krin Resort does best is the quiet and the view — many reviews agree that at night it's so quiet you hear nothing but nature, which for some people is heaven, but some reviews say plainly that the quiet and the isolation of the lower zone of the resort feels eerie at night, especially for people traveling alone or who aren't used to a stay deep in the forest and hills · this is more a matter of expectations and personal taste than a flaw, but it's something worth knowing before you decide.
Food and café — Krin Resort has an in-house restaurant/café serving food and drinks, and breakfast is the part that earns fairly consistent praise in genuine reviews, with many saying it's tasty and freshly made — a meal that makes you feel looked after beyond the price · the setting of having breakfast with a valley view is something many people are impressed by · that said, because it's a small resort, the food options on-site are limited and not every meal is served like at a big resort · some reviews note that the kitchen or food-service point is fairly far from the rooms in certain zones, and reaching staff at night is hard because there's no in-room phone · the advice from genuine reviews is that if you're coming with several people or want dinner, plan ahead, ask the resort which meals are served, and budget for a drive out to find a restaurant in the Khamphaeng Saen area or around Wat Pha Sorn Kaew, where there are several restaurants and scenic cafés a short drive away · overall, food isn't the reason to come to Krin Resort specifically, but breakfast is done well and fits the quiet atmosphere of the place.
Service — service at Krin Resort gets a positive response, especially the friendliness of the owner and staff · many reviews say the team looks after guests well, is friendly, gives advice on attractions around Khao Kho and on getting around, and helps with things as much as a small stay can · the point that's noted and comes up consistently across several reviews is that reaching staff at night is fairly hard, because there's no in-room phone and staff aren't on duty 24 hours like at a big hotel · if something urgent comes up late at night, you may have to walk over to the central area yourself · this is normal for a small resort at this price, more than it is a direct problem with service quality · the advice is that if you need anything in particular — hot water, a heater or dinner — sort it out and arrange it with the resort in the evening before staff finish their shift, so you're not stuck late at night.
What real reviews say (praise and gripes) — pulling together Trip.com, Wongnai, TripAdvisor, Booking.com and several Khao Kho review pages, the picture is fairly consistent · on the praise side: the mountain view and the view of Wat Phra That Pha Sorn Kaew from the room are genuinely lovely and worth the hundreds-of-baht price, the atmosphere is quiet and nature-focused with lots of trees and good for getting away from the chaos, the rooms are clean and comfortable to sleep in, breakfast is tasty and freshly made, the staff are friendly and service is good, and the location is close to Wat Pha Sorn Kaew and Khao Kho's main attractions · on the things-to-note side: what comes up is the quiet and isolation of some zones at night that makes some people feel uneasy, especially those coming alone or not used to a stay deep in the forest and hills · next is that the distance from check-in and the kitchen to the rooms in certain zones is fairly far and on a slope, reaching staff at night is hard because there's no in-room phone, hair dryers in some rooms work inconsistently, one review found red ants in the room because it's set among the trees, and there's no pool · most of these gripes are things you can manage by setting your expectations right — that you're staying at a small, hundreds-of-baht resort in the middle of nature — rather than being big problems that put people off coming back.
"Clean room, comfortable sleep, great view, and the breakfast was tasty too · the only downside is that it's super quiet at night and some corners are isolated enough to feel a little creepy — if you scare easily it may not be ideal to come alone, but as a couple or in a group it's fun."
Price and value comparison — the Superior room starts at about ฿995/night at normal rates, which is very cheap for a mountain-view stay on Khao Kho · the Deluxe and Mountain Villa rooms move up into roughly the ฿1,300–2,500+ range depending on size, view and timing, and prices clearly climb in the cold-season high season and over long holidays · compared with fully themed or luxury resorts in Khao Kho that start in the two-to-three-thousand range and up, Krin Resort's value is that you pay a few hundred to a little over a thousand baht and get a mountain view and quiet that rival pricier stays · this is why many reviews use the phrase "hundreds-of-baht price, million-baht view" · measured by value for someone who prioritizes the view, quiet and a budget, it's very worthwhile · but if you measure value by facilities, luxury, a pool or big-hotel-level service, this may not be the choice for you, and you should consider a higher-tier resort in Khao Kho instead · simply put, Krin Resort is worthwhile in the "pay little, get the view and the quiet" sense, not the "however much you pay, you get it all" sense.
What to know before booking — a few things make the trip smoother · One, specifically request a room on the side facing the valley or Wat Pha Sorn Kaew when booking, because not every room gets the same view, and the view is the main draw here · Two, if you have trouble sleeping or are wary of isolation, choose a room zone closer to the central area rather than the dead-quiet lower zone, and if possible come as a couple or in a group rather than alone · Three, always pack warm clothes, because Khao Kho is cold, especially at night and in the early morning in the cold season, and check with the resort whether your booked room has hot water and a heater · Four, if you have heavy luggage or elderly travelers, ask about the room location, the distance from parking and luggage help in advance, because the resort is on a slope and some zones involve a walk · Five, for food and help at night, sort it out and arrange it with staff in the evening, because late at night they're hard to reach and there's no in-room phone · Six, late rainy into early cold season (November–January) is when the weather is good and there's a chance of mist; rooms fill up fast, so book ahead and lock in free cancellation if your plans aren't firm · Seven, check your driving route up the mountain and your vehicle's condition, because the road is steep with plenty of curves, and in the rainy season heavy mist cuts visibility short.
The verdict — from all the genuine reviews, Krin Resort is the resort that suits best for couples and travelers who want a Khao Kho mountain view with quiet privacy on a budget · the clear selling points are the valley and Wat Phra That Pha Sorn Kaew view from the rooms, the natural atmosphere with lots of trees, the tasty breakfast, and a price that starts at just a few hundred baht — a combination that isn't easy to find in Khao Kho · the location close to Wat Pha Sorn Kaew and the main attractions also makes it a convenient base for touring Khao Kho · but if you're hunting for a polished luxury resort with a pool, a pretty café, lots of activities or big-hotel-level 24-hour service, this may not be the answer, and you should consider a higher-tier resort in Khao Kho instead · and you have to admit honestly that the dead quiet of some zones at night is a double-edged sword — for some people it's the peace of their dreams, for others it may feel too isolated · but for anyone who understands they're paying a few hundred baht in exchange for the view and the quiet in the middle of nature — Krin Resort meets that want and is worth it, which is why it remains a budget stay that people in the Khamphaeng Saen area have spoken well of all along.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ The mountain and Wat Pha Sorn Kaew view from the rooms is genuinely lovely, worth the hundreds-of-baht price
- ✓ Quiet, nature-focused atmosphere with lots of trees and privacy
- ✓ Clean rooms, comfortable to sleep in
- ✓ Tasty, freshly made breakfast; friendly staff
- ! Some zones are quiet and isolated at night; some people find it eerie
- ! The distance from check-in and the kitchen to the rooms in certain zones is far and on a slope
- ! Hard to reach staff at night; no in-room phone
- ✓ Starts in the hundreds of baht, very worthwhile for a mountain view on Khao Kho
- ✓ Close to Wat Phra That Pha Sorn Kaew and Khao Kho's main attractions
- ✓ Good for a quiet rest focused on nature and privacy
- ✓ Friendly service; breakfast earns praise
- ! No pool or the facilities of a big resort
- ! Hair dryers in some rooms work inconsistently; one review found red ants in the room
- ! Prices climb in the cold season and on holidays; book ahead
- 💡If you're wary of isolation or have trouble sleeping — some zones of the resort are dead quiet at night, enough that some reviews say it feels eerie, especially for people coming alone → choose a room zone near the central area, and if you can, come as a couple or in a group.
- 💡If you need full facilities and luxury — this is a small, hundreds-of-baht resort with no pool and no 24-hour service → if you prioritize luxury and facilities, a higher-tier resort in Khao Kho will suit you better.
- 💡If you care about the view in particular — not every room sees the valley or Wat Pha Sorn Kaew the same → specifically request a view-side room when booking, and bear in mind the walk to the rooms in some zones is on a slope.