Phuiyara Resort — a mountain-view resort with a pool near Khun Dan Dam, Nakhon Nayok
If you want a mountain-view resort with a pool to splash in, an on-site cafe to relax at, and a base close to the nature spots around Khun Dan Dam, Phuiyara Resort is a place locals and Bangkok weekenders return to. It is a mid-sized resort in the Hin Tung area of Mueang Nakhon Nayok, known for its mountain views, open grounds and a good range of on-site activities — an outdoor pool, cafe, restaurant, karaoke and a BBQ area — plus bikes you can borrow to ride around. It is about a two-hour drive from Bangkok. Score 8.3 from 112 reviews. From approx. ฿1,500/night.
Phuiyara Resort sits in the Hin Tung area of Mueang Nakhon Nayok, on the side you drive up toward Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam and Nang Rong Waterfall. It is a mid-sized resort built around families and groups of friends rather than a tiny boutique stay. What guests agree on is the space — plenty of trees and garden, a mountain ridge as the backdrop, and enough on-site activities to fill a whole day without driving anywhere.
Rooms come in several types, from mountain-view rooms and two-storey duplex rooms to a one-bedroom villa. The rooms people praise most are the ones that open onto the mountain and pool, with an airy feel. Most reviews say the rooms are decently sized with comfortable beds, air-con and a flat-screen TV, and some have a small kitchenette and fridge — handy for families or groups staying a few nights. The selling point here is the view and the space, not luxury finishes, but at this price it lands well.
"Great view, lovely atmosphere, a pool the kids could swim in, and the food at the resort was reasonably priced. The staff were friendly — a good family getaway."
What gives Phuiyara an edge over the smaller stays in the same area is the range of on-site activities. There is an outdoor pool to swim in, a cafe and restaurant on the grounds, karaoke rooms for groups who want to sing at night, a BBQ area for a small party, and bikes you can borrow to ride around the garden. There is also a massage service and a meeting room for seminar groups — which is why many groups pick this place, since everything is in one spot and you do not have to drive out to find something to do.
The location is in Hin Tung, the nature-facing side of Mueang Nakhon Nayok. It is close to Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam, Nang Rong Waterfall and Wang Takrai Park, all about 10–15 minutes by car, and roughly two hours from Bangkok — a comfortable base for touring the waterfalls and nature spots on this side. The upside is that it sits closer to the main sights than many of the Pak Phli-side stays, though you still need your own car since the town shops are some way off.
To be straight with you, there are a few things worth knowing before booking. Some reviews flag that certain rooms smell a little musty, especially ones that have been closed up for a while, and that the parking entrance can be a bit of a walk from the rooms. A few guests mention hearing noise from neighbouring rooms or party groups, and some feel the price and in-room fittings are not quite balanced. This is honest feedback from real reviews, but the overall tone stays positive — especially on the view, the pool and the food. Combined scores sit around 7.7–8.3 across platforms, solid for a budget-friendly family resort.
Overall, Phuiyara Resort suits anyone after a mountain-view resort with a pool and built-in activities, at an easy price, close to the Khun Dan Dam side. If you are travelling as a family or a group of friends and want somewhere the kids can swim, a BBQ spot and karaoke, and a base near the waterfalls, it does that job well for the money. Just keep an open mind about the musty smell in some rooms and the noise on busy weekends, pick a mountain-view room, and you will get what you came for.
A tip from reading through the reviews: ask for a room facing the mountain and away from the party/karaoke zone if you want a quiet stay. If you are sensitive to musty smells, request a room that has been recently used and air it out with the air-con before settling in. Come from late rainy season into early winter (Sep–Dec) when Nang Rong Waterfall is full, the air is cool and the mountain views are clear — and do not miss an evening swim when the light softens and the mountain looks its best.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Lovely mountain views, lots of space, nice atmosphere
- ✓ Outdoor pool for both kids and adults
- ✓ On-site food is reasonably priced and decent
- ✓ Close to Khun Dan Dam and Nang Rong Waterfall
- ! Some rooms smell musty, especially long-closed ones
- ! Parking entrance can be a walk from the rooms
- ! Occasional noise from neighbouring rooms / party groups
- ✓ Mountain view and pool stand out; good for families
- ✓ Lots of activities — karaoke, BBQ, bikes
- ✓ Friendly, welcoming staff
- ✓ Private parking; about two hours' drive from Bangkok
- ! Some feel price and in-room fittings are not quite balanced
- ! Rooms and some areas could be better maintained
- ! Fills up fast on long weekends; prices climb
- 💡If you are sensitive to musty smells and fussy about room finish — reviews note some rooms smell musty, especially long-closed ones → ask for a recently used room, air it out with the air-con first, and treat this as a family mountain-view resort, not a luxury stay.
- 💡If you want a quiet stay and dislike noise — there are karaoke rooms and a BBQ area, and party groups show up on weekends → request a room away from the activity zone and facing the mountain for a much quieter night.
- 💡If you come on a long weekend or in waterfall season — the Khun Dan Dam / Nang Rong side is popular, rooms fill fast and prices climb → book ahead and lock in a free-cancellation rate first.