Rico Resort Chiang Kham, Phayao — a quiet garden resort in Chiang Kham with a pool, tennis and a hands-on owner, from ~1,800
If you want to escape the bustle and sleep in a big garden with ponds, a swimming pool, and birdsong as your alarm — Rico Resort Chiang Kham is a small resort in Chiang Kham district, Phayao, that many travellers call a "hidden corner" of the area · It's a garden resort of around 18 rooms and villas, where the foreign owner and his wife look after guests personally · The draws are spacious, peaceful grounds, big rooms, an outdoor pool, a tennis court, a gym, and food that reviews praise often · It's about 40 minutes from Phayao city, with rooms starting at around THB 1,800/night · You'll need to accept a remote location and a few online photos that don't fully match reality, but in return you get quiet and space that are hard to find at this price.
Rico Resort Chiang Kham is a garden resort in Chiang Kham district, Phayao province, Yuan subdistrict, set on spacious grounds with ponds and lush gardens all around · It isn't a city hotel but a quiet resort of around 18 rooms and villas where the foreign owner and his wife look after guests personally · Its appeal is the space, the privacy, and a calm atmosphere that many reviews call a "hidden corner" of Chiang Kham · Its real review scores sit high — around 9.1 on Booking.com and around 9.5 on Trip.com, with TripAdvisor at 4.4 of 5 (#1 small stay in Chiang Kham), which tells you that guests who make it there mostly come away impressed.
What reviews mention most is the peace and quiet, the space, and the owner's care · There's a long outdoor pool, a proper tennis court, a gym, mini golf, and bicycles to borrow · The owner also takes guests on nature bike tours around the area and local community, sharing stories along the way — an activity many praise as a highlight you won't find at a typical resort · The food at the restaurant is frequently mentioned as good · For anyone who genuinely wants to relax rather than walk around town, this kind of atmosphere fits well.
"A hidden corner where you can really relax — huge gardens, big rooms, a kind owner who takes great care of you, lovely food, so quiet you lose track of time."
Rooms at Rico Resort come in several types, from a Deluxe room with a large bed of around 36 sqm up to a three-bedroom villa for families or groups of friends · Many have a balcony or terrace looking out over the garden · Most reviews praise the rooms as spacious, comfortable to sleep in, and clean · One thing to know is that some photos on booking sites don't fully match reality — older reviews note that a few images show the owner's private house and pool, and some bungalow rooms sit near an old factory building · So when booking, look closely at the photos of the room you'll actually get and ask the owner first.
For a small resort in an outlying district, facilities are more than you'd expect · There's an outdoor pool, a tennis court, a gym, mini golf, bicycles to borrow, an open-air restaurant, free parking and free Wi-Fi · The trade-off is the location — it's in Chiang Kham district, about 40 minutes from Phayao city and about an hour from Chiang Rai airport · Without your own car it's hard to get around, and there aren't many shops or restaurants within walking distance · This place suits travellers who come to relax in the garden, more than those who want to head into town every day.
On scores, Rico Resort Chiang Kham sits in the area's strong zone · Its real-review average is around 9.1 out of 10 on Booking.com and as high as around 9.5 on Trip.com · The repeatedly praised points are the peace and quiet, the spacious gardens, the big rooms, the owner's care, good food, and the bike tours · The common complaints are the remote location that needs a car, some online photos not matching reality, and a few spots on the grounds that look older than in the pictures.
To be honest, this isn't a luxury resort on Kwan Phayao and it isn't a stay for people who want to walk around town · Its charm is spacious, peaceful gardens, big rooms, a pool, a tennis court, an owner who looks after guests personally, and a starting price of around THB 1,800 in an area where stays like this are hard to find · Deluxe rooms start at around THB 1,800 in the regular season and rise over long weekends, while large villas cost more · If your trip is about exploring Chiang Kham, Phu Chi Fa, or Phu Langka, or you simply want a quiet garden stay to truly relax — this fits · But if you want a city location or a Kwan Phayao view, look at a place in town instead.
A tip from reading a lot of reviews here: you really should have your own car or rent one, since there aren't many restaurants or convenience stores within walking distance · Before booking, message the owner about the room and the real price, as some reviews note that prices on certain sites are off and a few room photos may not be the room you'll get · Ask about the owner's nature bike tour — it's a highlight many guests praise · And over long weekends, book ahead, as rooms are limited.
Summary from Booking & Agoda
- ✓ Spacious, peaceful, private grounds — a real relaxation feel
- ✓ Big rooms, comfortable beds, clean
- ✓ The owner and staff take good care of guests and are friendly
- ✓ There's a pool, tennis court, gym, and food reviews praise
- ! Remote — in Chiang Kham, about 40 minutes from Phayao city; needs a car
- ! Few restaurants/convenience stores within walking distance
- ! Some photos on booking sites don't fully match reality
- ✓ Very spacious grounds with lovely gardens and ponds — great for relaxing
- ✓ Large rooms and villas, suited to families or groups of friends
- ✓ The owner's nature bike tours are an interesting touch
- ✓ Good food at the restaurant and attentive staff
- ! Far from town — getting around needs your own car
- ! A few spots on the grounds look older than in the photos
- ! Best to confirm the room and real price with the owner before booking
- 💡If you don't have your own car — it's in Chiang Kham, about 40 minutes from Phayao city, with few places to walk to nearby → rent a car or drive yourself; it's not suited to public-transport travel.
- 💡If you're particular about photos matching reality — some reviews note that a few booking-site photos aren't the room you'll get and a few spots look older than pictured → message the owner and ask for clear photos of the room you'll stay in before booking.
- 💡If you want a city location or a Kwan Phayao view — this is a garden resort in Chiang Kham, not in town and with no lake view → look at a stay in Phayao city if you want to walk around or see the lake.