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Khao Sok Smiley Lake House

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Traveller (468)
Room & Suite (71)
Dining (9)

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About

#1 of 1 special inn in Khao Sok National Park
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Value
We are a family business proposing tours and accommodation in our raft house resort at Ratchaprabha lake. The resort is about 23km from the pier, in the heart the lake and Khao Sok National Park. You can visit us with a 1 or 2 days tour, which include minivan and boat to the resort, and you can stay additional nights if you wish. The tours include all meals, boat safaris and a jungle and cave trek with a guide. You will sleep in a bungalow on the lake with a wonderful landscape view. Each room has a private bathroom and kayaks are available for everyone to use. The water is always about 28°C and is very clean and good for swimming. Usually there have no mosquitoes on the lake. In the night time we are using a generator to make electricity and you can charge batteries or your phone in the restaurant. You can also come to visit us at Khao Sok Smiley bungalows and we can book a tour for you and explain you everything We hope to see you soon!
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Property amenities
Free breakfast
Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Room features
Bath / shower
Room types
Non-smoking rooms
Good to know
HOTEL CLASS
3.0 of 5 stars
HOTEL STYLE
Lake View
Great View
Languages Spoken
English, Thai

Location

Rajjaprabha Dam, Khao Sok National Park 84250 Thailand
Name/address in local language
Khao Sok Smiley Lake House
306Reviews8Q+A30Room tips

Reviews
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Tom S wrote a review 2 Mar
1 contribution
+1
Is this place real? It feels like a dream or something from a movie - the moment we got onto the lake it took our breath away. If you are visiting Thailand you must make the effort to visit the national park, and Smiley do a wonderful job of offering an all round package. The travel to the park is comfortable, the boat trip to the lake house is unbelievable, the lakehouse staff are fun warm and welcoming, the activities are sensational and also quite educational (the tour team know their stuff). There is nothing quite like being truly remote, sat outside your own floating room, watching the sunset over pristine nature, as you listen to the insects, birds and monkeys come to life. A must do.
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Date of stay: February 2024
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: If you struggle with sea sickness, take some medication for the journey to and from the lake houses
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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DraperDD wrote a review 2 Mar
Hove, England, United Kingdom27 contributions54 helpful votes
Absolutely fantastic stay over night on the lake. As we are a couple in our 40s we thought it might be a bit of a younger crowd as the cost was so good, but we had a great mix of people. The ride out to the lake was one of the most stunning journeys we’ve ever had and we’ve travelled for over 25 years. The rooms are basic but comfortable. There are no mosquitoes at all (due to the limestone in the water apparently) so you can sleep with the windows open which was nice. The food was absolutely fine and they do well to make it so tasty whilst making so much of it! We did the evening and sunrise boat cruise and although a pair of binoculars would be good to see the monkeys it was just a beautiful time of day to be cruising round the lake. We didn’t do the cave trip the second day (people did say it was fun) as we opted for a peaceful 2hr kayak by ourselves round the lake. Again, this was one of the best things we have ever done. So tranquil and serene but also amazing listening to the loud calls of the monkeys when they decided to put on a show. Overall the whole trip was fantastic and one of the highlights of our 6 weeks in Thailand. We can’t thank the friendly and enthusiastic staff at Smileys enough for the seamless arranging of everything from staying over the night before at the bungalows in Khao Sok to the transfers and the lake stay. Highly recommended.
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Date of stay: March 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Karen S wrote a review Feb 2024
Gaithersburg, Maryland4 contributions
We visited Khao Sok Smiley Lake House last week. It was my husband and I (we are both in our sixties) and our 24 y/old daughter. Khao Sok National Park is truly exquisite. So breathtaking! The first night we stayed at the Smiley Lake House in town and the second night was in the Smiley Lake House Bungalo. My husband and I found the cave walk extremely dangerous and we are literally surprised that we both made it out safely without breaking a bone or even losing our lives. If you are traveling alone and you take a wrong turn, no one will notice that you are missing! The guides are not concerned about safety, and they are not friendly. The guides have no idea how many people they are taking into the cave (they never counted how many of us were there and we are guessing there were 50-60) and they would never know if someone didn't come back out. The first guide started the walk at an incredibly fast pace, and all of us had a hard time keeping up. At one point a guide mentioned seeing elephant poop. He had a great deal of knowledge but they didn't break the pace to share information. In addition, there was no time to apply bug spray, take a photo, drink water or change into water shoes. If you are young, you seek adventure, you are familiar and comfortable with caving, you don't mind swimming with snakes literally passing by you while you in the water, you might enjoy this. We saw several snakes, hundreds of bats and many spiders. It's a challenging hike with significant changes in elevation, there's one place where you need to hold onto a rope to pass over a gorge and there are tight places you need to squeeze through. If you are not incredibly fit and agile or if you concerned about safety, this is not the trip for you!
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Date of stay: February 2024
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: Read all the reviews! Be aware of what you are getting into. Many people get badly injured...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Luuk wrote a review Feb 2024
Alphen aan den Rijn, The Netherlands7 contributions
The Lake Tour in Khao Sok National Park was an amazing experience! Everything was well-organized, and the guides were incredibly enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The only downside was the limited free time for swimming or kayaking, but nonetheless, it was still an unforgettable day filled with stunning nature and adventure.
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Naomi S wrote a review Feb 2024
2 contributions2 helpful votes
We spent a long time researching accommodation in Khao Sok, and I'm so happy we went with Smiley Tours. We did the 2 night, 3 day trip. Check-in was smooth and we paid the remaining balance in cash. We had arrived late afternoon, so we hadn't booked any extra activities. We were able to book three Dome rooms in the Dome Camp, and that was so cool! Facilities were basic, but we expected that. The air-con in the domes was exceptional, and the whole experience was so much fun. The next day we went to the lake houses, and the trip there was just beautiful. The houses themselves are again basic, but clean, and we had our own private toilet+shower. We didn't pay for the newer lake houses, as we didn't know what the difference was. Now seeing the newer houses, we would probably have booked them, as they had huge windows that looked out onto the lake. The best part of the accommodation is obviously the lake. We immediately went for a dip and borrowed the kayaks for a fun sail, where we actually spotted a monkey! The sunset safari was nice, saw lots more monkeys. The guide Kitkat was really good! No one from our group decided to do the morning safari, instead we went for a morning dip in the lake! Then we went on the jungle trek and cave tour, which was just amazing. I've never experience anything like it. We had heard some horror stories about tourists drowning in the cave, but it wasn't that bad at all. We had to swim two places in the cave, otherwise the water just went up to our knees. We could borrow shoes from Smiley as well as headlights, so that was very nice. I felt safe the whole time, however, despite there being 3 guides, none of them stayed at the back of the group. So my friends and I always made sure not to be the last people! The food was always good, nice curries, salad and fruit. All in all, it was definitely a highlight of my whole trip to Thailand.
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Travelled with friends
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Rang10 wrote a review Feb 2024
Wadsworth, Illinois8 contributions12 helpful votes
Had a nice time at Smiley Bungalows and Lakehouse. We are 2 60 year olds. We started out at the Bungalow for a night. It was new, clean and had AC. No tables or hooks to hang anything. Beds were comfortable. Basically a box to sleep in. Outside the unit, they are building more lakehouse units so noisy during the day. You are really only there in the evening and the next morning so not a big deal. It's right on the main drag so plenty of restaurants and shops. The next morning after breakfast they take you by minivan to the pier. About an hour ride. We then get in a large longboat for the one hour ride to Smileys. The ride to the lake was full of amazing scenery. Mountains and pillars rising out of the lake. Never saw anything like it. Smiley's floating lakehouse has older units, which we stayed in. And new units for an upgrade price, which we didn't know about. For $20 more definitely worth it. Our unit was again very basic. 2 beds and a small bathroom which was key for us. Some of the floating lakehouses from other companies only had shared bathrooms. I'm a big AC guy. I new Smileys didn't have AC and I was worried. I needn't be. At night it got cool enough to sleep with a fan in the room. Oh, and it was a little freaky sleeping with the windows wide open with no screens. But never saw a mosquito or any other bug in the room. They had a sunset cruise and sunrise cruise to look for mostly monkeys and Hornbill birds. Both were great. We saw monkeys on both cruises. And these are monkeys doing wild monkey things. Not human interactions type monkeys. The next morning after breakfast, we did the hike to the cave and the hiked through the cave. A little over 3 miles total. You would never be able to do the hike through the cave in the US. Saying that, it was very cool. Dangerous but cool. You're walking down a cave river with a headlamp. you sometimes see what you're walking through but a lot of times, it's just by feel. Lot's of bats that don't bother you. I'm glad I did it. Will not do it again. The staff at both places we very helpful and nice. And one more thing, take your boat tours with Kit Kat. He speak good english and was a lot of fun.
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Date of stay: January 2024
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Melanie C wrote a review Jan 2024
Camberley, United Kingdom48 contributions37 helpful votes
Lake house is in the middle of nowhere with stunning views, water is great temperature and we upgraded on room which was worth doing. Everything is clean and fresh and each pod has a kayak for use. Bed were comfy and shower was good. Food in canteen on decking was ok, fresh and basic. Tours on boats were fun but slightly disappointing as you can only see monkeys if they are about or birds, did think we would see more but not tours fault. I did not do tour cave as that was not what i wanted to do so chilled out at lake house till time to leave. You can buy beer and coke only would be nice to have some more selection like snacks etc
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Date of stay: January 2024
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Jennifer L wrote a review Jan 2024
Birmingham, United Kingdom9 contributions3 helpful votes
We were really disappointed with this , the staff were so so rude , not one staff member smiled the whole time , we were spoken to so rudely , and the nature guide didn’t even try to spot any wildlife he just yawned the whole time . I tried to ask questions about a bird in front of us and he said it’s just a bird , didn’t even know what breed . I guess the food was ok and the lake itself is beautiful but the safari were awful and the staff miserable .
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Date of stay: December 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Don’t expect smiley staff or to see any wildlife
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Ivana B wrote a review Jan 2024
2 contributions
Smooth operation, beautiful locations, great guides, food tasty and plentiful. The cave experience was the highlight:) don’t worry about the spiders and leeches and snakes. Don’t let it put you off. Accommodation was basic but very clean and comfortable enough.
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Date of stay: January 2024Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Phaiwan Rakbuathong, เจ้าของธุรกิจ at Khao Sok Smiley Lake House
Responded 12 Jan 2024
Thank you very very much for you are review about Smiley tour And Thank you very much for Sharing experience Please come to visit us again next time Thank you Phaiwan Smiley host
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Mayur wrote a review Jan 2024
66 contributions8 helpful votes
It was the highlight of our 16 days road trip from bangkok to krabi. We were 2 adult and1 kid and had amazing time relaxing swimming kayaking playing in water and just being in nothing but pure nature. I think there are 2 types of room. We were in 2 double bed room that can take in 4 people and it was absolutely beautiful with private bathroom. Each room has an exceptiona view with a kayak tied outside. I will never forget my 7 am solo kayak when a located a monkey. Food is awesome and of great variety. 500ml chang Beers are cheap 100 thb. Evening and morning safaris are feast for eyes. And the nam talu cave tour was killer adventure. Note i took my 7 year old son with me and at times he got really scared for all the creepy crawlies and i had to carry him at multiple ocassions and especially during the time when water level goes above head for 2 meter distance. Having said that it was the best adventure ever. These guys are very nice i communicated with them over whatsap for various queries and all were swiftly answered. They even had the electricity 24 hours in our room. With the price they charge, it is an absolute steal for the kind of experience you get in this hidden gem of thailand. A night stayed here was just like a dream.
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Date of stay: December 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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LOCATION
ThailandSurat Thani ProvinceKhao Sok National Park
NUMBER OF ROOMS
42
Prices are provided by our partners for one room, with variable occupancy rules as provided by the property, and reflect nightly room rates, including all taxes and fees known to our partners. Please see our partners for more details.
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KHAO SOK SMILEY LAKE HOUSE - Updated 2024 (Khao Sok National Park, Thailand)

Frequently Asked Questions about Khao Sok Smiley Lake House
Which popular attractions are close to Khao Sok Smiley Lake House?
Nearby attractions include Khao Sok National Park (3.6 miles).
What are some of the property amenities at Khao Sok Smiley Lake House?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge.
What food & drink options are available at Khao Sok Smiley Lake House?
Guests can enjoy free breakfast, an on-site restaurant, and a lounge during their stay.
Which languages are spoken by the staff at Khao Sok Smiley Lake House?
The staff speaks multiple languages, including English and Thai.
Does Khao Sok Smiley Lake House have any great views?
Yes, guests often enjoy the lake view available here.