For those looking to take a city break or just need some time to relax and do nothing while being surrounded by nature – this is the place for you!

I visited this mountain resort in February of 2019, so there was still a bit of a chill in the air in the mornings, but it added to the experience. And if you’ve been in Thailand long enough, then you’ll appreciate the morning freshness while looking over the hills.

The Mountain View Suite I stayed in had a superb view. In fact, from what I could see, most of the room types had a pretty good view. The suite was so spacious and well-furnished, but could do with a touch up.

As for the bathroom , it was one of the most sizable ones I’ve had at a resort. Complete with a His-and-Hers basins at opposite sides of the room (no exaggeration), a separate shower with with great water pressure, and a bathtub to soak in after a day of sightseeing. It had all the bathroom amenities you would need, and housekeeping were also kind enough to provide us with tealight candles around the tub out of their own initiative.

The suite had an enormous, comfortable bed with soft pillows to help you doze off. Whats more, if you’re a morning kind of of person then you can leave the block out curtains open to enjoy the orange glow of the sunrise directly onto your bed. In the room there was also a large desk and chair, sofa and a round table with chairs in case you wanted to dine indoors.

One of the best features of this suite for me was the balcony. Once again the size was enormous and it had a bar table and two chairs. This was perfect for us because my partner and I could dine there and we even asked the staff to set the the table for a romantic dinner one evening. They also had two comfortable sun loungers which we used for quite often.

There is a big swimming pool at the top (closest to the reception area), and one extremely large hot Jacuzzi, as well as a cold one. ( I know, everything seems bigger there). We spent most of our time alternating between the hot and cold Jacuzzi’s. I know it might sound strange to enjoy being in a hot Jacuzzi in Thailand, but the temperature was just right and relaxing enough.

In the lobby area there was a fireplace with sofas around it, and a bar area with ample sitting place where one could also enjoy the fireplace. I thought that this was a unique feature to have and I can only imagine how cozy it must feel in the ‘cold’ season.

The dining area was very open and we spent many mornings taking our time over breakfast to enjoy the sound of the birds chirping. (By the way, the freshly made bread was some of the best I’ve ever had. I would say that the food at breakfast was just enough and they alternated some dishes daily.) This is the only restaurant (with indoor and outdoor seating available) on the premises and it doesn’t stay open until late – which is a shame because if you don’t have your own transportation to drive around, it could be an inconvenience; the same goes for room service. However, if you’re in the city I would recommend eating at Chivit Thamma Da. You won’t regret it!

The resort was also in the process of completing the Katiliya Park. There you can find different species of exotic birds, beautiful swans, ducks, squirrels and more. They also have orchids on display that would take your breath away! If you’re more of the active type then you can go on the walking trail.

Overall, I found the staff at Katiliya Mountain Resort most accommodating to my needs and they were always ready to go the extra mile out of their own accord. The venue is quite secluded and a bit far from the city or main attractions. I did go to the tea plantation nearby (Choui Fong Tea Plantation) which makes for a good outing. Otherwise you will have to take a drive into the city if you want to see attractions like The White Temple or The Golden Clock Tower.

*Credited photos by Focal Smart.