Hotel Dusit Island Resort Chang Rai

The hotel is located on an island on the edge of Mae Kok River. It is about 10 minutes from the city centre and 7 mi from the international airport.

Pick up your towels next to the swimming pool and gym, but don't forget to return them before you head back to your room.

The modern, pyramidal shape of the Dusit Island Resort immediately stands out from the luxuriant vegetation which surrounds it. Once through the entrance, you will enter a large, high-ceilinged hallway decorated with statues. The refined, local style is very attractive. For those of you who are looking for outdoor activities, the hotel has a gym, a tennis court and, of course, a swimming pool with a pool bar and a table-tennis table. A massage is recommended on arrival, especially if you have just stepped off the plane. A session lasting an hour and a half will set you back around 700 bahts (£13). Don't be afraid to say exactly how intense you want the treatment to be, because the sessions are often quite vigorous. As regards transport, there are shuttle links available with the city centre and the airport, for a fee. The landing stage below the restaurant is the departure point for trips to the elephant village.

The 271 rooms are spacious and comfortable. In addition to the two green sofas and the large desk with drawers, they have a safe, a minibar and a television broadcasting a number of international channels. On the bedside table, you will find English and Thai copies of the Teachings of Buddha and the New Testament. The bed is prepared every evening, with a bottle of water and slippers provided. Try to book a room overlooking the Mae Kok, as the views are amazing! The Island Suite is kept for honeymooning couples and has a four-poster bed and a plasma-screen television. The bathroom, which has a bathtub and a separate shower (with a host of beauty products provided), is reached through a sliding door from the bedroom. As for internet access, it is not free of charge here.

The international restaurant on the 10th floor overlooks the whole region and Mae Kok River. Dinner here is a candlelit affair taken in softened lighting. The wine list is varied. Chinese cuisine enthusiasts will probably opt for the Dim Sum in the second restaurant, which is open from 11:30am to 2:30pm, and from 6:30pm to 10:00pm For those of you who wish to eat a bit lighter, you might want to investigate the Island Cafe (which is open all day), or the swimming pool bar. The Island Cafe is also the place to go to if you want breakfast. The buffet here is reasonable, but the fruit juice was a real disappointment. It is not natural, which comes as a surprise given the delicious fruit (especially pineapples) that the country produces.