Best Resort in Pai, Thailand – Stay at Puripai Villa!

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Pai, Thailand – My Favorite Hidden Paradise! 🌿✨

If you ask me what my favorite place in Thailand is, I’d answer Pai without hesitation.

I first visited Pai eight years ago on my very first backpacking trip—a remote little town tucked away in the mountains. It was the first time I truly felt a sense of complete freedom and lived fully in nature.

It was also in Pai that I first met digital nomads, people who worked remotely while traveling the world. Seeing them, I made a promise to myself—one day, I’ll live like that too.

Getting to Pai – A Scenic (and Twisty) Journey 🚗🌄

🚗 3 hours by van from Chiang Mai
🌿 762 winding mountain curves (brace yourself!)
🛑 One rest stop—use the bathroom before leaving! (Trust me, you’ll want to avoid the rest stop toilets 😅)

You can easily book a van from Chiang Mai to Pai through a travel agency, and they even offer hotel pickup. Super convenient!

Even though I usually don’t get carsick, the constant twisting and turning of the mountain road got to me. A little ice cream at the rest stop helped, but I couldn’t wait to get off the van.

This is why I hesitate to bring my mom here—I know she’d love Pai, but I don’t think she’d survive the ride. 😂

First Stop – Our Resort in Nature 🌿🏡

🏡 Resort: Puripai Villa
📍 130 M. 5 T. Mae Na Theung, Pai, Mae Hong Son, Thailand

The moment we arrived, I knew we had picked the perfect place. Like many accommodations in Pai, Puripai Villa is surrounded by pure nature.

Our Private Paradise – A Room with a View! 🌄

As soon as I stepped into the room, I couldn’t help but say, “This is it!”

It was slightly cloudy, with light rain falling, but I didn’t mind at all. The smell of rain, the fresh air, and the peaceful surroundings made everything feel even more magical.

After dropping off our bags, we headed straight to the resort’s bar by the pool for a drink.

Beer, Rain, and Pure Relaxation 🍺🌧️

The poolside bar became our go-to spot every morning and evening.

Something about sitting there, listening to the sound of the rain while sipping an ice-cold beer, was pure heaven.

And let’s be real—beer in Thailand just hits different. Maybe it’s the carefree vibe, the warm weather, or the fact that you’re completely detached from stress and responsibilities. Whatever it is, nothing else is needed.

…But of course, we still ordered food. 😂 Because beer alone is never enough!

Exploring the Resort – A Hidden Gem

After relaxing for a bit, we wandered around the resort.

✔️ Surprisingly quiet, with very few guests
✔️ Mostly Thai families on vacation

Pai’s accommodations always make me wonder—how do they stay in business? Every place we visit feels serene and empty, yet the quality is top-notch, and the service is unbelievably kind. No wonder people dream of living here.

A Walk Through Paradise – And the Cutest Locals! 🐶🐾

Behind Puripai Villa, there’s a scenic walking path that leads to open, breathtaking landscapes.

For city people like us, used to being surrounded by concrete buildings, this place felt like another world.

And the best part? These adorable dogs that seemed to live at the resort! 🐶

They were so friendly and playful, following us around the entire time. I even had some cute photos with them, but unfortunately, I can’t find them now. Still, the memories are priceless!

Ending the First Day in Pai – Peace & Quiet

As the weather cleared up, we took a moment to enjoy the poolside views before wrapping up the day.

For the first night, we decided to keep it simple—just a light dinner, then an early rest.

Because in Pai, there’s no rush. Life moves slowly, peacefully, and beautifully.

And that’s exactly why I keep coming back. ❤️