READER REPORT:
Joy's House, Chiang Mai - combine travel with charity

Tina Yap travels to northern Thailand, eschewing her typical preference for five-star accommodation in favour of a humble and rewarding homestay.

Recently, my husband and I stayed at Joy's House in Chiang Mai for five nights. This humble homestay is run by the delightful Joy Worrawittayakhun and her family and all proceeds from tourists are directly donated to the Children's Shelter Foundation - a home dedicated to help orphaned and underprivileged children.
     I was very impressed with how well our booking enquiry was handled and the cleanliness of the room. But most of all I was impressed by all the people at Joy's House. Getting to know Joy and her family and watching them devote their time to caring for these underprivileged children was inspiring and heart-warming. Although it was our first visit, staying at Joy's House felt like staying with family or dear friends. And being on the receiving end of the children's warmth and friendliness was simply unforgettable.
     Situated in a quiet, residential neighborhood just 20 minutes from the city, our stay at Joy's House taught us vacations don't always have to be five-star to be thoroughly enjoyed. In fact, we felt more relaxed than ever after this vacation, where the accommodation, hosts and environment ensured a truly unique and personal holiday experience. I'd highly recommend a few days at Joy's House the next time you're in Chiang Mai. Go with an open heart, allow yourself to be welcomed as a family member and bring small gifts for the children for a terrific welcome. We've already booked a return trip." 114 Sanpeesue Village Mu9, Chiang Mai.
Tel: +66 53 854 213, Fax: +66 53 248 960. www.joyshouse.de

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Posted Apr 2011